PM Cowboy Podcast

In this episode of the PM Cowboy Podcast, we dive deep into the troubling lack of global leadership we see in politics across the world. Why are so many nations struggling to find strong, visionary leaders? What are the long-term implications for global stability, economic progress, and social justice?

Joining me for this critical discussion is Todd Weiler, CEO of Blue Rose Consulting, a former Political Campaign Advisor to two Democratic presidential candidates, former Assistant Secretary of Defense, and a former US Army Officer and Warrant Officer. Todd brings decades of experience in politics, defense, and leadership, offering valuable insights into how we got here and where we might go from here.

If you're a leader in project management, corporate strategy, or just curious about the future of political leadership, this episode is a must-listen!

Tune in to gain a no-nonsense, unfiltered perspective on global leadership and the steps we need to take to restore it.

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SUMMARY

Mark Engelhardt (PM Cowboy): Hi, this is your Project Management Cowboy coming back to you with another podcast. Today, we're going to take a fresh look at leadership. We've done a couple of episodes on this before, but I'm always looking for new angles and new voices. And today I've invited someone I've known for a very long time - Mr. Todd Weiler. Todd has a deep background in leadership, spanning politics, the military, and business. And today we're going to talk not only about leadership in organizations but also about the type of leadership we often complain about - political leadership. This is what I like to call “complaining in proxy,” because while it's easy to criticize politicians, the real lesson is: what does this tell us about our own leadership in business?

Todd Weiler: Thanks for having me. I'm a native Texan - grew up in West Texas, Midland. From an early age, I got into politics, campaigned, and even carried a Jimmy Carter sign to school. That didn't end well for me, but it sparked a lifelong interest. I studied political science, joined ROTC, became a helicopter pilot, and served in the Gulf War. Later, I worked in politics, joining the Clinton campaign, then the administration, and eventually became Assistant Secretary of Defense under Obama. Today, I run a government contracting firm.

Mark: You've seen leadership from many perspectives - military, politics, and business. Let's start with the military. What qualities of leadership did you take away from your service?

Todd: The biggest was altruism - service beyond self. Good leaders care about the mission and their people first. Another was “taking the harder right over the easier wrong.” That stuck with me. And of course, leadership by example. Soldiers won't follow someone who isn't willing to share their hardships.

Mark: I agree. In business, I often say humility, humor, and humanity are three essentials. Without humility, leaders become self-centered. Without humor, they lose connection. Without humanity, they lose their purpose. Unfortunately, we see the opposite all too often - grandiosity and self-importance.

Todd: Exactly. And that's one of the big issues in politics today. Leadership has degraded. People expect politicians to speak directly, strongly, and with humor. Unfortunately, many will accept that even if it comes without truth. People crave certainty more than honesty.

Mark: That's dangerous. In democracy, the purpose of government is not to serve the majority at the expense of the minority, but to create fairness and protect everyone from domination - whether by oligarchs, monopolies, or populist movements. Leadership should be about justice, vision, and service.

Todd: Absolutely. But instead, what we see today is me-ism, the cult of personality, and a breakdown of ethics. Social media has amplified this. The loss of shared moral grounding - once reinforced by communities, religion, and even the news - has left a vacuum. And when truth no longer matters, power fills the void.

Mark: Which brings us back to leadership. Whether in politics, the military, or business, the same principles apply: surround yourself with diverse voices, listen deeply, admit mistakes, and stand for something greater than yourself. Leaders must be willing to say not what people want to hear, but what they need to hear.

Todd: Exactly. Without that, leadership devolves into manipulation. And that's what we must guard against - in government, in companies, and in our own personal roles as leaders.

Mark: I couldn't agree with you more. I think we need an incredibly charismatic leader - but here's the thing: part of why Donald Trump is popular is because he does that, just in the wrong way. He points out flaws in American culture, but his solution is simply to double down on them.

Todd: Right. He highlights problems but offers the wrong path forward. The question is: will we learn from this moment, or just repeat the cycle?

