The Art of Masculinity

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The Art of Masculinity Podcast Host

Best Selling Author

Keynote Speaker

High Performance Leadership Coach
(5)

I'm Johnny and I between being a former special operations combat veteran and tactical commander to the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, I have seen the struggles of the toughest men on the planet. In those struggles there are commonalities and in that, I have made it my mission to help men see they are not alone in their journey and the through banding together with their brothers and seeing how other me

n have persevered in life, can lead to a life full of peace, respect, acknowledgement, and value. These days I am a podcast host to the acclaimed The Art of Masculinity Podcast, a keynote speaker, a best selling author of Design the Man Within, and a high performance leadership coach.

⚒️The Wildman Experience Kodiak Edition 2024 is ON! 🧸Men, when you’re part of something that is designed to get you back...
03/08/2024

⚒️The Wildman Experience Kodiak Edition 2024 is ON!

🧸Men, when you’re part of something that is designed to get you back to being MEN and bonding as brothers, you gain new perceptions of and confidence in the future!

🧸And we delivered that today! These men got a half day of flying around the gorgeous island of Kodiak and a half day of an intense hike with a great reward at the end.

⚒️The growth you have comes from the presence and intention you give yourself. Already so inspired by this group of men!

It's truly a question of what kind of leader you objectively see yourself as. Many people in leadership positions are fa...
29/04/2024

It's truly a question of what kind of leader you objectively see yourself as. Many people in leadership positions are failing miserably. They struggle to acknowledge one of the most pivotal roles of a high quality leader and they continue to cause far more confusion than they do clarity. Why? Because most people are not armed with the capabilities to influence sound decision making in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. They stumble when plans go off course and they forget the main purpose for their leadership in the first place.

This was partly why I came up with the PRIME Process but it was also to show leaders that overwhelming stress is a component we all live with when leading but there is a way to conquer and compartmentalize the environment around you to make high quality decisions ultimately looking out for your team and serving the objective. But, most are not taught any process to do this and many fail to seek training in how to perform such leadership in the times they are needed the most.

The question becomes, how do you lead in times of chaos? Seriously, be honest with yourself. Knowing where you need improvement allows you to access the correct information that will set you up for success. Tools to conquer stress and move the ball forward are key components to becoming a high quality leader and that is exactly where I want the true leaders in every industry to be. Because when they can perform, the people they lead benefit and life gets far better.


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As a leader you will not always be liked. This is part of why servant leadership does not work in practical application ...
21/11/2023

As a leader you will not always be liked.

This is part of why servant leadership does not work in practical application (and just one of a few reasons on why it doesn't). I have spoken with numerous people about this leadership style and while it is admirable, it is majority of the time not achievable in it's truest form.

This isn't to say you shouldn't bring essence of servant leadership into your own personal style, it just means that when we look at the nuance of personalities and motivating factors to individuals, we have to accept that a true servant leader does not tend to build a company that makes profits. (A lot more to this conversation but that is the down and dirty).

Leadership does require direction, it does require firmness, it does require decisive action, it does require emotional intelligences, and it requires adaptability. So when someone starts to refer to servant leadership as the best or pinnacle of leadership styles, it tends to show how much research they have actually done on leadership.

The point being, one size does not fit all. It behooves us to understand formal modalities of leadership and practical modalities of leadership. Then, it is up for us to combine, test, reexamine, and integrate a style that works with us, our business, and the teams supporting the mission.




Men have a hard time responding to someone looking to help them improve their position in life. If it isn't tangible or ...
20/11/2023

Men have a hard time responding to someone looking to help them improve their position in life.

If it isn't tangible or doesn't have an immediate affect on their income, men tend to shy away from it. I get it, guys, but at the end of the day this mindset will only hold you to the same limitations of those men before us. The ones who struggled to find true connections with their kids. The ones who are now in loveless marriages out of being a martyr. The ones who constantly find themselves going through midlife crises.

These men have great attributes but one of the ones they tend to not carry is that of a man who is developing and working on their internal struggles. Maybe it's because it wasn't available to them, maybe its because they thought it was weak, but what I see right now are the men that come from some of the strongest attributes of masculinity, are weak in their own personal inquiry and development.

It's sad because I was one of you, the strong, salt of the earth man who had zero idea on what it meant to dive into my shadows. I lives that life for 32 years until I saw that my internal development would actually enhance the strength and grittiness I received from the previous generation of men. It's ultimately on you to make that decision but right now, you have the choice. Down the road, you may not.

