Shows
American OperatorFrom Food Truck To Food Network: A Veteran On The Battlefield Of War, Life & Business I AO 17What does it really take to build a business in the trenches — one plate at a time?In this episode of American Operator, JC sits down with Robert Strong, Iraq veteran, chef and founder of Pretty Thai in Austin, TX. From late nights in a food truck to scaling a sauce brand through big name retailers, Robert breaks down the grit, risk, and resilience behind building something through his grief.This isn't just another founder story. Robert shares the personal trials his family endured that kept them from being able to en...
2025-05-151h 10American Operator5 Signs You're Ready for Entrepreneurship I AO 15Escape the 9 to 5. Build a Legacy. | American Operator 🇺🇸🛠️What drives someone to walk away from the “safe” path — the steady paycheck, the 401(k), the corporate ladder — to chase something harder… and more meaningful?In this episode of American Operator, host Joseph Cabrera breaks down the 5 real reasons people leave traditional jobs to become small business owners. It’s not just about money.If you’re thinking about taking the leap, this episode is for you.🔥 What You’ll Learn:Why control matters more than comfortThe power of community and local ownership
2025-04-1712 minAmerican OperatorI spent the entire day with a plumber and learned the good, bad and risks of being in the trades I AO 12What does it really take to run a plumbing business?In this solo episode of The American Operator Podcast, Joseph Cabrera shares his experience spending a day in the field with Blue Ribbon Plumbing, Air & Electrical. Instead of talking with the owner, JC gets a firsthand look at the reality of the trades, riding along with veteran plumber Chris as he makes service calls, handles tough jobs, and delivers top-tier customer service. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most plumbing jobs start wit...
2025-03-0615 minAmerican OperatorFrom Lawyer to Small Business Operator | Patrick Courtney on American Operator Podcast I AO 10Patrick Courtney took an unconventional path—leaving a career in law to build and operate small businesses. In this episode of The American Operator Podcast, host Joseph Cabrera dives into Patrick’s journey from the courtroom to pest control and moving companies. They discuss the power of business partnerships, the challenges of scaling, and why trust is the real currency in business. Whether you’re thinking about acquiring a business or making a career shift, this episode is packed with real-world insights.🔹 The moment Patrick knew law wasn’t for him🔹 Why bad business operations create big opportunit...
2025-02-061h 08American OperatorMajor Plumber Shortage, How I Grew Blue Ribbon I Patrick Pullan I AO 2After walking away from college in California, Patrick Pullan moved to Texas with one goal: control his own future. What started as a bold leap turned into Blue Ribbon — a growing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company built on grit, skill, and serious pride in the trades.In this episode of American Operator, Patrick shares:Why he left the classroom for the jobsite — and never looked backHow he acquired and scaled his first plumbing businessWhat it takes to build a life of freedom through skilled laborWhy the trades aren’t a fallback — they’re a way forwardWhether...
2024-10-311h 00
Professionally OffensiveEP. 139 Get NEUTRAL, Don't Manipulate The OutcomeJonathan Lusk, Co-Founder and CEO of BirdDog, is bringing the art and craft of hunting to everyone. This "non-hunter" grew up knowing very little of the activity, but later realized the deep human connection that results from it. At BirdDog, they've figured out how to make experiencing the richness of hunting come to life in an easy and dynamic way. Jonathan shares that it's about bringing together hunters and land owners who can appreciate the land and wildlife that inspires both parties. Jonathan's professional life has brought him from the world of finance/wealth management to engaging with the...
2024-06-0659 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 138 Small Monuments (Memorial Day 2024)Each Memorial Day Americans fill their long weekend with time on the lake, shopping sprees, BBQs and time with family & friends. We often forget about the reason we celebrate this day- Service & Sacrifice. This day is to remember the incredible Warriors that have come before us, that laid down their life for this dream we call America. They were humble heroes from towns we never heard of, with faces we are most familiar and with personalities that resemble our own families. There are small monuments all over this nation and world that represents their sacrifice and pays just a...
2024-05-2416 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 137 No News, Is Worst Than Bad NewsNo News, is the worst thing you can do to somebody. We are often caught up in the idea that we only want to relay an update if the news is good or if we have something new to give. What we don't realize is that time waiting in between makes folks come up with their own realities, often worse case scenarios that we spend more time trying to recover from. If you want to be World-Class with customers, your family and friends, give updates and give them often.... Despite the content of the news.
2024-05-1713 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 136 The Power Of The OutdoorsThe Outdoors is not only a place where we find sunshine and running rivers, but it's a place where we can train the mind, body and spirit to better endure what we're facing in the office and at home.
Joseph goes through the key reasons we should consider visiting the outdoors more and the ways we can apply the energy of the wild to everyday life.
Looking For Adventure? Check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
Follow @Joseph.Cabrera (Instagram)
Follow www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
LinkedIn: Joseph-Cabrera-Explore & WyldWhisper
2024-05-0917 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 135 But Do You Really Want Cowboys?Pascal Finette, Co-Founder of beradical Group says that common sense, isn't always common practice. The simplicity of execution is paramount when innovating, but it is human to complicate. When digging into what innovation actually looks like on the frontline, it usually is much more messy, iterative and raw than how the MBA and strategy books make it seem. When companies are inspired to bring folks on who can run through walls and cowboy their way through problems; it is typically short-lived because these "cowboys" don't conform to corporate culture. Doing some thing new requires bold action, but you can't...
2024-05-0218 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 134 The More We Know, The Further We AreJoseph talks w/ Dave Carapetyan, CEO, Founder of Rally Ready, Baja 500 Champion, 3 x Pike's Peak Winner and Pro Rally driver about the what racing taught him about life and business. The physical part of learning to race is the easy part, its the mental part that's the challenge. When folks learn to race, they walk away with a new understanding of themselves. Dave shares the importance of empowering your Team and not getting in the way. When the Team is empowered to make good decisions, then you know your customers will be taken care of. Just like in racing...
2024-04-2612 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 133 Stay Humble & Follow Your CallingJoseph speaks with Chris Williams, Founder of Williams Knives about the early days of starting the company and the reason he left a successful career in investment banking to follow his calling. Chris shares that money isn't everything and that you know in your heart what you need to do... But many of us will never give our calling a true chance. He also talks about how tough it is to get something new off the ground and the hard work involved. He respects and cherishes the kindness of People along the way that gave him a chance and...
