Words from the Wise
Join Words from the Wise with Gary Wise, a retired Navy Command Master Chief, for authentic leadership insights forged in real-world experience. Through engaging discussions and actionable strategies, Gary empowers you to master emotional intelligence, build resilient teams, and unlock your full potential. Tune in for practical advice on delegation, conflict management, and inspiring others, drawn from his over 28 years of service and ongoing leader mentorship headquartered now in Ocala, Florida.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 80 minutes
- Episodes
- 42
- Years Active
- 2025
The High Road: Navigating Leadership in a Divided World
What does it truly mean to "take the high road" in today's fractured world? For Pastor Mark D Cummins, it's not a cliché but a revolutionary approach to leadership that transforms both …
Is "Burnout" Just a Trendy Excuse or a Real Crisis?
The moment I thought I was having a heart attack in the ER, everything changed. That's when I realized my "burnout" was actually something much deeper.
In this raw and unfiltered convers…
The Power of Collecting and Using Data in Business and Life
Ready to transform your leadership approach with data-driven strategies? Gary Wise sits down with Mr. Elgin Carelock, a multifaceted entrepreneur and business strategist, to explore how…
Why I Stayed: How the Military Transformed My Life When I Wasn't Looking
What happens when your reasons for joining the military have nothing to do with patriotism or service? In this deeply personal account, retired Navy Command Master Chief Gary Wise takes…
From Detroit to Leadership: A Navy Master Chief's Journey
Leadership isn't just a skill—it's a lifelong journey that transforms who you are and how you impact others. In this powerful conversation, Gary welcomes retired Master Chief Petty Offi…
Relentless Tenacity: Finding Your Purpose After Memorial Day
Freedom isn't free. Standing among fellow Americans at our local Veterans Park on Memorial Day, I was struck by the weight of sacrifice that spans our nation's relatively brief history.…
Why Technology Is Both The Divide And The Bridge Between Generations
Generational diversity might be the most overlooked challenge in today's workplace. Drawing from my experience leading teams where 18-year-olds worked alongside 45-year-olds, I explore …
The Mentor's Journey: Finding Your Guide
The search for guidance in our personal and professional lives often leads us to mentorship – that powerful, transformative relationship that can unlock our potential and illuminate our…
The Authentic Leader's Journey: Navigating Fear and Finding Purpose
What makes a leader truly effective? Is it unwavering confidence, technical expertise, or something deeper? This thought-provoking episode strips away leadership myths to reveal what ac…
When Everything Falls Apart: How Great Leaders Rise
When chaos strikes, true leadership is revealed. Drawing from decades of military experience as a Command Master Chief and damage control specialist, Gary Wise unpacks seven battle-test…
When Everyone Wants Off Your Team, You're Doing It Wrong
Ever wonder why some teams excel while others flounder? This episode dives deep into what separates high-functioning collaborative environments from toxic workplaces through the lens of…
The path from undesignated seaman to successful entrepreneur wasn't always smooth sailing
Ever wonder what happens when military discipline meets civilian work culture? Jon Floyd's remarkable journey from undesignated fireman to business owner provides fascinating insights i…
The Anatomy of Change: Leading Teams Through Transition
"Trust is the currency of leadership." This powerful statement forms the backbone of our fascinating discussion on navigating organizational and personal change. When facing transitions…
Lesley Prasad's extraordinary path takes him from Guyana's rainforest to the United States Navy.
What happens when a boy from the Amazon jungle finds himself thrust into the concrete jungle of New York City, and later becomes a commissioned officer in the United States Navy? Lesley…
Tell Me a Tale, Change My Life
Leadership experts Gary Wise and Chris highlight storytelling as a foundational skill for effective communication, inspiration, and meaningful connections with others. They explore how …
From Undesignated Seaman to IDC Master Chief
What happens when life's unexpected turns become your greatest opportunities? In this deeply personal conversation, Master Chief Jose Alonso reveals his extraordinary journey from Urugu…
Breaking Free: Authentic Leadership in a World of Masks
"The world's a stage, and I can be anybody I want to be." In this thought-provoking conversation, Navy veteran Gary Wise welcomes Marine Corps veteran Chris Cahill to discuss how feedba…
Leaders don't avoid conflict, they transform it into opportunity.
What if the conflicts you dread most could become your greatest opportunities for team growth? In this candid conversation between two seasoned leaders with military backgrounds, we exp…
You Can't Lead If You Do Everything Yourself
The difference between leadership and management often comes down to one critical skill: delegation. In this powerful episode, leadership mentor and retired Navy Command Master Chief Ga…
Who's steering your ship: your emotions or your intelligence?
The line between effective leadership and emotional reaction is thinner than most realize. For 25 years as a Navy leader and now as a JROTC instructor, I've seen how emotions can either…