Why Local Businesses Near Huntsville Trust McKinley's Thoughts for Leadership Training

You can tell within five minutes of a meeting whether a team has a real leader or just someone with a title. That gap is what pulls most business owners into looking for help in the first place. In and around Huntsville, a lot of that search ends at McKinley's Thoughts, a program built by a retired Command Sergeant Major who spent 30 years leading soldiers before turning that experience toward local businesses.

What Leadership Training Actually Is

Forget the image of a rented conference room and a slideshow nobody remembers by Friday. Real leadership training is coaching people through the stuff that actually trips them up at work: hard conversations, missed deadlines, a team that's stopped trusting each other. It's less about theory and more about giving someone tools they'll still be using six months later.

Why It Matters More Than Most Owners Realize

Huntsville's economy runs on defense, aerospace, and a growing wave of small businesses trying to keep good people. And good people don't leave jobs, they leave bad managers. That's usually the moment a business starts typing "leadership training near me" into Google at 9pm after a rough week. What they're really looking for is someone who's actually led people under pressure, not a certificate mill. That's the whole reason McKinley's Thoughts exists: three decades of active-duty command experience, paired with certified John Maxwell coaching, applied to real teams instead of hypothetical ones.

How It Actually Works

There's no one-size-fits-all package here. A first conversation is spent figuring out what's actually going wrong: Is it a communication breakdown? A new manager who's never led anyone before? A team that's technically skilled but falls apart under stress? From there, the training gets built around that specific problem using modules like Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, or Strategic Planning, whichever fits.

The Process, Step by Step

1. A real conversation first — no sales pitch, just an honest look at where the leadership gaps are.
2. A curriculum built around your team, not a generic template pulled off a shelf.
3. Workshops that involve people doing the work, not sitting and listening for two hours.
4. Time between sessions to actually try things, because skills stick when they're practiced, not just discussed.
5. Coaching that continues after the workshop ends, so the lessons don't fade in a month.
6. Honest tracking of what's changed — better communication, fewer blowups, faster decisions.

What Actually Works

Get leadership at every level in the room, not just the managers who already agree with you. Pick a trainer who's actually led people, not just studied leadership theory. Treat this as something you keep doing, not something you check off a list once a year. And pair the group sessions with one-on-one coaching wherever you can; it's where the real breakthroughs happen.

Where Most Companies Go Wrong

The biggest mistake is buying a generic seminar because it was cheap or convenient, then wondering why nothing changed. A close second is treating training like a one-time event instead of an ongoing relationship. And a lot of companies pick trainers purely on credentials, without asking whether that person has actually led anyone through a hard moment. That's usually what separates a forgettable seminar from a company that finally finds leadership training near me and sticks with it for years, because the person leading it has actually been in the room when things went sideways.

Conclusion

Nobody becomes a better leader from one workshop. It happens through repetition, honest feedback, and someone who's actually done the job pushing you to get better. That's the difference between training that looks good on a calendar invite and training that changes how your team actually works.

Ready to Build Stronger Leaders in Your Organization?

McKinley's Thoughts brings 30 years of active-duty leadership experience straight to your team, no fluff, no filler. If your business needs leaders who can actually lead, let's talk.

Address: 256 Bob G. Hughes Blvd, Harvest, AL 35749

Call: (706) 627-4863

Email: sitruc3@gmail.com

Reach out to McKinley's Thoughts today and let's build the team your business actually needs.

FAQs

What are the 7 C's of leadership? Character, Competence, Communication, Commitment, Confidence, Courage, and Compassion. They're not abstract ideas either — a leader missing even one of these usually shows it fast, whether it's broken trust or a team that stops speaking up.

Why do you want to attend leadership training? Honestly, most people attend because they hit a wall — a promotion they weren't ready for, a team that's not listening, or a conflict they don't know how to handle. Training gives you the tools so the next wall doesn't stop you.

What are the 5 P's of effective leadership? Purpose, Passion, People, Process, and Performance. Miss any one of these and the others start to wobble — passion without process burns out, process without people feels cold.

What are the seven qualities of a good leader? Integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, empathy, gratitude, and resilience. None of these are talents you're born with. They're built, usually the hard way.

What are the 8 pillars of leadership? Vision, communication, integrity, accountability, empowerment, adaptability, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Most leaders are strong in two or three and weak in the rest — training is about finding out which ones need work.

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Accountability Partners

Career Planning Concept. Businessman Getting Help Building Bridges To Success.

