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Masters of Scale

The one trait every leader needs today, with General Stanley McChrystal

Masters of Scale

WaitWhat

Entrepreneurship, Business, Management, Reid Hoffman, Mindset, Diversity & Inclusion, Jeff Berman, Bob Safian, Startups

4.64.4K Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2025

⏱️ 34 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Amid polarization, AI disruption, and eroding trust in institutions, retired four-star general, Stanley McChrystal, argues that what leaders need now more than ever, is character. Head of the business consulting firm McChrystal Group, Gen. McChrystal returns to Rapid Response to discuss his new book on the subject of character. From AI ethics and modern warfare to hot-button issues like Signalgate and transgender service in the military, McChrystal explains why character is the foundation of lasting leadership. Drawing from decades of experience, he urges today’s leaders to start standing up for what matters and “be not afraid”. 

More details about On Character: Choices that Define a Life here.

Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/

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Transcript

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0:00.0

If you're building with AI, performance isn't a nice to have. It's your competitive edge.

0:06.6

Turing helps enterprises and AI labs alike supercharge their LLMs, unlocking sharper reasoning,

0:13.4

stronger code output, and richer multimodal capabilities, all by vetted AI and STEM experts.

0:24.5

And better models mean better products and faster growth.

0:31.2

Turn cutting edge research into real world impact with Turing. Learn more at Turing.com.

0:37.9

The leaders of today's fastest growing companies know that growth isn't just about capital.

0:42.7

It's about connections. Affinity unlocks the power of your team's network,

0:49.0

automatically analyzing emails, meetings, and introductions to surface hidden opportunities.

0:55.5

Now, with AI-powered note-taker, your Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams meetings turn into transcripts,

1:03.8

takeaways, and action items instantly. Plus, Affinity enriches your CRM with real-time data for sharper insights and warmer leads without lifting a finger. Scale faster and smarter at affinity.co.

1:14.1

Character first is the essence of who we are. It is the most important measure of us and of our

1:21.9

lives. Regardless of what you proclaim to be your character, if you don't have the discipline to live

1:28.6

it, you don't really have it. And in reality, if we go back to the saying, all it takes

1:35.1

for society to fall is for a few good men to do nothing, I think all of our business leaders

1:41.9

need to consider that. If the decision that I am, feel like

1:46.6

I'm being pressured to make doesn't align with being able to look my granddaughters in the eye

1:51.8

and explain to them what I did and why, that's not going to work for me. And I think at the end

1:57.5

of the day, that is far more important than any short-term business advantage you might have.

2:12.1

That's General Stanley McChrystal, retired U.S. military leader and head of the respected business consulting firm, the McChrystal Group.

2:20.2

Stan is the author of best-selling books about leadership, risk, and teams, but his newest book focuses on character.

2:28.3

Stan argues that integrity and accountability are core to freedom and to lasting business success.

2:35.3

He exhorts all of us as a recent New York Times essay of his is titled, To Be Not Afraid.

...

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