Every once in a while you record an episode and you know, before you even hit stop, that it's a top-tenner. This is that one.

Chris and I sat down with Dan Casey and Griffin Brand - a football coach turned historian and an Army Ranger, to talk about their book Bring Your Own Pencil, the leadership playbook of the legendary Bill Walsh. But this isn't a football episode. It's a masterclass for anyone leading a crew or building a business in the trades - roofing, HVAC, restoration, you name it. How to hold a standard without becoming a tyrant. How Walsh turned betrayal into the greatest coaching tree in NFL history. Imposter syndrome, self-belief before the evidence shows up, and why you should never quit a hit show. Grab a notebook - and bring your own pencil.

Owning a business in the trades can be the loneliest job there is. Head, Heart, & Boots exists to change that, because the best leaders don't go it alone, and neither should you.

-Brandon

Why You Should Listen

[10:19] The Hacksaw Reynolds story behind the title — one sentence that set the standard for a dynasty
[18:31] Holding standards without a toxic, maniacal culture (their answer punched me right in the face)
[21:49] Bill Walsh's origin story is failure — and what he built from it
[43:20] The four most powerful words a leader can say
[54:53] Lightning round: the books and daily habits every leader should steal

Did you know...

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Why it matters for you as a listener

You don’t need to figure this stuff out alone.
If you’re serious about sales growth, operational clarity, exit readiness, or leadership development, Floodlight is already helping folks like you scale smarter.
And you get it from industry insiders. People who’ve sat in your chair, survived the fires, and built systems that actually work.