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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares a deeply personal message titled Lessons Learned from the Most Impactful Memorial Service I’ve Ever Been To.

After attending the memorial service of Pastor Jeff Leake, Doug reflects on what it truly means to finish well. From family and friendship to legacy and leadership, this episode is a powerful reminder that one day every leader will reach their finish line — and the decisions we make today determine what will be said then.

Doug unpacks the lessons that challenged him most and invites you to examine your own life, priorities, and leadership through the lens of eternity.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why this memorial service deeply moved Doug
02:00 – Doug’s relationship with Jeff and the impact of mentorship
04:00 – The 2% principle: Finishing with family, character, and calling intact
08:00 – “Nobody has a dad like my dad” — intentional parenting that lasts
12:00 – Why family must come before success
14:30 – The urgency of spiritual fathers and mothers
18:00 – Becoming a spiritual parent to the next generation
20:30 – “Calm always wins” — emotional steadiness in leadership
25:00 – Teaching leadership lessons at home
27:00 – First Samuel 20 friendships: Anything, anytime, anywhere
31:00 – Your legacy is not what you do, but what you set into motion
35:00 – Resume building vs. people building
38:00 – Why documenting your content is a gift to your family
42:00 – One day it will be your memorial service
45:00 – What are you doing with your life?
48:00 – Long obedience in the same direction
50:00 – Don’t quit. Finish well.

🎙 Guest
Doug Smith – Host, L3 Leadership Podcast

👥 Leaders Referenced

Henry Cloud – https://drcloud.com

Eugene Peterson – https://www.navpress.com

Jeff Leake (Legacy referenced throughout episode)

🤝 Sponsor

Andocia Marketing Solutions – https://andocia.com

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎥 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrF93uIEB9BusYfpXUPIriU3evdBXjqaL

🎙️ LISTEN ON ALL PLATFORMS:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/5082

SUBSCRIBE TO:
@l3leadership
@dougsmithlive

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In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore, founder of Growing Leaders and bestselling author of The Future Begins with Z: 9 Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace.

After following Tim’s work for nearly two decades, Doug finally gets to have a conversation that every leader needs to hear. Together, they unpack the realities of leading Generation Z, why three out of four managers say Gen Z is the toughest generation to manage, and how leaders can shift from frustration to opportunity.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Tim wrote The Future Begins with Z
02:00 – The alarming stats about managing Generation Z
03:45 – The “Peter Pan Paradox”: Age of authority ↓, age of maturity ↑
07:00 – Artificial maturity: Overexposed to information, underexposed to experience
12:00 – Parenting the next generation: Risk, responsibility, and resilience
17:00 – Why leaders must mentor—not just manage
20:00 – The onboarding mistake costing companies Gen Z talent
21:30 – “Everyone has a voice. Not everyone has a vote.”
24:00 – Why Gen Z decides whether to stay on Day One
26:00 – Mental health realities leaders must understand
27:00 – The A.L.E.G. framework for difficult conversations
33:00 – Reverse mentoring: What older leaders must learn from Gen Z
36:00 – Lessons Tim learned from John Maxwell
41:00 – Advice for aspiring authors and speakers
48:00 – Begin with belief: Let people start with an “A”
51:00 – Don’t stereotype—listen before confronting
53:00 – Tim’s life sentence: The legacy he hopes to leave

🎙 Guest

• Dr. Tim Elmore – https://www.timelmore.com
  
  
• The Future Begins with Z – https://www.timelmore.com/books
  
  
• A Book in a Weekend – https://www.abookinaweekend.com
  
  

📚 Books Mentioned

• The Future Begins with Z – https://www.timelmore.com/books
  
  
• Leadership and Self-Deception – https://arbinger.com
  
  
• From Strength to Strength – https://arthurbrooks.com/books
  
  

👥 Leaders Referenced

• John C. Maxwell – https://johnmaxwell.com
  
  
• Henry Cloud – https://drcloud.com
  
  
• Arthur C. Brooks – https://arthurbrooks.com
  
  

🤝 Sponsor

• Andocia Marketing Solutions – https://andocia.com

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎥 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrF93uIEB9BusYfpXUPIriU3evdBXjqaL

🎙️ LISTEN ON ALL PLATFORMS:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/5082

SUBSCRIBE TO:
@l3leadership
@dougsmithlive

Send a text

In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares Part 2 of his annual reflection series, unpacking the final ten lessons he learned in 2025 and how they are shaping his leadership moving into 2026. Drawing from real conversations, leadership challenges, faith, and personal growth, Doug challenges leaders to rethink success, create margin, embrace hard seasons, and recognize the significance of the work God is doing in and through them.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Doug shares his annual lessons and how they’re selected
01:45 – Lesson 11: You can have everything and still have nothing
03:30 – Lesson 12: In leadership, there are things only you can do
05:00 – Lesson 13: The necessity of people who challenge your perceptions
07:45 – Lesson 14: Follow a proven path when you don’t know what to do
08:45 – Lesson 15: Why AI can be a powerful personal and leadership coach
10:30 – Lesson 16: Margin matters—create it with time and finances
11:45 – Lesson 17: You’re always campaigning, whether you realize it or not
13:30 – Lesson 18: The gospel comes with a house key
15:15 – Lesson 19: Lessons learned in one season prepare you for the next
17:30 – Lesson 20: Don’t minimize the work God is doing in and through you
18:45 – Final encouragement: Don’t quit—your leadership matters more than you think

Resources Mentioned:

• The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
• The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
• “Good” Leadership Mindset – Jocko Willink (Video)

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎧 LISTEN ON SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3CBHbRL6rJtSXwpKBaamNo?si=ee120ef86cf243ba

🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-l3-leadership-podcast-with-doug-smith/id495751888

🎙️ LISTEN ON ALL PLATFORMS:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/5082

SUBSCRIBE TO:
@l3leadership
@dougsmithlive