Ever wondered what happens when you take the leadership lessons from flying military helicopters and apply them to corporate America? In this conversation with Carl Sharperson Jr., author of "Sharp Leadership" and former Marine Corps pilot, Cam and Otis explore the fascinating transition from military service to business leadership.

"The plant ran better with us not being there than it did when we were there," Carl reveals, sharing a powerful story about what happened when all the managers went on a two-day retreat. This counterintuitive insight highlights one of Carl's core leadership principles: when you truly empower your people with the right tools and resources, they'll often exceed your expectations.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Carl's candid reflection on his own leadership journey. "My team leader pulled me aside one day and said, 'Carl, you're micromanaging, you don't need to do that,'" he shares, explaining how this direct feedback helped him "flip the script" and transform his approach. From discussing the delicate balance of allowing people to fail without catastrophic consequences to exploring how he applied leadership principles as an entrepreneur, Carl offers practical wisdom drawn from his unique experience across military, corporate, and entrepreneurial settings.

Whether you're transitioning from one leadership context to another or simply looking to elevate your team from mediocrity to excellence, Carl's insights on building relationships and taking care of your people provide a roadmap for authentic, effective leadership.

More About Carl:
Carl Sharperson Jr. is a renowned Leadership Innovation Strategist, speaker, and coach, celebrated for his ability to elevate leaders from mediocrity to their fullest potential in both professional and personal realms. He is the acclaimed author of Sharp Leadership: Overcome Adversity to Lead with Authenticity and Sharp Leadership: Parenting Principles for Rearing Young People. Carl's expertise lies in recognizing that many individuals operate at only 50% capacity due to inadequate leadership, development, or job fit. Through his proprietary Sharp Leadership coaching process, combined with his rich experiences in the military, corporate America, and entrepreneurship, Carl delivers transformative results for his audiences and corporate clients. A proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former United States Marine Corps pilot with a BS in Engineering, Carl has also documented his military experiences in Short Rations for Marines and For My Sons and Brothers. Following his distinguished military service, Carl held senior sales and operational positions at prestigious companies such as Procter & Gamble, Frito-Lay, and Colgate-Palmolive. He was Vice President of Manufacturing for an international sports company before answering the call to entrepreneurship in 2000, launching Sharperson’s Executive Leadership. Carl has since worked with executives at major organizations, including Purdue Farms, Harley-Davidson, GlaxoSmithKline, Sara Lee, BMW, Edward Jones, Houston Independent School District, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, the University of North Carolina, and Chick-fil-A, among others. As a dynamic speaker, Carl travels nationwide, inspiring students to explore military training, sharing his triumphant journey of surviving Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Stage 1 Colon cancer, and empowering leaders with the principles of servant leadership. Dedicated to giving back, Carl actively participates in several community and faith-based initiatives, mentoring youth and helping them reach their maximum potential. He resides in the Upstate of South Carolina with his wife, and they are proud parents of a son and a daughter. If you are ready to elevate your team from mediocrity to excellence, book Carl Sharperson Jr. today.

Chapter Times and Titles:

From CH-46 to Corporate America [00:00 - 05:00

Ever wondered what happens when sales training expertise meets veteran transition needs? In this conversation with Michele McManamon, CEO and Co-Founder of Operation New Uniform, Cam and Otis explore how a single scholarship offer evolved into a national movement helping veterans build meaningful civilian careers.

"We're not teaching them how to interview, we're teaching them how to sell," Michele explains, sharing how ONU helps veterans translate their military experience into success beyond service. What began as one scholarship to her Sandler sales program has grown into an organization that’s impacted over 700 servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses across 28 states.

From expanding veterans’ career perspectives to sharing stories of transformation, Michele offers valuable insights into the challenges of transition and the power of mindset. As Otis puts it, “Every time I stood up in front of the boss and said, ‘This is what I think we should do’… I was selling. And there ain’t nobody teaching it.”

More About Michele:
Michele McManamon is the CEO and Co-Founder of Operation New Uniform (ONU), a nonprofit helping veterans and military families overcome unemployment and career transition challenges. ONU’s curriculum, based on Sandler training, has reached over 700 graduates and impacted more than 2,400 lives. Michele’s leadership has earned her multiple honors, including Woman Business Owner of the Year, Jacksonville’s Top 25 Influential Women, and Veteran Community Champion of the Year.

