The Lost and Found Leadership Podcast

In this episode Randy and Jim welcome special guest Shane Callahan to discuss the constants of leadership — enduring qualities like courage, vision, influence, trust, authenticity, consistency, and values that carry across military and corporate life. They share real stories about earning and losing trust, the power of clear timely communication, the idea of running toward a positive vision, and w...

In this episode, Randy and Jim discuss why employees leave organizations, focusing on realistic expectations, communication, and the outsized role managers play in retention. They share stories about preventable departures, how to spot disengagement early, and the importance of honest, timely conversations. The hosts also cover practical steps leaders can take: be self-aware, foster engagement and...

Hey there leader! Today in Leadership Lost and Found join Randy and Jim as they talk with Barry Vandeveer about his journey from software developer to CTO, CIO and now COO, and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. We cover practical topics like transitioning from individual contributor to people leader, hiring and mentoring talent, navigating cultural change after acquisitions, makin...

In this episode, hosts Jim Desmond and Randy Fields define burnout as depleted physical, emotional, or spiritual energy, explain how it shows up in work and life, and highlight the contagious risk of running on empty. They offer practical fixes for leaders: set courageous boundaries, protect margin and time, empower your people to say no, and provide structure and space for recovery so teams and i...

Hosts Randy Fields and Jim Desmond explain what a leadership theme is, why it matters, and how a single word or phrase can focus decisions and boost team engagement (and with a theme song). They share examples like “Strong” and “Establish the Work,” and discuss how themes help prioritize, protect time, align teams, and prevent drift. Listeners are encouraged to choose and communicate a clear theme...

This episode of Leadership Lost and Found explores what workplace politics really are—competition for scarce resources, status, and influence—and how they show up as turf battles, obfuscation, and hidden agendas. The hosts discuss the real costs: lost trust, stalled innovation, lower productivity, and damaged morale. They share practical advice for leaders: use truth and transparency, assess wheth...

Hosts Randy and Jim explore what everyday leadership really looks like — consistent, intentional behaviors that make teams better. Through stories and practical tips they emphasize valuing others’ time, showing up visibly, giving in-the-moment feedback and gratitude, protecting focus time, and practicing servant leadership. The episode breaks everyday leadership into simple habits you can adopt da...

* Apologies for the sound issues!  It was trivia night at the bar!  This episode explores how mindfulness and self-awareness improve leadership, sharing personal stories and practical techniques like body scans, grounding, morning meditation, and closing distractions. Listeners will learn how being present, admitting when you9re emotionally compromised, and modeling focus and care builds psycholog...

In this engaging episode of Leadership Lost and Found, hosts Jim Desmond and Randy Field dive deep into the concept of servant leadership. They explore its significance, historical context, and practical application in today's corporate world. The discussion moves from a light-hearted start, acknowledging May historical moments, to a profound analysis of leadership styles, using the analogy of a h...

In this episode of Leadership Lost and Found, we dive into the intricacies of effective leadership, exploring the importance of understanding when to step up and how core values influence leadership decisions. Recorded at Jonathan’s Grill, this episode delves into historical leadership examples and personal anecdotes, including the founding of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and valuable lessons from...

Spotting talent takes....talent. You cannot rely solely on HR for assistance...you as a leader must know what good looks like...and be able to see it (or the potential for it) in others.  Join Jim Desmond and Randy Fields as they talk about talent assessment (from hiring it, grooming it, and promoting it).   Grab a drink of some kind and listen in on how you can assess others and yourself. And how...

Join Randy and Jim as they work through the issue of delegation.  Understanding what it is, why it is important, and how you do it. 

Join Jim and Randy (and maybe a leader named Ike) as they dive deep into why leaders should take all the blame and give away all the credit.  Ike's letter to the troops: https://taskandpurpose.com/history/d-day-letter-from-eisenhower/ Ike's letter in case of failure: https://www.businessinsider.com/d-day-in-case-of-failure-letter-by-general-eisenhower-2012-6 Here is a link to the book on Amazon "H...

Join Randy and Jim in this next installment of Leadership Lost and Found, where we talk about what you can learn from missed leadership opportunities.  Also, around the 20 minute mark, we learn not to set the microphone on an unstable surface.  I blame Randy. 

How and when do you do it?  Join Jim and Randy as they talk about the importance of delegation in your leadership. You do it...NO....you do it!

Join Jim and Randy as they discuss being thankful in your leadership!!!  As well as ALL of the Pop Culture references and personal funnies listed below! https://www.originalpoopknife.com/pages/the-story-of-the-poop-knife https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzAFqrxfeY&t=110s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWTXJ0GaYpM&t=3s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guA_4AzXqh0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd3...

Join Randy and Jim as they (finally) get together to discuss the Social Revolution.  What is the Social Revolution?  You'll have to listen to find out. 

Join Randy nd Jim as they discuss what to do with a team member that is stuck on the runway.

Happy New Year (Yes, we are painfully aware this is waaay late for the New Year, bear with us)!!  Join Randy & Jim as they take on another episode of leadership from the trenches!  Tales from the Trenches Part Deux!!

Join Randy and Jim as they talk about the holidays, well really how superior Die Hard is as a Christmas movie, as well as what it takes to move from an Individual Contributor (IC) to a people leader.  Stay till the end to see how to view our claymation episode!

Join Randy and Jim as they discuss expectations, setting them, meeting them and most importantly how to avoid Randy's blast radius when he sneezes. Happy Thanksgiving!

Join Randy and Jim as they explore leadership in the new workplace.  How has COVID and remote work affected you, and how will it continue to affect you?  Also, a strong Happy 246th Birthday to America's elite fighting force, the United States Marines Corps!  Semper Fi, Devil Dogs! 

Randy and Jim have a special guest in this episode.  Kevin Wilson, joins our intrepid duo.  Kevin is a former Marine, paramedic, sheriff's deputy, SWAT team member, sniper, and leader as well as having a storied career in private security, encompassing executive protection, and kidnap and recovery work.  So grab a cup of coffee and join us as we talk about leading through a crisis.

Join Randy and Jim as they discuss leading difficult people.  And by difficult I mean like how difficult it is to get Randy to stop pounding on the table as he talks so it causes a reverb on the microphone.  Also, something about the 70's TV shows is discussed.  Listen to the end!

Join Randy and Jim as they explore the concept of  consistency in leadership.  You might also want to bring the cover sheet to your TPS report.