Surfacing Leaders

In this special episode of the *Surfacing Leaders* podcast, host Marc Koehler reconnects with former shipmate, Sean Kelley. Both Marc and Sean served together aboard the nuclear-powered USS Pogy submarine, and this episode is filled with stories from their time beneath the waves. They recount life on a submarine—its challenges, its camaraderie, and the unique lessons that shaped their leadership styles. For anyone curious about the rare and close-knit bond formed on submarines, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into that world.

Beyond their shared Navy days, Sean reflects on his impressive career post-military, including leadership roles at Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks, where he became a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Throughout their conversation, Marc and Sean draw connections between their submarine experiences and leadership principles—resilience, inclusion, and accountability.

In this episode, listeners will hear:

- The importance of resilience and teamwork in high-stakes environments.

- How submarine experiences shaped both Marc and Sean’s leadership philosophies.

- Insights on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations.

- Practical advice on how to stay invested in your team and lead through challenging times.

This is a one-of-a-kind episode blending personal stories and deep insights, highlighting the human spirit that drives leadership. 

Connect with Sean Kelley

LinkedIn

Website

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky, a unique voice in workplace culture and the future of work. Smiley's wealth of experience in fostering inclusivity, belonging, and personal connection in today's rapidly evolving work environment, particularly in connecting with the next generation of workers—Millennials and Gen Z, makes his insights invaluable.

Smiley explores the shift from traditional leadership roles to a more coaching and mentoring approach. He delves into the impact of AI on workplace dynamics while emphasizing the need for human-centric leadership that prioritizes empathy, curiosity, and personal growth.

Through real-world examples and personal anecdotes, Smiley highlights the importance of building deeper connections and nurturing talent within teams, especially for a new workforce driven by purpose and community.

Listeners will gain practical insights on:

• Integrating personal connection into daily work routines.
• Navigating the complexities of DEI initiatives and their impact on organizational culture.
• Embracing technology while maintaining a focus on human elements like storytelling and empathy.
• Engaging younger employees by fostering a culture of belonging and purpose-driven leadership.

Smiley also shares highly actionable advice for leaders looking to surface their inner potential. His emphasis on the value of being a supportive friend and mentor to both colleagues and loved ones makes his advice not just insightful but immediately applicable in the workplace.

Tune in to discover how you can foster a more inclusive and engaging work environment while staying true to your core values. For more information about Smiley and his resources, visit his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Join us for this enlightening conversation and learn how to lead with heart and purpose in today's dynamic world.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler speaks with Jean-Louis “JL” Jabbour, the youngest General Manager in the College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving franchise network, leading one of its most successful locations. As a standout 27-year old Gen Z leader in an organization with over 200 franchises nationwide, JL offers a unique look into the business strategies and leadership principles that have fueled his impressive rise in the company.

College H.U.N.K.S. is a brand known for its commitment to leadership development, culture, and purpose-driven service, which Marc witnessed ans was impressed with first-hand when his daughter hired College H.U.N.K.S. for her moving needs earlier this year. JL discusses how these core values are integrated into every aspect of their operations, from building a motivated team to delivering exceptional customer experiences. His story also highlights the importance of creating a positive work environment that's both scalable and sustainable—a hallmark of the College H.U.N.K.S approach.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the culture that sets College Hunks apart as JL breaks down:

• How empathy, open communication, and continuous growth have been central to his journey as a Gen Z leader.
• The company's focus on building leaders and fostering teamwork has been pivotal to the success of his location.
• The company's eco-friendly initiatives, including their commitment to recycling or donating up to 70% of the items they haul, reflecting a broader vision of sustainability and community impact.

The conversation doesn't stop at business operations. JL opens up about his transformation from a “video game kid” into a dynamic leader. He discusses the power of setting clear goals, breaking them down into actionable micro-goals, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. His leadership style is rooted in principles like empathy, effective communication, and the relentless pursuit of both personal and professional development. He shares candid stories of overcoming obstacles, offering practical advice on applying these lessons in your career or entrepreneurial journey.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning what it takes to motivate and lead the younger generations, build a high-performing team, or be inspired by a story of transformation and success. Tune in to discover how JL Jabbour is helping College Hunks set new industry standards and how you can apply these same principles to achieve your own leadership goals.

JL’sLinks:

• LinkedIn
• CollegeHunks Website

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has an inspiring conversation with Bita Safari, an extraordinary philanthropist, entrepreneur, and founder of GiGO Clean. 

Bita, who immigrated from Iran but has lived in Orange County, California, for the past 30 years, brings a unique perspective to leadership and resilience, shaped by her rich cultural heritage and deep commitment to making a difference in the world.

Bita shares the incredible strength and perseverance it took to navigate the challenges of building a startup, supporting her husband through a cancer battle, and raising a family—all while staying true to her passion for helping children in poverty and advocating for women’s equality.

In this conversation, Bita shares the leadership lessons she’s learned, emphasizing the importance of mental strength, crisis management, and leveraging a team’s strengths.

She also reflects on the critical role of a solid HR strategy in building a successful business and how her dedication to social causes has empowered her journey.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking for inspiration, you’ll find this episode incredibly valuable.

