The Most Important Investment Any Leader Can Make | Russ Spiegel on Developing People

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 219)

If you’ve ever wondered how great leaders stay steady under pressure, develop other leaders, and build unity across field and office teams — this episode is for you.

Dr. James Bryant sits down with Russ Spiegel, Vice President of Operations at Craftsman Electric and former U.S. Marine Corps Battalion Commander. Russ brings decades of leadership insights from the military and the construction/skilled trades industry — all anchored in one core belief:


“The most important investment any leader can make is in their people.”

They dive into emotional discipline, people development, mindset, and the practical habits that shape culture from the ground up. Russ also shares how growth at work impacts life at home, and why leaders must define their personal philosophy if they want to lead with clarity and purpose.

Even if you’re not in construction or the military, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and what it really means to invest in people.


🧭 What You’ll Learn

  • Why emotional discipline sets the tone for your entire team
  • How to turn challenges into opportunities through mindset
  • Practical ways to unify field and office teams
  • Why presence and connection matter more than authority
  • How defining your leadership philosophy guides decisions and fulfillment

🔩 Episode Timestamps

01:00 – Russ’s core belief: investing in your people
03:00 – Accountability and discomfort in developing leaders
05:30– Turning challenges into opportunities
08:00 – Emotional discipline: staying steady as a leader
11:00 – Bridging the gap between field and office teams
14:00 – Connecting by walking around
17:30– Refilling your cup and managing energy
20:30 – How leadership growth carries into home life
24:30 – Defining a personal leadership philosophy
29:00 – Russ flips the script and interviews Dr. Bryant

🔗 Connect with Russ

LinkedIn: Russ Spiegel


🎧 More Ways to Connect

Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders
One story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.
🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspod
LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant


🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant

Success isn’t just about achieving results — it’s about building a life shaped by your values. Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home.

👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ready to Start Thriving? Here's How:

1. Connect with James

Engineering for success begins with a conversation.

2. Engineer Your Success

Get started with either a workshop, group coaching or one-on-one executive coaching.

3. Live the Life You Love

You deserve to live a balanced life that you love.

Get More Out of the Leader Inside of You

Executive coaching for engineers to give you the work-life harmony and leadership development you need. Building a life where you win at work and home is hard. At Engineer Your Success, leaders learn high performing strategies so that they can win in both business and in life.
Copyright 2026 Engineer Your Success LLC