Battle-Tested Leadership with Kevin Farrell

In Episode 148 of Noob School, I talk with Kevin Farrell — a retired U.S. Army Colonel and now the President and CEO of Battlefield Leadership. Kevin’s career has spanned the military, academia, consulting, and even Hollywood, where he served as the senior military advisor on the Brad Pitt film Fury. But through all of it, one theme has stayed constant: leadership matters, especially under pressure. We talk about how his experience leading troops in combat shaped his understanding of leadership — and why those lessons still apply to business leaders today. Kevin shares stories from his work helping companies grow stronger through historical case studies and dives into some of the most common leadership mistakes he sees in the corporate world. We also touch on the difference between managing and truly leading, and how teams can make that shift. Kevin brings a unique mix of hard-earned experience and academic depth, with advanced degrees from Columbia University and a long list of published work. Whether you're building a team, growing a business, or just trying to become a better leader — this conversation has something for you.