January 23, 2026
S5:E25 LIVE with COL Thomas J. Gordon, USMC (Ret.)
Leadership and Success with Coach BZAbout this episode
S5:E25🎙️ LIVE with COL Thomas J. Gordon, USMC (Ret.) Leadership & Success Podcast with Coach BZ – Season 5:Episode 25 | LIVE “Talent can get you to the top—but only character will keep you there.” “Character is a choice, repeated over time, until it becomes a habit.” “Leadership is revealed under pressure, not created by it.” “When you know who you are, you will know what to do.” “The invincible person is not impervious to pain, but unconquered by circumstance.” “True character cannot be revealed without adversity.” “People do what people see. Culture teaches louder than words.” I’m honored to welcome COL Thomas J. Gordon, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), to the show for a powerful live conversation on character, command, and leadership that endures. 📘 COL Gordon is a 30-year Marine, former Director of the Marine Corps Command & Staff College, current Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel, and best-selling author of Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles Into Practice. His work challenges leaders to move beyond titles and talent—and focus on the habits, discipline, and moral courage that sustain leadership over a lifetime. ⸻ 📅 Date: Friday, January 23, 2026 ⏰ Time: 6:30 AM PT (San Francisco, CA) | 9:30 AM ET (Charleston, SC) 📍 LIVE on LinkedIn → RSVP & Join the Discussion ⸻ 🎖️ About My Guest COL Gordon has commanded Marines at every level, led global operations across combat and contingency environments, advised the highest levels of Marine Corps leadership, and dedicated his post-service mission to developing principled leaders of character. This episode is for: •Aspiring and current military commanders •Senior NCOs and officers preparing for greater responsibility •Tech leaders and individual contributors transitioning into leadership •Anyone serious about leading well under pressure ⸻ 🎯 What You Will Learn ✅ Why **character—not talent—**is the true limiter or multiplier of leadership ✅ How to “do hard things” in a comfort-driven culture ✅ What leaders can and must control when everything feels uncertain ✅ How daily habits—not heroic moments—build moral authority ✅ Key leadership lessons from Marine Maxims that apply far beyond the military ⸻ 💬 Join the Conversation LIVE 🗺️ Where are you tuning in from? Drop your city, region, or country in the comments 🙏🏽 What is one thing you are grateful for today? 💬 Got leadership or networking questions for COL Gordon? Post them below—we’ll answer them LIVE ⸻ 👇 Your Turn (after the episode): ➡️ What are your three takeaways from this conversation? ➡️ What’s one leadership insight you’re applying this week? ➡️ Tag a colleague, junior officer, or teammate who could benefit from this discussion ❤️🙏🏾 Leadership is moral work. Join us live and be part of the conversation. #LeadershipAndSuccessPodcast #CoachBZ #MarineMaxims #Leadership #Character #ServantLeadership #MilitaryLeadership #DevelopingLeaders #DoHardThings