We are in November and it's National Men's Health Awareness Month. The statics show that 3 out of every 4 su***des are c...
14/11/2023

We are in November and it's National Men's Health Awareness Month.

The statics show that 3 out of every 4 su***des are committed by men. Su***de is noted as being the leading cause of death in men under 35. In men ranging from 45 to 64 studies show that su***de happens in 20 out of every 100,000 men. While this month is to bring awareness to all HEALTH regarding men, we can't help but point to the statistics that show men are struggling in a severe way today.

Why does this matter? Everyone is struggling, right? Men are predominantly thought to deal with their issues internally and muscle through them because to open up and create vulnerability meant their possible exposure of excommunication from the male group or even being taken advantage of. So inherently, at a certain age, men are told to hold it in, pretend everything is always ok, and solve your problems yourself.

Obviously, there are so many flaws in this and the past generations of men have not set us up for success in mental health. But it's not about playing a victim, rather, its about taking ownership. As men, we all struggle. We all have things going on that we hide from others and attempt to hide from ourselves. The fact is, whatever we are struggling with, there is a high likelihood that another man within our social circle is struggling with the same thing.

So, if we reach out for help, in a lot of cases, we actually help others. Some of them need permission to open up and you can lead the way in that. So as we continue this month, look to reach out not only to your brothers but offer up something that you may be going through that sucks to feel alone in it. Not only will you help yourself but you will also show trust in someone else and open the door for support from someone who wants to give you that as someone who cares about you.

I hope we all take this seriously enough to make it a every day approach but for now, while we highlight it for November specifically, take time this month to check in on the men in your life, it could absolutely be the thing that changes their life.

🇺🇸Happy Veterans Day to all who served! ⁣⁣⁣🇺🇸And to all these savages RLTW
11/11/2023

🇺🇸Happy Veterans Day to all who served! ⁣


🇺🇸And to all these savages RLTW

I constantly question my day. Ever since I stepped full time into entrepreneurship I began questioning, "am I doing enou...
10/11/2023

I constantly question my day. Ever since I stepped full time into entrepreneurship I began questioning, "am I doing enough?" probably like every day. I have a lot of successful people in my life but ultimately I haven't reached those heights yet in my personal brand and business. Its hard to not compare or question my abilities. It is legit a daily battle for me.

Some days I'm down on myself saying I didn't do enough, I stopped working too early or didn't get anything done. Other days I feel like there wasn't even more I could do because I crushed it. At the end of both days the value is I need to respect the journey. Easier said than done in the heat of the moment but at the end of the day, the trials and victories are the journey.

How are you experiencing your journey today and are you even paying attention?



Men should be seeking competition. It's in our blood to compete, to have a higher level to achieve because in our past, ...
09/11/2023

Men should be seeking competition. It's in our blood to compete, to have a higher level to achieve because in our past, mediocrity meant death. Today's society has been softened by the lack of physical threats out there and because of that, the average man has suffered. On top of that, the average woman is suffering because she is being given a man who in most cases, could not survive long enough to keep her and her offspring safe.

These aren't random opinions, these are facts steeped in 1000's of years of evolution and even a mere 100 years does not wipe these things away from our DNA. Yes, time has passed and yes society has vastly evolved but our genetics haven't . Our predispositions to the selection of our partners and our connections to what we desire in them are connected within us deeply and subconsciously. This is why many cannot explain their proclivity towards certain humans and the specific traits they possess.

Why do I say this? Not to challenge men to go to the past, I think men who do that are lacking the opportunity to help evolve society. I say this because we have a chance to make the future stronger AND advanced. There is an opportunity here to compete with our past generations and with ourselves. The opportunity to give women what they need in a man today while still possessing the things that have been positive traits of masculinity in the past.

No it is not mere competition we are looking for, it is a generational competition we need. One that can show and prove this generation can surpass the past by matching where the things they were good at significantly improve on the areas they were weak at. This is what healthy competition looks like and what we as the next generation of men should be striving for.

Ready to unlock the 5 tools to become the leader you know you can be?We created this audio lesson for those who want to ...
09/11/2023

Ready to unlock the 5 tools to become the leader you know you can be?

We created this audio lesson for those who want to learn how to lead from the front, inspired by experiences in special operations and private protection fields. Our approach will encourage people around you to perform at their highest level while feeling more personally connected with your leadership.

