Matt Needy is Vice President of Navy Programs for Huntington Ingalls Industries, America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. Matt obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and he chose Optimism as his topic.

3-Bullet Summary

• Optimism creates a highly motivated workforce.
• A part of being optimistic is having a well thought out plan. 
• Being conscious and self aware helps you not to give in to emotions.

3 Quotes

1. “Optimism is essential for you to motivate that team, and nobody wants to work for a pessimistic person.”
2. “The basis for optimism really starts with being real.”
3. “Early in your career, you have to be working on your EQ or your emotional intelligence, as well as your IQ.”

Susan Hertzberg is CEO of BrainScope. BrainScope is a medical neurotechnology company that is pioneering the objective assessment of brain injury. 

She was named an Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 by Ernst and Young.  Susan’s undergraduate degree is in Psychology and she chose the topic of Anticipate.

3-Bullet Summary

1. As a leader, you should be able to evaluate your team members and how they will contribute to the team. This data collection is the start of anticipation.
2. Every person has a story to tell. Learn from those stories because this will greatly help you to predict behaviour.
3. Work culture is a social contract for how you’re going to engage.

3 Quotes

• “Your job as a leader is to help guide that team to be as effective and efficient as they can in that endeavour.”
• “Every single thing you learn, you will later use again.”
• “Be a life-long learner and be open to learning not just from leaders but the people designated as leaders.”

Eric Martinez is the CEO of Modjoul, a national company that creates wearable technology to keep employees safe.  His interest in workplace safety and productivity led him to start this innovative company. 

Eric is a mechanical engineer, and he chose the topic of Challenge.

3-Bullet Summary

• Learn the business from the ground up.
• Always be curious and don’t let the embarrassment of asking a question get in the way.
• Building close relationships with your peers can be invaluable when seeking a promotion. 

3 Quotes

1. “There is always a time where someone will need you to speak up and say “Hey, this is a problem”.”
2. “If you settle on a solution too early you may not get to the complete truth. Openness and transparency lead to problem solving and getting to the right answer.”
3. “Sometimes it’s your peers who get you promoted first. Then, your boss hears those praises from where you've supported them and that propels you into the next position.”