Execution Exchange

Host Jake Allen welcomes Mike Etorre, a retired Marine Corps infantry officer, former C-suite executive, and founder of Fidelis Leadership Group, to discuss lessons from high-stakes military service and corporate leadership. Mike reflects on Beirut in 1983, Iran-backed terrorism, and his support for President Trump’s strikes while noting risks of escalation and the fog of war. He contrasts Marine Corps accountability—leaders owning everything that happens or fails to happen—with inconsistent corporate enforcement that can erode trust, especially when top performers are treated differently. Mike also outlines trust-based leadership rooted in character and integrity, describes how pressure first degrades clarity and process, and warns against momentum killers like emotional outbursts and punishing initiative. He also shares his ongoing battle with Camp Lejeune-related bladder cancer and his commitment to transparency and resilience.

Host Jake Allen sits down with Scott H. Stalker, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant and author of Left of Leadership.
Scott served 31 years in the Marine Corps, culminating as the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command—the only Marine to ever hold that position. He also served in senior intelligence roles supporting the NSA and DIA, operating in some of the most complex and classified environments in national defense.
In this conversation, Scott shares his journey from early academic struggles to joining the Marine Corps at 17—and how the Corps reshaped his discipline, work ethic, and leadership philosophy. He reflects on building intelligence training programs at MARSOC, developing relationships that led to key assignments at DIA, and helping reestablish Space Command, where space and cyber capabilities directly enabled the warfighter.
Jake and Scott explore:
The foundational human elements of leadership—character, trust, and leading with love
Decision-making under uncertainty and avoiding analysis paralysis
Mission command and empowerment
The trade-offs between inclusive planning in special operations vs. conventional forces
Differences between military and corporate leadership
Accountability, talent utilization, and revenue realities in business
Scott also discusses the core ideas from Left of Leadership—preparing before crisis, building routines, applying incremental stress, and using storytelling to develop leaders.
The episode closes with practical advice on continuous learning, appreciating people specifically, and leading with both love and accountability.
If you care about execution, leadership under pressure, and building teams that perform when it matters most—this conversation delivers.

In this episode of the Execution Exchange, Jake Allen hosts Ted DeZabala, an executive coach and founder of Lead To Change Coaching & Consulting. Ted, a former Deloitte leader, discusses 'trust intelligence,' a concept he created that redefines trust as the fundamental leadership capability.  Together, Jake and Ted explore how leaders can build trust, overcome internal resistance, and convert insights into action under pressure. Ted shares insights from his extensive experience and research, highlighting the importance of trust in leadership, the three dimensions of trust (competence, character, and care), and how misaligned expectations often lead to trust violations. This informative discussion delves deep into the nuances of trust within organizations and provides practical advice for leaders at all levels.

Welcome back to the Execution Exchange! In this episode, host Jake Allen is joined by Dr. Tim Baker, an author of 19 books on leadership and organizational development and the founder of Winners at Work. With experience spanning 21 industries and 14 countries, Dr. Baker shares invaluable insights into why execution often fails and what high-performing leaders do differently, particularly when developing their team members. The conversation delves into developmental conversations, the importance of quality dialogue in the workplace, and Dr. Baker's five critical dialogues that leaders should have with their team members. Learn how to improve job satisfaction, leverage strengths, promote continuous learning and development, and drive innovation within your organization. Tune in for a rich discussion designed to help leaders connect better with their teams and ultimately boost organizational effectiveness.

In this episode of Execution Exchange, Jake Allen hosts Neil McNulty, the Founder and CEO of MMG Leaders.  Neil is a former Marine Corps officer, leadership consultant, and author. He shares his unique insights on the critical connection between character, judgment, and execution in high-stakes environments. Jake and Neil discuss his career journey, from his military service to his groundbreaking work in military personnel placement through the 30-30 Job Search model. Neil also discusses his latest book, 'The 15 Most Repeated Lies in Business Today,' providing actionable advice for business leaders. Tune in to learn about effective decision-making under pressure, the importance of accountability, and the value of direct communication in the workplace.

