67: How Elite Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams

No Limit Leadership

In this powerful episode of the No Limits Leadership Podcast, host Sean Patton sits down with his longtime friend and West Point classmate, Matt Van Epps. Matt currently serves as the Commissioner of General Services for the state of Tennessee, bringing his military-honed leadership skills to the public sector. He is also a former aviation commander in the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), where he led some of the most complex and high-stakes aviation missions in the military.

From their shared experiences at West Point and the post-9/11 military landscape to Matt's innovative work in Tennessee state government, this episode is packed with leadership insights.

Listeners will discover:

• The Power of Team of Teams: How Matt applies General Stanley McChrystal's 'team of teams' approach to build high-performing, cross-functional teams in state government.
• The Role of Communication in Leadership: Why communication failures are at the root of most organizational breakdowns—and how Matt's military background taught him the importance of clear, consistent communication.
• Learning from Failure: Matt shares a personal leadership mistake and the lessons he took away about decision-making and escalation protocols.
• Patriotism and Perspective: A reflection on the unity the country experienced after 9/11 and why gratitude and civics education are critical for the nation's future.
• Leading with Heart: How becoming a father has given Matt a new perspective on patience, presence, and the importance of supporting team members as whole people.

Throughout the conversation, Sean and Matt connect the dots between military and civilian leadership, emphasizing the timeless principles of service, trust, and continuous learning. Whether you're leading a government team, running a business, or guiding a small group, this episode will leave you with actionable takeaways for building stronger, more cohesive teams.

Don't miss this engaging discussion with a leader who's driving real impact in both his state and his community.

🎙️ Listen Now and discover how you can apply these lessons to become a No Limit Leader.

Guest: Matt Van Epps | Commissioner of General Services, State of Tennessee

Host: Sean Patton | Founder of No Limit Leaders and Host of the No Limits Leadership Podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Matt Van Epps

03:06 Reflections on Army-Navy Rivalry and Patriotism

05:52 Post 9/11 Experience and Its Impact on Leadership

08:50 The Importance of Unity and Teamwork in America

12:05 State Government as a Model for National Unity

15:11 Civic Engagement and the Role of Veterans

18:00 The Pursuit of a More Perfect Union

21:10 Gratitude and Perspective from Military Service

28:02 Finding Peace in Chaos

32:35 Leadership Lessons from Military Experience

39:13 The Importance of Communication in Leadership

50:14 Becoming a Father: A New Perspective on Leadership

executive coaching, leadership development, team accountability, coaching culture, middle managers, high-performing teams, leadership communication, onboarding systems, questions for leaders, leadership podcast, self-leadership, culture-building, lead yourself first, Ken Proctor, Sean Patton, No Limits Leadership