Mark: Exactly. Social media, for example - it's one of humanity's greatest inventions. Everyone has access to information now. But uncontrolled, it's poisoning the well. Some powers fear what happens if the masses truly know the truth - because that truth would sweep away injustice. That's supposed to be the purpose of democracy: to give people their voice and to keep leaders accountable.

Todd: And yet, rhetoric twists it. Look at voter suppression. The Electoral College was designed to balance rural and urban interests, but today it over-represents small states. Time and time again, we've had mismatches between the popular vote and the presidency. That raises real concerns, but one side doesn't want reform because the imbalance benefits them.

Mark: Which means the majority is often at the mercy of a vocal minority. And that's dangerous.

Todd: Exactly. And unless something dramatic changes, we're stuck in this loop. I thought Obama was exceptional - his election was a milestone. But American politics swings like a pendulum. After him, the backlash was severe.

Mark: My sons are voting age now. I tell them: you must vote. But they also say, “We can't vote for Biden.” Which gets us to the next challenge: both parties have failed to produce leaders people are inspired by. Money dominates politics. Lobbyists write legislation. Democracy is effectively for sale.

Todd: That's true. I raised $150,000 for Hillary Clinton in 2008 - that was considered huge at the time. After the Citizens United decision, a single donor can cut a check that size without blinking. Fundraising now requires millions, even billions. That shuts out grassroots leaders. We've essentially created a system of political feudalism.

Mark: And then socialism is used as a scare word. But the U.S. military is, in fact, the largest socialist organization in the world - everyone gets fed, trained, educated, and supported. Socialism simply means the government works for the masses, not just individuals.

Todd: Exactly. Yet industries without a moral compass dictate legislation. Government's role is to stand up to that, but too often it's captured by it. Politicians make modest salaries yet retire as millionaires - why? Lobbying and influence. That's corruption, plain and simple.

Mark: Which brings us to accountability. Leaders in politics and business cause massive harm yet walk away with bonuses or golden parachutes. In 2008, taxpayers bailed out banks, and executives rewarded themselves. That erodes public trust.

Todd: Leadership requires saying, “I screwed up, I'll learn from it.” But instead we see excuses, scapegoating, and finger-pointing. Accountability has to return.

Mark: Let's talk solutions: getting money out of politics, reforming the Electoral College, banning lobbyists, paying politicians more so corruption isn't tempting, and punishing those who abuse power. Without drastic reforms, nothing changes.

Todd: And maybe even restructuring into more than two parties. If America had four viable parties, you'd get more honest representation. Right now, extreme voices drown out the moderates.

Mark: I think that's why Bernie Sanders had such traction - he was authentic. Many voters who supported Trump also said Bernie was their second choice. That shows what people really want: honesty, directness, leadership that feels real.

Todd: Exactly. But insiders in both parties block outsiders. That's why America needs new blood - leaders like Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, and others. But without reforming money in politics, even the best leaders won't have a chance.

Mark: That's also where American exceptionalism comes in. For decades, the U.S. stood for fairness, opportunity, and democracy. Even if imperfect, it inspired the world. Today, that credibility is shaken. Our allies ask: “Which America are we dealing with?” We owe it to ourselves - and the world - to reclaim that higher standard.

Todd: 100%. We must stand for the little guy, be consistent, and hold leaders accountable. Our example matters globally. If America wavers, authoritarianism elsewhere grows stronger.

Mark: Leadership isn't just about presidents and CEOs. It's everywhere. From voters to neighbors to parents - everyone has a role. If we want better politics, we must also take responsibility locally. Vote, speak up, get involved. Leadership starts at home.

Todd: Well said. Leadership is not optional. It's everyone's duty.

Mark: Todd, this has been a blast. Thanks so much for your time. And just to put you on the spot - when are you running for office?

Todd: When we get the money out of politics.

Mark: Fair enough. Thank you again, Todd. This was a powerful conversation. We'll break it into shorts, mid-form, and long-form, so I'm sure you'll get some feedback. Until next time - thanks, my friend.