#LeadershipPodcast #VeteranSuccess #OperationNewUniform #MicheleMcManamon #TribeAndPurpose #CamAndOtis #MilitaryTransition #CareerReadiness #SalesTraining #VeteranEmpowerment #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDriven #ServiceToSuccess #10xYourTeam

Chapter Times and Titles:

From Sandler to Service [00:00 - 05:00]
Introduction to Michele McManamon
The origin story of Operation New Uniform
How one scholarship evolved into a national organization

"We're Teaching Them How to Sell" [05:01 - 15:00]
The Sandler methodology applied to veteran transition
Why interview skills aren't enough
Teaching veterans to articulate their value

Opening the Aperture [15:01 - 25:00]
Helping veterans see beyond military roles
"There's HR roles, there's IT..."
Breaking down limiting beliefs about civilian careers

The Military-Sales Connection [25:01 - 35:00]
Otis: "Every time I stood up in front of the boss... I was selling"
How military experience translates to business skills
Building on existing strengths rather than starting over

Building a National Impact [35:01 - 45:00]
Expanding from Jacksonville to nationwide
The power of partnerships with other veteran organizations
Success stories and transformation examples

Getting Involved with ONU [45:01 - End]
How veterans can apply for the program
How businesses can partner and hire ONU graduates
Final thoughts and contact information (ONUvets.org)

Connect with Michele McManamon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemcmanamon/
Website: ONUVets.org

Ever wondered why some businesses successfully scale while others get stuck in startup mode? In this conversation with Courtney De Ronde, CEO of Forge Financial and creator of the Simple ScaleUp System™, Cam and Otis explore the delicate balance between innovation and process that growing organizations must navigate.

"Efficiency creates clarity, and clarity unlocks growth," Courtney explains, revealing how her background as a CPA evolved into helping businesses build systems that actually work. From discussing the COLBY assessment that measures cognitive strengths to explaining why some leaders struggle with implementing processes, this episode offers practical wisdom about scaling with intention.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Courtney's insight into what breaks systems. "If any of this information that you're using is based on inaccurate, incomplete, or not timely information, that'll break your system down," she shares, offering a refreshing perspective on why even well-designed processes can fail without the right foundation.

Whether you're a startup founder worried about becoming too rigid or a scaling business leader trying to create more structure, Courtney's approach to balancing innovation with process provides a roadmap for growth that doesn't sacrifice creativity or purpose.

More About Courtney:
Courtney De Ronde is the CEO of Forge Financial and Management Consulting and the creator of the Simple ScaleUp SystemTM. She helps business and nonprofit leaders utilize a proven system to take charge of their personal and organizational development, enabling them to fulfill their purpose and lead their organizations to do the same. With 20+ years as a CPA and 15 years as a business leader, Courtney has firsthand experience running, scaling, advising, and serving small businesses. Today, she shares that knowledge as a speaker and consultant with her team at Forge. Recognized for her expertise in business intelligence, leadership, corporate finance, and productivity, Courtney presents at conferences and events nationwide. When she’s not helping companies grow, she enjoys time with her husband and three children on their latest family road trip or at home in Des Moines, Iowa.

Chapter Times and Titles:

From CPA to ScaleUp Expert [00:00 - 05:00]
Introduction to Courtney De Ronde
The journey from accounting to business leadership
First glimpses of the Simple ScaleUp System™

Innovation vs. Process: The False Dichotomy [05:01 - 15:00]
The COLBY assessment and cognitive strengths
"Some of us lead with the quick start mode."
Why do different leadership styles complement each other

When Systems Cost Too Much [15:01 - 25:00]
The danger of over-systematizing too early
Balancing structure with startup flexibility
Giving team members ownership over innovation

What Breaks Systems Down [25:01 - 35:00]
The importance of reliable information
Common pitfalls in system implementation
How to build processes that actually work

The Good Idea Fairy [35:01 - 45:00]
Managing innovation within established processes
"The boss is coming back from a conference."
Why executive teams should learn together

Scaling with Purpose [45:01 - End]
Connecting systems to the organizational mission
How to get started with the Simple ScaleUp System™
Final thoughts on balancing growth with intention

Connect with Courtney De Ronde
https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyderonde/
https://www.facebook.com/forgefmc
https://www.forgeahead.com/


#10xyourteam #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScalingStrategy #SimpleScaleUpSystem #Entrepreneurship #InnovationAndProcess #LeadershipPodcast #TeamClarity #BusinessIntelligence #SystemsThinking #LeadershipJourney #OperationalExcellence #PurposeDrivenGrowth #ForgeFinancial #TribeAndPurpose