Welcome back to the show, everyone! In our first episode, Antonio led the conversation as Jason discussed his own experiences, and in this episode, we are flipping the script, with Jason taking the lead which is definitely appropriate for our topic this episode!

As leaders, we often talk about the importance of leading a team, but what about leading yourself? Tune in as Antonio walks us through what it means to lead yourself, especially when everything around you is falling apart.

Antonio shares his powerful story of losing his home and community in the devastating California wildfires earlier this year, candidly opening up about the grief, uncertainty, and challenges of rebuilding his life from scratch. Through it all, however, he reveals the key strategies that he used to get through each day - focusing on what he could control, simplifying his priorities, and leaning on his support system.

As a self-employed public speaker, Antonio has had to learn to be his own leader, with no organization or paycheck to fall back on, and he highlights the importance of leading by example and staying committed to your goals, even when it's difficult, and as a CEO myself, I (Jason) can absolutely relate to the solo nature of leadership and how you have to set the tone for yourself before you can effectively lead others.

We also touch upon the power of vulnerability in leadership. In a world of highlight reels, people are always craving authenticity and connection, and by opening up about our challenges, setbacks, and even our dislikes, we help create deeper bonds and show others that it's okay to not have it all figured out.

Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself, this episode will likely encourage you to be more intentional about how you show up each day and to reach out to support the people in your life who may be going through their own storms. After all, that human connection can make all the difference!

Welcome to Pilot to Co-Pilot: A Leadership Podcast on Growth and Collaboration. We are your hosts Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom, and we are so happy that you have tuned in! In our inaugural episode, Jason, CEO of Evergreen Credit Union, reflects on his experiences dealing with uncertainty, such as the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world was suddenly turned upside down, he found himself thrust into roles that he never expected - from biologist to dad of the organization. With nearly a hundred employees looking to him for guidance, he had to quickly adapt and make tough decisions, all while dealing with his own uncertainty.

Listen in as Jason highlights the importance of staying anchored to the mission and vision, even when the ground is constantly shifting. He talks about the power of being transparent, both with his team. He shares his collaborative approach bringing in diverse perspectives and stresses the need to slow down, take a breath, and carefully weigh the pros and cons rather than rushing into hasty decisions.

Throughout our conversation, you'll note how Jason's "we" language shines through, highlighting his belief that leadership is a team effort. He shares a poignant personal story of being on the other side of a tough decision and how that experience has shaped his empathetic approach as a leader.

Despite the chaos and turbulence of the current environment, Jason remains optimistic, seeing change and evolution as the keys to progress, and his passion for serving his members and community is palpable, inspiring listeners to embrace the challenges of leadership with resilience and compassion!