S31E17AI RECAP🎙️ LIVE AWLL From Proverbs — Chapter 17

Hi, I'm John Maxwell. When the top companies in the world are looking for trainers, speakers, and coaches, there's one name that stands above the rest, and that's Maxwell Leadership. Our certified team members have gotten proven results for companies all over the globe, and our reputation, I'm proud to say, is second to none. Some of our members have risen to the top of their profession, including the one you're going to meet today. I proudly introduce you to my friend, Bob Fabien Zinga.

Welcome to the Leadership and Success Podcast with your host, Coach BZ, where we help you lead with purpose and succeed with impact. If you're ready to grow into the kind of leader others want to follow, this podcast is for you. If you're determined to elevate your success and leave a lasting legacy, this podcast is for you. As my mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, reminds us, everything rises and falls on leadership. Our goal is simple: to inspire you, challenge you, and equip you with insights that can transform the trajectory of your leadership journey. Welcome aboard. Welcome aboard to another episode of the Leadership and Success Podcast with Coach BZ.

Hey, hello everyone, this is Coach BZ. I am coming to you from an undisclosed location today. I just had to do my podcast, my daily podcast today. So today we are going to go back to The Book of Proverbs, right, chapter 17. So we went through the entire Book of Proverbs in January, January 1st to the 31st. We studied one chapter every day. So today we are going to do what I call the artificial intelligence recap. So it's going to be about 10 minutes or so, all done with artificial intelligence, which is going to be about 14 minutes recap of what we talked about on January 17th. And we are going to continue doing this every time I'm going to have an interview until we complete the entire book of problems. Okay, before we do, I'm reminded to do our moment of gratitude. So if you would, maybe close your eyes, take a deep breath, slow down your nervous system, and think about one thing you are grateful for right now. And for me, I am really grateful, and I know I am getting all older, being in the Navy 21 years, you know, it takes its toll at times. I sometimes have a pain in my body, but I am just grateful that it is manageable. Like, I live in a country where we have access to medicine and technology, and the pain is manageable. So I am grateful, grateful for that today. All right, so let me know in the comments where you are joining us from, what city, what state, and which country if outside of the US, and also what you are grateful for today. Now I am going to play, uh, the two AI videos about part of Chapter 17, but before I do, as you guys know, I decided to celebrate Black History for the remaining of the year, right? This year we only get 28 days in February, which is Black History Month in the US, and that's just not enough, so I'm gonna use every single day of 2026 to highlight elements of Black history, which is American history. So let me see if I can actually share my screen. I wonder if I'm gonna be able to do that here, but I'm not in my home studio. But let's see if it's gonna work. Uh, what— it looks like I can. Okay, you should be able to see my screen now. Let me make it bigger. So basically, I want to go back on today, right? Today is March 25th, 2026. So on March 25th, 1770, something pretty historic happened, right? That was the Civil War. So Crispus Addux became the very first casualty of the American Revolution. He was a former slave and he was African American. Here is a picture. So you can go on my feed and you're gonna be able to learn more about that. So we are celebrating, uh, Crispus Attucks today, the very first casualty of the American Revolution. On May 5th, 1770, Crispus Attucks, a sailor of African and Wampanoag descent and a formerly enslaved man, became the first American killed in the struggle for independence during the Boston massacre. Today I also would like to honor what happened on March 5th, 1945. 1,000 Black seamen ended a 2-day hunger strike in protest of racial discrimination in the U.S. Navy. I think I've got some pictures from that time. It is really amazing how far we have come. Again, You can go on my feed and read more about this, but basically on March 15th, 1945, more than 1,000 African American Seabees from the 34th Naval Construction Battalion exited the port, you name it. Actually, I was assigned there once. I was assigned to the Defense Acquisition Facility at Point Fair, California. Great, great place, but that's where they ended a 2-day hunger strike after peacefully protesting systemic discrimination within their unit. That was 1945, so during World War II. And then the last thing I would like to highlight for Black History Month and Women's History Month as well, which is March, I want to honor Dr. Olivia Juliette Hooker. She's the very first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard, and I believe I have a picture of her right here. Very, very first Black woman to serve in the Coast Guard. And this is Women's History Month, and tomorrow I will have the great honor of speaking with a living legend, Vice Admiral Joanna Noonan, United States Maritime Service retired, U.S. Coast Guard retired, Rear Admiral, and she's also a member of the SES, Credibility Driven Leader, Freestyle Flag, and The Strategist. Today we'll be talking about Command Culture and Coastline: The Leadership Journey of Vice Admiral Nguyen. That's going to be tomorrow. And tomorrow I will also be speaking, um, one of my mentors, Captain John P. Cordell. He's a Doctor of Engineering, U.S. Navy retired, sailor advocate, a thought leader, and a reformer. So make sure to show up tomorrow morning. I'm going to be speaking with these two great, great leaders. And with the captain, gonna be talking about his latest book, Letters to Myself. So we're gonna talk about Letters to Myself: Wisdom from 30 Years of Naval Leadership. This is really the reason why I have this podcast, right, to try to really help develop other leaders, especially junior officers and enlisted who follow this channel. Okay, back to Dr. Olivia Juliette Hooker. So as we continue to celebrate Black History Month, and actually it's Black History Year on my channel, and Women's History Month, which is March. And today we honor Dr. Olivia Juliette Walker, the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard. So I have a short video I'm gonna play in her honor, and then after that, what you're going to see is going to be the, uh, 14-minute AI recap for Proverbs chapter 17. So let me know in the comments again where you are joining us from. Let us know what you are grateful for and also let us know 3 to 5 takeaways from today's lesson and maybe one leadership principle that I put in place today. All right, here is the short video about the first African American woman in history.

