Command 2 Corporate
Welcome to Command 2 Corporate!
We’re your hosts, Larry Perry and Tawofik “T” Ghazal—two Army veterans who took different paths in service but found common ground in corporate America. One of us, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of leadership experience in the military, and the other, a former Staff Sergeant who served a decade before transitioning into the business world.
Together, we break down our thoughts on leadership—from the motor pool to the boardroom, and everywhere in between.
This is for leaders in transition and leaders in the making. It’s for up-and-coming professionals trying to find their place; the team players, the quiet influencers, the culture builders, and the ones doing the hard work without a spotlight. No fluff, no gimmicks—just real talk from those who’ve led through challenges, adapted under pressure, and thrived in the face of change.
Leadership isn’t just taught, it’s lived. Let’s get to work.
Episodes
31 episodes
🎙️ What does it mean to be a Professional? | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ What does it actually mean to be a professional in today’s workplace? Is it about how you dress, how you communicate, or how you perform under pressure?In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we break down the true definition of prof...
🎙️ After Action Review for your Career | Command 2 Corporate | S2. E12
🎖️ The best leaders learn as they go. We’ll show you how to apply the military’s After Action Review (AAR) to your leadership journey — turning wins, losses, and lessons into growth.🎯 Key Takeaways:🔹 The AAR formula: what went w...
🎙️ Transitioning from Peer to Manager | Command 2 Corporate | S2. E11
🎖️ One of the hardest transitions is leading former peers. In this episode, we break down how to reset relationships, establish authority, and avoid common pitfalls like favoritism or heavy-handedness.🎯 Key Takeaways:🔹 Why peer-...
🎙️ Managing Up: Leading Your Boss Effectively | Command 2 Corporate | S2. E10
🎖️ Leadership isn’t just about managing down — it’s about managing up. Learn how to anticipate your boss’s needs, build trust, and lead from the middle.🎯 Key Takeaways:🔹 What managing up really means.🔹 How to disagree re...
🎙️ Inclusive Leadership & Leading Diverse Teams | Command 2 Corporate | S2. E9
🎖️ Diversity without inclusion doesn’t work. This episode explores how to create belonging, amplify voices, and harness different perspectives for stronger results.🎯 Key Takeaways:🔹 The difference between diversity and inclusion...
🎙️ Leadership After the Uniform | Command 2 Corporate w/ Special Guest: SFC Vernon Gales (Ret.)
About Our Guest:Vernon (Always Got A Smile) Gales was a professional Soldier in the United States Army for 22 years, during which time he held myriad positions and rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). It was Junior ROTC that ...
🎙️ S2. Ep8. – Resilience and Adaptability in Uncertain Times | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Mastering Leadership in Uncertain Times: Join us as we explore the true test of leadership during times of uncertainty. In this episode, we delve into key strategies for staying calm under pressure, building resilient teams, and leveraging m...
🎙️ S2. Ep7. – Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Leading remote and hybrid teams takes more than good intentions—it takes intentional connection. In this episode, we break down practical strategies you can use right now to build trust, strengthen accountability, and protect your culture ev...
🎙️ S2. Ep6. – Handling Conflict & Hard Conversations | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Avoiding conflict doesn’t protect your team — it weakens it. In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we break down how to tackle tough conversations head-on, whether it’s about performance issues, team friction, or misaligned expectations. L...
🎙️ S2. Ep5. - Delegation without Micromanagement | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Delegation is one of the hardest skills for new leaders to master. We’ll show you how to empower your team, hold them accountable, and avoid the trap of micromanagement by applying the military concept of “mission command.”🎯 Key Take...
🎙️ S2. Ep4. - Communicating Up, Down, and Across | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Leadership is communication. This episode explores how to tailor your approach when speaking to executives, peers, and direct reports. We’ll compare military briefing techniques with corporate storytelling and share real-world strategies you...
🎙️ S2. Ep3. - Trust as the Currency of Leadership | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Trust is the foundation of every high-performing team. In this episode, we discuss how to establish and maintain trust, why consistency is key, and how military teams thrive under pressure because of unshakable trust.🎯 Key Takeaw...
🎙️ S2 Ep2 Command Presence in Corporate | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Leaders don’t just manage tasks — they project presence. In this episode, we unpack how to carry yourself with confidence, credibility, and influence, even if you’re new to leadership. Learn how to bring military command presence into the co...
🎙️ S2. Ep1: From Doer to Leader - Making the Shift | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Being great at your job doesn’t guarantee success as a leader. In this episode, we break down the critical mindset shift from individual contributor to people-leader. We’ll share lessons from our military journey — moving from soldier to squ...
🎙️ Ep. 14 - Proper Introductions from us! | Command 2 Corporate
Meet your hosts...properly!Believe it or not, we actually did introductions while recording our very first episode. The thing about our first episode is that it wasn't suppose to be an episode. It was a test recording that turned into o...
🎙️ Ep. 13 - Why Toxic Leaders get Promoted | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Why do we keep promoting toxic leaders? In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we unpack Simon Sinek’s controversial insight on why some of the most damaging leaders climb the ladder—while servant leaders get left behind.
🎙️Ep.12 - Giving Guidance vs Artistic Freedom | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️How much guidance is too much? In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we explore the delicate balance between direction and creative freedom—and why it matters in leadership, innovation, and team growth.As former military leaders tur...
Ep.11 - Leadership Impact in a New Role: Immediate Change or Observe First | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ When you’re the new leader, all eyes are on you. Should you make bold changes right away or take time to learn the culture and people first?In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we unpack what effective leadership looks like in tho...
🎙️Ep 10: Managing Up | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️ Giving your boss feedback can feel like walking a tightrope. In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we break down how to manage up—not by kissing up, but by communicating with honesty, courage, and strategy.As veterans turned corpor...
Professional Maturity and Leadership Maturity – What’s the Difference? | Command 2 Corporate
In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dive deep into two traits that can make or break your career: Professional Maturity and Leadership Maturity. They may sound similar, but the reality is… they play very different roles in your success.<...
Team Dynamics, Cross-Collaboration, & Office Politics - Part II | Command 2 Corporate
How do strong team dynamics fall apart—and how do office politics play a hidden role in that breakdown? In this two-part episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dig into the real-world challenges of cross-functional collaboration in the workplace, e...
Team Dynamics, Cross-Collaboration & Office Politics - Part I | Command 2 Corporate
How do strong team dynamics fall apart—and how do office politics play a hidden role in that breakdown? In this two-part episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dig into the real-world challenges of cross-functional collaboration in the workplace, e...
What is Corporate Culture? Breaking down the buzzword | Command 2 Corporate
🎖️What exactly is corporate culture—and why does it matter? In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dig deep into the DNA of workplace culture. From our military roots to our corporate careers, we reflect on how environments shape behavior, ...
Profits VS. People | Command 2 Corporate
Is it possible to prioritize people and profits—or does one always come at the expense of the other?In this thought-provoking episode of Command 2 Corporate, two Army veterans turned corporate leaders unpack the tension between mission ...
Civilian Vs. Military Environment - Worlds Apart | Command 2 Corporate
The jump from the military to corporate America isn’t just a career change—it’s a culture shock. In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we dive into the stark differences between life in uniform and life in the civilian workforce. From leaders...