2024-04-1821 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 132 Art of War: Wisdom Before Spies (Part 5)On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 5 Joseph dives into Le...
2024-04-1121 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 131 Art of War: Character and Signs Of Truth (Part 4)On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 4 of this series...
2024-04-0420 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 130 Get BLOOD In The SystemSometimes we're too stubborn or "Creative" to make short term sacrifices, to ensure longterm prosperity. In this episode, Joseph talks about the importance of resourcing yourself to make the next best decision. It is often our pride that holds us back from objectively moving ourselves to a place of strength. If we bleed out, how will we make a ANY decision tomorrow.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
Follow @Joseph.Cabrera (Instagram)
Follow www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
LinkedIn: Joseph-Cabrera-Explore & WyldWhisper
2024-03-2811 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 129 Art of War: Power, Energy, Vision (Part 3)On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 3 of this series...
2024-03-2118 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 128 Art of War: Sustain Execution, Attack The Strategy (Part 2)On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 2 of this series...
2024-03-1419 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 127 The Art of War: Weight Of Big Decisions (Part 1)On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
On this episode, Joseph focusse...
2024-03-0726 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 126 High Risk Decisions Are EASY In WarOn this episode Joseph Cabrera and Joe Wolfel, CEO of Terradepth discuss the importance of making decisions... Just make one. We often are mired by the million "potential" outcomes, but the magic is where we start to gain inputs. Once we start the flywheel of inputs, we can make better and better decisions. It's counter-intuitive to think that it's tough to make decisions in high-risk environments, but it's actually easier than you think. The stress and high stakes take procrastination out of the picture and forces you to trust you gut.
Listen to the...
2024-02-2914 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 124 Why Do We Go To ALASKA?On this episode, Joseph dives into the Greatness that is ALASKA. Joseph share's why Alaska serves as a great canvas to build grit, Teams and confidence. The special rawness of the Alaskan Wilderness and its ability to galvanize the physical, spiritual and mental make the Last Frontier the premier place to forge People and Teams.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
Follow @WyldWhisper (Instagram)
Follow www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
LinkedIn: WyldWhisper
2024-02-1524 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 119 Get Outside To Clear Your Mind...WYLD WHISPERIt’s typical in January to kick off with budget planning, investor meetings and strategy sessions, but have you considered starting with a clear mind? Getting outdoors not only helps you work toward clarity, but ensures we don't have the distractions that often clouds our vision and decision making. It may seem like you don't have time, but if you get outside, you'll find that the answers you were looking for, were with you all along, you just needed the clarity to see them. Joseph also shares an update on a rebrand and new endeavor called Wyld Whisper. This nex...
2024-01-1112 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 118 No One's Going To Fix It, You Have ToLamarque Polvado, Founder, CEO of CareStarter and Feedback says that flying and being an entrepreneur have a lot in common. From afar it looks exciting and fun, but when it's your turn to jump in the cockpit solo, things become serious. Lamarque started CareStater out of a need to help his daughter find the special care she needed... but no info or compassion were to be found. He could not believe that parents were left to themselves to figure out how to navigate the intricate healthcare programs to help a child and that there was nowhere to go to...
2024-01-041h 11Professionally OffensiveEP. 117 What Good People Taught Me In 2023Team, That's A Wrap. 2023 is on its way out and we are ready to bring in the next year. In this episode, Joseph covers some nuggets of wisdom from guest this past year. These are simple reminders to keep pushing, stay humble and recognize you're not alone.
Happy New Year, Here's To Momentum in 2024.
Need Some Adventure, check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
Follow @WyldWhisper (Instagram)
Follow www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
LinkedIn: WyldWhisper
2023-12-2916 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 116 Don't Forget To Do Something That SUCKSIt's easy to want to live in comfort, heck, it's even human nature. However, it is the times that we endure something really hard that sets the cadence for our future. We often believe it's our planning, setting objectives and reflecting on failure that gives us the tools to be successful the next year, but we underestimate the power of a "Sucky" Reference Point. What allows us to find creative solutions, drive through the pain and show up calm in a storm is our ability to ground ourselves in moments that have callused us. The toughening of our mind...
2023-12-2108 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 115 It's About Survival... Culture FirstBefore you can build a great Team, you have to start with yourself. Building an environment where your Team has permission to hold you accountable, may seem uncomfortable, but this is the only way to forge a culture that can stand the test of business. Nathan Baumeister, co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech, shares that once you find the right folks, they'll create an atmosphere that self-polices- That way when you bring on new Teammates, there will be no guessing on what's right or wrong. Culture is #1 and without it, you've got nothing.
Check...
2023-12-1409 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 114 Tough Times, Keep Rowing (Jason McCann, CEO Vari)Jason McCann, CEO of Vari, had a rally call during COVID that galvanized the Team and help them pivot- "Keep Rowing". Despite their initial plans to take the market by storm and transform the workplace, COVID required them to think very differently about their offering. Jason shares something a friend of his said to him once as they were going through the H1N1 situation, "We just have to keep rowing until the wind catches our sails". This simple statement rang true and served as a way to rally around the situation and push through it. Jason also shares...
2023-12-0712 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 113 Tactics & Sacrifice, Not Strategies (Graham Weston)A flashback from EP. 61, with Graham Weston, CEO/Chairman of Rackspace (NYST: RXT), Texas Billionaire and multi-time entrepreneur. Graham shares the importance of developing tactics and not strategies. The "Big Thinker" gets a lot of credit for the ideas, but it is the executions that makes something come to life. Finding something simple that works is what allows you to deeply seed into the market- After that, you can start refining the big picture. Graham also shares that we often get in our own way of success, by trying to do everything at once. You have to sacrifice and...
2023-11-3015 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 112 Family, Friends... Then BusinessWe're headed into the holiday season and it's a time we get to spend with the folks who are in our corner. The folks, that regardless of the outcome, will always be there to pick you up or celebrate. As professionals we spend a lot of time thinking about the folks that impact our career, but do we remember that it's the folks that support our life, with no expectation, that should get our best self?
As you head out on the road, hope this brings you some grounding.
...