You see, there were no people of our race in the Navy, not no girls. We had been campaigning for that privilege, but nobody joined. I kept watching the newspapers, and I thought, to campaign for certain civil rights and then not use them, to me, It's very futile and somebody ought to join up after they campaign. Well, nobody did. So I thought, well, if I go and I survive, maybe someone else will come. Although I had applied for the Navy and they kept writing back saying, "There is a technicality." They didn't tell me what the technicality was. So I said, "Well, let me try the Coast Guard." And the Coast Guard recruiter was just so welcoming. She wanted to be the first one to enroll an African American. And I didn't know anything about military life. When they told us to go to basic training, I took a truck a trunk with all my luxuries in it. I didn't know the 7 girls, other girls that went when I went, all had duffel bags. Everything was new to me. They get you up at 5 o'clock in the morning and you do exercises for an hour before you went to breakfast. And then of course you had to polish your floor even though it didn't need polishing. They thought up chores for you. We went to Manhattan Beach Training Station and we stayed there 6 and 9, 15 weeks I think. And then when I graduated from Yeoman School, I was sent to Boston. The head of the Yeoman School Lieutenant Isley, had written to all of the Coast Guard stations. There were 11 districts, and the only one who answered yes, they would take an African American, was Admiral Derby in Boston. I was a third-class yeoman, but they gave me a promotion on discharge, but I didn't know it. You know, I got this little epaulette to put on your shoulders with two stripes instead of three. I was in the separation center and I typed the discharges, but you had to make sure you interviewed the gentleman because they wanted all of their commendations, you know, to be sure they were on there and all of the service sites where they had been, and you know, it's very important to have your discharge accurate. 1945 I joined, March 9th was the day we went on duty. And then they disbanded the SPARS in 1946. I think I was the last one out because I had to type my own discharge. There wasn't anybody to type it. I, as I said, I didn't know anything about the military before going in, and I didn't know many people that were not of my hue, and it was good for me to mix with other people and find out, you know, how they thought and what they were like. It taught me a lot about order and priorities. But I would like to see more of us realizing, you know, that our country needs us, and I'd like to see more girls consider spending some time in the military, if they don't have a job at all and they're— they have ambition and they don't know what heights they might reach. It's really nice to have people with different points of view and different kinds of upbringing, and the world would really prosper from more of that.

Alright, let's jump right in! We're about to crack open a text that's, believe it or not, over 2,000 years old. But we're not looking at it as some dusty old religious document.

Nope!

