March 31, 2025 • 12 mins
In this Power Moves and Leadership Lessons episode, we're talking about a lesson that separates the Mavericks from the Masses: It doesn't matter if your ship comes in if your port isn't built to dock it. You've heard the saying, "You're ship will come in." That sounds great, right? But here's the real question: When that ship arrives, will you be ready? Opportunities don't wait for you to get ready. It shows up, and if you don't have the foundation, the skills, and the mindset in place beforehand, that ship will sail right past you. So today, we're breaking down why preparation is everything, how your port protects you in the storms of life, and I'll give you three powerful ways to build your port NOW so you're ready when your moment arrives.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hello, dear Mavericks.
Welcome to Making Maverick Moves, thepodcast where bold leaders break barriers,
rewrite the rules, and seize opportunity.
No excuses, no permission needed.
I'm Gina L. Osborn, and today we'retalking about a lesson that separates
the Mavericks from the masses.
(00:21):
And here it is.
It doesn't matter if your ship comesin, if your port isn't built to dock it.
You've heard the sayingyour ship will come in.
That sounds great.
Right?
But here's the real question.
When that ship arrives, will you be ready?
Opportunity doesn't waitfor you to get ready.
(00:44):
It shows up.
And if you don't have thefoundation, the skills and the
mindset in place beforehand, thatship will sail right past you.
So today we're breaking down whyPreparation is everything, how your
port protects you in the storms oflife, and then I'll give you three
(01:05):
powerful ways to build your port now.
So you're ready when the moment arrives.
So get ready because this episode isgoing to challenge you to step up,
prepare, and take control of your future.
(01:27):
Think about the biggestopportunity you've ever had.
Maybe it was a promotion, abusiness deal, a major life change.
Now ask yourself, did I feelcompletely ready when it arrived?
Most people don't, but the ones whosucceed are the ones who prepared
long before the moment came.
(01:49):
Back in 2004, I was a team leaderon the FBI's inspection staff
in Washington DC that year.
The FBI's cyber program wasbrand new, an uncharted frontier.
When the time came to inspectthe Chicago Field Offices cyber
program, none of the inspectionteam leaders had technical skills.
(02:11):
We all know how intimidating high tech canbe, especially for those of us back in the
day who could barely turn on a computer.
No one wanted to take on thechallenge, but I could see
the future standing before me.
I could either get on the trainor let the train pass me by.
Cyber was new, cutting edge,and so I volunteered because
(02:32):
I believed in preparation.
I. Knowing I didn't have the chops to pullthis off on my own, I surrounded myself
with top cyber field office supervisors.
I met with executives at FBIheadquarters in the cyber division,
and I immersed myself in learning.
By the time the inspectionbegan, I wasn't scrambling.
(02:55):
I was ready.
I knew I couldn't learn the ones andzeros in a short amount of time, but
at least I knew the priorities andwhat made a strong cyber program.
I. The Chicago inspection was a success.
We identified deficiencies andwe made our recommendations.
I shared my findings with the cyberheadquarters executives and they
(03:16):
in turn sent additional directionout to all 56 field offices on how
to improve the program nationwide.
From there, I was selected to inspectthe FBI offices in Memphis, San
Diego, and then several more that yearbecoming the cyber program subject
matter expert on inspection staff.
(03:38):
Not bad for someone who couldbarely turn on a computer.
And when Los Angeles created theFBI's first ever cyber and computer
forensics assistant, special agent incharge position, guess who got the job?
I didn't have to scramble.
I didn't have to catch up.
I had already built my port.
(03:58):
If I had waited until the opportunityarose to start preparing, I
never would've been ready.
The lesson, you don'trise to the occasion.
You rise to the level of your preparation.
A strong port isn't just a dockfor opportunity, it's a fortress
In a storm, life is unpredictable.
(04:20):
You will face setbacks, obstacles,and unexpected challenges.
But if you've built a solid foundation,your skills, your mindset, your network,
you won't just survive the storm.
You'll thrive.
There's a story of a woman who was told.
You'll never survive the storm.
Her response, I am the storm.
(04:44):
That kind of unshakeable confidencedoesn't happen by accident.
It's built through preparation,through experience, through resilience.
So when your storm comes, whether it's acareer challenge, a business failure, or
a personal setback, will you be ready?
When we come back, I'm going totell you the three things you
(05:06):
need in order to build your port.