Take advantage of our 37 minute free audio course and finally take charge! You’ll get tips on motivation, communication, goal setting skills, confidence building techniques and overall performance management strategies – all designed specifically for leaders that want their team to succeed!

Clear out some time in your schedule today - it’s time to boost up your leadership game with Leadership Tools For Success. Download our free 37-minute audio lesson now!

https://www.johnnyelsasser.com/leadership



Leadership is about accruing tools, applying and experimenting with them, and ultimately taking ownership of how you imp...
06/11/2023

Leadership is about accruing tools, applying and experimenting with them, and ultimately taking ownership of how you impact and inspire others to achieve success. As being a leader in many capacities in my life from the battlefield to the board room, I have seen and used many styles of leadership but one thing has always traversed environments, and that is to lead from the front.

There is so much on this topic which is why I create a FREE audio lesson for anyone wanting to improve their skills in leadership. It is something that I feel passionate about because we need better leaders in this world. The men and women who take on leadership roles have a responsibility to deliver at higher capabilities of leadership and in this FREE audio is to help support them in that effort.

So, give yourself the opportunity to grab something that can really help you not only to accrue more tools, but to also inspire you to lead from the front and become the leader that you would want to follow.

Click the link here to grab the free audio!

https://johnnyelsasser.mykajabi.com/pl/2148010394





















Make sure what you do always has a guide post. Decisions we make in life should be built around where we ultimately want...
05/11/2023

Make sure what you do always has a guide post.

Decisions we make in life should be built around where we ultimately want to go. Saying yes to opportunities and experiences opens the door for great things to happen and is the way God and the universe moves you down the path to the goals you have given to them! If you choose to say yes to every opportunity that comes up (sometimes it may take sacrifice) then you will continue to follow the breadcrumbs to the place you ultimately desire to be.

What I see so many people do is not take advantage of the signs because of fear and because they lack the ability to lead themselves. The fail to have confidence in themselves to make things work in favor of their dreams. They lack the the confidence in themselves to give their dreams a true chance of coming to existence.

Learning to lead will help you to take full advantage of the opportunities God and the universe give you. You simply have to be willing to work on how you lead. You have to be willing to develop that skill. The opportunities will come but your level of leadership will dictate if you are able to take advantage of them or not.

Do not make the mistake of thinking because you are in a leadership position that you are a good leader. And don't make ...
03/11/2023

Do not make the mistake of thinking because you are in a leadership position that you are a good leader. And don't make the mistake that just because you are in a leadership position that you won't have to show your capabilities to your team members to give them a sample size of your proficiency.

Proficiency and capability earn respect. Most leaders try to lead from positional authority which will not provide the motivation to get the top level of performance from your team members. What it takes is for you to show up and lead from the front. Signal to them that you are highly capable and you aren't afraid to put your skills on display.

This is how respect is earned and you cultivate followers DESIRING to follow you, not obligating themselves to follow you.

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Do things that challenge you and you will continue to grow. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to continu...
13/10/2023

Do things that challenge you and you will continue to grow. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to continually challenge our abilities and give ourselves the opportunity to gain more knowledge about who we are in these seasons of our lives.

As we evolve we fail to recognize that our changes give us different perceptions and beliefs about ourselves. If we do not learn this, we often get stuck living in the past talking about the days when we were capable of things we no longer do. In that version of ourselves we fail to learn about who we are now, what we enjoy, and what means a lot to us.

By placing ourselves in strenuous environments we give ourselves the opportunity to learn more. To be authentic to the person we are in this season and to value the seasons prior. It is in this realization and development that we continue our process of developing as adults and find power in the version we currently exist as.

The struggle for men is that we continue to refuse to acknowledge that the old mindset and perceptions of men are flawed...
11/10/2023

The struggle for men is that we continue to refuse to acknowledge that the old mindset and perceptions of men are flawed in certain ways and need to be evolved.

Many people get this simple fact wrong, men and masculinity in the past is not bad. In fact, there are a lot of positives from that we have lost and some are trying to regain or re-instill within society. But, what I find perplexing is that while we can admit to the great things that kept society balanced and men as corner stones to it, we are quick to neglect and even turn a blind eye to those things that we still hold today that weren't helpful.

It is in this assessment that we have the opportunity to create something greater in this world, in this generation, and for every generation moving forward. It is here that we men have the opportunity to acknowledge what actually was not serving the development and evolution as men in order to create a better life for themselves, their families and world. It's time we get introspective and objective. Look to what keep what was good and jettison what was not. Build new traits that support and remove what no longer serves. It's time that we become a better caliber of man.

