Episode 24
🎙️ From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Reinventing Leadership with Dr. John Hillen
In this episode of From Battle to Business, Dean Van Dyke welcomes Dr. John Hillen—former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, decorated CEO, award-winning professor, and author of What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You. Together, they dive into the crucial mindset shifts military leaders must make to thrive in business, the dangers of becoming a “one-trick pony,” and how to stay relevant as organizations evolve. Dr. Hillen shares hard-earned wisdom from the intersection of military, government, business, and academia, providing a real-world blueprint for sustained leadership success. Packed with real talk, leadership frameworks, and battlefield-tested lessons, this episode is a must-listen for leaders determined to grow beyond their current capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Leaders must reinvent themselves BEFORE the business outgrows them.
- High performance in one role doesn’t guarantee success in the next.
- Organizations evolve faster than individual leaders if not vigilant.
- Your team’s growth often outpaces your original leadership style.
- Success requires continual learning, adaptation, and self-awareness.
- Leading a scaling business demands becoming a strategist, not just a tactician.
- Identity attachment to past achievements can derail future growth.
Step-by-Step: Reinventing Yourself as a Leader
- Recognize When You’re Being Outpaced: Notice frustration, misalignment, or diminishing influence.
- Let Go of Old Identities: Stop clinging to what worked in the past.
- Adopt a Strategic Mindset: Shift focus from daily ops to future vision.
- Invest in New Skills: Leadership, communication, and strategic thinking.
- Get External Feedback: Seek mentors who will tell you the truth.
- Iterate and Evolve: Stay in a permanent cycle of growth.
Quotes
“Your team doesn’t need the ‘old you.’ They need the leader you’re becoming.” — Dr. John Hillen
“In leadership, past success is not a vaccine against future irrelevance.” — Dr. John Hillen
“It’s not just about adapting. It’s about transforming yourself entirely.” — Dr. John Hillen
Resources Mentioned
- Book: What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You — A practical guide for leaders facing the next evolution in their careers.
- Publications: Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times — where Dr. Hillen’s work has been featured.
Connect with Dr. John Hillen on LinkedIn:
Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint:
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