Looking for a keynote speakerwho redefines leadership.
Meet Gina L. Osborn.
As a US Army, cold War, spy catcher,and FBI, special agent executive, she
knows what it takes to lead through chaoscrisis, and change her secret making
(05:27):
Maverick moves bold, fearless strategiesthat break barriers and shatter limits.
If you want your audience tothink bigger, lead stronger, and
own every room Gina delivers.
Book Gina l Osborn today and unleashthe maverick mindset at your next event.
(05:48):
Visit gina l Osborn.com/makingmaverick moves.
Welcome back.
Let's get real.
A ship without a port has nowhere to dock.
You can have the opportunity of alifetime staring you in the face, but
if you're not prepared to handle it.
Own it and maximize it.
It will pass you by.
(06:09):
When I arrived at LA Metro in 2022 asthe Chief Safety and Security Officer,
I walked into a culture of excuses.
We tried that before.
It didn't work.
The board won't like it.
The CEO will lose her mind.
It was paralysis by excuses.
So I made a no more excuses rule.
(06:31):
Don't tell me why we can't do something.
Tell me how we can.
I remember telling one executive,if I have to figure it out
myself, what do I need you for?
As the people stuck in the statusquo moved on from the agency.
I built a new team, not just withtalented people, but with people who
had skills that complimented mine.
(06:54):
I knew I lacked patience, so my secondin command was the calm to my fire.
I moved leaders into roles, notbased on experience, but based
on their leadership potential.
I empowered my team to make theirown decisions, tap into their
creativity and own their roles.
And guess what?
(07:14):
That's when we startedmaking real change in 2023.
We decreased crime onthe metro system by 35%.
If you want build your port,surround yourself with greatness.
If you want to lead, empower others.
And if you wanna create success.
Stop making excuses andstart taking action.
(07:38):
Mavericks don't wait.
They prepare.
They position themselves forsuccess before the moment arrives.
So here are three ways foryou to build your port.
Number one, surroundyourself with greatness.
You can't build a portal alone ifyou wanna be ready for success.
You need to be in the rightenvironment with the right people.
(07:59):
That means actively seekingout those who challenge you.
Support you and push you to be better,and don't make the mistake of surrounding
yourself only with people who thinklike you or share the same strengths.
Ports aren't built with just one typeof material and successful teams?
They're not built withjust one type of person.
(08:20):
You need people with skills, perspectives,and experiences that compliment your own.
They'll help you see blind spots,strength and weaknesses, and approach
challenges from different angles.
The more diverse and well-roundedyour network, the stronger your
foundation will be when yourmoment of opportunity arrives.
(08:43):
Next, be willing to learn.
Ego is the enemy of growth.
If you think you already have all theanswers, you'll probably never be ready
for the bigger opportunities ahead.
The best leaders, entrepreneurs,and innovators never stop learning.
They stay curious, humble,and hungry for knowledge.
(09:06):
Think of your mind like aport under construction.
Every new skill, insight, orlesson is like adding another doc,
strengthening your infrastructure.
Read books, take courses, seekmentorship, and most importantly, listen.
Learn from those who havewalked the path before you.
(09:27):
And don't be afraid to admitwhen you don't know something.
Growth comes from learningand learning never stops.
And finally, embrace challenges.
Discomfort is a sign of growth.
Too many people avoid hard things becausethey fear failure, and real progress
comes from pushing through obstacles.
(09:49):
Ports are built to withstand storms,rough waters, and heavy traffic.
You have to build yourself the same way.
Instead of avoidingchallenges, lean into them.
View setbacks as learning experiencesand remind yourself that every
difficulty you face is preparingyou for something greater.
(10:10):
The people who thrive whenopportunity arrives are the ones
who have already built resilience.
They don't crumble under pressure.
They rise to the occasion becausethey've been training for it all
along that ship you've been waitingfor, it's already on its way.
The only question is, willyou be ready when it arrives?
(10:32):
Start preparing now.
Build your skills.
Surround yourselves with the right people.
Push through the discomfort.
Because when your ship comes in.
You won't just be ready.
You'll be unstoppable.
If this episode spoke to you, shareit with another maverick who needs
to hear it, and if you're making boldmoves in your life, let's connect.
(10:54):
You can find me@ginalOsborn.com orat Gina l Osborn on social media.
Until next time, keepmaking those maverick moves.
Making Maverick Moves with Gina l Osbornis produced and edited by Lisa Osborn.
