This 2-Minute Monday Mindset is about Business Leadership
Earn Trust, Only Then Can You Lead
Let me tell you about a man who lives and breathes real leadership—Rear Admiral Michael “Nasty” Manazir, Retired. A 35-year Navy veteran, a fighter pilot, and now a top executive in the private sector.
Nasty, my long-time friend, is a master teacher on leadership—because he doesn’t just talk about it… he’s lived it.
He wrote a powerful book you should get on Amazon called Learn to Lead to Win. And one of the most profound truths in that book—and in his life—is this:
“Before you can lead, you must first learn to follow.”
And that leadership—real leadership—starts with trust. And trust starts with fellowship.
Nasty teaches four principles that build trust, and I want to share them with you:
First, see yourself as a leader-in-training.
You don’t arrive as a leader. You grow into one.
Model the best around you. Study them. Learn.
Second, be a team player.
That means show up and step up. Bring ideas, but also listen.
Serve others. Make their jobs easier, their goals more achievable.
As Nasty says: Reliability is the currency of trust.
Third, know the “why.”
You have to believe in the mission.
Because if you don’t believe, why should anyone else?
Fourth—and maybe most powerful—practice confidence and humility.
Trust your leaders. Trust your team. And remember: It’s not about you.
It’s about the vision. It’s about the team.
Humble leaders are trustworthy leaders.
They build teams that as a group win—again and again.
I’ve known Nasty a long time. He’s taught me by example that:
Leadership isn’t about power. It’s not about prestige.
It’s about service: To your team. To your mission. To something greater than yourself.
Earn trust. Only then can you lead.
And I’ll see YOU at the next 2MMM.
