August 3, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) It’s Not Just About Grit. It’s About Foresight. When I stepped into flight school, I was a blink away from losing everything I’d worked toward. One eye exam away, to be exact. The NAMI doctors gave me what we called the “NAMI whammy”—a 20/25 result in … Read more

July 27, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) If You Ever Lost Your Why…This Story Will Help You Find It September 1981. SERE School. Warner Springs, California. Thrown to the dirt. Locked in a box. Slapped, interrogated, broken. It was all part of the training. And it changed everything. Before I took my first … Read more

July 20, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Real Leadership Doesn’t Begin With Power- it Begins With Connection Learning to Lead The shrill blast of the alarm at 0555 during Plebe summer was unforgettable. Thirteen rings. Sixty seconds. You had to be up, dressed, and standing at rigid attention by the door—no excuses. This … Read more

July 13, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) Before you can command a team, you must earn the trust to be led. It began with shock and awe. Not from the roar of jet engines or the pressure of combat—but from a white cotton uniform, a clean shave, a shouted command, and a room … Read more

May 11, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The Brisket Was Smokin’—The Expectations? Not So Much It started with good intentions to celebrate the team achieving a meaningful milestone. “Hey everyone—let’s do a Friday BBQ to celebrate the big win! I’ve got the food. –Rick” Rick, our fearless (and sometimes too enthusiastic) team leader, … Read more

March 31, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The Brick ChroniclesBuilding Stronger Connections—Promoting Stakeholder Engagement Sarah Thompson, CEO of Baxter’s Bricks, leaned against the conference room table with a smirk. “Alright, team,” she said, scanning the faces of her executive team. “We’re launching a new initiative to strengthen stakeholder engagement.” Rick Nelson, the COO, … Read more

March 23, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The Brick ChroniclesMastering the Art of Resource Allocation Sarah Thompson, CEO of Baxter’s Bricks, leaned against the conference table, her arms crossed with a knowing smile. The leadership team had gathered for their quarterly strategy session, but Sarah had just thrown them a curve ball. “We’ve … Read more

March 16, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The Brick ChroniclesReputation-Built to Last or Doomed to Crumble? Sarah Thompson, CEO of Baxter’s Bricks, leaned against the conference table with a smirk. “Brand identity and reputation,” she said, “are like a well-built brick wall. Strong, reliable, and impossible to knock down—unless, of course, you forget … Read more

March 10, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The Brick ChroniclesManage Labor Relations Without Losing Your Mind Sarah Thompson, CEO of Baxter’s Bricks, glanced around the conference room, her arms crossed and a knowing smirk on her face. The air was thick with anticipation. She had just announced a new labor relations strategy, and … Read more

March 1, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes) The Brick ChroniclesThe Risks & Rewards of External Partnership Sarah Thompson, CEO of Baxter’s Bricks, stood at the front of the conference room, holding up a report titled Strategic Partnerships: The Hidden Risks and Rewards. “This,” she said, “is why we can’t take external relationships for … Read more