Episode 150: From Battlefield to Boardroom: The Leadership Gap Everyone Misses with Tricia Stetzel

Navy veteran and CEO Tricia Stetzel reveals why most leadership training fails—and what works. After eight years in the military, a decade at IBM, and founding multiple businesses, including a thriving pet care company and Results Extreme coaching practice, Tricia discovered that technical skills don't automatically translate to leadership excellence. The conversation addresses a critical blind spot: organizations often promote high performers into leadership roles without providing adequate training, creating the "fake it till you make it" trap that damages teams and erodes trust. Tricia utilizes DISC behavioral assessments as a practical tool for team conversations, enabling leaders to understand communication style differences that can prevent conflict and foster cohesion. She champions cross-training as an empathy-building strategy, moving team members across departments to break down silos and create mutual understanding. The discussion explores how veterans' structured military training often provides better leadership fundamentals than corporate environments, where leaders typically learn through trial and error. When asked about her magic wand wish, Tricia targets communication as the universal challenge—not just what leaders say, but how others perceive it. Her focus on creating "meaning at work" through confident, cohesive leadership teams offers a practical roadmap for organizations struggling with engagement and performance. From Navy Cryptology to CEO - 01:00 The Entrepreneurial Leap - 03:00 Why Leadership Training Fails - 07:30 Beyond Fake It Till You Make It - 12:15 DISC Assessments Decoded - 16:45 Creating Meaning at Work - 21:00 Military vs Corporate Leadership - 24:30 Building Trust Through Transparency - 28:00 Cross-Training for Empathy - 32:15 Female Veterans in Business - 35:00 The Communication Crisis - 37:00 One Magic Wand for Leadership - 37:45 If you enjoy our podcasts, please like, share, and subscribe. We genuinely appreciate your support.