Think of it as a practical, high-stakes leadership laboratory. I mean, the insights in Proverbs 17? They were written to shape kings and advisors, and today, they're just as powerful for anyone in charge—whether you're a commanding officer, a cybersecurity exec, or, frankly, anyone stepping up to lead. And this right here? This is the core idea we're digging into today. So often, we think leadership is the title on your business card. You know, the corner office. But this ancient wisdom tells us something way deeper: true leadership has nothing to do with the comfort of a position. It's all about the character that gets revealed when the pressure is really on. Okay, so, if leadership is revealed, and not just proven by a title, how does that actually happen? Well, it happens in those moments that truly test us, right? The moments where our gut instincts just take over. So let's break down exactly what those moments look like. And what does that look like day to day? It's not about the quarterly reports or project milestones. It's about how you handle people under stress. These 5 moments. These are the real crucibles of leadership. This is the true measure of a leader's worth, and it's something you'll never find on a spreadsheet. Before you can even think about leading anyone else, you have to be able to lead yourself. That's our first pillar. This is all about the internal architecture of a leader. You know, the self-management, the character, the integrity that everything else is built on. So, ancient metalworkers, they used a crucible, this special pot that could handle insane heat, to purify metals like silver. This proverb uses that really powerful image to make a point. Just like fire tests silver, pressure tests a person's heart. It tests their core character. And this is such a critical distinction. Look, anyone can look like a great leader when things are going smoothly and the seas are calm. But what happens when a security breach hits production? Or when the board suddenly questions your entire strategy in a hostile meeting? That's when the real you shows up. So this is a direct challenge to every aspiring leader out there. Doesn't matter if you are a senior security engineer or a junior officer in the Navy. You don't need a formal title to start leading. You can lead right now through your competence, your humility, and just your commitment to making things better wherever you are. Now, I know this might sound a little old school, but the principle is absolutely timeless. It's basically saying that someone with wisdom and character The servant, even without an official title, can have way more real influence than someone who has the position but lacks integrity—the son. And man, this just nails the modern takeaway. We've all seen it, right? The person in the room with no formal authority, who everyone still looks to and listens to. Why? Because they've earned trust through their character. That kind of influence is the highest form of leadership, and you can't be given it—you can only earn it. But having that kind of character-based influence, it also demands another crucial leadership skill: Discernment. This proverb is a warning that leaders who entertain gossip, half-truths, or just reactionary drama are on a really dangerous path. Because what you let into your mind will, eventually, shape every decision you make. There's a simple, old saying that just captures this perfectly: "A wise leader uses their ears and their mouth in that exact proportion." They listen more than they talk. They create a little bit of space between what happens and how they react. And that lets them filter out all the noise and focus on what's true and what actually matters. Alright, so if that's the internal foundation, how does it all translate into leading other people effectively? Well, that brings us to our second pillar: how your character directly shapes your team, your culture, and ultimately, your organization's performance. Now, this verse isn't about settling for less. It's a strategic insight. In any high-performance environment—I don't care if it's a military command center or a tech startup's boardroom— Drama and strife are just total energy vampires. Peace, on the other hand, it multiplies performance. A leader's job is to guard that peace. So, this brings every leader to a choice. Do you need to win the argument? Do you have to be right? Or do you need to preserve trust and keep the team unified and effective? You know, mature leaders, they get that choosing unity over ego isn't weakness; it's a strategic decision to maintain momentum. Now hold on, this isn't about ignoring mistakes. Covering an offense means handling it with grace. It means you want to restore the person, not shame them. It's about creating a culture where people feel safe enough to bring you bad news, because they know they'll be corrected constructively, not humiliated. There's this incredible story of a senior military leader who corrected a young airman in private for a mistake, but then turned around and defended him in public. He nailed these 3 steps for wise correction: correct in private, praise in public, and always, always aim to restore rather than embarrass. And that airman, feeling restored instead of shamed, he went on to become a 4-star general. Correction without humiliation changes lives. This is so counterintuitive, isn't it? Especially today, in a world that pretty much rewards being loud. But this idea is that restraint with your words is actually a sign of wisdom, not weakness. Wise leaders don't talk less because they know less. They talk less because they know more, and they choose their words and their timing with real intention. I mean, think about it. If the CISO is panicking during a data breach, the entire security team is gonna spiral. A leader's calm is a stabilizing force. In a crisis, your silence can be more powerful than your words. It shows you've got authority and it's under control. And that sense of calm in a storm? It's tied to one last, absolutely critical lesson on loyalty. This verse makes a distinction between, you know, everyday friendship and that deep-seated loyalty that's forged only in the tough times. It's about who's standing right next to you when things get hard. Look, you find out who's really with you not when you're celebrating a big win, but when the mission fails or your reputation is under attack. In the military, they have a saying: "You've got my six." That level of loyalty is the ultimate leadership multiplier, and it's built through consistency and proven in hardship. So after digging into all these ancient lessons, what does it all mean for your leadership journey, right now, today? It means shifting your focus from what you do to who you are, especially when things go wrong. So this is it. This is the picture of a wise leader: measured, not loud. Intentional, not impulsive. Relational, not self-serving. At the end of the day, whether you're in Silicon Valley or the U.S. Navy, your legacy won't be defined by the title you held. It'll be defined by the character you revealed under pressure. And that brings us to the end. I'll leave you with two questions to really reflect on, because leadership isn't just a theory you learn, it's a practice you have to live out. First, what is one leadership behavior we've talked about that you are going to practice this week? And second, who in your life, right now, needs your calm, your loyalty, or your grace, today?

