In this episode LTC Paul Toolan and I look at the challenges that come with leading high-performing teams. We talk trust, how to give it, how to get it and most importantly, how to put yourself at risk to develop the people around you! Paul shares his experiences as a Special Forces Officer and the challenges he’s faced at home and on operations around the world.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:
- How LOVE becomes a key trait of a SOF Warrior
- How to you identify and build commitment
- How to operate at the level of a SOF Unit
- The fundamental basis of basis of all good leadership is care
- How to give and get trust from your people
- What it means to put yourself at risk as a leader
PAUL’s GUIDANCE
1. Take care of people, and everything else takes care of itself.
2. Positive attitude is everything – and attitude and common courtesy go hand-in-hand
3. The only way to achieve commitment is through trust (and the two ways to test if you give enough trust)
4. Visualization and mindfulness are keys to success (I’m not an expert – just a true believer)
5. The true secret to success is enabling the success of others.
6. Invest your time wisely. You’ll give your career 20 years, plus or minus. If you’re lucky you’ll give your family your entire life. Be a good father, be a good dad.
LTC Paul Toolan has been awarded three Bronze Star and has served in a number of capacities across the operational environments including Afghanistan and Syria. He is currently serving as the Chief of Operations at 1st Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg and was a primary force in unlocking and articulating General Cleveland’s vision for Army Special Operations Forces during his time with the Commanders Initiative Group.
