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Welcome to the origin story of 1st Lead U, where hosts John Ballinger and Douglas Ford explore why America faces a leadership crisis and how personal development creates the foundation for professional success. This encore presentation revisits the podcast's founding philosophy: before you can effectively lead others, you must first lead yourself.
The statistics tell a troubling tale. Companies invested $93.6 billion in professional development in 2012, yet that figure has declined to $82.5 billion by 2020. Meanwhile, phenomena like the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting reveal a workforce desperate for authentic leadership. As John shares from conversations with CEOs, many organizations don't even recognize the importance of creating a "culture of care" for their team members.
Through personal stories—including John's transformative experience in Army basic training where he learned creative problem-solving by putting socks over his boots—the hosts demonstrate how self-awareness and emotional intelligence form the cornerstone of effective leadership. John reveals how his own emotional quotient improved from 63 to 93 through deliberate personal development, illustrating that growth is possible with intentional effort.
The hosts recommend three essential leadership books: "Emotional Intelligence 2.0," "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," and "The Speed of Trust." These resources help leaders develop self-awareness, establish effective habits, and build the trust necessary for high-functioning teams.
Perhaps most importantly, the episode explores how every employee brings two "suitcases" to work daily—their professional skills and their personal circumstances. What happens during work hours affects home life, and vice versa. True leaders recognize this reality and develop the emotional intelligence to navigate both realms effectively.
What happens when you put leadership ahead of personal growth? A staggering $7 trillion in lost productivity from disengaged workers, according to a 2017 Gallup poll.
Ready to transform your leadership journey? Start by leading yourself first. Subscribe now and join us next week as we continue our CHART series, exploring human nature and the resources needed for our collective growth.
