Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front
Are you tired of surface-level leadership podcast that offer quick platitudes but lack the substance and depth to solve the bigger challenges?
If so, welcome to Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front, where we offer battle-tested strategies that are used in the front lines of leadership RIGHT NOW.
Hosted by Simon Kardynal, a 29-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran and Chief Warrant Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, this internationally acclaimed podcast delivers the raw, real-world insights leaders need to thrive on the leadership battlefield.
With 119 regular episodes and dozens of bonus content episodes , Trench Leadership bridges the gap between leadership development theory and the reality of employing tactics 'in the field'. Simon brings his Master of Arts in Leadership and decades of military experience to deep-dive conversations with global experts across leadership, well-being, and professional development.
Our guests don't just share success stories; they pull back the curtain on their surprising wins, their most epic mistakes, and the agonizing moments of self-doubt they had to overcome to keep going.
Every episode of Trench Leadership empowers leaders with strategic, actionable, battle-tested 'Trench Tools', that enrich your leadership toolkits to strengthen yourself, your team, and your organization.
Join the Trench Leadership community and connect with other listeners who are choosing to do more than just survive the battle, they are choosing to win the war.
Whether you are a seasoned executive or an emerging manager, Trench Leadership provides the insights you need to stay in the fight and come out ahead.
Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front
The Leadership Lightning Round - Creating a Remote Team Culture featuring Monique Lindner
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Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front is humbled to have been named #5 in the Top 20 for Best Canadian Leadership-themed podcasts for 2025.
Connect to Trench Leadership:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYnaqOp1UvqTJhATzcizowA
Trench Leadership Website: www.trenchleadership.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trench-leadership-a-podcast-from-the-front/?viewAsMember=true
Are you looking for a podcast editor/producer? Do you enjoy the quality of the show? The editor of Trench Leadership, Jennifer Lee, is taking new clients. Reach out at https://www.itsalegitbusiness.com.
Reviews are the best way for the show to know what is working, what needs improvement, and what to talk about in the future.
If you have a topic that you're passionate to hear more about, feel free to reach out at simonk@trenchleadership.ca to connect and share your ideas.
It's the Lightning Round reflective and connect with the listeners on a more personal level. And, without further ado, let's get to the questions.
Speaker 2But this sounds like a time for us to roll into the lightning round. How are you feeling about that?
Speaker 3I'm excited. Let's bring it on.
Favorite Leadership Word
Speaker 2Let's do this. You're going to be fantastic. All right Question number one what is your favorite leadership word? All right Question number one.
Speaker 3What is your favorite leadership word Within?
Speaker 2Leadership from within. Okay.
Speaker 3Question number two who do you look to for leadership inspiration? Oh, honestly, my clients.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 3Question number three Cup half full or cup half empty?
Leadership Style Reflections
Speaker 2oh, half full. Okay, question number four what would you like to improve about your leadership style?
Closing Thoughts
Speaker 3a little bit more emotional detachment at times, which is really, and it doesn't mean I'm not involved, it just means I can respond. I'm not feeling sensational and emotional in a roller coaster at times, which is different for autistic people. But yeah, that's what I'm practicing.
Speaker 2Okay, and the last question what do you think is your leadership strength?
Speaker 3Oh, communication, because it's very clear, to the point, still kind and patterns and behaviors. I can see and that's one of my favorite autistic strengths too. I can see behavior patterns or patterns of structure, team structure, business structure, anything within the shortest amount of time and I can help create a better version of that.
Speaker 2Perfect. Well, thank you so much. That was the lightning round. How do you think you did?
Speaker 3Well, I'm not. I think it was helpful, I hope.
Speaker 2I think you did amazing. You did fantastic. There is no wrong answer. It's all very open-ended questions, for well. I hope I think you did amazing. You did fantastic. Thank you, there is no wrong answer. They're all very open-ended questions, for well. I guess they're not all open-ended questions, but they're all questions about leadership stuff and it's just meant to give everyone an opportunity to get to know you a little bit better.
Speaker 3Yeah.
Speaker 1That's it. That's all you have been treated to five leadership-related questions and the responses from this week's guest. We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the Lightning Round brought to you by Trench Leadership, a podcast from the front. Take care and remember leadership without passion limits the depth of your vision.
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