Justin Walker, a Navy veteran transitioning from solopreneurship, highlights his multifaceted hobbies like playing musical instruments, despite not being an expert. He introduces the concept of the “attitude and effort cycle,” underscoring the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and diligent effort, regardless of motivation levels. In discussing leadership, Justin stresses the need for self-awareness, proactive behavior, and clarity to mitigate uncertainty, making connections between military and corporate leadership. He advocates for regular leadership assessments and acknowledges the environment’s role in building team cohesion. Further, Justin’s view on success has evolved to embrace a comprehensive approach, prioritizing personal health, family, and embracing the journey. He advises leaders to concentrate on shaping the environment rather than exerting direct influence on people.
Key Takeaways:
[03:08] Justin shares what he does during his leisure time, such as playing the piano, guitar, and singing, despite acknowledging his lack of expertise. He reflects on his upbringing in a small Kansas town, where he recognized a need for change, and steering clear of a monotonous lifestyle. Shaped by his environment and personal choices, Justin’s inclination to avoid stagnancy appears to stem from a combination of nature and nurture.
[06:25] He discusses the term “attitude and effort cycle,” explaining the importance of either having a positive attitude or putting in effort to kick-start the cycle. Justin notes that even when lacking motivation, putting in effort can lead to a positive attitude over time. He also mentions an “attitude gap” in pursuing long-term goals, where motivation may wane but gradually returns as the goal nears completion. Justin also shares that his interest in discipline and ambition led him to explore the military as a way to develop and amplify these qualities, acknowledging that it was one of many paths for growth.
[11:44] Justin shares a personal opinion on the widespread desire to play musical instruments, suggesting that many people fantasize about being able to play like a rock star. He believes that those who recognize the importance of making time for personal growth are more likely to pursue their musical interests. However, Justin acknowledges that priorities differ, and for some, making money might take precedence over exploring musical talents.
[12:52] He discusses the importance of focus and the ability to navigate ambiguity in both personal endeavors, like learning a new song, and in the business world. Justin also highlights the challenges of being in the middle space of leadership, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and the ability to reduce ambiguity. He stresses the importance of taking initiative and not waiting for permission to figure things out.
[22:22] Justin draws parallels between operating on Amazon and the military, highlighting the challenges of navigating complexity within a large organization. He discusses two leadership approaches: technical problem-solving, akin to changing a light bulb, and adaptive problem-solving, addressing behavioral challenges. Coming from a military background, Justin emphasizes the shift in focus from technical to behavioral issues in a non-military environment, requiring guidance, coaching, and time for behavioral changes to manifest.
[26:43] He emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups and creating brief interactions in leadership to understand individuals on a deeper level. Justin highlights the opportunity for leaders to explore various aspects of an individual’s life, such as mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, familial, and communal, appropriately. He also encourages leaders to adjust the environment to facilitate these conversations on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Justin also discusses the impact of high turnover and how structuring the environment, as seen in military practices, can foster stronger connections among team members.
[30:45] Justin reflects on his transition and the role writing played as an outlet, particularly on LinkedIn. He started by writing raw and straightforward articles, garnering significant feedback and engagement. Motivated by the positive response, he then continued writing for three to four years, accumulating around 50 or 60 articles. Eventually, Justin decided to blend these articles into a book, emphasizing their skill of simplifying complex ideas. Despite advice from some not to publish the raw and straightforward book, he still went ahead, and it turned out to be the best decision. The book’s honesty and authenticity helped him secure roles in bigger businesses, contrary to the initial concerns about potential backlash.
[37:22] He shares his perspective on success, emphasizing its evolving nature and the importance of embracing the journey. There is also a huge significance of personal health and family care, suggesting that success should extend beyond societal expectations and include moments of relaxation and enjoyment. Justin reflects on his own journey, noting the impact of past decisions that have positioned him to have greater freedom in their current life. He also touches on societal pressures and the potential misalignment between individual goals and external expectations, urging leaders to focus on controlling the environment rather than trying to influence people directly.
[39:37] Closing Quote: Remember, without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. -Benjamin Franklin.
The Leadership Podcast is sponsored by W.S. Darley & Company.
Founded in 1908, Darley remains a family owned and operated business, providing the highest quality equipment solutions to our country’s warfighters and firefighters.
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Quotable Quotes:
“Life's questions aren't always answered by the five whys; sometimes, it takes asking twenty and going way back to unravel the melody of one's existence.” Share on X “The true journey lies in finding comfort within the consistency.” Share on X "Life's journey involved understanding the interplay of nature, nurture, and the transformative power of self-reflection." Share on X “The key is to put in the effort, and the attitude will follow.” Share on X "Remember that valleys are temporary, so don't make decisions at the bottom.” Share on X "Discipline is a skill set, not an innate trait. It takes time and energy to develop.” Share on X "Interest is the spark, but discipline is the fire.” Share on X “Put in the effort consistently, and you'll find the attitude to sustain you through the toughest climbs in your journey.” Share on X "The journey of exploring an instrument requires focus, dedication, and a willingness to confront ambiguity.” Share on X “The willingness to explore into the unknown fosters adaptability.” Share on X "Step one in mastering the middle space is acknowledging the ambiguous environment and the conflicts that arise.” Share on X “The key is to know where you stand, reduce ambiguity, and execute with purpose.” Share on X “Middle management is not about limitations; it's about empowerment and influence.” Share on X “Control your environment, set boundaries, and explore directions that align with the core priorities of the business.” Share on X "Leadership is about more than emails; it's about understanding your team on a deeper level.” Share on X "As a leader, recognizing your influence over the work environment is key to building strong relationships.” Share on X "Success involves embracing the journey, recognizing the value of balance, and understanding that success goes beyond chasing external benchmarks.” Share on X
This is the book mentioned in our discussion with Justin:
Resources Mentioned:
- The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com
- Sponsored by | www.darley.com
- Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com
- Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com
- Justin Walker LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/justintw
- Justin Walker Website | www.justinwalkerwriter.wordpress.com
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