Today on Leadership Unlocked, Gene Boehm, President and CEO of AAA, joins Dusty and shares the experiences, values, and lessons that shape his leadership philosophy, emphasizing clarity, empowerment, and authenticity. From childhood stories and career setbacks to learning resilience during the Enron scandal and embracing feedback, Boehm highlights the transformative power of self-awareness, mentorship, and organizational culture. He champions vision over micromanagement, exemplified by initiatives like the “I Love My Job” campaign, which fostered pride and engagement across AAA. Passionate about safety and reducing roadside fatalities, he calls for greater advocacy and coalition-building. Boehm underscores the importance of emotional connection, storytelling, and gratitude in leadership, drawing on personal rituals like daily running and annual marathons to stay grounded. With insights ranging from literary inspiration to practical frameworks for growth, he encourages aspiring leaders to lead with heart, intention, and humility—always beginning and ending with thank you.
Key Takeaways:
• Worry is wasted energy. Gene learned early on—from a Mellencamp lyric and a childhood story—that letting go of guilt and fear is crucial to leading effectively.
• Metrics aren't everything. While important, Gene believes vision and emotional connection ultimately drive success more than numbers.
• Symbols can spark culture. The “I Love My Job” t-shirt started as a morale booster and evolved into a movement of pride and positivity.
Key Timestamps:
(00:00) – Gene's Leadership Principles
(05:44) – Gene's Journey to Becoming CEO of AAA
(08:13) – Defining Moments and Lessons in Leadership
(21:12) – The 'I Love My Job' T-Shirt Story
(26:26) – A Memorable First Day at Walgreens
(32:41) – Rapid Fire Leadership Insights
(39:17) – Building Relationships and Career Advancement
(44:27) – Saving Lives and Reducing Traffic Fatalities
Key Topics Discussed:
Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership
Mentions:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-boehm-1581532/
More of Leadership Unlocked:
Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/
Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com
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