The times we waste thinking that things change if we simply exist is part of what holds us back from experiencing a life...
10/10/2023

The times we waste thinking that things change if we simply exist is part of what holds us back from experiencing a life that we are intentionally designing.

I have spent many times in my past thinking about the things that I wanted to change or do, only to neglect practicing those things and then looking back saying if I could have just acted and been disciplined for even 30 days I would be better by now. Or, how good could I have been at it if I started 6 months ago when I wanted to and followed through? I know so many men see this happen in their lives and then go on continuing to neglect the things they truly want to accomplish or that can help them.

I have seen this constantly in my own and other people's lives. Improvement and intentional design doesn't happen by thoughts, it happens by the combination of thoughts and actions. We have to learn to follow through if we want to be men who seek out the life we actually desire. We have to move in that direction by taking the actions that give us that desired affect. But make no mistake, if you continue to think you can make this happen through random thought, you will continue to have the unintentional life you have been living.

My book Design the Man Within sets men up to have that life. To create something intentionally Designed and curated around how you want to show up in this world and how you want to feel through authenticity and consistency with yourself. It gives you not only the knowledge that other men struggle out there, but it gives you the tools to change the way you are experiencing this world. Head over to the link below and grab a copy today!

https://designthemanwithin.com/

Challenge your paradigm.Why? Why challenge this? Many will think that their paradigm is fine and done well for them up t...
09/10/2023

Challenge your paradigm.

Why? Why challenge this? Many will think that their paradigm is fine and done well for them up to this point. Sure, they’ve had some missteps and miscues but hey, who doesn’t? It’s not that we don’t have these things, it’s are you willing to have the same repeated ones through life? Are you willing to call in the same outcomes, the repeated patterns, and the same problems every day until your last breath?

If you’re looking at that and saying no, then your paradigm needs to shift. We are blessed with the ability to have the complexity of the conscious and subconscious yet we lack the ability to understand the power we wield with them. We let programming and past experiences be the guide and do not intentionally look to shift those paradigms for a way of perceiving that enables us to have a better life.

It’s in the challenge that we gain the shift. Be more aggressive in your actions to create that paradigm shift and watch your life change. As a leader you gain perspective this way that allows you to lead powerfully and confidently. Challenge the paradigm and shift your future.

Unconventional has been my entire life. Never did I go by book or play by the same rules. It's the rebel in me that like...
06/10/2023

Unconventional has been my entire life. Never did I go by book or play by the same rules. It's the rebel in me that likes to look at something and say there has to be a better or more unique way to get where you want to go. I don't like conforming, never sat with that well. This is probably why even when we talk about leadership I am more attracted to the unconventional styles.

In many cases, I have found, that the unconventional frameworks produce great results so long as they are used correctly and by the right leader. See the unconventional philosophies are considered this because of their nature to run higher risks than the conventional ones. They require higher caliber leaders because of this and so that leaves them only available to a select group. It is what separates average from elite, even in leadership, and produce greater results in all areas from production to cohesiveness.

My philosophy, hone your skills, learn your craft, and become an unconventional leader who can set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd. Be unique.

Leaders eat last. Something that was absolutely engrained in me in Ranger Battalion. It was part of what you inherited a...
05/10/2023

Leaders eat last. Something that was absolutely engrained in me in Ranger Battalion. It was part of what you inherited as a leader coming up through the ranks and if you were seen doing otherwise, you were reprimanded by other leaders. It was something that we were held accountable to by our subordinates and by our peers alike. It is one of the most valuable tools you can embody as a leader yet I see so many "leaders" disregard this aspect of leadership.

It is all about the "me" culture. The "How do I get mine?" Or "Where is my recognition?" Real leaders don't look for this. Their actions speak louder than their words and they are recognized for how they bring the team together and how they lead their team by lifting them and placing their care, first. This meant that when everyone was starving, coming back from running multiple combat missions overseas, that when you finished the debriefing and everyone went to chow, you waited for your team or squad to grab chow first.

It's not a hard concept yet I feel like, especially in the everyday life of leaders, very few even know about this or practice it. Figure out how to always eat last and embrace your team and I promise you will become a leader whom many WANT to follow, not HAVE to follow.

There are many components to being an effective leader. There isn't a "one way" only works. I am hearing this a lot from...
05/10/2023

There are many components to being an effective leader. There isn't a "one way" only works. I am hearing this a lot from people giving perspectives on leadership who have never done it at a high level nor taken the time to truly educate themselves on the formal structures regarding leadership. This is a problem.

Reason being, these are people either passing on information from third party information and that information could be from leaders that sucked. Not to mention, they aren't experienced in the practice of leadership so they have little to no concept of trail and error nor application of educational frameworks.

Why I write this is because I want people to be weary of who they are listening to about leadership and how they are referring to their information. Ask questions and listen to if they have real experience and have applied formal frameworks. Typically, this is a resounding "No". Don't be fooled because your income and well-being is propped up by your ability to lead and lead well.

The 7 habits of Highly Effective People talks about this so I know I am on to something. With that being said, I am stil...
03/10/2023

The 7 habits of Highly Effective People talks about this so I know I am on to something. With that being said, I am still confused at how so many people willingly neglect leadership and don't look to improve and hone this skill in their lives? If I was offered something that could help me build stronger relationships, have more goals accomplished, and increase my income, I would take it in a heart beat.

However, one skill that most choose to not put time into even though it is the precursor to success in many areas of life to include, simply, your own personal development, is that of leadership. The amount of success in life that you can achieve is capped by your ability to lead and lead effectively.

Let's give a small example. The average annual salary in America is $50,752 and the average manager takes home $75,868. The simple math says that this is an approximately $25k gap just based on leadership. Why leadership? Because what separates a manager and general employee is their level of education (takes leadership to exceed), their ability to manage and direct employees (takes leadership), and their ability to achieve goals (also leadership).

I say all of this without even getting into the depth of how leadership plays a role with entrepreneurs, but if you really want wealth and success in your life, learn to build a better leader within. take it seriously and begin to harness that skill in your life.

Act like you have been there before and that you will be back. Words I learned early in my life playing soccer was from ...
01/10/2023

Act like you have been there before and that you will be back.

Words I learned early in my life playing soccer was from a coach who always reminded us that if you do something great, act as though you have been there before and will do it again. No show boating, that is nonsense, it's for people who don't think they will get there again. When you are confident in who you are and that you will be back, there is the ability to celebrate but know the greatness will always continue.

How do we implement this in our lives? When you accomplish something big or a goal you set for yourself, act as though you have been there, it will help to calm the nerves and it will help to make you feel more comfortable. And, remember that it is not a one off, you will be back and thats because of consistency and persistence.

What is your paradigm? I often think about the separation we have from understanding that even our objectivity is overri...
30/09/2023

What is your paradigm? I often think about the separation we have from understanding that even our objectivity is overridden by experiences, tendencies, and knowledge. So the question I have pondered recently is how then, can you create objectivity for sake of avoiding those conflicts that predispose your perception and position to subjectivity?

The short answer I have come up with is that if you are actually questioning the paradigm and seeking to disprove the root, you can actually achieve some paradigm shift. It is in that moment when I think we can get as close to objectivity as possible.

As leaders we have to find objectivity if we are to really strap into the rocket of High Quality Leadership and take off. It allows us to see the battlefield as maneuverable and open. If we do not see objectivity, myopathy and predisposed outcomes are what we will achieve.

One wouldn't be wrong in asking "well Johnny, if I have a known outcome I am ok with why would I seek to be objective?" The only answer to that is, if you are seeking different or even better, then you have to attempt at a paradigm shift. If you are looking to be adaptable and unshakeable, then you need to look at a paradigm shift. And if you want to be a High Quality Leader then you need to embark on a paradigm shift.

Leaders need to be adaptable, they need to be resilient and only through a paradigm shift can we achieve that.

I think one of the most powerful things about podcasting is becoming a better active listener. It is such a powerful thi...
29/09/2023

I think one of the most powerful things about podcasting is becoming a better active listener. It is such a powerful thing to intentionally listen to people with the purpose to want more of their story and information come out. You gather so much wisdom, knowledge, and second hand experience from this. It helps you not only to continually learn, but to also to be more interesting person.

Active listening is an UNDERRATED trait and is practiced by very few, especially as adults. Everyone is always searching in their mind for how they are going to impress or what words they are going to say but active listening to truly learn about people and experience more in life, is something we should all value more.

I say all of this only to challenge you all to look at how you can be a better active listener in your life so you can gain more experience, be more interesting, and improve your leadership skills. 🤘🤘

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