What makes a great leader in high stakes environments where every decision matters. In this episode of the Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey, to share a field tested blueprint for leading with accountability, ownership, and trust. 

An emergency physician and Air Force Reserve commander, Josh unpacks how to transmit confidence, avoid micromanagement, and set a crystal clear commander's intent that aligns teams and elevates culture. He also reveals the origin of his personal ethos, Weight Behind the Spear, and how it has grown into a book and a foundation serving communities in need.

What You Will Learn:

Why no one is ever truly ready for leadership and why that is good news.

Three qualities that define great leaders and how to practice them daily.

Three red flags of poor leadership and how to correct them.

How to build genuine ownership across a team and actually listen to input.

Why micromanagement signals a prior hiring or mentoring mistake.

How to transmit confidence by setting intent, asking guided questions, and allowing safe mistakes.

How to hold high standards without breaking spirit through clear training and accountability.

Why open door practices reduce ego driven decision making and strengthen culture.

What Commander's Intent is and how to write one that aligns values, direction, and red lines.

The meaning of Weight Behind the Spear and how anyone can become it for others.

How military en route care and aeromedical staging work during critical transports.

Practical steps to start and fund a nonprofit with integrity and clarity.

Resource:

Dr. (Colonel) Josh McConkey Weight Behind the Spear

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