True leverage is about multiplying leaders!

In this solo episode, BJ explores the concept of leadership and leverage and shares why he believes that leaders are actually levers. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what to consider when thinking about leverage, the power of discerning leverage properly, and how the 80/20 rule can help leaders.

BJ delves into the importance of leveraging and protecting your time before discussing the difference between responsible and irresponsible leverage. BJ even talks about systems, why they’re imperative, and why bad systems are problematic. Finally, we touch on the idea that people aren’t leverage, their growth is.

To hear all this and even be challenged to consider how you are discerning your leverage, be sure to listen now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What leadership actually is and why leaders are levers.
• BJ explains the 80/20 rule and what it means for leaders.
• Responsible leverage versus irresponsible leverage.
• The difference between true leverage and fake leverage.
• Three things to ask yourself this week to be a better leader.

Quotes:

“Leverage without discernment and wisdom turns into burnout, overextension, anxiety, or – using people instead of developing them.” — BJ Kraemer

“Leadership requires us to constantly ask, ‘Where am I spending time that someone else can grow into [or] – that I might be able to delegate to somebody? – Where am I holding onto work that’s preventing scalability? Where might I be confusing activity with impact or results?’” — BJ Kraemer

“Time is the only resource that you can’t get more of.” — BJ Kraemer

“If your organization or family relies on your heroic effort to function, you don’t have a leadership problem, you have a systems problem.” — BJ Kraemer

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The ONE Thing

Buy Back Your Time

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Leadership Blueprints Podcast on YouTube

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

Projects don’t fail in the field; they fail when leaders aren’t clear on the upfront work needed to make a project successful.

Today on Leadership Blueprints, Daniel McCaulley joins us to discuss how he ensures projects go well. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about who our guest is and what he does, how he approaches projects so they are successful, how he paces an owner so that a project gets planned properly while maintaining enthusiasm, and so much more!

We delve into some of the best leadership lessons he has learned that have contributed to his success before discussing bad hires and how to avoid them. Daniel touches on his business philosophy and why he prioritizes laser-focused communication in the world of engineering. We even discuss the importance of being open to learning and growing throughout your career. Finally, our guest tells us about his favorite leadership books, quotes, and dream dinner guests (dead or alive). Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Daniel explains his blueprint for getting a project on the right track.
• How to help an owner slow down to plan a project properly.
• Daniel shares some leadership lessons that have served him well.
• An example of a bad hire that Daniel made and how he handled it.
• How he facilitates an environment of constant learning for his employees.

Quotes:

“You really do have to go slow to go fast sometimes. Everything in construction is better done yesterday.” — Daniel McCaulley

“Hire good people and get out of their way!” — Daniel McCaulley

“People do need to be managed differently.” — Daniel McCaulley

“We’re all created to be here on a specific mission, and let’s not let that time be wasted.” — Daniel McCaulley

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Daniel McCaulley on LinkedIn

Moonshot

The 5 Levels of Leadership

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

What does it really take to lead massive infrastructure programs at the intersection of engineering, public policy, and national security?

In today’s episode, BJ Kraemer sits down with longtime mentor, former boss, and retired two-star general in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tom Tickner, to unpack leadership, public infrastructure, and how the industry is evolving through geospatial technology.

They discuss what the Corps of Engineers actually does, what he learned about appropriations, education, and relationships from serving on Capitol Hill as a budget liaison, and why infrastructure often goes unnoticed until it fails.

They also delve into the intersection of engineering, policy, and politics, Tom’s career transition after 33 years of active duty to working at Woolpert, and how the company is leveraging geospatial data, digital twins, and “GEOAI” to help decision-makers plan, build, and maintain systems faster and smarter.

Tom also shares his thoughts on leading without rank, building culture through teamwork and communication, and why trust and collaboration are essential in both the military and private sector. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Learn what a USACE district commander is responsible for and their role in disaster response.
• The USACE’s role in the Pacific and how it supports other agencies operate at scale.
• Unpack what Tom learned on Capitol Hill about educating decision-makers on priorities.
• Tom shares the differences between working in the military and the private sector.
• Hear the biggest leadership lessons from his career and why AI will not replace people.

Quotes:

“Within the military, we don’t lobby. We do build advocacy, and we do educate.” — Tom Tickner

“We’re all learning, leading, and going together and doing really, really well. It is a lot of fun what we have going on in Woolpert.” — Tom Tickner

“I am convinced that culture in a company, in a unit, is just as important, if not more important, of getting the mission done, especially when times get tough.” — Tom Tickner

“If you have time to collaborate, do it. It serves a lot of purposes.” — Tom Tickner

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Tom Tickner on LinkedIn

Woolpert

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

The Speed of Trust

The Infinite Game

Selling the Invisible

The First 90 Days

A Philly Special Christmas Party Album

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Leadership Blueprints Podcast on YouTube

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn