Host Jake Allen welcomes Mike Etorre, a retired Marine Corps infantry officer, former C-suite executive, and founder of Fidelis Leadership Group, to discuss lessons from high-stakes military service and corporate leadership. Mike reflects on Beirut in 1983, Iran-backed terrorism, and his support for President Trump’s strikes while noting risks of escalation and the fog of war. He contrasts Marine Corps accountability—leaders owning everything that happens or fails to happen—with inconsistent corporate enforcement that can erode trust, especially when top performers are treated differently. Mike also outlines trust-based leadership rooted in character and integrity, describes how pressure first degrades clarity and process, and warns against momentum killers like emotional outbursts and punishing initiative. He also shares his ongoing battle with Camp Lejeune-related bladder cancer and his commitment to transparency and resilience.

Host Jake Allen sits down with Scott H. Stalker, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant and author of Left of Leadership.

Scott served 31 years in the Marine Corps, culminating as the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command—the only Marine to ever hold that position. He also served in senior intelligence roles supporting the NSA and DIA, operating in some of the most complex and classified environments in national defense.

In this conversation, Scott shares his journey from early academic struggles to joining the Marine Corps at 17—and how the Corps reshaped his discipline, work ethic, and leadership philosophy. He reflects on building intelligence training programs at MARSOC, developing relationships that led to key assignments at DIA, and helping reestablish Space Command, where space and cyber capabilities directly enabled the warfighter.

Jake and Scott explore:

• The foundational human elements of leadership—character, trust, and leading with love

• Decision-making under uncertainty and avoiding analysis paralysis

• Mission command and empowerment

• The trade-offs between inclusive planning in special operations vs. conventional forces

• Differences between military and corporate leadership

• Accountability, talent utilization, and revenue realities in business

Scott also discusses the core ideas from Left of Leadership—preparing before crisis, building routines, applying incremental stress, and using storytelling to develop leaders.

The episode closes with practical advice on continuous learning, appreciating people specifically, and leading with both love and accountability.

If you care about execution, leadership under pressure, and building teams that perform when it matters most—this conversation delivers.

In this episode of the Execution Exchange, Jake Allen hosts Ted DeZabala, an executive coach and founder of Lead To Change Coaching & Consulting. Ted, a former Deloitte leader, discusses 'trust intelligence,' a concept he created that redefines trust as the fundamental leadership capability. Together, Jake and Ted explore how leaders can build trust, overcome internal resistance, and convert insights into action under pressure. Ted shares insights from his extensive experience and research, highlighting the importance of trust in leadership, the three dimensions of trust (competence, character, and care), and how misaligned expectations often lead to trust violations. This informative discussion delves deep into the nuances of trust within organizations and provides practical advice for leaders at all levels.