Leadership Under Fire He Led Troops in Combat — Now He Leads Billion-Dollar Companies I first met Lance Olmsted, now President of IFS Copperleaf, expecting a story about discipline and precision. What I didn’t expect was how deeply human it would be. Lance served as a U.S. Marine. He learned to lead in the most uncertain environments imaginable — where hesitation could cost lives AND empathy wasn’t optional. That’s right...empathy. And you’ll never forget why when you hear his story. Those lessons stayed with him and became a positive guiding force. Today, he’s guiding global teams and helping industries use AI to make smarter, faster decisions. Before that, he helped drive a $1 billion unicorn exit by applying the same mindset that got his Marines home safe: ✅ Focus on the mission, not the noise. ✅ Act fast and adapt faster. ✅ Build trust before you need it. ✅ Lead with empathy, even under fire. His story is proof that military leadership still works — not because it’s rigid, but because it’s built on resilience, clarity, and purpose. Leadership isn’t about power — it’s about people. What’s your take? ----- Follow Lance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-olmsted-98708568/ ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter
