Send a text

In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore, founder of Growing Leaders and bestselling author of The Future Begins with Z: 9 Strategies to Lead Generation Z as They Disrupt the Workplace.

After following Tim’s work for nearly two decades, Doug finally gets to have a conversation that every leader needs to hear. Together, they unpack the realities of leading Generation Z, why three out of four managers say Gen Z is the toughest generation to manage, and how leaders can shift from frustration to opportunity.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Tim wrote The Future Begins with Z
02:00 – The alarming stats about managing Generation Z
03:45 – The “Peter Pan Paradox”: Age of authority ↓, age of maturity ↑
07:00 – Artificial maturity: Overexposed to information, underexposed to experience
12:00 – Parenting the next generation: Risk, responsibility, and resilience
17:00 – Why leaders must mentor—not just manage
20:00 – The onboarding mistake costing companies Gen Z talent
21:30 – “Everyone has a voice. Not everyone has a vote.”
24:00 – Why Gen Z decides whether to stay on Day One
26:00 – Mental health realities leaders must understand
27:00 – The A.L.E.G. framework for difficult conversations
33:00 – Reverse mentoring: What older leaders must learn from Gen Z
36:00 – Lessons Tim learned from John Maxwell
41:00 – Advice for aspiring authors and speakers
48:00 – Begin with belief: Let people start with an “A”
51:00 – Don’t stereotype—listen before confronting
53:00 – Tim’s life sentence: The legacy he hopes to leave

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎥 WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrF93uIEB9BusYfpXUPIriU3evdBXjqaL

🎙️ LISTEN ON ALL PLATFORMS:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/5082

SUBSCRIBE TO:
@l3leadership
@dougsmithlive

Send us a text

In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith shares Part 2 of his annual reflection series, unpacking the final ten lessons he learned in 2025 and how they are shaping his leadership moving into 2026. Drawing from real conversations, leadership challenges, faith, and personal growth, Doug challenges leaders to rethink success, create margin, embrace hard seasons, and recognize the significance of the work God is doing in and through them.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Doug shares his annual lessons and how they’re selected
01:45 – Lesson 11: You can have everything and still have nothing
03:30 – Lesson 12: In leadership, there are things only you can do
05:00 – Lesson 13: The necessity of people who challenge your perceptions
07:45 – Lesson 14: Follow a proven path when you don’t know what to do
08:45 – Lesson 15: Why AI can be a powerful personal and leadership coach
10:30 – Lesson 16: Margin matters—create it with time and finances
11:45 – Lesson 17: You’re always campaigning, whether you realize it or not
13:30 – Lesson 18: The gospel comes with a house key
15:15 – Lesson 19: Lessons learned in one season prepare you for the next
17:30 – Lesson 20: Don’t minimize the work God is doing in and through you
18:45 – Final encouragement: Don’t quit—your leadership matters more than you think

Resources Mentioned:

• The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
• The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
• “Good” Leadership Mindset – Jocko Willink (Video)

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.
Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

🎧 LISTEN ON SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3CBHbRL6rJtSXwpKBaamNo?si=ee120ef86cf243ba

🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-l3-leadership-podcast-with-doug-smith/id495751888

🎙️ LISTEN ON ALL PLATFORMS:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/5082

SUBSCRIBE TO:
@l3leadership
@dougsmithlive

Send us a text

In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith kicks off part one of his annual reflection series, sharing the most significant lessons he learned in 2025 and how they’re shaping his leadership in 2026. Drawing from his year-end review process, Doug offers honest insights on health, family, leadership presence, fatherhood, faith, and the unseen weight leaders carry.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why Doug does a year-end review every year
02:00 – Lesson 1: Taking ownership of your health before it’s too late
05:00 – Lesson 2: Big families are a gift worth fighting for
08:30 – Lesson 3: Your presence as a leader matters more than you think
11:00 – Lesson 4: The lifelong impact of being an intentional parent
14:00 – Lesson 5: The tension between progress and preservation
16:00 – Lesson 6: One day you’ll become a king—but not for the reasons you think
18:30 – Lesson 7: Not every battle deserves your energy
21:00 – Lesson 8: Want more *for* people than you want *from* them
23:00 – Lesson 9: Being the voice of leadership, not just the position
24:00 – Lesson 10: Leading well when life isn’t fair

Resources Mentioned:

• Fathered by God: Learning What Your Dad Could Never Teach You by John Eldredge
• Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder Through Everyday Encounters with God by John Eldredge
• Why Do Black Christians Vote Democrat? – Phil Vischer (Video)
• Family Teams
• Gerald Brooks Leadership Podcast
• 🔗 Connect with Doug
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougsmithlive
    
    

The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Visit www.andocia.com to learn more.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsF0cVdRu2oELJGpaHma7Ag

SUBSCRIBE TO: @l3leadership @dougsmithlive