2023-11-2209 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 111 The Best Innovations, Don't CompromiseIan Villa, Co-Founder, COO and CPO of Whisper Aero is changing the way we fly. As we think about the sky above us, as a more viable option to travel, we have to think about the impacts. Noise and efficiency are one of the things that can stop the democratization of the everyday human utilizing flight. Ian and the Whisper Aero Team are on a mission to make propulsion quieter, faster and more efficient. Ian has always been fascinated with flight and this double degreed Stanford aero guy is living the dream, getting to build the future of propulsion. He p...
2023-11-161h 13Professionally OffensiveEP. 110 Life Is Short, Make It SweetHope MacGregor, Country Music Artist has been on a long road back to where it all started... behind a guitar and microphone sharing what’s on her heart. This former Army Aviator and classically trained attorney has already lived several chapters of life and thanks to a conversation with her Dad, is back to her calling. Serving in the military and enduring personal hardship helped inspire her music. Pain is not an easy thing to make sense of, but when we recognize that we are all enduring something, the right tune over the radio can make you feel a lit...
2023-11-091h 11Professionally OffensiveEP. 109 Be Grateful, Be BoldLots of things that we could be troubled with, especially with the recent world events. War, market turmoil, interest rates.... you name it. Maybe we haven't achieved what we wanted in our businesses or reached our potential as a professional. Fortunately for us, this turbulence is not a new human condition, but something our history is full of. So if that's consistent, then how do we find something to be grateful for? What you'll find is that those that can find the smallest acts of kindness to be grateful for, they've already won and everything else is just the...
2023-11-0207 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 108 Sleep Is For High-PerformersEvan Seale, Co-Founder of VRB Labs, is on a mission to help folks find deeper rest and get better sleep. How well we sleep, is one of the things we have control over and if we stay disciplined about it, we can fully access our potential. Stigmas and a hustle culture can cast the importance of sleep away, but Evan believes that if we prioritize good sleep, we can extract more out of the hours we're awake. When this former Army Ranger, West Pointer and Private Equity guy started VRB Labs he was starting from scratch and leaned on...
2023-10-261h 01Professionally OffensiveEP. 107 Focus On People, Not HR PoliciesThrowback to a conversation with Megan Thornton, Chief People Officer extraordinaire. On this episode we talk about the bad reputation HR can get and how they often deserve it. A true "People Partner" in business is focused on understanding the needs of People and the Business first, then figuring out how a path can be created that also adheres to policy. Often HR personnel can get caught up in being the policy police and forget that creating value for customers and creating a positive work environment is priority #1. Megan also shares that being extremely aligned with the CEO is...
2023-10-1914 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 106 Be The Culture You Want To SeeThrowback to an episode with John Merris, CEO of Solo Brands (Solo Stove, Chubbies, Oru Kayak and Isle), talking talent, skills and culture. When you are looking for the right folks to bring onto a Team, don't get mired by the skills that are or are not on their resume- They can learn those later. Focus on their natural talent and what their upbringing put into them- You can't teach that. Running a company of companies can be challenging, but the goal is not to force a culture, but let it grow organically and through example. If you want...
2023-10-1311 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 105 It’s Lazy To Think The World Is Not A Good PlaceAlex Harstrick, Founder and Managing Partner at J2 Ventures, leans into his experience from the Iraq/Afghanistan war to inform and fuel the next generation of technology and capabilities. Although he graduated from Columbia and Harvard, he shares that his time as an NYC EMT taught him a lot of how to be a Leader and ultimately run a VC. Spending time in the back of an ambulance teaches you extreme accountability and that one must take responsibility for their actions. Being an EMT also allowed him to meet his co-founder, Jonathan Bronson and build an enduring relationship. Alex...
2023-10-051h 00Professionally OffensiveEP. 104 Are You Really Being Transparent?Transparency... A buzz word that has found itself in every boardroom meeting and corporate call across America. The spirit of transparency is meaningful, but it's how we apply it that matters. Transparency is authentically communicating to you Team what's going on, but if you don't have an effective Leadership structure, this will be for nothing.
Transparency comes down to communicating 3 things:
- What we know
- What we don't
- What we're working toward
If you are able to deliver on these items...
2023-09-2817 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 103 Civic Duty: Democracy Is Not A Spectator SportDr. Ernestine Fu, Stanford PhD and Venture Capitalist (Alsop Louie & Brave Capital) joins forces with Dr. Tom Ehrlich, Fmr. Stanford Law School Dean, Provost of UPenn and lifetime public Servant- To talk about the importance of civic duty. Whether you are advising the President on public policy, nurturing new ventures that will support front-line troops or working at your local community kitchen, it starts with you. Democracy is not a spectator sport and requires Good People to get involved with making our today and future better. Tom shares that one of his keys to success has been working with...
2023-09-2156 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 102 Subjective vs Objective RiskHave you ever been halted in your decision making or finding it difficult to gain clarity and move forward? Risk of an endeavor too overwhelming? It may be that your decision making ability that has been distorted and you need to look at risk differently. How we understand and weigh subjective vs objective risk is paramount. Subjective risk prevents many companies and Teams from finding forward momentum, because of what is perceived to be risky. Subjective risk can often be mitigated through mindset. Objective risks are the clear waves we'll hit, the facts. Shared understanding and practice allows one...
2023-09-1416 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 101 Depths Of The Ocean, A World UnexploredJoe Wolfel, CEO and Co-Founder of Terradepth, has made his living being a student of the seas and is on a mission to uncover all we don't know about the largest portion of our planet - The Ocean. Joe talks about his time on the SEAL Teams and how that gave him a strong foundation, especially when running new and complex ventures. Being good and Leading small Teams through the "Suck", is a particularly useful skill when it comes to navigating the uncharted waters of an ocean exploration company. One of the keys lessons he learned from combat was...
2023-09-071h 01Professionally OffensiveEP. 100 Behind The Mic: A 100 Reflections From A Grateful HostOn this episode, Joseph is joined by guest Host, Kelsie Cabrera as they take a look back on a few years and a 100 episodes of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. Joseph talks about the origins of the show, its continued purpose, lessons learned and the incredible People that have shared their journey to help others. Although there are themes and patterns to achieving success, each person has their own style of getting there. The one thing that has been consistent is their level of commitment and humility. Joseph shares what the next 100+ episodes have in store and how the show...
