Leadership Blueprints

• What If Trust Is More Powerful Than Talent in Business?

  At first glance, business development might not appear to be part of a leader’s role. Yet it’s central to how effective leaders build trust, connect vision to operations, and align people and projects around shared purpose. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ welcomes Brad Adams, founder and principal of The R4 Group, a specialized business development consulting firm. Drawing on decades of experience from Wall Street to partnerships with architects, engineers, developers, and real estate financiers, Brad shares how genuine relationships, curiosity, and empathy drive long-term success far more than transactional sales tactics. He explains why everyone, not just sales teams, plays a role in business development, and how leaders can turn everyday conversations into opportunities for growth. From nurturing connections to recognizing when partnerships align, Brad shows how genuine connection and follow-through lead to meaningful business outcomes. Tune in to learn how shifting from “always be selling” to “always be connecting” can transform both your leadership and your business development mindset! Key Points From This Episode:•   Founding the R4 Group to leverage his network and connect clients for mutual success.•   Insights from connecting clients and partners through trusted relationships.•   Case study: helping a global architectural firm establish roots in Philadelphia.•   A walkthrough of what Brad’s client process looks like.•   How empathy and authenticity strengthen business relationships.•   Tips for nurturing networks through genuine, consistent personal connection. Quotes:“I never considered myself a great salesperson, but what I did well was building relationships with people, and that's really where my success came from.” — Brad Adams  “I decided to start the R4 group, which basically leverages my network. And the people [who] engage me, I introduce them to people that I know [who] can utilize their services. And that's what I've been doing for the past 20 years, and enjoying myself every day.” — Brad Adams  “Business development is something that is everyone's responsibility, not just a dedicated salesperson or BD person.” — Brad Adams “I've had some situations where I haven't done as well as I would have liked, and that's okay. I understand that, and you learn from that. You never chalk it up as a bad experience. You chalk it up as a learning experience.” — Brad Adams  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Brad AdamsBrad Adams on LinkedInThe R4 GroupPrinciples: Life and WorkRay DalioRonald ReaganSteve PrefontaineLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

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• Is Running Notre Dame's Campus More Complex Than Commanding a Battalion?

  Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Blueprints. Join our conversation with today's guest, Dan Cook, as he shares what his role at the University of Notre Dame entails and why he initially decided to join the Navy. Dan sheds light on the leadership lessons he learned in the military and how he had to adjust his leadership style for civilian life. We also dive into how he approached his transition, what life is like now, and how he balances work and life. For all this, plus his prediction on the upcoming Navy/Notre Dame game, be sure to tune in now!  Key Points From This Episode:•   He highlights the responsibilities in his role at the University of Notre Dame.•   His journey in the Navy: what got him into it and the path forward from there.•   A leadership lesson that has served him well in the transition.•   Adjusting leadership styles due to changes in the work environment.•   What life is like now, his work-life balance, and what gives him joy in this new season. Quotes:“The military taught me as well, when you have a big organization [and] a lot of responsibility, you’ve got to empower your leaders, you’ve got to lead with intent, [and] you’ve got to let decentralized command rule the day.” — Dan Cook “What served me the best in transition is when I finally stopped trying to be who I thought they expected me to be and just was myself.” — Dan Cook “Don’t underestimate how hard transition is.” — Dan Cook Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dan Cook on LinkedInNotre Dame UniversityRaving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach To Customer ServiceThe 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with LessMVP (The Movie)Leadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

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• The Walk-On Mindset: Why Leadership is Earned Every Day

  Discipline and consistency aren't just habits - they're essential virtues that fuel our guests’ leadership style, entrepreneurial triumphs, and social impact. Joining BJ on the podcast today is Dr. Charles Thomas Jr, or CT for short. CT is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, and Amazon #1 best-selling author committed to service.He embodies the Renaissance ideal of broad learning and full engagement, drawing on diverse experiences across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He co-founded and served as CEO of the cloud engineering organization Clear Cloud before its acquisition, and he founded Concerned Citizen™ Media. Tune in for their conversation as they journey through the path that led him to the defense and intel space. CT reflects on his time playing D1 basketball at Notre Dame, unpacks his natural desire and drive to lead, and explains why he consistently chooses to use the word team member over employee. He also shares the three key leadership insights he's gleaned from both the sports field and his entrepreneurial journey. In our classic wrap-up segment, CT shares his favorite book, his dream dinner party guest list, and his ultimate vision for his legacy. Tune in now for another episode packed with leadership insights and wisdom! Key Points From This Episode:•   Who CT is today, and the path that led him to where he is today. •   CT unpacks his natural desire and drive to lead.•   Why CT prefers to use the term team member versus employee. •   The integration of the new firm: a personal journey of growth.•   Three leadership lessons: situational leadership, lift as you build, and being disciplined and consistent.  Quotes: “My only distinguishing qualities are discipline and consistency. What I lack in intellectual ability, or size, or strength. I make up for it in spades with my desire to just go and get it.” — @CThomas_Jr  “I’m a workhorse. Like, if I want to go and do something, I almost have tunnel vision, like an almost religious obsession with achieving that thing.” — @CThomas_Jr  “I always say the star of the team is the team, and I truly believe that.” — @CThomas_Jr  “I may not be better than anyone, specifically, but I am going to do my very best to outwork my potential, and I will outwork you, out discipline you, and I will out-consistency you. I don’t make two mistakes in a row!” — @CThomas_Jr  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Charles Thomas Jr Charles Thomas Jr on LinkedInCharles Thomas Jr on InstagramCharles Thomas Jr on XForged From Fire: Pieces To ProsperityBest Kept Secrets: From Invisible Walk-Ons to Life Champions Clear CloudGood To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap and Others Don't The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging PeopleThe Alchemist: A Modern Classic of Magic and MysticismThe Greatest Salesman in the WorldToday I Begin a New Life: Og Mandino for the 21st Century Solo: A Memoir of HopeLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