(11:15):
Theme music Maverick Heart is byretired IRS criminal investigative
attache Clarissa Balada.
Connect with us on social media throughgina l Osborn.com/making Maverick
moves, and don't miss an episode.
Subscribe to Making Maverick Moveswherever you get your podcasts.
Hello, dear Mavericks.
Welcome to Making Maverick Moves, thepodcast where bold leaders break barriers,
rewrite the rules, and seize opportunity.
No excuses, no permission needed.
I'm Gina L. Osborn, and today we'retalking about a lesson that separates
the Mavericks from the masses.
(00:21):
And here it is.
It doesn't matter if your ship comesin, if your port isn't built to dock it.
You've heard the sayingyour ship will come in.
That sounds great.
Right?
But here's the real question.
When that ship arrives, will you be ready?
Opportunity doesn't waitfor you to get ready.
(00:44):
It shows up.
And if you don't have thefoundation, the skills and the
mindset in place beforehand, thatship will sail right past you.
So today we're breaking down whyPreparation is everything, how your
port protects you in the storms oflife, and then I'll give you three
(01:05):
powerful ways to build your port now.
So you're ready when the moment arrives.
So get ready because this episode isgoing to challenge you to step up,
prepare, and take control of your future.
(01:27):
Think about the biggestopportunity you've ever had.
Maybe it was a promotion, abusiness deal, a major life change.
Now ask yourself, did I feelcompletely ready when it arrived?
Most people don't, but the ones whosucceed are the ones who prepared
long before the moment came.
(01:49):
Back in 2004, I was a team leaderon the FBI's inspection staff
in Washington DC that year.
The FBI's cyber program wasbrand new, an uncharted frontier.
When the time came to inspectthe Chicago Field Offices cyber
program, none of the inspectionteam leaders had technical skills.
(02:11):
We all know how intimidating high tech canbe, especially for those of us back in the
day who could barely turn on a computer.
No one wanted to take on thechallenge, but I could see
the future standing before me.
I could either get on the trainor let the train pass me by.
Cyber was new, cutting edge,and so I volunteered because
(02:32):
I believed in preparation.
I. Knowing I didn't have the chops to pullthis off on my own, I surrounded myself
with top cyber field office supervisors.
I met with executives at FBIheadquarters in the cyber division,
and I immersed myself in learning.
By the time the inspectionbegan, I wasn't scrambling.
(02:55):
I was ready.
I knew I couldn't learn the ones andzeros in a short amount of time, but
at least I knew the priorities andwhat made a strong cyber program.
I. The Chicago inspection was a success.
We identified deficiencies andwe made our recommendations.
I shared my findings with the cyberheadquarters executives and they
(03:16):
in turn sent additional directionout to all 56 field offices on how
to improve the program nationwide.
From there, I was selected to inspectthe FBI offices in Memphis, San
Diego, and then several more that yearbecoming the cyber program subject
matter expert on inspection staff.
(03:38):
Not bad for someone who couldbarely turn on a computer.
And when Los Angeles created theFBI's first ever cyber and computer
forensics assistant, special agent incharge position, guess who got the job?
I didn't have to scramble.
I didn't have to catch up.
I had already built my port.
(03:58):
If I had waited until the opportunityarose to start preparing, I
never would've been ready.
The lesson, you don'trise to the occasion.
You rise to the level of your preparation.
A strong port isn't just a dockfor opportunity, it's a fortress
In a storm, life is unpredictable.
(04:20):
You will face setbacks, obstacles,and unexpected challenges.
But if you've built a solid foundation,your skills, your mindset, your network,
you won't just survive the storm.
You'll thrive.
There's a story of a woman who was told.
You'll never survive the storm.
Her response, I am the storm.
(04:44):
That kind of unshakeable confidencedoesn't happen by accident.
It's built through preparation,through experience, through resilience.
So when your storm comes, whether it's acareer challenge, a business failure, or
a personal setback, will you be ready?
When we come back, I'm going totell you the three things you
(05:06):
need in order to build your port.
Looking for a keynote speakerwho redefines leadership.
Meet Gina L. Osborn.
As a US Army, cold War, spy catcher,and FBI, special agent executive, she
knows what it takes to lead through chaoscrisis, and change her secret making
(05:27):
Maverick moves bold, fearless strategiesthat break barriers and shatter limits.