Connect with Bita Safari:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• GiGO Clean Website
• Bita Safari Website

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned author and leadership expert Dr. David Burkus. 

Together, they delve into the delicate balance between autonomy and accountability in the workplace, exploring strategies for enhancing employee engagement and fostering a culture of recognition and purpose that build the best team ever.

Dr. Burkus draws on his extensive research and experience to discuss the importance of detailed, team-specific engagement metrics over-generalized data. He explains how the unprecedented autonomy granted during the pandemic has reshaped employee expectations and organizational dynamics, emphasizing that organizations mastering this balance will attract high-performing talent.

Throughout the episode, listeners will gain valuable insights from Dr. Burkus's analysis of the post-pandemic workplace and his predictions for the future of work. He highlights the significance of providing impactful feedback and celebrating individual contributions within a team. 

Dr. Burkus also offers practical advice on how leaders can navigate remote and hybrid work arrangements while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and accountability.

The episode concludes with actionable takeaways for aspiring leaders:

• Emphasize the importance of work that matters and let employees know they matter.
• Use detailed, team-specific metrics to drive meaningful improvements.
• Balance autonomy with accountability to attract and retain top talent.

Tune in to discover how you can create a workplace where people do work that matters and feel that they matter, setting the stage for exceptional team performance and leadership success.

Contact Links for Dr. David Burkus:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

Join us in this episode to uncover the principles that elevate leadership and performance. These principles are not exclusive but universal, and you can learn how to integrate these timeless values into your own journey.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Laura Bratton to hear her incredible story of grit and gratitude.  After losing her sight as a young child, she became the author of Harnessing Courage and became a top leadership speaker.

Laura brings a unique perspective on these essential qualities. She recounts her story of surfacing as a leader and how she learned that grit goes beyond mere perseverance, emphasizing the importance of balancing determination with moments of vulnerability and intentional gratitude. Laura illustrates that acknowledging challenges and embracing humanity is crucial to sustaining long-term resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Laura and Marc delve into practical strategies for integrating grit and gratitude into leadership. Laura offers valuable insights on how these principles can be fostered within teams and organizations, sharing simple yet effective practices for leaders to introduce. She discusses the impact of these practices on professional success and personal relationships, offering touching examples of how leaders have used gratitude to reconnect with loved ones.

Listeners will gain actionable advice from Laura’s experiences, including:

• Embrace vulnerability: Recognize and accept when you lack the strength to continue and use it as a stepping stone to future growth.
• Foster a culture of gratitude: Implement daily practices that encourage appreciation and recognition within your team.
• Connect on a human level: Use gratitude to build deeper relationships in and out of the workplace.

Join us for this episode to discover how grit and gratitude can transform your leadership journey and personal life. Laura’s insights offer a refreshing perspective on balancing strength and compassion to achieve meaningful success.

Tune in to uncover how embracing these timeless values can elevate your leadership and create lasting positive change.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Jason Harris, a former Air Force combat pilot and seasoned leader. Their conversation explores the deep connections between trust, legacy, and resilience in effective leadership.

Jason shares powerful insights from his career as a combat pilot and leadership coach, focusing on the importance of creating a culture of trust within teams. He discusses his approach of "hearing, understanding, acknowledging, and taking action," revealing how these simple steps can build a strong, high-performing team.

Listeners will discover how Jason drew inspiration from the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of pioneering African American pilots whose courage and perseverance shaped his own leadership philosophy. He reflects on how their example of overcoming adversity and maintaining hope has influenced his approach to facing challenges and leading others.

The episode also offers practical advice for aspiring leaders, including:

• Embracing failures as opportunities for growth.
• Building trust by genuinely listening to and valuing team members.
• Defining your leadership legacy by understanding what kind of leader you want to be.

Join us for this engaging discussion to learn how Jason Harris's experiences and principles can inspire you to elevate your own leadership journey. Discover actionable strategies for building trust, facing adversity, and creating a lasting impact.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts

Connect with Jason Harris:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dan Chuparkoff, an AI and innovation expert. They explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on leadership and team dynamics.

Dan shares his journey of surfacing as a leader at Google to founding Reinvention Labs, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and innovation. He discusses how his company helps teams understand and apply AI effectively, giving you back your time to create, innovate, and expand.

In this conversation, Dan reveals the top AI tools he uses to break down language barriers and enhance global communication, the shift AI will be making with information sharing and decision-making, and, ultimately, where he envisions our future with AI.

Marc and Dan discuss the importance of fostering an environment of experimentation and autonomy, empowering employees to explore new ideas that drive innovation.

Dan explains step-by-step how leaders and anyone on the team can adapt to technological advancements, integrate AI into their operations, and bypass resistance from the top.

You'll learn practical ways to implement AI and be inspired by Dan's unconventional perspective on work. Like these three practical ways you can begin to advance today:

• Dedicate time each day to learning something new.
• Embrace small, continuous improvements.
• Be open to reinventing oneself.

Join us in this episode to discover how AI can transform your team and organization, empowering you to step into a future that's less about tasks and more about innovation and impact.