#0415  –  Real Leadership Isn’t Learned in a Classroom with Chris Hossfeld

#0415 – Real Leadership Isn’t Learned in a Classroom with Chris Hossfeld

Author: Jon S. Rennie February 7, 2026 Duration: 39:25
Most leadership training happens in classrooms.Real leadership doesn’t. In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Hossfeld, a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and founder of Barrel Strength Leadership, who develops leaders by taking them to historic battlefields like Gettysburg and Normandy. We explore why pressure, emotion, and shared experience shape leaders far more than PowerPoint slides ever can. Chris explains how high-stakes environments force clarity, build trust, and reveal what leaders are truly made of—and how those lessons translate directly to business, manufacturing, and executive teams. If you believe leadership is forged in real moments, not theoretical ones, this conversation is for you. Learn more from Chris Hossfeld here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barrel-strength-leadership/ https://www.barrelstrengthleadership.org/ Subscribe for more powerful leadership conversations! Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who’s ever felt that leadership advice can be too theoretical or disconnected from reality, Deep Leadership offers a grounded alternative. Host Jon S. Rennie operates from a simple, powerful belief: “Leadership is a People Business.” This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s about the tangible, often messy work of guiding teams and organizations. Jon brings a unique perspective shaped by his time as a Cold War Submarine Officer and over two decades leading within Corporate America before founding his own manufacturing company. In each episode, he translates that extensive experience into practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately. The conversations here delve into the core of what makes leadership work-or fail-across business, culture, and society. You’ll hear from Jon and a variety of expert guests as they explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of guiding people, discussing everything from daily management challenges to broader cultural forces that shape how we work. This podcast is built on the conviction that leadership matters profoundly, and that getting it right requires depth, reflection, and a relentless focus on the human element. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that cut through the noise and get to the heart of leading well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 424

Deep Leadership
Podcast Episodes
#0282  –  Biotech Leadership with Jeff Fischer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
Today, I’m joined by Jeff Fischer, and we're talking about Biotech Leadership. Jeff is the co-founder and president of Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics. Before starting Longhorn, he was an executive vice president and CFO…
#0281 - Leadership Storytelling with Karen Eber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:44
Today, I’m joined by Karen Eber, and we're talking about Leadership Storytelling. Karen is an author, international consultant, and keynote speaker. She has a popular TED talk called “How your brain responds to stories –…
#0280 - How to Build Engagement with Paul ter Wal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:32
Today, I’m joined by Paul ter Wal, and we're talking about How to Build Engagement. Paul is a Global Engagement Explorer, employability expert, and workplace architect. For more than 25 years, he has been in the speaking…
#0279  –  How to Make Money Doing Good with Bessi Graham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:57
Today, I’m joined by Bessi Graham, and we are talking about How to Make Money Doing Good. Bessi is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with business owners, governments, and large fundi…
#0278  –  How to Lead People with Stephen Iacovelli [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:19
Today, I’m joined by retired Brigadier General Stephen Iacovelli, and we're talking about How to Lead People. Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 and served for 39 years. He was commissioned in 1989 and commanded a…
#0277  – How to Lead a Startup with Shane Foss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
Today, I’m joined by Shane Foss, and we are talking about How to Lead a Startup. Shane is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hooray Health. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was a Surgical…
#0276  –  What is Emotional Intelligence? with Nadine Zeinoun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
Today, I’m joined by Nadine Zeinoun, and we're answering the question - What is Emotional Intelligence? Nadine is a certified Executive, Emotional Intelligence, and Team Coach. She is also the host of the popular TV Show…
#0274 – Achieving your Dreams with Dr. Deji Ayoade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
Today, I’m joined by Dr. Deji Ayoade, and we're talking about Achieving your Dreams. Deji is the first African immigrant to become a nuclear missile operator in the United States Air Force and serve in three U.S. militar…