2023-08-311h 00Professionally OffensiveEP. 99 If You Died Tomorrow, What Would You Change Today?Many of us show up to work and don't really understand why? Sure there's bills to pay, project to tackle and promotions to get, but is that really what you would be doing if money wasn't a factor. Speaking with Travis McAshan, Founder & CEO of Glide, he talks about the importance of reflection and spending time contemplating who you want to be. Values are a critical piece for running your company and knowing yourself. If want to be known as someone who helped others, are you doing that today? Why not? In life you become what you think about...
2023-08-2427 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 98 Respect Is Mandatory, Trust Is EarnedSandeep Chennakeshu, COO of Uhnder and former CTO of Ericsson and President of Blackberry Technology Solutions, has lived a charmed life. His "Series 1" mindset has led him to always say yes and take on some of our world's greatest technical challenges. From bluetooth to 2g technology, Sandeep has been on the cutting edge of universal technology. He says that you only really solidify your leanings when you test them in real life and "Battle-Testing" your learnings ultimately leads to wisdom. Enduring pain and life's challenges requires commitment- Unfortunately, many folks are not prepared to stay the course. Sandeep learned...
2023-08-1759 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 97 Winning vs Being RightIt's human nature to want to be right, but does that ultimately allow you to win in the long run? Whether it's an argument, pushing for a promotion, finally getting the resources you've been asking for or something at home- Winning should be front of mind.
Winning means that both sides understand the situation, what there is to gain & lose and ultimately recognize the pain that may exist. Being right may give you what you want in the short term, but typically comes at the cost of the other side and won't likely sustain you for the...
2023-08-1008 minProfessionally OffensiveEP 96 Owning A Pet TigerDo we have what it takes to take an idea, company and Team the distance? Many founder's enter the game of business without realizing what their objective is and if their intentions will sustain them through a tough journey. It's a hard reality, but many founders are not able to scale a business and the lack of self-awareness can prevent them from being fulfilled, achieving "their" unique success and ultimately being happy. Owning, running and growing a business can be like owning a pet tiger and even though everyone around you might think its cool, there are still a...
2023-08-0315 minProfessionally OffensiveEP 95 To Help Our World, We Need The Full PictureLuke Fischer, CEO and Co-Founder of SkyFi, is changing the way we understand our world by opening our eyes wider to it. Luke grew up flying helicopters for the Army and has used his experience working in VC and at tech titans like Uber to harness the power of satellite imagery and make it easier for the world to access. The SkyFi Team is helping uncover issues that are not obvious. For example, in the middle of Chile lies several tons of fashion clothing that was discarded- These kinds of global issues are usually unknown to most of us, bec...
2023-07-2757 minProfessionally OffensiveEP 94 The Power Of Rehearsals: Sweat Before You BleedSweat before you bleed- A concept that is foreign to most. Everyday in business is game day and unfortunately that can cause us to be blindsided, maintain instead of grow and be consumed with the chaos, instead of smiling through it. Elite Teams know that visualizing success and uncovering friction is the only way to build a championship organization. When was the last time you launched a new product, rolled out a new org chart or conducted a board meeting and it was just OFF? Rehearsals are the anecdote and here's why:
Rehearsals:
2023-07-2110 minProfessionally OffensiveEP 93 Social Intelligence: Listening To The Raw TruthJackie Cuyvers, Founder & CEO of Convosphere, has spent her life understanding People through what they say and how they say it. Social Intelligence and Social Listening are what allow us to really understand what People want, what they really think about a brand or how much respect they have for their workplace. Surveys and 360 assessments are not the answer, but it is the unprompted and unfiltered insights that help paint a true picture of what’s going on. Jackie also shares that context is as vast and nuance as the world languages. When businesses desire to enter new markets, it’s i...
2023-07-131h 02Professionally OffensiveEP 92 War Stories: Mission First, People AlwaysChristopher Cassibry, COL US Army (Ret), Callsign “Denali 6” has spent his entire professional life in the Service of his People. During this conversation, Joseph talks with his former wartime commander about the making tough calls, remaining calm as a Leader and understanding what it means to “be good with the decisions, one makes”. Chris has held many positions of command in his military career, but one of the most consequential was his time leading 500+ paratroopers during one of the campaigns of the Afghanistan War. Spread over multiple outposts and against a determined enemy, this tour of duty was no walk in th...
2023-07-061h 09Professionally OffensiveEP 91 Don’t Be Special, Be A GeneralistAndrew Markoff, Founder & CEO of Pallas, leads a Team whose mission is to help People achieve their seemingly impossible dreams. Whether it's making Team USA for the next Olympics or swimming the English Channel, this Marine and former special operator says that his experience as a “generalist” has helped him, help others. The Marine Corps taught Andrew the importance of breadth and depth. In the military there’s no margin for error and being able to context switch with a level of depth is business as usual. In a world where specialist are highly sought after, Andrew believes that being an e...
2023-06-291h 01Professionally OffensiveEP 90 Flashback: Building A Brand That MattersBuilding a brand is no easy feat, but if you can get it to matter to your customer, you'll build something that lasts forever.
We flashback to last June (a year ago) on this segment, where we speak with Brent Looby, Co-Founder of Desert Door. During this segment he dives into building a spirits company in a hyper-competitive environment and using brand to break through. Even though this drink made from sotol has a smooth and unique flavor profile, you have to get your product to matter to your customers. Fortunately, Desert Door was born in Texas a...
2023-06-2213 minProfessionally OffensiveEP 89 Explorer Series: Rally Racing (Pt 2)Explorer Series: We launch a new series, where we dive into a particular domain and explore the dynamics of a profession, craft and art. On this 2-part series we curiously dive into the art of Rally Racing. Racing combines the best of engineering, road design and skill- It’s about the human and machine moving as one. Rally is one of the most unique forms of racing where you drive mostly with your feet, the road is completely unpredictable and communication in the cockpit is key.
Dave Carapetyan (aka Texas Dave), Founder & CEO of Rall...
2023-06-151h 10Professionally OffensiveEP 88 Explorer Series: Rally Racing (Part 1)Explorer Series: We launch a new series, where we dive into a particular domain and deeply explore the dynamics of a profession, craft and art. On this 2-part series we curiously dive into the art of Rally Racing. Racing combines the best of engineering, road design and skill- It’s about the human and machine moving as one. Rally is one of the most unique forms of racing where you drive mostly with your feet, the road is completely unpredictable and communication in the cockpit is key.
