In this part 2 special, Dwayne and Brigadier General (Ret.) Craig Nixon continues their discussion on leadership and mentorship, drawing parallels between the military and corporate worlds. The conversation covers a range of topics including the importance of CEOs being in the right places, the art of delegating authority while retaining responsibility, and the significance of mentorship and peer networks in personal and professional development. Nixon also shares his personal evolution in leadership styles, from controlled aggression to a more mellowed and inclusive approach, fueled by intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and the influence of mentorship. Both part 1 and 2 episodes with Brigadier General (Ret.) Craig Nixon are packed with valuable insights on building resilient organizations, enhancing leadership skills, and the critical role of mentorship in achieving success.
Checkout Part 1 of our Interview Here: https://youtu.be/D5AEvYjZi10
Brigadier General (Ret.) Craig Nixon is a highly decorated retired US Army General Officer, successful entrepreneur, passionate supporter of veteran non-profit organizations, and a proud husband and father of four. He understands the complexities of the modern era like few others, thus he enjoys helping leaders grow and develop their capacity to maximize the potential of their businesses.
Over a 29 year Army career, Brigadier General Nixon served in a wide range of assignments including seven tours in special operations units. He spent over four years in combat including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as the Director of Operations for Joint Special Operations Command, as well as the Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Following an assignment as the Director of Operations for United States Special Operations Command, he returned to Iraq as the Deputy Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division / Multi-National Division North, Iraq.
Brigadier General Nixon participated in numerous contingency and combat operations including the invasion of Panama, Task Force Ranger Operations in Somalia, Operation JOINT GUARDIAN in Bosnia, and seven deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He is a combat decorated soldier whose awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart. He has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Master Parachutist Badge (with Combat Jump Star) and the Ranger Tab.
After retiring from the Army in 2011, he joined McChrystal Group as one of the original partners and helped create a highly successful leadership consulting company. He initially developed and led an Executive Leadership Course training hundreds of C-Suite participants from Fortune 500 companies to startups across a wide range of industries and then led change management consulting engagements with several large technology companies in Silicon Valley
He left to become the CEO for ACADEMI. Over a three year period, through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, he built Constellis Group – one of the world’s largest private security firms with over ten thousand employees working in thirty countries. During his tenure the company quadrupled in revenue and in EBITDA and was acquired by a large private equity firm.
Today, he focuses on growth and market entry strategy, leader development, and M&A. He works with companies and leaders across a wide variety of sectors that are trying to scale, manage change, and win. He is also a member of several of profit and non-profit boards and is an avid supporter of veteran focused non-profit organizations.
Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction
[00:38] CEO Decision-Making Frequency
[05:02] Strategies to Distance Yourself Effectively
[11:08] Decision-Making Process for CEOs
[14:55] Personal Management Techniques
[19:13] Understanding the Rule of 150
[22:55] Balancing the 4 C's in Leadership
[26:08] Importance of Peer Networks and Mentors
[33:16] Characteristics of a Great Mentor
[36:33] Qualities of an Effective Mentee
[40:00] Evolution of Leadership Skills
[48:20] Top Leadership Books Recommendations
[51:24] Outro
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
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Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Business of Doing Business are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Business of Doing Business is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