Welcome everyone to this deep dive into ancient insights turned modern leadership, drawn from Proverbs 17. This isn't just a spiritual lesson; it's like, um, a laboratory for leadership, shaping behavior that transcends titles and positions.

Absolutely. It's fascinating how these old words pack such a punch in today's boardrooms and command centers. What's one of the standout lessons we should discuss first?

Let's kick off with the idea that peace is a strategic advantage. Proverbs 17:1 lays it out, saying something along the lines of, better a dry crust with peace than a feast with strife. This really resonates, especially in high-stress environments like military operations or cybersecurity command centers.

Mm-hmm. Peace really does multiply performance, doesn't it? Choosing unity over ego, preserving trust instead of chasing being right. It's like choosing long-term stability over a fleeting victory.

Exactly. And then we have this powerful notion that character elevates you beyond your title. Proverbs 17:2 reinforces that idea. A servant with wisdom often ends up wielding more influence than those with formal rank. It's a reminder that true leadership is about trust and integrity.

Which is quite remarkable when you think about it. In, um, tech industries and military structures alike, influence often grows from competence and humility rather than just a fancy title. Right.

And speaking of high-pressure situations, there's this lesson that pressure reveals the heart of the leader. Proverbs 17:3 speaks to the idea That while everyone can lead when things are smooth, it's the crisis moments that test self-awareness, emotional regulation, and, well, EQ. It's like, um, the fire that forges the true metal of a leader.

Totally. When an incident happens suddenly, or when a breach disrupts operations, it's not just about problem-solving. It's about who remains calm and, uh, who actually guides the team with clarity.

Exactly right. And then there's this crucial emphasis on discernment from Proverbs 17:4. Leaders are urged to filter out the noise, gossip, half-truths, emotional decisions before these can compromise their decision-making. Acknowledging that not all information is created equal. So true.

It's like having a bouncer for your mind, checking what gets in and what doesn't.

Now, one of the lessons that really stands out is how correction done well preserves relationships. Proverbs 17:9 suggests that by covering over offenses, you build trust. There was this memorable story about a senior military leader who corrected a junior privately and then defended them publicly, which later propelled that individual to a 4-star rank. It's almost like corrective feedback becomes an investment in people. Interesting point.

But don't you think that sometimes public correction might be necessary to set a precedent? I mean, while private correction is ideal, there are moments when a corrective measure in public might actually reinforce accountability.

That's a fair challenge. I think the point here, though, is about the way correction is delivered. The wisdom from Proverbs 17 encourages leaders to restore without embarrassing. It's about ensuring people feel safe sharing issues so that the correction serves as a growth tool rather than a punitive measure. It's more about building people up rather than tearing them down.

