'Leading the Way' Podcast: General Caslen, Superintendent West Point Military Academy
Ever wonder what cadet life is like at the most prominent military academy in our nation? General Robert Caslen Jr., Superintendent at West Point Military Academy – founded in 1802 and the oldest of the five U.S. service academies – joins i4cp’s Leading the Way radio show and podcast to talk leadership, collaboration, character, inclusive teams, trust, and the power of an agile intellect.
In this podcast, learn about the strategy for developing the United States’ front-line military leaders, how West Point cadets are immersed in a military-oriented environment, and how they gain an unparalleled undergraduate education and leadership skills through a rigorous curriculum.
General Caslen also discusses ISIS and how he helped transform a hostile village in northern Iraq into a thriving, entrepreneurial community, now considered to be one of the safest places in the country.
Key Soundbites
- On agility – “Thinking with agility, thinking critically, having interpersonal skills to develop relationships [so] that battalion commander didn’t have to fire a single round. He had the intellectual agility to be able to recognize where the opportunities were and to create those opportunities, as well.”
- On character – “You have to be a man or woman of extraordinary character, because you can be the most physical or the smartest, whenever you fail in character, you fail in leadership. We don’t have the luxury of turning character on and off.”
- On perseverance – “Military academies are not easy physically or intellectually. So, when you have perseverance through that crucible, you get out – you emerge on the other side very proud of what you have endured, what you have accomplished.”
- On diversity & inclusive teams - “We need to develop our leaders to not only lead in diverse organizations, but know how to, through leadership, build inclusive teams, where everybody, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender or sexual orientation, is valued and respected, to feel they’re a contributing member, and that they feel they are safe and secure both emotionally and physically.”
About Leading the Way
Leading the Way is a weekly radio show and podcast series that highlights influential business leaders and leading people practices from i4cp. Co-hosted by Emmy award-winning television anchor and radio host, Scott Murray, and i4cp’s Angel Carlton, the show features interviews with respected business leaders from the world of business, sports, entertainment, healthcare and philanthropy.
The show airs live every Sunday at 4 pm CT on KLIF 570 in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the global audience is invited to listen live on www.klif.com and the weekly podcast debuts on iTunes or Google Play and the i4cp website the following week.