Episode Details

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This episode of the Teach Me to Fish podcast features host Matthew Leclair in a conversation with members of the West Point Volleyball team. The discussion explores the parallels between building culture in collegiate athletics and leading teams in the U.S. Army.

Key Themes and Takeaways:

• Transitioning to Leadership: The cadets discuss the evolution from their freshman (plebe) year, where they were primarily responsible for themselves, to advancing into leadership roles. They highlight that even at the squad level, having purpose and accountability for others is a crucial developmental step (07:40 - 08:14).
• Teamwork and Culture: The players emphasize the importance of being "all in" for the team, balancing the serious nature of military training with the fun of competitive sports. They stress the values of mutual respect, honesty, and accountability (00:05 - 00:45).
• Operational Mentality: The team discusses the adjustment to high-intensity training schedules. They note that the ability to be "ready to go" at a moment's notice—regardless of fatigue—is a vital trait that bridges the gap between the volleyball court and the battlefield (31:53 - 33:28).
• Mentorship: The guests identify mentors like Colonel Schnack and former teammate Mac Lynch as instrumental in their growth. These figures serve as examples of how to be steady, grounding leaders who can solve problems effectively without resorting to negativity (02:28 - 03:00, 35:00 - 36:00).

Advice for Future Cadets:

• Embrace the Learning Curve: The cadets advise incoming students not to be stressed about not knowing everything when they arrive at Beast (basic training). They suggest viewing it as a fresh start where everyone learns together (02:03 - 02:28).
• Focus on the Immediate: Both in the Army and in sports, the team recommends focusing on the immediate goal—one meal, one day, or one practice at a time—to manage long-term stress (03:02 - 03:09, 110:52 - 111:28).

The episode concludes with a reflection on the power of stacking positive habits and small victories to build a foundation for long-term success, both as individuals and as leaders (112:43 - 113:01).

Why Teach Me to Fish? 

Catch someone a fish, feed them for a day. 
Teach them to fish, feed their family for life. 

Our purpose is to help Leaders better understand what drives People to serve. In any organization, the core of recruiting and retaining talent revolves around leadership. And not just average leadership, but motivated, values-based, inspirational leadership.  

 
Our Pursuit here is to get a little bit better every day. 

Progress = Small Victories and stacking habits.

Habits like Getting up early, working your butt off, learning something new, Being positive and Surrounding yourself with phenomenal People.  

 Thanks for investing some time for yourself and thinking about the kind of People and experiences in your life that inspire you to be the best version of yourself. 

I hope these conversations spark some ideas on what you can do to inspire People too.

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