In this episode of the Lead with Purpose podcast, host Merv Jersak interviews Craig Duswalt, a former band assistant turned leadership and branding expert. Craig shares his unique journey from touring with iconic bands like Air Supply and Guns N' Roses to becoming a powerhouse in the business world. The conversation explores the lessons learned from high-pressure environments, the importance of communication, creativity, and discipline in leadership, and how young leaders can navigate their careers. Craig emphasizes the value of experience, open communication, and thinking outside the box, especially in the age of AI. The episode concludes with insights on adaptability and the unexpected paths leaders may take.
For Your Leadership Toolkit:
Sound Bites
"Great leaders are born in unexpected places."
"The thing that's the thing is never the thing."
"I learned everything that I teach now in rock and roll."
"Experience is the best lesson in anything that we do, especially being a leader."
"I don't want a leader that's just a talking leader."
"You need to learn how teams work, how people work, and how to be led before you go out and lead."
"One of the greatest guitarists in the world still warms up every day."
"Axl Rose still does vocal warmups and cooldowns after concerts."
Resources
Craig’s Website: https://craigduswalt.com/
Craig on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigduswalt/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Leadership Journeys
03:14 From Rock Tours to Leadership Insights
06:32 Lessons from Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses
09:29 Navigating Career Changes and Young Leadership
12:20 The Importance of Experience in Leadership
15:19 Communication as a Leadership Tool
18:30 Creativity and Innovation in Leadership
21:31 Using AI for Creative Marketing Solutions
24:25 Discipline and Daily Habits of Successful Leaders
27:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Influence