Rob Winter, General Manager & Head Instructor at Rally Ready...
2023-06-081h 05Professionally OffensiveEP. 87 No One's Dropping The Drawbridge, You Must Storm The CastleBrendan Mullen, CEO and Founder of MKS2 Technologies, has spent an entire career in the Service of others, in and out of uniform. After West Point, combat and time in D.C., Brendan embarked on a path different than most Army Officers. His first exposure into the private sector was as COO of a high-growth start up, then a run for Congress and eventually supporting improv comedy to enter into the government space. What all of these seemingly unrelated things had in common, were honoring those that Serve. Brendan saw an opportunity to be a part of upholding the sacri...
2023-06-011h 04Professionally OffensiveEP. 86 The Heart Knows Things The Spreadsheet Doesn’tJudson Kauffman, former Navy SEAL and multi-time entrepreneur (Exbellum, Desert Door, Terradepth and more) has turned his business experiences into a way to help others find their greatness. Judson has spent most of his life trusting his intuition and the times where he hasn’t, he has found himself misaligned with what he was put on this planet for. He says that the heart knows things the spreadsheet doesn’t and if we’re able to tune into that intuition, we can be far more successful and more importantly, happy. “Playing it safe” can prevent us from finding out what makes ea...
2023-05-251h 02Professionally OffensiveEP. 85 A Closed Mouth Doesn't Get FedDara Chike-Obi, CEO & Co-Founder of Grio Baby, is back on the podcast to talk about where her innovative company is heading and the importance of understanding your customer. After several rounds of R&D, market testing and product development Grio Baby is in market and being well received by mothers and care-takers. Dara talks about the importance of remaining flexible and despite the data, understand where your customers actually are. Timing and their comfort with your product may mean you will need to go to market different than expected- “Don’t Disrespect Your Market”. Dara also reflects on her life as a...
2023-05-181h 00Professionally OffensiveEP. 84 The Only Way To Greatness, Is Extreme Pain & Through The DarknessPeter Rex, CEO and Founder of Rex, has been making moves his entire life, which has led to creating a collection of real estate companies aimed at shaking up the status quo and empowering others. This classically trained lawyer, CPA and almost Catholic Priest found his calling in business. Pete strongly believes that time discerning and spent in silence can be one of the most important things a Leader does. Sure you have People, a company and customers depending on you, but you can’t guide them through the darkness without focussing on the path that will get there. Taki...
2023-05-111h 10Professionally OffensiveEP. 83 The Craft: The Foundation (Part 3 of 3)The Craft: A 3-Part Series focused on checking your internal Leader compass and ensuring you are on the right azimuth, especially during turbulent times. Today's economy is putting many companies to the test and those that have been investing in their "Craft" seem to be more prepared, while others are struggling and surprised.
The Foundation
We don't know how strong the ground we stand on is, until we're tested. A strong foundation encompasses 4 things: Team, Culture, Customer and Product. When a storm hits, we learn how well we've invested in these pillars...
2023-05-0415 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 82 The Craft: The Lesson (Part 2 of 3)The Craft: A 3-Part Series focused on checking your internal Leader compass and ensuring you are on the right azimuth, especially during turbulent times. Today's economy is putting many companies to the test and those that have been investing in their "Craft" seem to be more prepared, while others are struggling and surprised.
The Lesson
Storms are either something we survive or something we grow from. Learning from the turbulence is the hallmark of a company with a strong future. The ability to see beyond just today, is what can set your...
2023-04-2712 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 81 The Craft: The Sword (Part 1 of 3)The Craft: A 3-Part Series focused on checking your internal Leader compass and ensuring you are on the right azimuth, especially during turbulent times. Today's economy is putting many companies to the test and those that have been investing in their "Craft" seem to be more prepared, while others are struggling and surprised.
The Sword, kicks off this series with focus on one's commitment to the Craft and how accountable we are to our decision and the road ahead. During tough times, we can be tempted into self-preservation. As a Leader we must remember...
2023-04-2015 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 80 Flashback: Pain Means You're Alive, Don't Wait For An InvitationFlashback from EP 19 with Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. We pull a segment from a prior episode where Gabe talks about the core value of Love and how it not only drives good in one's personal life, but makes for good business. In this specific segment, we focus on the section where Gabe talks about why we should take advantage of this one precious life we have and that the pains we feel in life are a good things, because it means we are alive. Gabe also shares that doing something for money will only take you so far...
2023-04-1317 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 79 Success Comes When You Stop Focusing On The MoneyBrad Harrison, Founder & Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, strongly believes that happiness is key to success and the money comes when you stop focusing on it. This West Point and MIT grad spent the beginning of his career Leading soldiers and living the Airborne Ranger life. This eventually brought him to the world of technology and spent a career working in companies like AOL and Endeca, where he found his passion for an industry that was on the cutting edge. Brad's focus has always been about "Service" and even out of uniform, his investment philosophy is to help companies...
2023-04-061h 02Professionally OffensiveEP. 78 What Would A World Be Like, If We All Did What Actually Made Us Happy?Bill Tyndall, Founder & CEO Tynrose, Inc. believes that People are the answer to scaled growth, which is core to how he invest and operates. Bill says that rethinking the obvious is often the key to successful innovation and meeting a market need. When looking for the right company to back, Bill digs into a Founder's philosophy around People and Team development. Bill shares that the money usually follows if the Founder/CEO is operating with the mindset of building great Teams, developing their People, self care and boundaries. Boundaries can especially be powerful if used consistently and directly. The...
2023-03-301h 00Professionally OffensiveEP. 77 Human Connection + Finding CommunityGreat Leaders have the gift of engaging with their Teams and building meaningful relationships. After all, Leading is simply inspiring those on your Team to move in the direction that will push you all, further up the mountain. No matter what kind of systems and processes you have in place, it is your understanding of how your people tick, what their fears are, how their family is doing and appreciating their dreams, that makes the difference. On the battlefield, soldiers are able to do the impossible because of their deep connection and care for one another, nothing else. On this...