If you want your audience tothink bigger, lead stronger, and
own every room Gina delivers.
Book Gina l Osborn today and unleashthe maverick mindset at your next event.
(05:48):
Visit gina l Osborn.com/makingmaverick moves.
Welcome back.
Let's get real.
A ship without a port has nowhere to dock.
You can have the opportunity of alifetime staring you in the face, but
if you're not prepared to handle it.
Own it and maximize it.
It will pass you by.
(06:09):
When I arrived at LA Metro in 2022 asthe Chief Safety and Security Officer,
I walked into a culture of excuses.
We tried that before.
It didn't work.
The board won't like it.
The CEO will lose her mind.
It was paralysis by excuses.
So I made a no more excuses rule.
(06:31):
Don't tell me why we can't do something.
Tell me how we can.
I remember telling one executive,if I have to figure it out
myself, what do I need you for?
As the people stuck in the statusquo moved on from the agency.
I built a new team, not just withtalented people, but with people who
had skills that complimented mine.
(06:54):
I knew I lacked patience, so my secondin command was the calm to my fire.
I moved leaders into roles, notbased on experience, but based
on their leadership potential.
I empowered my team to make theirown decisions, tap into their
creativity and own their roles.
And guess what?
(07:14):
That's when we startedmaking real change in 2023.
We decreased crime onthe metro system by 35%.
If you want build your port,surround yourself with greatness.
If you want to lead, empower others.
And if you wanna create success.
Stop making excuses andstart taking action.
(07:38):
Mavericks don't wait.
They prepare.
They position themselves forsuccess before the moment arrives.
So here are three ways foryou to build your port.
Number one, surroundyourself with greatness.
You can't build a portal alone ifyou wanna be ready for success.
You need to be in the rightenvironment with the right people.
(07:59):
That means actively seekingout those who challenge you.
Support you and push you to be better,and don't make the mistake of surrounding
yourself only with people who thinklike you or share the same strengths.
Ports aren't built with just one typeof material and successful teams?
They're not built withjust one type of person.
(08:20):
You need people with skills, perspectives,and experiences that compliment your own.
They'll help you see blind spots,strength and weaknesses, and approach
challenges from different angles.
The more diverse and well-roundedyour network, the stronger your
foundation will be when yourmoment of opportunity arrives.
(08:43):
Next, be willing to learn.
Ego is the enemy of growth.
If you think you already have all theanswers, you'll probably never be ready
for the bigger opportunities ahead.
The best leaders, entrepreneurs,and innovators never stop learning.
They stay curious, humble,and hungry for knowledge.
(09:06):
Think of your mind like aport under construction.
Every new skill, insight, orlesson is like adding another doc,
strengthening your infrastructure.
Read books, take courses, seekmentorship, and most importantly, listen.
Learn from those who havewalked the path before you.
(09:27):
And don't be afraid to admitwhen you don't know something.
Growth comes from learningand learning never stops.
And finally, embrace challenges.
Discomfort is a sign of growth.
Too many people avoid hard things becausethey fear failure, and real progress
comes from pushing through obstacles.
(09:49):
Ports are built to withstand storms,rough waters, and heavy traffic.
You have to build yourself the same way.
Instead of avoidingchallenges, lean into them.
View setbacks as learning experiencesand remind yourself that every
difficulty you face is preparingyou for something greater.
(10:10):
The people who thrive whenopportunity arrives are the ones
who have already built resilience.
They don't crumble under pressure.
They rise to the occasion becausethey've been training for it all
along that ship you've been waitingfor, it's already on its way.
The only question is, willyou be ready when it arrives?
(10:32):
Start preparing now.
Build your skills.
Surround yourselves with the right people.
Push through the discomfort.
Because when your ship comes in.
You won't just be ready.
You'll be unstoppable.
If this episode spoke to you, shareit with another maverick who needs
to hear it, and if you're making boldmoves in your life, let's connect.
(10:54):
You can find me@ginalOsborn.com orat Gina l Osborn on social media.
Until next time, keepmaking those maverick moves.
Making Maverick Moves with Gina l Osbornis produced and edited by Lisa Osborn.
(11:15):
Theme music Maverick Heart is byretired IRS criminal investigative
attache Clarissa Balada.
Connect with us on social media throughgina l Osborn.com/making Maverick
moves, and don't miss an episode.
Subscribe to Making Maverick Moveswherever you get your podcasts.
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