Winning the War on Talent: How to Develop Your People with George Randle

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a powerful conversation with George Randle, Army Vet, talent expert, and co-author of the best-selling book The Talent War. With a background that spans military command and leadership at Fortune 100 companies, George offers a unique perspective on what it truly takes to build elite teams and lead in today’s fast-paced world.

They explore the foundational attributes of great leadership: humility, discipline, team ability, and resilience, and why these are more essential than ever in a world where technology, speed, and complexity continue to accelerate. George shares stories from his time as a U.S. Army officer and corporate executive, revealing what organizations often get wrong about talent and how to get it right.

Listeners will gain critical insights into:

• Why people, not tools or strategy, are your lasting competitive advantage.
• How to identify and develop hidden leadership potential.
• The mindset shift from motivation to discipline for long-term growth.

George also breaks down how to lead yourself first, why trust should be the starting point (not earned later), and how to create cultures that reflect leadership behavior at the top.

Whether you're in the military, in the boardroom, or just starting out, this episode offers timeless leadership lessons grounded in real-world experience.

Connect with George:

LinkedIn

Book: The Talent War

Website