2023-03-2318 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 76 You Want Raving Customers? Take Care Of Your TeammatesMohammad Elashi, Founder of Synaptic Pediatric Therapies and Co-Founder of Dynamic | Synaptic Solar, didn't mean to get into business. During college he quickly realized that becoming a medical professional himself may not be the path, especially as he sat through anatomy class . However, he discovered that there are other ways to serve in this industry which began his path to starting his first pediatric rehab facility. Now that the practice has grown to 9 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, his determination and mission to make a difference is continuing to gain momentum. Mohammad shares that what holds back many aspi...
2023-03-161h 01Professionally OffensiveEP. 75 Who You Are Is Good Enough; Insist On Being In The ArenaCourtney Hudson, Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court, came from humble beginnings and has pioneered a career that required grit and courage. As the youngest person ever elected to the High-Court of Arkansas and the first woman to win a contested race for the Court, she is no stranger to trail-blazing. Courtney shares her early experience with the court system and contrary to what most would expect, it was actually a pleasant one. As a child, she saw how the power of the law could give someone a new chance, new name and new life. After dedicating her life to...
2023-03-0957 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 74 Service Is Leadership: Impacting A Generation You'll Never MeetMaxine Minter, CEO of Co Lab and Founder of Co Ventures, is on a mission to find incredible seeds (aka companies) that will positively change the world. Maxine shares that the skills and experience learned from being an operator and executive coach directly ties into running a VC. As the first Australian woman to run a fund, as Solo GP, she is on a mission. Although Australia is newer to the VC world, compared to America, there is a lot of promise and proven success with companies like Canva, proving that Australian founders have what it takes to go the...
2023-03-021h 04Professionally OffensiveEP. 73 Common Sense, Is Not Common PracticePascal Finette, Co-Founder & Chief Heretic of the be radical Group, is back on the show to share insights from his new book “Disrupt Disruption” and provide perspective on how we navigate the future. After speaking with many Leaders and industry operators, a common thread as it pertains to innovation, is that the glamour of it was not obvious when doing the work. The way innovation is talked about in magazines and on TV, is not the same way it is seen, in the trenches. Pascal shares that innovating for innovation’s sake is not always the best intent, when trying to...
2023-02-2352 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 72 Asking Better QuestionsOne of your most powerful tools as a Leader, is your ability to seek truth, through asking better questions. Not an easy task, but one that if delivered with clear and genuine intentions, will provoke discussions that lead to solutions. Asking the right questions creates clarity and builds a rich environment for your Team to think deeper and more creatively, about the issues in front of them. Showing up with an intention to learn, rather than comment, can set the tone for how your Team responds to your questions. Even the time you give between questions to allow an answ...
2023-02-1614 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 71 No Shortcuts: Lessons From 100+ ConversationsJoseph and Tony Nash (West Pointer, Army Officer and Host of the Got Your Six Podcast), share some takeaways after 100+ conversations with the humble and driven. Contrary to what we believe, patterns of success come from consistent small actions, not grand gestures. A common trait of impactful Leaders and their success stories is their ability to keep their eye on the macro, while operating in the micro. Most of them are obsessed with their purpose and the daily steps to help them get there (no shortcuts). Another key factor is one's ability to build a Team around the initiative to s...
2023-02-0942 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 70 Speed & No RegretsMatt Gardner, CEO and Founder of Hiline, is changing the way we look at the life-blood of our company, Money. Although Matt is a classically trained CPA, his way of looking a solving problems and driving innovation makes him a non-traditional accountant. Matt shares that what has driven him from an early age was the loss of his 2 best friends and cousin. Recognizing that life is short and making a difference should always start today, is the fuel for Matt “No Regrets” attitude. He talks about the friction of changing an antiquated industry, but how passion drives his Team to push...
2023-02-0258 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 69 Chasing Passion: A Journey From Investment Banking to Knife-MakingChris Williams, Founder & Owner of Williams Knife Company (Williams) believes that if you live a life doing what you love, you will never work a day in your life. This second-generation knife maker says that even though he was educated in business, he was meant to make knives. After a career working as an investment banker and managing people’s wealth, he realized that even though he was having a good time and making a great living, something was missing. As he would retire to his knife shop on the weekends, he realized that his calling was to build great...
2023-01-261h 03Professionally OffensiveEP. 68 Learning To ListenMark Richards, former Army Aviation Commander, Iraq & Afghanistan War Leader and Leadership & Development Pro, shares lessons learned from a life spent in the service of others. Mark has used much of what he has learned in the military and has applied it to helping Fortune 100 companies create the best Leadership & Development programs, to extract the best from their people. Mark believes that Leaders who spend time creating a "Commander's Intent" are less likely to create cultures of disengagement and rock chasing. A good Commander’s Intent articulates what success should look like without being a tyrant on how a Team...
2023-01-191h 01Professionally OffensiveEP. 67 Reference PointsReference Points can serve as a powerful tool, moment and method to approach difficult situations with confidence. Everyone has Reference Points, but the key is being able to reflect on them, appreciate them and utilize them to ground you. These moments originate from success and failures- wins and trauma. These moments show you what you're able to endure and still come out stronger for it. Join Joseph as he discusses the meaning of Reference Points, where they come from, how to build more and how to utilize them as a Leader.
Reference Points: A moment you can retur...
2023-01-1216 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 66 What Is Leadership?We interact with this concept almost every single day, but often don't understand and appreciate the weight of it. Management, performance metrics and processes are used interchangeably with Leadership, but this would be incorrect. Leadership is a craft, way of life and art that Leaders practice to inspire greatness in others. This craft is enduring and necessary to effectively Lead Teams and move people through difficult situations.
As we kick off another year of inspiring wisdom and raw insights, establishing a foundation for Leadership seems appropriate. During this episode, Joseph reviews various definitions of Leadership, his personal pers...
2023-01-0513 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 65 Leadership, Values & PeopleThis episode is action packed with some impactful highlights from conversation with our 2022 guests. As you prepare for 2023, this collection of clips are designed to deliver reflection and momentum for the year ahead. The right mindset as a Leader is paramount in moving your Team the direction you need them to go, values are critical to ensuring your service to others is unwavering and People are at the center of all of it. As you listen to these curated segments, we recommend that if something really resonates, to go back to the episode and listen through it for additional con...
2022-12-291h 08Professionally OffensiveEP. 64 Simplify and Perfect (Part 2)Part 2 of Simplify and Perfect walks you through the tactics for establishing one's true priorities and how someone begins to perfect them. Simplifying one's life is the key to continued success and using the unique gifts you have to make a difference. Simplifying requires you to take an inventory of all the things you do and put them into 3 buckets: Unique Gifts/Drives You, Delegate & Eliminate. Sorting through these buckets can be challenging, but will allow you to clearly delineate the tasks and commitments in your life that prevent you from reaching the best version of yourself. Joseph shares a ve...
2022-12-2218 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 63 Simplify and Perfect (Part 1)Part 1 of Simplify and Perfect dives into the concept of focusing your efforts on a few critical objectives that bring energy and drive you. Joseph shares that simplifying one's life is the key to continued success and using the unique gifts you have to make a difference. Simplifying is not easy, but 100% worth it. Most of us have created complexity in our lives (in many cases, unintentionally) and are trying to keep everything organized and moving forward. What is really happening, is that we are not moving the needle at all and focusing our energy in areas that bring us l...
2022-12-1519 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 60 The Small Things, Last ForeverDuring this season of Thanksgiving, we have gifts, events and traditions top of mind. While it is admirable to aim for the incredible gestures to show folks we care, it is often the small acts of kindness that mean the most. Joseph shares his gratitude for the community that has been built via the podcast as well as thanking all those who have shared anything, from these episodes, with others in need of a boost or check in. Joseph also shares a story from a time very early in his professional career and how that has dynamically influenced how he...
2022-11-2414 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 57 Stop Wearing All The HatsJoseph Sommer, President & Founder of Whitestone Branding, has successfully run a decade-old company that elevates workplaces everywhere. His “swag” company is more than just fidget spinners and water bottles- He believes that it’s about the “return on experience” and not the product that ultimately helps a company add meaningful value to their employees and clients. Joseph shares lessons learned from what it took to break through $1M revenue mark to eventually growing his company many multiples beyond that. The two key things that stunt most companies and founders is their lack of a plan and investment in being a Leader. Jo...
2022-11-031h 04Professionally OffensiveEP. 55 Get Off The Radio, You're Micro-ManagingIt can be a tendency for managers to micro-manage their employees and many of them don’t know they're doing it. The main reason for this is an underlying issue- Lack of trust. Managers lack trust in themselves and their people, which manifests into a toxic work environment. Micro-managing originates from a managers insecurity about their ability to create a foundation and environment for their people to thrive. Lack of training, clear communication and leeway to make mistakes all contributes to the suffocation of a Team's will to win. When Leaders spend the time to communicate, train and inspire their p...
2022-10-2012 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 53 Master The Fundamentals- Talk To Your PeopleLeading is about knowing, being and understanding your people. In a start-up or on a small Team, it is much easier and natural to understand how everyone is doing and where sentiments are with the objectives you are trying to achieve. As we grow, we become fancier and more sophisticated in how we attempt to garner this information. Professionals who are the best in their industry, craft and sport have a mastery of the fundamentals- They focus on the foundation of their craft and get really good at it. This is imperative when running a business, especially when it come...
2022-10-0613 min
Professionally OffensiveEP. 51 Presence: Calm Confidence During Chaos (Keynote at McCombs School of Business)Talking “Presence” with a group of executives & business Leaders at the McCombs School of Business (University of Texas at Austin). Sometimes the best thing a Leader can do for their Team, is be their oak tree. Times of chaos, confusion and challenge can bring out panic in our Teams. Joseph shares his journey of learning from a young age what it meant to have “presence” by watching the courageous way his mother guided their family during her fight against cancer. Years later he would apply what he observed as he was fighting a determined enemy overseas. He also shares that a “Col...
2022-09-2219 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 49 Chief Of Staff: How To Effectively Use Your CoS (Pt. 3)The most important thing about having a Chief of Staff is utilizing them appropriately so that you and your company are able to extract maximum value. Many principals mess this part up because they continue to treat their CoS as administrative support. In order for a CoS to be effective in a company, you must expose them to everything. Nothing can be off-limits. The most effective CEOs, Founder, Entrepreneurs and Executives have their CoS involved in everything. From email access to board meetings, an effective CoS is processing all information in real-time. Joseph discusses the importance of principals setting...
2022-09-0812 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 48 Chief Of Staff: Who Makes A Great CoS & Where To Find One (Pt. 2)Now that you’re on the hunt for a Chief of Staff: Who are you looking for and where can you find them? Each Chief of Staff is custom-fit to the principal (CEO, Founder, Executive) and the company based on the culture, gaps and personalities of those involved. However, there are common traits that are found across all effective Chiefs of Staff: Execution Forward, Emotionally Intelligent and Endurance. In this episode, Joseph also discusses the sub-traits that make a great CoS and whether you should be looking inside or outside your organization for the right person. A great CoS ca...
2022-09-0120 minProfessionally OffensiveEP 45: Operating From A Position Of StrengthJoseph shares his experience about making decisions from a strong foundation and position of strength. It's human nature to make key decision on premises of failure, risk, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and disappointment, but you’ll find that making decisions that way often leads to a negative self-fulfilling prophecy. The decision itself is not important alone, but the successful execution of that decision is what often leads to triumph. When we make decisions, we can forget how important it is to ensure our own house is order, support systems are in place and if we can rally a be...
2022-08-1108 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 43 Leader vs ManagerJoseph dives into the difference between Leaders and Managers. Past podcast episodes reference this difference, but he unpacks what it means to Lead versus manage. Both are important to business success, but these terms are often used interchangeably, which is problematic because of its loss of accountability. Not all managers are Leaders and therefore, the lingo we throw around in business makes folks in positions of authority haphazardly think they have earned the respect of those they are supposed to be Leading- Not always true. Leading is about service, humility, energy and momentum while managing is a process of comp...
2022-07-2810 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 42 Makings Of A Great LeaderJoseph talks with Alex Santiago- West Point Grad, Combat Leader and Past Podcast Guest about Leaders in their careers, that made a difference and why. What makes the best Leaders great are often the intangible things, which is why this profession and craft is an art. Joseph and Alex share their experiences about folks who successfully Led with their heart and character first. Even though these Leaders were often firm in their style, it was always complemented with fairness. "Leader Presence" is also an aspect of Leadership that can be tough to quantify, but matters. How a Leader talks, stand...
