Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Franklin.
Hi Steven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My leadership journey began in the U.S. Army, where I had the honor of serving for over 26 years and leading America’s sons and daughters in both peace and war. Leadership wasn’t just a role I held, it became a way of life. The Army shaped my foundation, teaching me responsibility, accountability, and the profound impact leaders have on those they serve.
After retiring from the military in 2014, I transitioned into the oil and gas industry, where I continued my leadership journey as a department supervisor. Despite the change in environment, I quickly realized that the challenges facing emerging leaders were strikingly similar regardless of the uniform or industry. That realization inspired me to write The Leadership Growth Compass: 10 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Journey as an Emerging Leader, a book grounded in real-world experience and lessons learned over three decades of leading people.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen talented leaders struggle not because they lacked potential, but because they lacked guidance. My mission is to help emerging leaders avoid common pitfalls, grow with intention, and lead with confidence and purpose. As a graduate of the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School of Excellence, a former course facilitator, certified leadership coach and trainer, and DISC consultant, I now focus on developing leaders and building high-performing teams that achieve extraordinary results.
Leadership is not a title it’s a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and service. I’m grateful to still be able to add value to those who value growth, and I’m passionate about helping leaders unlock their full potential.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Leadership always comes with challenges. In the military, leadership wasn’t just a responsibility, it was a way of life. It started within the organization, and it was developed intentionally.
I remember one of my senior leaders telling me early in my journey, “There’s no bus coming to drop off a load of leaders—we develop our own from within.” That lesson stayed with me. I was trained to understand that leadership is about people, not position. Advancement means very little if you’re not taking care of those you lead.
One of the struggles was learning to balance mission accomplishment with genuine care for people especially in high-pressure environments. It required constant self-reflection, accountability, and growth. Those lessons shaped how I lead today and reinforced my belief that real leadership is measured by the growth, trust, and success of the people around you.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, I work as a leadership coach, trainer, and consultant, helping individuals and organizations develop strong, people-centered leaders and high-performing teams. I specialize in leadership development for emerging leaders, supervisors, and teams particularly those navigating growth, transition, or increased responsibility.
I’m known for translating real-world leadership experience into practical, actionable guidance. My approach is grounded in over 26 years of service in the U.S. Army and leadership roles in the oil and gas industry, combined with my work as a certified leadership coach, trainer, and DISC consultant. I focus on helping leaders build trust, communicate clearly, and develop the people around them not just hit short-term results.
What I’m most proud of is the impact seeing leaders grow in confidence, teams strengthen, and cultures shift because leaders chose to invest in people. Writing The Leadership Growth Compass was especially meaningful because it allowed me to share lessons learned over three decades so others could avoid common leadership missteps and grow with intention.
What sets me apart is that I don’t teach leadership from theory alone. I’ve lived it in high-stakes environments where decisions mattered and people came first. I meet leaders where they are, challenge them to grow, and help them build a leadership compass that keeps them aligned with purpose, character, and long-term impact.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that often surprises people is that I didn’t always see myself as a leader or an author. Even after years of leading in the military, I viewed leadership as a responsibility more than a title, and writing a book was never part of my original plan. It wasn’t until others encouraged me to share my experiences that I realized my lessons could help more people beyond the teams I directly led.
Another surprise is that much of my leadership philosophy was shaped not just by success, but by failure by moments where I got it wrong, had to course-correct, and grow. Those experiences taught me humility and reinforced my belief that leadership is about continuous learning, not perfection.
At my core, I’m still a student of leadership. I’m always learning, reflecting, and growing and that mindset is what drives my work today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://franklin-leadership.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.franklin.381071
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-franklin-sgm-r-28834a75/
