Interview with Alex Freeman

In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with global finance and operations leader Alexander J. Freeman, whose journey spans continents, cultures, and some of the world’s most influential companies. Born in a country that no longer exists, Alex moved from Odessa → Italy → Texas → Moscow → New York → Austin — building a remarkable career with Citigroup, Visa, Dell, American Express, HID Global, and more. His story is rich with insight about leadership, resilience, risk-taking, and the power of leaning into discomfort. If you’re a leader, an aspiring leader, or someone who knows they’re meant for more, this conversation will inspire you to stretch, grow, and rethink what’s possible. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why stepping into discomfort is the key to accelerating your growth How mentorship shapes leadership — and how to become a better mentor The real reason people follow great leaders (and why they leave bad ones) How Alex staffs his teams at 80% capacity to prevent burnout The rituals he uses to create presence and calm before big moments The leadership mindset shift that turns “failure” into feedback What Alex learned from international roles that shaped his success Why teaching is a powerful form of legacy