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.
At first glance, business development might not appear to be part of a leader’s role. Yet it’s central to how effective leaders build trust, connect vision to operations, and align people and projects around shared purpose. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ welcomes Brad Adams, founder and principal of The R4 Group, a specialized business development consulting firm.
Drawing on decades of experience from Wall Street to partnerships with architects, engineers, developers, and real estate financiers, Brad shares how genuine relationships, curiosity, and empathy drive long-term success far more than transactional sales tactics. He explains why everyone, not just sales teams, plays a role in business development, and how leaders can turn everyday conversations into opportunities for growth. From nurturing connections to recognizing when partnerships align, Brad shows how genuine connection and follow-through lead to meaningful business outcomes.
Tune in to learn how shifting from “always be selling” to “always be connecting” can transform both your leadership and your business development mindset!
Key Points From This Episode:
• Founding the R4 Group to leverage his network and connect clients for mutual success.
• Insights from connecting clients and partners through trusted relationships.
• Case study: helping a global architectural firm establish roots in Philadelphia.
• A walkthrough of what Brad’s client process looks like.
• How empathy and authenticity strengthen business relationships.
• Tips for nurturing networks through genuine, consistent personal connection.
Quotes:
“I never considered myself a great salesperson, but what I did well was building relationships with people, and that’s really where my success came from.” — Brad Adams
“I decided to start the R4 group, which basically leverages my network. And the people [who] engage me, I introduce them to people that I know [who] can utilize their services. And that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 20 years, and enjoying myself every day.” — Brad Adams
“Business development is something that is everyone’s responsibility, not just a dedicated salesperson or BD person.” — Brad Adams
“I’ve had some situations where I haven’t done as well as I would have liked, and that’s okay. I understand that, and you learn from that. You never chalk it up as a bad experience. You chalk it up as a learning experience.” — Brad Adams
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Leadership Blueprints Podcast