Retired Brigadier General Bernard Banks knew as a child that he wanted to go to West Point because of his desire to develop himself as a leader. He was so successful in that journey that years later, West Point asked him to chair its leadership department. Several of his core principles stem from his upbringing as an athlete, “You will play how you practice,” Bernie said, “Do you practice well?”
In his 29 years as a US Army Officer, he led military units ranging in size from 10 to 3,000 people with the motto: Fortune favors the prepared. In the early 2000s, he was brought in to improve an Apache Helicopter unit ranking in the bottom third globally. In just two years, under Bernie’s leadership, the same group was designated number ONE! Why? Practice. Lots of practice.
The private sector has tapped Bernie’s fundamentals, as well. He has worked extensively with organizations across all sectors concerning their leader development efforts, including Procter and Gamble, Mercedes Benz, General Electric, IBM, 7-Eleven, The US Forest Service, and the International Chiefs of Police.
Today, as an Associate Dean at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, and a faculty member at Thayer Leadership, Bernie asks YOU: Do you deserve fortune?
You will learn:
- 3:00 How to inspire teamwork that promotes individual accomplishment.
- 8:00 How to prepare with precision.
- 28:00 How to support and motivate your team simultaneously.
- 30:00 The importance of shared accountability and mutual interdependence.
Resources:
- Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn
- Everybody needs to understand how their piece of the puzzle contributes to the larger picture and why that piece is important. Try this to help someone understand the role they play:
You do _________ so that we can do __________, which matters because __________.
Never Miss An Episode
You will receive a FREE chapter from Don’s best-selling book on GREAT TEAMS when you subscribe.
Bonus Resource
Search episodes
Recommended For You
Love This Podcast?
We would be so grateful if you left us a rating and review!
Greg Brenneman
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
John C. Maxwell
“I am a subscriber because you are one of the greatest teachers, one of the best storytellers I have ever met, and I know you will maximize the people you have on the podcast. I’m telling everyone because when you find gold you point everyone to it.”
Simon Sinek
“Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
Beth Brooke
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
Rick Hendrick
“We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
Bill George
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Step 1: Open the Apple Podcasts App.
Step 2: Search Corporate Competitor Podcast and click the episode art.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a rating and review.
BONUS Screenshot your review, and send to corporate.competitor@greatnessinc.com for a free gift!