Welcome to another episode of Execution Exchange, hosted by Jake Allen. Today’s guest is Lt. Gen. David Furness, a retired US Marine Corps Lieutenant General with nearly four decades of leadership experience. General Furness shares insights on decision-making under pressure, sustaining organizational momentum, and distinguishing capable leaders from those who simply look good on paper. He discusses his transition to the role of Superintendent at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the challenges he faces, and his perspective on purpose, mentorship, and leadership in both military and academic settings. This interview is a must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, strategic thinking, and the personal journey of a decorated military leader.
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Early Life and Upbringing
02:15 Career Highlights and VMI Role
07:49 Leadership Philosophy and Mentorship
24:27 Challenges and Urgent Situations
31:09 Navy Football's Discipline and Game Strategy
31:26 Military Promotions: A Structured Process
32:09 Attributes of Promotable Leaders
33:04 Evaluating Leadership and Unit Performance
35:30 Challenges in Leadership Assessments
40:44 Execution and Supervision in Leadership
41:47 Adapting Leadership Styles
44:01 Training and Mentorship for Effective Leadership
46:48 Innovative Training Approaches
51:17 Accountability and Flexibility in Leadership
54:16 Final Thoughts and Reflections
 

In this episode of Execution Exchange, host Jake Allen sits down with Paul Anthony Claxton, Managing Partner of Digerati Investments. Paul brings a unique blend of combat-tested leadership, Fortune 500 management, and success in building startups to the conversation. Leading a $60 million fund focused on mission-driven AI founders, Paul shares insights from his 10-year Marine Corps career, including four combat tours and his transition to venture capital. This discussion covers Paul’s views on AI's future, its applications in defense, healthcare, and infrastructure, and the challenges of maintaining the U.S. edge in AI development. Paul also discusses his podcast, Explainable AI (see link below), which demystifies AI concepts for consumers and organizations alike. Tune in to learn about Paul Anthony Claxton’s journey from the battlefield to boardrooms and his vision for leveraging AI to make an impactful societal change.
Explainable AI Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gHK7TbbdZg84C8MzlrZqC

In this episode of Execution Exchange, host Jake Allen sits down with Mark C. Crowley, bestselling author, leadership consultant, and an early challenger of traditional command-and-control leadership. Mark is the author of Lead From the Heart, a bestselling book that makes the case—backed by research and real-world experience—that leaders who prioritize trust, empathy, and human connection consistently outperform those who rely on authority and control. His most recent book, The Power of Employee Well-Being, further expands on this idea, outlining the kind of leadership required to navigate today’s pressure-filled, fast-changing business environment. Drawing from his career in the financial services industry, Mark explains how his leadership philosophy was forged not in theory, but through direct responsibility for performance, engagement, and results. Together, Jake and Mark explore why organizations that invest in employee wellbeing don’t just create better cultures—they create the conditions for stronger execution, better decisions, and sustained momentum. This conversation challenges the false divide between “people-first leadership” and hard business outcomes, showing how trust, autonomy, and emotional intelligence directly influence accountability, execution speed, and long-term performance.

In this episode of Execution Exchange, host Jake Allen interviews Jon Rosemberg, a leadership coach and organizational transformation expert at Anther Global. Jon discusses his newly released book 'A Guide to Thriving,' which explores the crucial difference between survival mode and thriving. He emphasizes the importance of agency, awareness, inquiry, and reframing as key components for smart, capable people to turn good intentions into decisive actions. Jon also shares his personal journey from corporate survival to thriving, underscoring the importance of psychological safety and well-being for both individual and corporate success. Don't miss this engaging discussion on how to transform your internal state for better decision-making and execution!
Buy A Guide to Thriving Here

The Power of Adaptation: Leadership, Technology, and Grit with Dr. Daniel Gilham. Join host Jake Allen in this episode of the Execution Exchange as he welcomes Dr. Daniel Gilham, Managing Director of Advisor Strategy at Farther. Discover the key ingredients for success in an ever-changing environment, including the importance of adaptation, grit, and consistency. Jake also provides insightful updates on Mission-Driven Leadership’s latest developments, including the launch of the innovative Momentum Factor Assessment and the upcoming Global Leadership Challenge. Dive into Dr. Gilham’s compelling journey from military brat to financial services leader, his ground-breaking research on inhibitors and motivations for planning, and his life-changing personal story that led him to conquer Mount Rainier. This episode is packed with valuable insights on leadership, technology, and the future of financial advisory services.