Leadership of the Leaf LOTL

Day one of PCA was a little different because one of the hosts of Leadership of the Leaf was not able to attend. Getting signed in was a bit nerve-wracking because this was the first time Leadership of the Leaf was at PCA. Once the badge was acquired, heading to the show floor revealed that it was not completely set up yet. Booths were still being built, and forklifts were moving around everywhere. It was quite exciting in the first few minutes, especially bumping into ZR Cigars and Colibri, just for a quick hello.



Transitioning to the start of the show, seating at the table with cigar shop owners to watch the docu-series by Hand Rolled with Peter Johnson of Tatuaje cigars. The following show was about pairing rum with La Aurora cigars. You met George from La Aurora cigars as he handed out cigars for the pairing. The third presentation was about the Padron family. Unfortunately, two panels LOTL was absent, but the after-party more than made up for it.



At the end of day one of PCA, Austin is enjoying a Macanudo Inspirado White, and Dice is smoking a PCA release La Aurora 120 Aniversario cigar. Now, pick out a cigar to enjoy and listen to a recap of PCA day one.


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S3 Episode 09 - PCA and Decide

The Leadership of the Leaf podcast finally discusses the Premium Cigar Association. The backlog of PCA data has been edited and will be released over the next few episodes. In the meantime, the listeners are eagerly awaiting information. It is only fitting that the hosts delve into what PCA is and what it does for the cigar community. The premium cigar industry owes much of its progress to the support of the PCA. PCA is more than just a convention about cigars; it plays a significant role in various aspects of the industry. In this episode, Austin and Dice are enjoying the Buffalo Ten Connecticut by El Arista. This medium-bodied cigar offers a medium level of complexity with soft layers of flavor, including notes of cedar, cinnamon, and buttery nuts.



The leadership segment of the podcast provides valuable insights for decision-making. The hosts go over seven simple steps to help leaders create an informed path forward. These steps are beneficial for both new leaders and seasoned veterans in the leadership realm. So, grab a great smoke and an adult beverage, relax, and tune in to another great episode of Leadership of the Leaf.


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1 May 2024

In this episode, Leadership of the Leaf had the pleasure of speaking with Mike S from Powstanie Cigars and Didi representing O M Cigars. The interviews were conducted during the PCA, so please bear with the background noise. 



Mike S's interview served as a fantastic introduction to a remarkable cigar. His passion for his cigar company and its connection to building a legacy was wonderful to hear as he shared his insights. His no-nonsense approach to the cigar industry is commendable.



Didi's interview was equally amazing as she provided insights into OM Cigars and the pride they take in crafting exceptional cigars. It was delightful for Didi to share a couple of cigars with the hosts, both of whom, Austin and Dice, thoroughly enjoyed for this episode.



OM Cigars may be a boutique brand by name, but it smokes as though it has been in the industry for over a century. The fig flavors and just the right amount of spice develop perfectly throughout the cigar.



The leadership segment of this episode focuses on rewards and how far incentives should be pushed to achieve desired results. The pros and cons of rewarding a positive work ethic are up for debate. We delve into actions that may help improve production.



So, find a comfortable spot to relax, grab a drink, and your favorite cigar – this is an episode worth sharing.


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15 Apr 2024

The Leaders of the Leaf in this episode discuss a viewer's question about cigar finishes. The "finish" of a cigar, crucial for assessing its quality, involves the lingering flavors and sensations post-puff, with its complexity and duration indicating superior craftsmanship from well-aged tobacco. The finish's flavor profile, varying with the tobacco blend and construction, significantly shapes a smoker's subjective experience and perception of the cigar. Ultimately, a well-defined finish enhances the smoking experience, serving as a critical indicator of the cigar’s overall quality and blend craftsmanship.



The cigar featured in this episode to help further explain cigar finishes is the Red Anchor by United Cigars. Known for balancing potency with complexity, Red Anchor cigars provide a potent yet flavorful smoking experience, with a combination of popcorn and cedar notes alongside rich espresso beans, sweet earth, barnyard, powdery cocoa, leather, and sourdough bread. Additionally, the retrohale features black pepper with maple notes.



The leadership segment transitions to game theory, a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic interactions among rational decision-makers who are aware of each other's potential choices and outcomes. It explores how participants can optimize their outcomes by predicting and countering the moves of others, often leading to equilibrium where no player can benefit by changing strategies unilaterally. Game theory is extensively utilized in economics, political science, psychology, and computer science to study both competitive and cooperative behaviors.



We've covered great topics in this episode and would love to hear the listeners' thoughts on cigar finishes and opinions about game theory. Grab a cigar and enjoy the show with your beverage of choice.


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1 Apr 2024
In this episode, Dice was asked a question about being a cigar enthusiast: is it a hobby or just a habit? As avid cigar aficionados themselves, Austin and Dice indulge in the exquisite Sun Grown by Rocky Patel, a highly acclaimed cigar boasting numerous ratings above 90. Known for its smooth, medium-bodied flavor with subtle hints of pepper and a delightful sweet finish, the Sun Grown is the perfect companion to welcome the arrival of spring.

Spring signifies a time for rejuvenation and renewal, often accompanied by the age-old tradition of spring cleaning. Inspired by this theme, Dice shares insights from the aforementioned question, outlining a series of behaviors that cigar aficionados would engage in as collectors or connoisseurs of finer smokes. Austin and Dice engage in a lively discussion, offering their perspectives on each hobby and habit, enriching the podcast with their unique insights and experiences.

Amidst the discourse on spring cleaning and cigar etiquette, the hosts unearth a poignant leadership quote attributed to John Kotter of Harvard Business School: "Management is about coping with complexity. Leadership is about coping with change." This powerful statement serves as the focal point for the episode's leadership discussion, highlighting the pivotal role of adaptability and resilience in effective leadership.

The hosts delve into the nuances of embracing change, emphasizing the importance of initiating transformation from within before influencing others. They explore how leaders navigate through periods of transition, both personally and within the organizational context, fostering an environment conducive to growth and innovation.

As listeners bask in the warmth of spring and savor their favorite cigars accompanied by a refreshing beverage, they are invited to partake in the enriching dialogue surrounding leadership and change. Whether seasoned leaders or aspiring ones, there's something for everyone to learn from this thought-provoking episode.

So, grab your favorite cigar, pour yourself a drink, and immerse yourself in the camaraderie of the podcast as you embrace the winds of change and the promise of a new season.

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Transforming into a tradition for Leadership of the Leaf, it's another St. Patrick’s Day Sidebar episode. In this episode, the hosts delve into the making of candela cigars. Once a staple for cigar smokers, it has now evolved into a tradition akin to drinking green beer or enjoying Irish whiskey: smoking a green cigar made with a candela leaf. Not to disappoint, the hosts are smoking a Founders Hamilton Candela. This cigar was presented to them at TPE, and what better time to enjoy a candela cigar than on St Patty’s?



The Hamilton Candela boasts an Ecuadorian candela wrapper with an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 binder. The filler blend comprises tobacco from three different countries: seco negrito from the Dominican Republic, Honduran seco piloto cubano, and viso corojo from Jalapa, Nicaragua. The hosts not only share information about candela cigars but also delve into details about their cigar of choice and share personal experiences surrounding this "Kiss me, I’m Irish" day. So, light up that green rolled tobacco leaf and pour out that Irish whiskey as the hosts share another Sidebar episode.


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