If You Want to Succeed in Chaos, Learn This Military Mindset First | Dr. Patrick Leddin

What does it really take to lead through uncertainty, and turn life’s disruptions into momentum?

For Dr. Patrick Leddin, author, professor at Vanderbilt, former U.S. Army Ranger, and co‑author (with James Patterson) of Disrupt Everything, it started with a simple question: “Are you living a good life?” From elite military jumps to boardrooms and classrooms, Patrick maps how purpose, relationships, and the right roles help leaders navigate chaos and create impact. We unpacks the research behind “positive disruptors,” the five roles leaders can choose in any moment, and the practical moves that keep teams calm, clear, and effective when stakes are high.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🔥 How to find your “fire inside” (purpose) and choose the right role for the moment

🧭 The five roles of positive disruptors, and when to switch between them

🤝 Why relationships create headwinds or tailwinds (and how to reshape them)

🧪 27 “positive disruptor moves,” including the power of “check your receipts”

🛑 A 3‑step calm formula from FranklinCovey: Pause → Clarify → Decide

🧩 How to build teams where diverse behaviors add up to resilience

🎯 Back‑of‑the‑envelope clarity: asking for more, setting odds, and executing

🪂 Military lessons for business: prepare, then adapt, improvise, and overcome

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Purpose

03:03 The Journey of Writing 'Disrupt Everything'

05:57 Key Takeaways from 'Disrupt Everything'

08:46 Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership

12:02 Practical Tools for Clarity and Decision Making

14:54 Lessons from Military Experience

18:00 The Importance of Relationships in Leadership

20:56 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

23:57 Gratitude and Reflection on Life's Journey

26:48 Conclusion and Call to Action

Guest Links:

Follow Patrick: https://patrickleddin.com/

🎙 Common Denominator Podcast

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