MCFA podcast
LEADERSHIP BLUEPRINTS
Leadership Blueprints is a podcast dedicated to helping leaders align teams, navigate chaos, and accomplish the mission. Hosted by BJ Kraemer—West Point graduate, combat veteran, and President & CEO of MCFA—this show dives into the principles, stories, and strategies behind effective leadership.
With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.
Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.
As the year winds down and the pace of projects, planning, and priorities picks up, BJ takes a moment to reflect on what it means to lead through transition.
In this solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, he shares insights on recognizing the natural rhythms of leadership – the seasons of building, the pauses for reflection, and the moments when teams need to reset before accelerating forward.
BJ discusses the importance of taking inventory – not just of your workload, but of your mindset. He reminds leaders that progress isn’t only about pushing harder, but also about pacing yourself, finding clarity in the chaos, and realigning your purpose for what’s ahead.
Whether you’re leading a team, a project, or your own personal growth, this episode offers a timely reminder: leadership is built day by day, season by season.
Key Points From This Episode:
- The parallels between the changing seasons and the cycles of leadership and growth.
- Why reflection and rest are vital to sustainable leadership performance.
- How to find balance between execution, evaluation, and evolution.
- The value of pausing to appreciate your team’s effort before sprinting into what’s next.
- Practical steps for leaders to reset intentions and priorities heading into a new season.
- How slowing down can actually help you accelerate with clarity and purpose.
Quotes:
“Leadership has seasons – moments when we push, moments when we pause, and moments when we prepare for what’s next.” – BJ Kraemer
“Progress doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it means creating space to think, to breathe, and to lead better.” – BJ Kraemer
“Great leaders don’t just build projects. They build people – and that takes reflection, rhythm, and renewal.” – BJ Kraemer
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- Leadership Blueprints Podcast
- MCFA
- MCFA Careers
- BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn