A Heart of Thanksgiving: Leadership, Faith, and Resilience with Rear Adm. Dr. Endel Lee
Wed Nov 19 2025
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes Dr. Endel Lee, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Navy chaplain, to discuss leading with gratitude, even in the face of life's challenges. Endel Lee shares powerful stories from his time serving in combat and surviving Hurricane Katrina, explaining how those experiences helped him focus on what truly matters: people and faith.
They discuss the idea that leadership is about influencing with compassion and conviction, not just authority. Endel Lee offers practical advice, like counting your blessings even in adversity and reframing challenges as opportunities for growth. He also emphasizes the importance of listening and asking great questions to build strong teams.
This episode reminds us that leadership isn't just a position; it's a mindset rooted in gratitude, empathy, and a commitment to serving others. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your leadership journey, these real-world lessons will help you lead with a grateful heart.
3 Key Listener Takeaways
1. Gratitude as a Leadership Posture, Not Just an Event
Endel Lee and Billy Duren emphasize that true gratitude isn't just reserved for holidays like Thanksgiving; it's an ongoing posture and mindset. Leaders who cultivate a daily attitude of thankfulness are better equipped to handle challenges and inspire those around them.
2. The Power of Perspective and Reframing Challenges
Endel Lee shares how both military and life crises can force us to reconsider what really matters. By "expanding the box" (our worldview) and searching for blessings even in adversity, leaders, and anyone, can foster resilience, adaptability, and personal growth.
3. Leadership Through Influence and Empathy, Not Authority Alone
Throughout the episode, Endel Lee discusses transitioning from an authoritarian to an influencer mindset, stressing that successful leaders are those who listen, show empathy, and compel others to follow because they want to—not because they have to. Gratitude and humility are central to this approach.
Show Overview
00:00 Dr. Lee: Veteran & Chaplain
05:04 Leadership, Values, and Life's Reality
07:44 Navigating Trauma with Understanding
11:36 Reframe and Count Blessings
15:00 Iraq, Katrina, and Starting Over
19:58 Finding Peace During Chaos
23:36 Djibouti Desk Alignment Conflict
25:49 Letting Trust Take Priority
27:34 Buffalo Bonding in Crisis
31:59 Leadership: Influence Over Authority
35:01 Faith, Leadership, and Marine Corps
38:01 Superpower: Lifelong Leadership Impact
42:24 Listening, Questions, Gratitude, Faith
44:13 Repurposed, Not Retired
More
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, host Billy Duren welcomes Dr. Endel Lee, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Navy chaplain, to discuss leading with gratitude, even in the face of life's challenges. Endel Lee shares powerful stories from his time serving in combat and surviving Hurricane Katrina, explaining how those experiences helped him focus on what truly matters: people and faith. They discuss the idea that leadership is about influencing with compassion and conviction, not just authority. Endel Lee offers practical advice, like counting your blessings even in adversity and reframing challenges as opportunities for growth. He also emphasizes the importance of listening and asking great questions to build strong teams. This episode reminds us that leadership isn't just a position; it's a mindset rooted in gratitude, empathy, and a commitment to serving others. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your leadership journey, these real-world lessons will help you lead with a grateful heart. 3 Key Listener Takeaways 1. Gratitude as a Leadership Posture, Not Just an Event Endel Lee and Billy Duren emphasize that true gratitude isn't just reserved for holidays like Thanksgiving; it's an ongoing posture and mindset. Leaders who cultivate a daily attitude of thankfulness are better equipped to handle challenges and inspire those around them. 2. The Power of Perspective and Reframing Challenges Endel Lee shares how both military and life crises can force us to reconsider what really matters. By "expanding the box" (our worldview) and searching for blessings even in adversity, leaders, and anyone, can foster resilience, adaptability, and personal growth. 3. Leadership Through Influence and Empathy, Not Authority Alone Throughout the episode, Endel Lee discusses transitioning from an authoritarian to an influencer mindset, stressing that successful leaders are those who listen, show empathy, and compel others to follow because they want to—not because they have to. Gratitude and humility are central to this approach. Show Overview 00:00 Dr. Lee: Veteran & Chaplain 05:04 Leadership, Values, and Life's Reality 07:44 Navigating Trauma with Understanding 11:36 Reframe and Count Blessings 15:00 Iraq, Katrina, and Starting Over 19:58 Finding Peace During Chaos 23:36 Djibouti Desk Alignment Conflict 25:49 Letting Trust Take Priority 27:34 Buffalo Bonding in Crisis 31:59 Leadership: Influence Over Authority 35:01 Faith, Leadership, and Marine Corps 38:01 Superpower: Lifelong Leadership Impact 42:24 Listening, Questions, Gratitude, Faith 44:13 Repurposed, Not Retired