How To Actually Listen As A Leader (Green Beret Advice)

Green Beret Perry Blackburn joins Jim Robinson and Lori Prust to reveal why the best leaders listen first, act second, and how ego gets in the way.Perry Blackburn spent his career as a Green Beret combat diver, one of the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11, part of the horse-mounted "Horse Soldiers" featured in 12 Strong. After retiring, he founded AFG Free, a nonprofit that rescued over 2,000 Americans and allies after the fall of Kabul, and later started 18 Series Coffee Company to fund humanitarian aid in Ukraine.In this conversation, Perry breaks down the difference between split-second combat decisions and deliberate planning, why ego is the biggest barrier to listening, and how trust, built one decision at a time, is what actually holds a team together under pressure.⏱️CHAPTERS0:53 From Green Beret to Humanitarian: Perry's Story3:04 Why Leaders Struggle to Listen5:34 The Feedback That Changed His Leadership7:27 "Uniqueness Wins": Embracing What Makes You Different9:18 Ego Isn't Your Amigo: Empowering Your Team11:17 Building Trust Through Buy-In15:16 How Listening Builds Influence16:09 A Split-Second Combat Decision in Afghanistan20:34 Founding AFG Free: Rescuing Americans After Kabul Fell29:00 Answering the Call: Lead with Empathy30:11 18 Series Coffee Company: Bringing Aid to Ukraine33:14 Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable40:24 A Team Effort: Lobbying in Washington for Military Families45:15 Perry's Best Advice for Becoming a Better ListenerABOUT PERRY BLACKBURNPerry Blackburn is a former Green Beret combat diver who served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, including as part of the horse-mounted "Horse Soldiers" featured in the film 12 Strong. He is the CEO and founder of AFG Free, a nonprofit that fed, sheltered, and evacuated American citizens and allies from Afghanistan after the 2021 withdrawal, and he later founded 18 Series Coffee Company to fund humanitarian aid in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.---ABOUT VISIONARY LEADERLeadership insights for executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to lead with real influence. Not just authority. Jim Robinson is an executive coach, leadership speaker, and author of Leading with Empathy. Every week, Jim & Lori Prust share practical frameworks and honest conversations on visionary leadership, emotional intelligence, building high-performance teams, and the psychology of leadership.📍 Work with Jim: https://www.visionaryleader.com/ 📍 Jim's Book - Leading with Empathy: https://a.co/d/0bD1SpOP📍 Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-robinson-18211918/📍 Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-prust-309898195/#leadership #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #visionary