Podcast
Building Better Leaders
Hosted by Doolittle Leadership Center · EN
The Doolittle Leadership Center's podcast, Building Better Leaders, features candid conversations with a wide range of influential leaders about their stories—and how they have learned to lead. Dr. Patrick Donley, Director of the DLC, hosts episodes at a variety of exciting locations across the globe as he tours with the DLC's on-location leader development workshops.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Secret to Setting Goals for Your Employees
3w ago00:15:28Tap to summarizeSetting goals for your employees means more than setting a target: Your job as a leader is to clarify your vision, establish key performance indicators, give them the resources, identify obstacles, and help them stay on track in the midst of changing circumstances.
Transcribe →Spacepower, Legacy & Leading with Purpose (feat. Dr. David Arnold)
May 101:13:48Tap to summarizeSpacepower isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people, legacy, and mindset driving it forward. We talk to Dr. David Arnold, a renowned expert on space, General Bernard Schriever’s enduring impact, and the leadership principles that shape today’s Air and Space Forces. From historical perspective to modern-day relevance, Dr. Arnold shares insights on innovation, optimism, and what it means to lead with purpose in an ever-evolving domain.
Transcribe →Mentorship, Influencing Up & Leading Behind the Scenes (feat. Debbie Schiess)
Apr 1700:30:57Tap to summarizeMilitary spouses are the prime example of how a behind-the-scenes support role can drive change, build trust, and inspire leaders wherever they are. We talk to Debbie Schiess, a nonprofit leader, parent, and spouse of Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess, on the role military spouses play every day in empowering Space Force and Air Force leadership.
Transcribe →Carnivore Leadership & Hardcore Self-Discipline (feat. CMSAF Wolfe & SEAC #4 Colón-López)
Apr 300:35:23Tap to summarizeElite leadership is earned through self-discipline. Take charge of yourself and you’ll inspire your followers to do the same—learn how in this power-packed episode with CMSAF David Wolfe and SEAC #4 Ramón “CZ” Colón-López. Colón-López's 2026 book, “Carnivore Leadership: Taking Charge Instead of Taking Shit,” is available for purchase now. #leadershiptips #leadershipdevelopment #leadershiptraining #leadershipskills #leadershipinspiration #leadershipcoaching #buildingbetterleaders
Transcribe →Giving Actionable Feedback & Getting to Know Your Employees (feat. CMSgt. Katie McCool)
Mar 2000:56:55Tap to summarizeMost leaders don’t look forward to having difficult conversations with their employees, but giving honest, actionable feedback leads to a culture where speaking up makes the whole team stronger. Here’s Chief Master Sgt. Katie McCool, Command Chief of Pacific Air Forces, on how to achieve that.
Transcribe →Confrontation, Climbing Ladders & Inspiring Innovation (feat. CMSSF John Bentivegna)
Mar 600:31:44Tap to summarizeChief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna—the highest-ranking enlisted Guardian—describes the habits that real leaders follow, and how they inspire those habits in their followers.
Transcribe →How to Develop Employees in 4 Steps
Feb 2000:06:50Tap to summarizeHere’s how to develop employees effectively with a 4-step method from Dr. Patrick Donley, host of the “Building Better Leaders” podcast and director of the Doolittle Leadership Center. This practical leadership training breaks down a simple 4-step framework—Discover, Teach, Model, and Coach—to help you grow your team’s skills, behavior, and performance.
Transcribe →Team Development, Accountability & Staying Cool (feat. 35th Fighter Wing Command Team)
Feb 600:48:16Tap to summarizeSenior leaders from the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base in Japan explain how to develop leaders, own up to mistakes, and prioritize people while operating in non-stop high-stakes scenarios.
Transcribe →Leading Leaders & Responding to Feedback (feat. Col. David Wilson) | Building Better Leaders
Jan 2301:05:51Tap to summarizeCol. David Wilson knows he isn’t the smartest person in the room—and that makes him an excellent leader. He digs into his experience as a wing commander and senior leader to share his hard-earned lessons of leadership. The Doolittle Leadership Center's podcast, Building Better Leaders, features candid conversations with a wide range of influential leaders about their stories— and how they have learned to lead. Dr. Patrick Donley, Director of the DLC, hosts episodes at a variety of exciting locations across the globe as he tours with the DLC's on-location leader development workshops. Learn more at www.afa.org/DLC
Transcribe →What Example Are You Setting as a Leader? (feat. Craig Neri)
Jan 900:58:54Tap to summarizeLeaders set the tone for an organization’s ethos and policies—not by dictating what to do, but by modeling the required behavior. Lifelong leadership coach and retired U.S. Air Force CMSgt. Craig Neri delves into how you can set the standard of behavior you want to see in your followers.
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