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• Is Love the Missing Metric of High-Performance Leadership?

  Joining BJ on the show today to discuss the finance side of real estate is Ward Fitzgerald. He is the former CEO and Senior Managing Principal of Exeter Property Group, which was acquired by EQT in 2021. Ward is now the current CEO of ExCorde Capital, a real estate investment platform that delivers unprecedented value creation with a strong focus on sharing love. Ward holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Join the conversation as they delve into Ward’s journey that led him to real estate, hear as he unpacks the greatest gift he’s ever been given in the business of real estate, and how bringing old-world organizational culture has added to the innovation of the model. He also shares his leadership secret sauce, how he integrates his faith into his business life, and highlights the focus of ExCorde Capital.For all this, and more, be sure not to miss another insightful conversation on Leadership Blueprints, the podcast!Key Points From This Episode:How Ward landed in the real estate industry (and the Wildwood boardwalk story).Ward highlights his education and career path that led him to real estate. He unpacks the greatest gift he was ever given in the business of real estate. Ward shares innovation inside the model: old-world organizational structure.Ward shares his leadership secret sauce to attack the market aggressively.He details what ExCorde focused on: sharing love.Quotes:“I think that one of the things that led to our ability to grow consistently was the ability to focus on what was important and not get caught up in things like politics, [and] things like closed-door meetings.” — Ward Fitzgerald“A lot of the things they taught at Harvard Business School about running an organization, I didn’t do. And people would be horrified to know some of this!” — Ward Fitzgerald“Father Johnson said — ‘Faith is not one of the pillars of your life. It’s not one of the silos of your life. Faith is all of your life.’” — Ward Fitzgerald Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ward FitzgeraldExCorde CapitalEQT Real EstateHarvard MBAForbesFortune Asuka Nakahara on LinkedInThe Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux (Tan Classics)The Power BrokerMere ChristianityMother TeresaJohn F KennedyAbraham LincolnWinston ChurchillPope John Paul IIPope FrancisPope Leo XIVLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

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• What If the Most Underrated Leadership Tool Was Simply… Get More Sleep?

  Listening to people is the most powerful tool a leader has! Today on Leadership Blueprints, we head back to the high seas with another Navy guest, Dr. John Cordle. In this conversation, you’ll hear about John’s fascinating career from active duty in the Navy to writing to coaching other writers. We delve into John’s transition from active duty to working a regular job before he shares why that transition should simply be another part of the journey. Learn all about why John is an advocate for good sleep, the power of passion, patience, and persistence as a leader, how a government position differs from a commercial one, and so much more! He even tells us what retirement has looked like for him and how he plans to contribute to suicide prevention. Finally, John shares his favorite books and quotes, tells us who his dream dinner guests would be, and shares some words of wisdom on the power of listening. Thanks for tuning in!  Key Points From This Episode:•   His transition from active-duty Navy to a government program.•   The importance of sleep, especially for someone in the military. •   John breaks down the three ‘Ps’ of leadership.•   John shares some marriage advice for anyone in the military.  Quotes:“I underestimated the institutional resistance to change.” — Dr. John Cordle  “You have to have [an] open discussion with your family, with your spouse – don’t make any – decisions in a vacuum and make sure that what’s important to you is also important to your spouse or find a way to compromise.” — Dr. John Cordle  “Everything that I’ve learned, I’ve learned by shutting my trap and listening to what the other person had to say.” — Dr. John Cordle [ Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:John Cordle on LinkedInJohn Cordle on EmailJohn Cordle Phone Number +1 (767) 632 – 9555Going CircadianExtreme OwnershipThe Gap and the GainOn WritingLincoln on LeadershipSix FrigatesJohn (JC) CarterLeadership Blueprints PodcastMCFAMCFA CareersBJ Kraemer on LinkedIn

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