Episode 547: How to Empower Project Teams (Premium Preview)

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Episode Summary

Leadership is not defined by rank, title, or position, but by how well leaders take care of their people. In this conversation, Cornelius Fichtner speaks with Sergeant Major Jill E. Johnson about leadership grounded in service, trust, and responsibility. Drawing from more than two decades of military experience, including deployments and senior enlisted leadership roles, Jill explains how effective leaders build commitment by focusing on people before personal advancement. She shares how early career experiences, unexpected recommendations, and continuous preparation shaped her leadership path, even when she did not initially plan to pursue a long-term military career.

The discussion connects military leadership lessons directly to project management and organizational leadership. Jill describes her work in Civil Affairs, where rebuilding infrastructure required stakeholder alignment, cultural awareness, and constant communication, often without direct authority over those involved. These experiences highlight how buy-in, shared goals, and trust matter more than formal control. As leaders move up, she explains that leadership style should remain consistent while influence expands, with authenticity, vulnerability, and responsibility becoming even more important at senior levels.

Career growth, mentorship, and self-awareness also play a central role in the conversation. Jill outlines how mentors often appear naturally through shared values and trust rather than formal arrangements, and why leaders must actively give back by supporting the next generation. She also reflects on knowing when to pursue the next role, when to pause, and how leaders measure success beyond wins or losses. The episode closes with practical leadership takeaways centered on caring for people, learning from failure, and creating environments where teams feel safe to grow and perform.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How servant leadership builds trust and long-term commitment within teams.
• Why effective leaders focus on people and relationships rather than authority.
• How mentorship and preparation shape sustainable leadership growth.
• What it means to move up responsibly without losing effectiveness.
• How leaders respond to failure and still earn lasting respect.

Resources Mentioned

• Veteran Owned Business - A platform supporting veteran-owned companies and entrepreneurship.
• Warrior Rising - An organization that helps veterans transition into successful business ownership.

Quotes from This Episode

• "Take care of your people, and they will take care of the mission." - Jill E. Johnson
• "Leadership does not make me better than anyone else, it gives me more responsibility." - Jill E. Johnson
• "Leadership opportunities show up every day when someone needs to step up and get things done." - Cornelius Fichtner

Connect with Jill E. Johnson

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-e-johnson-9a86a682/

Time-Stamped Show Notes for the Full Premium Episode

• [00:14] - Introduction and overview of leadership topics discussed.
• [01:40] - Jill Johnson’s background, military career, and leadership roles.
• [03:29] - The impact of recommendations and everyday leadership behavior.
• [12:02] - Implied leadership and the responsibility that comes with rank.
• [20:21] - Civil Affairs, project leadership, and stakeholder buy-in.
• [34:41] - Career strategy, leadership growth, and preparation for the next role.
• [45:07] - Mentorship, learning through observation, and giving back.
• [59:47] - Courage, confidence, curiosity, and charisma in leadership.
• [1:18:44] - Key leadership takeaways and closing reflections.

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