Exactly. And that nuance can be a game changer in fostering long-term loyalty and trust within teams.

Speaking of loyalty, Proverbs 17:17. 'A friend loves at all times' drives home that loyalty multiplies leadership. It's not in good times, but more so in adversity, that your true support network is revealed. Right. Whether you're in a crisis or at the top of your game, loyalty truly proves a leader's legacy.

Absolutely. It's about knowing who has your back when the stakes are high, and that resonates well in both military contexts and cybersecurity realms.

And then there's the lesson on restraint from Proverbs 17:27, using words wisely, and, uh, speaking less because you know more. In crises, calm leadership is like an anchor for your team. If you remain composed, your team is far more likely to stay focused. No doubt about that.

Calm not only stabilizes operations but also reinforces the perception of authority.

Finally, we circle back to mental health and gratitude. The episode reminds us that it's not a weakness to seek help. It's, um, wisdom. Especially for those leaders in high-pressure environments, taking care of mental health is foundational. Because you simply can't lead effectively if you're silently battling stress. Exactly.

It's a reminder that real leadership includes vulnerability and openness about mental wellness.

And all these lessons—peace, character, pressure management, discernment, respectful correction, restraint, loyalty, and mental health culminate in a leadership model that's measured, relational, and grounded in integrity. It's about asking yourself, who needs your calm or your grace today? It definitely makes one reflect. It does.

It makes you really think about what kind of leader you want to be and the legacy you want to build, doesn't it?

Absolutely. It's as if leadership is not measured by loud declarations or formal titles, but by the subtle impacts of how you handle conflict, correction, and crisis. It's a holistic approach that applies just as much to Navy commanders as to cybersecurity executives.

And that brings us to a vital question. Which one of these leadership behaviors from Proverbs 17 will you, or do you, practice this week?

That's the million-dollar question. It encourages us to be intentional, whether it's correcting privately, filtering what we listen to, or simply practicing restraint when tension rises. These aren't just abstract lessons; they're practical tools for creating enduring influence. And another way to look at it is— Right. Um, your daily decisions shaping your leadership journey. Exactly.

And when you think about it, these principles Though ancient, are remarkably relevant. Even with all our modern challenges, the core of effective leadership remains about character, trust, and, um, human connection.

Totally. And sometimes, it's the simple things, like pausing for gratitude or choosing peace over prestige, that redefine our path forward. It's not about being louder or harsher; it's about being more measured and relational. It's that subtle art of leadership that often speaks the loudest.

I love that. It really challenges us to reexamine how we lead, whether in moments of stress or in our daily interactions with our teams. Yes, indeed.

And this conversation, drawn from Proverbs 17, is a powerful reminder. Our legacy isn't determined by our job titles, but by the character and calm we display under pressure. And that's a message for all of us. Regardless of our field.

It really is. I mean, when leaders embody these principles, they not only shape better teams, but they also create environments where everyone feels supported and, uh, equipped to excel, even in adversity.

So, as we wrap up, let's leave listeners with this thought. Leadership is less about proving who you are and more about compassion, integrity, and intentional connection. It's like building a legacy from every daily decision, right? Right. Every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen trust and fidelity.

And in the end, that legacy is what carries you beyond the titles and the temporary victories.

Exactly. So, whether you're stepping up in the Navy or making strategic decisions in Silicon Valley, remember, character, restraint, and genuine care for those around you are your greatest assets. Absolutely. Well said.

It's been a solid discussion on how ancient wisdom fuels modern leadership. Yeah, indeed.

Thanks for diving into these timeless lessons with me. Let your leadership be measured, thoughtful, and always, um, intentional.

And thanks to everyone for listening. May your week be filled with calm leadership and resilient character.

Thank you for tuning in to the Leadership and Success Podcast with your host, Coach BZ. If today's episode added value to your leadership journey, be sure to subscribe, share, and join us again for more wisdom nuggets on how to lead better and achieve greater success. Remember, leadership is the most critical skill of our time. The world will always need leaders to inspire others, drive innovation, and execute meaningful strategy. So why not count yourself among the bold leaders shaping the 21st century? Until next time, stay inspired, stay committed, and keep leading with excellence.