In this special Christmas-themed episode of the Leadership Blueprints podcast, host BJ Kraemer draws on some of his favorite classic Christmas films to explore the art and science of leading oneself and others.

Ebenezer Scrooge sparks a conversation around awareness and change, while Kevin McAllister offers a surprising lens on ownership and responsibility. A nod to It’s a Wonderful Life serves as a quiet reminder of the power of relationships.

The episode also explores what it means to help others grow into the roles they’re called to step into, and concludes with Clark Griswold as a timely reflection on how unchecked vision can impact those around us.

Join BJ for another episode filled with valuable leadership insights! Happy Holidays!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The leadership lesson from Ebenezer Scrooge: transformation after self-awareness.
• How Kevin McAllister shows that ownership drives creativity.
• It’s a Wonderful Life: “No man is a failure who has friends.”
• Leadership is about cultivating potential by giving people the opportunity to grow into who the role requires them to become.
• The lesson from Clark Griswald: vision without awareness can exhaust everyone around you.

Quotes:

“Transformation is possible, but like I've talked about before, only after self-awareness.” — BJ Kraemer

“When people truly own outcomes, they rise faster than we expect.” — BJ Kraemer

“[George Bailey] teaches us that the most meaningful impact is often invisible when you're living through it.” — BJ Kraemer

“Good intentions don't excuse poor awareness.” — BJ Kraemer

“I talk a lot about the first step in leadership is leading yourself first, and the first step in leading yourself first is getting clear on who you are, who you aren't, what your strengths are, what they're not. And I think the lesson we can all take away from Scrooge McDuck is results without humanity create financial success, but no relationship success and no legacy.” — BJ Kraemer

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mickey's Christmas Carol (Disney+)
A Christmas Carol

Home Alone

Home Alone 2
It’s a Wonderful Life (Apple TV)

The Santa Clause (Disney+)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Netflix)
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Real innovation often starts with a problem you just can't stop thinking about. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ Kraemer welcomes Scott Wolfe, founder and former CEO of Levelset, to unpack how a small but persistent frustration with construction payment practices led him to build one of the most influential platforms in the industry.

Scott shares how Hurricane Katrina pulled him into the world of restoration work, construction law, and software development, ultimately revealing the systemic barriers that keep contractors from getting paid for the work they complete. He traces Levelset’s evolution from a lien rights tool to a suite of products that reduce friction, increase transparency, and help stakeholders protect the value they put into a job.

Scott also reflects on the culture that shaped Levelset’s rapid growth, the leadership habits that held the team together through the scaling process, and why true innovation starts with deep familiarity with the problem you’re trying to solve.

Tune in to hear how genuine leadership and commitment to the customer can transform a key sector of the AEC industry!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Hurricane Katrina redirected his path into restoration work and construction law.

• Launching Levelset as a lien-rights solution before expanding its scope.

• Growing the platform into risk, finance, and insurance tools for the industry.

• How payment delays and retaining employees strain small contractors and suppliers.

• Scaling the company to hundreds of employees through clear, consistent communication.

Quotes:

“When you do work on a job, or you put materials into a job, you deserve to get paid, and we want to make sure you're always in an empowered position to do it.” — Scott Wolfe

“We really didn't have true venture money. It was a little more like friends and family, seed money, and cash flow. – But what that allowed our culture to do, and I think this is a little underappreciated by companies, [is] to get a lot of institutional knowledge about the problem.” — Scott Wolfe

“You have to be in the stream of something from my standpoint, to be able to understand where the problem is and really care about the problem.” — Scott Wolfe

“I still think that the crown jewels of any super successful company is in the affinity that you develop around the problem you're solving and how well you know it. All the technology becomes a tool for it. AI is great, it does some interesting things, but it doesn't build a business.” — Scott Wolfe

“People follow people who have that true enthusiasm and that true authenticity.” — Scott Wolfe

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Scott Wolfe

Scott Wolfe on LinkedIn

Levelset

Made to Stick

The Power of Moments

Switch

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Sport is an incredible tool in developing leaders. Welcome to a very special episode of Leadership Blueprints, where BJ and Joey Fay are diving into the Army-Navy rivalry ahead of Army-Navy Week next week!

In this conversation, you’ll hear all about the history of the Army-Navy games, what it feels like to participate, the rivalry of both love and hate, and so much more! We delve into some leadership lessons we’ve learned on the field of friendly strife before discussing the power of working as a team. Finally, you’ll hear about Joey and BJ’s Army-Navy bet for this year.

Thanks for tuning in and go Army! Beat Navy!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How sports help develop good leaders.

• The history of wins in the Army-Navy games.

• What it’s like to be part of the Army-Navy game.

• The love/hate relationship this rivalry creates.

• Leadership lessons we learned on the field.

• The special trust between these teammates.

• Joey and BJ tell us about their Army-Navy bet.

Quotes:

“The power of sports in the development of leaders is unmatched.” — BJ Kraemer

“I think that this is an unpredictable game!” — Joey Fay

“The experience at the Army-Navy game as an athlete is one of the most exciting things I think you could ever experience.” — Joey Fay

“The [Army-Navy] rivalry is one of both love and hate.” — BJ Kraemer

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Joey Fay on LinkedIn

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BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn