Get to Know John Bentley S1-E11

John Bentley believes the most influential leader you’ll ever follow is yourself—not because of your title, but because of your choices, actions, and impact. With forty-one years of public service—including twenty-one in the Air Force—John has navigated the highs, the lows, and the moments that make you step back and say, “I could’ve handled that better.” As a master instructor at the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, he shaped the next generation of senior enlisted military leaders. After retiring, he transitioned to the Army civilian world, serving as a Human Resource Development Chief and Leadership Development Strategist, helping teams operate at their best.

John’s proven I Lead Me framework has helped organizations like NASA, the Department of Defense, Merck Pharmaceutical, Alabama Farm Credit, Alabama Primary Health Care Association, and Bon Secours Mercy Health achieve up to 40 percent business growth and save hundreds of thousands of dollars in operational costs.

Leadership, for John, extends far beyond the workplace; it’s about making a meaningful difference in life. He leads the You Are A GIFT Foundation, dedicated to helping mothers overcome prescription drug addiction and live a Christ-centered life. John also shares his leadership insights through his books, including I Lead Me, You Are A GIFT, and 52 Ways to Motivate Yourself, as well as through the audio program 17 Biblical Principles of Success.

When he’s not coaching leaders or developing transformative programs, you’ll find him in Hartselle, Alabama, with his wife, Laura. And let’s be honest, the real bosses of the house are Bailey and Tucker, their two spirited Yorkies, who keep life joyful, leadership lighthearted, and never let a snack go unclaimed.

As President of The LWN Live with Nature Foundation since 2020, Stephen R Smith has contributed to transformational change through initiatives addressing homelessness, mental health, cancer advocacy, and human trafficking awareness. The foundation collaborates with related nonprofits to empower vulnerable communities with essential resources and support.

info@stephenrsmith.org
www.stephenrsmith.org 

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