2022-07-211h 01
Professionally OffensiveEP. 41 Transparency Without Preparation, Is NegligenceJoseph spends a few minutes talking about "Transparency" and how many operators, business owners and Leaders may not be going about it the right way. Communicating good, bad or indifferent news is a best practice, especially when creating alignment and shared vision. However, when that news is delivered to a Team who is not ready to productively receive it, then it becomes problematic. As Leaders we need to spend more time preparing our Teams to absorb information from a point of strength, especially the bad stuff. Educating our Teams about the game of business and its inherent risks, allows them...
2022-07-1409 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 38 Stay The CourseJoseph discusses the value of patience and allowing more time for things to unfold, especially when you think you should have been further along. Sure there are clear paths that are known detriments and paths that confidently inform your next move, but it is the ones that are good but not great, that sometimes you have to stick out. We are often just 24 hours to 24 months aways from making a breakthrough and if we just stayed the course, we would have see our vision come to life. Before you go changing the menu, trashing a project or acquiring a new...
2022-06-2307 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 36 Perspective At Altitude: Thoughts From A Hot Air BalloonJoseph debriefs a hot air balloon trip and some of the insights gained at altitude. From thousands of feet in the air, the world slows down and the aperture opens. On the ground, things can seem hectic and immediate, but when you give yourself time and space, you start to notice things you hadn't before and take the same things on the ground, with more clarity. Much of this experience can be applied to how we Lead our organizations, especially during those times when we get mired in the weeds. Often the best solution is to take a step back...
2022-06-0914 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 34 Serving Others: Giving Your Best SelfIn this episode, Joseph shares his reflections on a day of remembrance, Memorial Day and how the meaning goes beyond the military. The reverence paid on this American holiday, is because of the selfless sacrifice given by a small few, for the greater good. This philosophy goes beyond just defending a nation, but can be applied to our daily lives, communities and companies. As you calibrate your trajectory for your next goals, ask yourself "How am I serving the most people, the best way I know how?"
2022-05-2606 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 30 Are They Good Enough, To Take Care Of Your Family?Morning Huddle w/ Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. In this episode, Joseph shares the advice a mentor gave him regarding partnerships. When businesses get to a point in their growth where they need external support or involvement from another business, how do you know who to partner with? The method is straightforward, only partner with folks/businesses that you know if something happened, they would literally take care of your family. This seems like a very high bar to set when just doing business, but if you see that business is simply people working with people, on s...
2022-04-2811 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 26 There's No "Change" In Change Management (Morning Huddle)Morning Huddle w/ Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. In this episode, Joseph talks about why the "Change" part of Change Management can be so problematic. Most managers come into a new role and immediately want to start shaking things up, then wonder why nothing really is improving. Simple answer: You did not build the understanding, rapport and foundation to actually create progress- If anything, you created new friction and enemies. Before you can make something better, you have to really understand the current situation and where your Team is. Change Management is tough as it is, witho...
2022-03-3117 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 22 War Stories: A Plan Worth Dying ForAlex Santiago, Seasoned Warrior, West Point Grad, MBA and Major US Army, trades war stories with host, Joseph Cabrera from their time at a small outpost in Afghanistan, called Wilderness. Alex says that trust is not earned, but bestowed which is why those that respect this gift can grow from it. Alex and Joseph talk about their time as young Leaders and discovering their rhythm on leading Teams, in extremely hostile environments, with limited resources. Much of their early molding came from working with special men, who reminded them about the burdens of leadership and how the job of a c...
2022-03-031h 06Professionally OffensiveEP. 20 Morning Huddle: Don't Hire The Best, Hire the Right PersonMorning Huddle w/ Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. In this episode, Joseph talks through the philosophy of hiring the right person, not the best. We often use resumes, qualifications and check lists to determine if someone is going to be what is "best" for the company. Fast forward a year later and we find ourselves in a familiar position, where that new Teammate hasn't really moved the needle. What happened? The "Right" person may not always be obvious, but certain traits and experiences can propel an organization forward. Look for folks with high levels of "Figure-It-Outness", somet...
2022-02-1715 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 15 Morning Huddle: Do You Have A Battle Rhythm?Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, launches "Morning Huddles" with a deep dive on Battle Rhythms. Morning Huddles are unique sessions meant to engage listeners with topics outside of guest conversations. These topics range from self-development pro-tips, current events, reflections and answering listener questions. In this episode, Joseph talks through the importance of creating an accountability framework called a Battle Rhythm. Are there times in your life where you feel that after every week, month or year- you seem to fall short on your expectations? Well this might be because you don't have a Battle Rhythm. A good...
2022-01-1322 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 13 Reflecting On Wins And Loses- Closing Out 2021Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, closes out 2021 with the importance of reflection and how to productively go about doing it. Any year provides many ups and downs- how you reflect on these moments can fundamentally impact how you set the pace for the coming year. Whether it's celebrating wins or learning from loses, staying objective is key. Join Joseph as he shares his ritual on reflection and what's in store for 2022.
2021-12-2115 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 11 Leaders Don't Forget Where They Come FromCarter Bell, Major US Army, West Point & Columbia Grad, discusses the importance of giving back to the future generations of Leaders and how a place like West Point is the perfect environment to do so. Coming back to West Point has allowed Carter to train, develop and mentor the future of military and private industry Leaders. With incredible experience leading teams in extremely hostile and high-stress environments, Carter is able to share real examples with students and how sharing failures has been one of his best teaching tools. His tenure in the military has given him perspective on empathy bei...
2021-10-281h 18Professionally OffensiveEP. 8 The Art Of LaughterJoseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, share his experience around laughter and how humor was often the cure for stressful situations. He reflects on personal experiences where humor at his own expense, was the very thing his Team needed to keep pushing through a tough situation. Even though humor is not the first thing most think about, as an effective "professional" tool, this is something that can positively impact your Team, Family and Life. Join Joseph as he shares some embarrassing moments that kept his Teams light on their feet.
2021-07-2734 minProfessionally OffensiveEP. 5 Memorial Day ReflectionsJoseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, shares his thoughts and reflections about Memorial Day. He believes that profound human connection through adversity and loss is what binds us. Joseph explains that gratefulness for those that gave it all, is the key to moving forward.
2021-05-3017 min