Leading with Grit: David Fivecoat on Resilient Leadership & Risk
from The Amazing Authorities Podcast
by Mitch Carson
Published: Mon Jul 28 2025
Show Notes
In this insightful episode of The Amazing Authorities Podcast, host Mitch Carson sits down with David Fivecoat—retired U.S. Army Colonel, West Point grad, and founder of The Fivecoat Consulting Group. From jumping out of planes to launching a business during a pandemic, David knows firsthand what grit really means—and how it shapes leaders inside and outside the military.
David shares how his decades in uniform inspired his bestselling book Grow Your Grit and how he now helps executives become stronger, more decisive leaders through unique battlefield leadership programs at places like Gettysburg and Normandy. You’ll hear the surprising parallels between running missions and running a business—especially when you don’t know where the next paycheck is coming from.
Plus, David opens up about his Leadership Journey model, his next book series inspired by historic turning points, and why cycling up 10,000 feet can teach you more about resilience than any motivational poster.
You’ll learn:
What grit really is—and how to grow yours, step by step
How David turned blog posts into a book that legitimized his consulting work
Why small business owners have more courage than most paratroopers
How battlefield lessons from Gettysburg and Normandy shape modern executives
The habits, routines, and “mental streaks” that keep David—and his clients—sharp
If you’re ready to lead with more grit, purpose, and perspective, David’s story will show you how to do it—and inspire you to push through your own mountains, literal or otherwise.
After 24 years as a US Army paratrooper, as well as 4 combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Colonel David Fivecoat, US Army, Retired, founded The Fivecoat Consulting Group. He now blogs, speaks, coaches gritty leaders, and helps develop gritty organizations. A native Ohioan, David Fivecoat resides in Columbus, Georgia.
You can find David Fivecoat here:
www.thefivecoatconsultinggroup.com
LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-fivecoat-b5860b75/
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