In Episode 6.4, Scott De Long and Vince Moiso examine the warrior mentality in leadership and question whether it remains relevant or should evolve. They discuss how determination, accountability, and passion can fuel performance when balanced with empathy and collaboration.

Vince shares that his warrior mindset is about perseverance and effort, not domination. Scott agrees that drive and ownership matter, but warns that the win-at-all-costs mindset can harm culture and relationships if unchecked.

They agree that great leaders fight alongside their teams, not above them. The warrior spirit should inspire commitment and resilience, tempered by compassion and humility.

Key Takeaways

1. Resilience and drive are essential, but empathy sustains leadership.
2. The warrior mentality must evolve from control to collaboration.
3. Leaders win by inspiring, not intimidating, their teams.

Key Insights

• The modern warrior leads with love, not fear.
• Extreme ownership must be paired with humility and care.
• Toxic win-at-all-costs leadership is unsustainable.
• True warriors build trust through action and support.
• Adaptability separates effective warriors from rigid ones.
• Empathy transforms intensity into inspiration.
• Accountability should empower, not punish.
• A leader's warrior energy is best used to lift others.
• Passion and compassion are equally vital in leadership.
• Ask yourself: When does your warrior emerge, and does it serve your team?

Connect:

Scott De Long, Ph.D. & Lead2Goals

• Instagram:
  • @scottdelongphd
  • @lead2goals.com
• LinkedIn:
  • @scottdelongphd
• Web:
  • lead2goals.com
• Email:
  • scott@lead2goals.com
• Books:
  • I Thought I Was A Leader
  • You Win Again, Jack (New for 2025!)

Vince Moiso & Vis Business Group

• Instagram:
  • @visbiz.us
• LinkedIn:
  • @vincentmoiso
• Web:
  • visbiz.us
• Email:
  • vince@visbiz.us
• Books
  • How to Survive in the Wilderness

The CEO Podcast

• Instagram | @theceopodcast
• LinkedIn | @the-ceo-podcast
• Facebook | @theceopodcast

In Episode 6.3 of The CEO Podcast, Scott De Long, Ph.D., and Vince Moiso explore how culture shapes organizational success. They discuss culture as a living system that evolves with each new hire and business shift, requiring leadership to nurture and align it with core values.

Scott explains that culture happens whether leaders manage it or not; it's how things get done within the company. Vince adds that failing to direct culture leads to misalignment and toxicity. Both stress that true culture management requires clarity in vision, mission, and values across all levels.

They conclude that culture isn't a cost but the container that makes sustainable performance possible. A strong, aligned culture fosters communication, reduces turnover, and builds lasting engagement.

Key Takeaways:

1. Culture exists with or without leadership; intentional direction makes the difference.
2. Alignment between personal and organizational values drives sustainable success.
3. Investing in culture pays off through engagement, retention, and performance.

Key Insights:

• Culture evolves continuously; leaders must shape it deliberately.
• Misaligned values are the root of toxic workplaces.
• Communication defines and sustains company culture.
• Hiring for cultural fit prevents future misalignment.
• Engaged employees lead to happier customers and stronger results.
• Culture building should involve all team levels, not just leadership.
• Cross-functional collaboration strengthens cultural understanding.
• Influence, not control, sustains healthy organizational dynamics.
• Transparency and empathy foster trust in the workplace.
• Leaders should ask whether employees see the culture the same way leadership does.

Connect:

Scott De Long, Ph.D. & Lead2Goals

• Instagram:
  • @scottdelongphd
  • @lead2goals.com
• LinkedIn:
  • @scottdelongphd
• Web:
  • lead2goals.com
• Email:
  • scott@lead2goals.com
• Books:
  • I Thought I Was A Leader
  • You Win Again, Jack (New for 2025!)

Vince Moiso & Vis Business Group

• Instagram:
  • @visbiz.us
• LinkedIn:
  • @vincentmoiso
• Web:
  • visbiz.us
• Email:
  • vince@visbiz.us
• Books
  • How to Survive in the Wilderness

The CEO Podcast

• Instagram | @theceopodcast
• LinkedIn | @the-ceo-podcast
• Facebook | @theceopodcast

In Episode 6.2 of The CEO Podcast limited-run reboot series, Leadership at the Crossroads, hosts Vince Moiso and Scott De Long, Ph.D., examine the resurgence of the command-and-control leadership style in today's supercharged economic and political climate. They frame the issue as a common reaction to pressures such as inflation, tariffs, and AI disruption conditions that tempt even seasoned leaders to revert to top-down directives.

Vince reflects on his personal evolution from a harddriving, authoritarian approach to a more principled, people-centered model influenced by Stoic philosophy (e.g., Ryan Holiday's work) and his experiences coaching youth sports. Scott underscores the drawbacks of command-and-control: while it can deliver short-term execution, it erodes culture, stifles development, and risks producing the next generation of jerk managers. They argue for data-informed, collaborative decision making that empowers people and sustains performance over time.

Both acknowledge there are narrow circumstances where decisive command is warranted—true emergencies (fire in the building) or moments when time is genuinely of the essence. Even then, they recommend anchoring decisions in clear processes (e.g., routing major choices through a single function like finance), aligning actions with a shared vision, and practicing self-reflection; are you stressed, or is the business stressed? The episode closes with a call to choose what's best for the organization (us) over what's easiest for the leader (me).

Key Takeaways

1. Command-and-control can drive short-term results but damages culture and long-term performance.
2. Use decisive top-down leadership sparingly—primarily for true emergencies or when time is critical.
3. Sustainable leadership pairs clear processes and shared vision with empowerment, reflection, and data-informed decisions.

Key Insights

• Economic/political pressure often triggers regression to top-down behaviors even in progressive cultures.
• Personal evolution as a leader may require unlearning early models (e.g., sports-style toughness coaching).
• Stoic practices (control your response, not external events) help leaders avoid reactive overreach.
• Command-and-control excels at speed and clarity, but undermines autonomy, development, and trust.
• Culture built on development (not just training) yields higher productivity, empowerment, and retention.
• Data-informed, collaborative decisions create buy-in and better execution across functions.
• Processes can prevent panic leadership (e.g., routing big decisions through finance or another gatekeeper).
• Leaders should ask: Is this choice better for me or better for us (the whole organization)?
• Self-check under pressure: Are you stressed personally, or is the business actually stressed?
• Revisit and align with a near-term vision (35 years) so decisions support strategic direction.

Connect:

Scott De Long, Ph.D. & Lead2Goals

• Instagram:
  • @scottdelongphd
  • @lead2goals.com
• LinkedIn:
  • @scottdelongphd
• Web:
  • lead2goals.com
• Email:
  • scott@lead2goals.com
• Books:
  • I Thought I Was A Leader
  • You Win Again, Jack (New for 2025!)

Vince Moiso & Vis Business Group

• Instagram:
  • @visbiz.us
• LinkedIn:
  • @vincentmoiso
• Web:
  • visbiz.us
• Email:
  • vince@visbiz.us
• Books
  • How to Survive in the Wilderness

The CEO Podcast

• Instagram | @theceopodcast
• LinkedIn | @the-ceo-podcast
• Facebook | @theceopodcast