During my time in the military, we had something called the buddy system, where two individuals always knew each other’s whereabouts, both mentally and physically.

Today, as adults, we sometimes need a buddy system not just for our whereabouts, both mentally and physically, but also for someone to bounce an idea off that we’re thinking about in life.

In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in two Maxwell Leadership Accountability sessions that last, I believe, 90 days each.

Each one of those accountability sessions was where we met each week for an hour to discuss various things we were working on.

It was a commitment within the group to be accountable to each other.  Although we had three people within our group, it was probably the most meaningful weekly conversation I’ve experienced.

We are all undisciplined in various areas of our lives, whether we know it or not.

As John Maxwell says, “Accountability makes us better.”

Sometimes we need to recognize there are gaps in our lives that need help closing.  What gap do you need closing today?

Accountability Makes You Better | Maxwell Leadership

There is also a word called self-accountability.

Meaning taking responsibility for our own actions.

We should all take notice that having the proper mindset is so important.

I can vividly remember my Saturday morning 5- to 10-mile runs with two or three running buddies years ago. Especially during my time in the military when I was stationed in Hawaii and Fort Bragg.

Back in those days, you were required to run four miles within 32 minutes.

It paid off for me when I went to Airborne and Air Assault school during my time in Hawaii from1985-1989.

I didn’t hurt knowing I was already in great shape from being a Drill Sergeant for three years prior, 1982-1985.

I knew if I didn’t show up, they wouldn’t call me out because back then no one carried phones to go running.

That’s why our words must matter along with the proper mindset.

How we speak to ourselves is so important, which is tied to our purpose.

Having the proper mindset is so important.

If you haven’t read Carol S. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, I would highly recommend it.

Dweck’s Mindset Theory: How to Develop a Growth Mindset – Growth Engineering

For those who have accountability partners, continue to tap into each other for support.

For those who don’t have accountability partners, I pray that you pick some who will help hold you accountable.

Try it; you might like it.

This week, as you look at your busy schedule, think about those who are holding you accountable.

Sometimes procrastination can get the best of us, myself included.

Although my running days are over, I still hold myself accountable for my weight and appearance.

Today, I challenge you to think about who’s holding you accountable when no one else is. Think about the last time you were held accountable for your actions or just doing something you said you would do?

We are all aware that life sometimes gets in the way, and sometimes we need to be like the Nike slogan and “Just do it!”

“Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change.”~ Jim Rohn

“The moment you take responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you can change anything in your life.” ~ Hal Elrod

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/accountability-partners/

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Stop Complaining

Have you ever noticed that in life we meet people who complain about anything and everything?

When was the last time you complained about something that was either trivial or not?

What I would challenge you to do is sit in the lobby of any hospital and watch the people entering or exiting the facility the next time you feel like complaining.

How do we look at life?

This is not a rhetorical question; it’s a question for you to decide where you are going and whether you are accepting your lot in life.

Having said that, my heart is heavy once again as I receive notifications about the deaths of two people whom I knew who recently passed away.

These are people that I knew personally and witnessed them adding value to others.

How we make the most of our time here on this earth is up to us.

This goes for gossip as well.

I’m reminded of James 3:5 and the “Taming of the Tongue,” where I learned years ago to let things go.

When I received the meaning behind James 3:5, I was told to ask three questions:

Is it true, is it kind, is it necessary?

In response to the three questions, should the person continue speaking only if they can say “yes” to all three?

James 3:5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

Persons/Places/Events

James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus. He was a leader in the early Jerusalem church and wrote to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations.

The Tongue
A metaphorical reference to human speech and the power of words. In this context, it represents the potential for both good and harm.

The Body
Represents the whole person, emphasizing how a small part (the tongue) can influence the entire being.

The Spark
A metaphor for a small action or word that can lead to significant consequences, much like a tiny flame can ignite a large fire.

The Forest
Symbolizes the broader community or world, illustrating how words can have far-reaching effects.

This past week, Toastmasters International announced an increase in membership dues from $60 to $72 for the six-month dues renewal fee effective August 3, 2026.

Just years ago, when it went from $30 to $45 to $60, now, on August 3, 2026, to $72, I’m sure there will be members unwilling to pay the dues increase.

For some, it will be “The Spark” that ignites a large fire among other members.

I witnessed it coming based on what happened when Membership dues increased on August 1, 2023 (from $45 to $60 semiannually).

Of course, the August 2023 change was the last time the core membership dues were adjusted, with the 2025 new member fee increase being the most recent fee-related update. New member fee increase: October 1, 2025 (from $20 to $25).

I’m telling you this as only an example of the spark that can ignite a larger flame. You can’t even imagine the people who complained three years ago and how they voiced their feelings of dissatisfaction.

Everyone has something to complain about; however, is it worth it?

We have choices in life: accept our lot or change it.

I won’t get into what the Bible says; however, we should accept and rejoice in what we have been given.

Hence, as an advocate for developing greater emotional intelligence, choosing to change requires self-awareness, courage, and deliberate action.

It also requires discernment. That’s what I learned from reading the Bible.

Every day is a choice, and complaining about it is not the answer.

Therefore, on this day, if you’re complaining about something, is it worth the emotional stress, or can you just let it go?

Besides, we’ve all heard the phrase Why complain? It does go anyway.

How we downplay it is totally up to us.

Therefore, we should just be grateful and rejoice in what we have been given.

I’ll give you two quotes to think about this week:

“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm

“Never tell your problems and complaints to anyone; twenty percent don’t care, and the other eighty percent are glad you have them.” – Lou Holtz

Today, I challenge you to ask the question the next time you feel like complaining: Is it worth it? Give yourself 24 hours to think about it. If not, think about taking a trip to your local hospital and sitting in the hospital lobby that I mentioned earlier.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/stop-complaining/

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The Scars We Hide and Those We Don’t

Allow me to ask you a question:  Have you ever heard the words “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger”?

This famous saying comes from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote in his 1888 book Twilight of the Idols.

What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You Stronger Meaning: What Does It Mean? – English Study Online

Although I’ve spent many years in Germany, I was unaware.

As a product of the Civil Rights Movement and a Baby Boomer, I grew up with parents who didn’t believe in sparing the rod.

There are various versions of Proverbs 13:24, tied to sparing the rod depending on how you feel; I’m sure one of them suits you best.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Today, we know that what happens to children who misbehave or do not listen to their parents is different from what it was in the past.

I don’t consider myself someone who misbehaved, but someone who obviously didn’t understand what I was told to do.

Sometimes I took those whippings for the team.

I recently burned myself about a month ago, taking something out of the oven. The burn was not visible on the front of my arm, but on the back of my forearm, which was hidden from those approaching me from the front.

Although I didn’t see the scar until two days later, I felt it for days after the event.

As I think about the scars we hide, I’m always concerned about the scars we don’t see.

Just like my burn that showed up after the fact. I didn’t see it right off; it took it forming properly for me to see it.

Every day, when I walk into places like Walmart or other places where I must navigate past people, I look at their faces.

Each person has a different façade they bring to the marketplace.

Granted, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth and have lived all over the world after my high school graduation.

It was in those lessons of understanding responsibility, where my parents, who didn’t believe in sparing the rod if one of my siblings got hurt or I didn’t obey, helped make me stronger.

There is a time and a place for everything, and luckily, I had great mentors in the military who shared their wisdom.

But what about our youth today- who’s giving them the guidance and wisdom required to be more disciplined in life?

Many years ago, I was required to study Sigmund Freud as part of my Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to understand the Id, Ego, and Superego.

Maybe that is why the scars we hide and those we don’t are what my unconscious mind is thinking about today.

Freud’s Theory of the Unconscious Mind: The Iceberg Analogy

We don’t know what the surface is until we trigger something, and then it’s up to us to react either in the Id, ego, or superego.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my patience as I write in my journal when I need to exercise better self-control.

Although I know the scars that I had to go through to get to a point in my life, many don’t see the scars because there’s an analogy of not keeping good records of bad things that resonates within me.

Don’t Keep Records of Bad Things – Mckinleys

This week is my reminder that “The Scars We Hide and Those We Don’t” are real, and it’s a matter of letting go of things that can rob you of your joy.

Frank Sinatra has said, “Don’t hide your scars. They make you who you are.”

All those people whom I see with frowns on their faces that I mentioned in places such as Walmart or other places where I must navigate past people, this is why I look at their faces.

“Live your life in such a way that you’ll be remembered for your kindness, compassion, fairness, character, benevolence, and a force for good who had much respect for life, in general.”  ― Germany Kent

“No matter how dysfunctional your background, how broke or broken you are, where you are today, or what anyone else says, YOU MATTER, and your life matters!”  ― Germany Kent

Today, I challenge you to put a smile on your face, because someone else is in a worse shape than you.

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What Makes Our Leadership Development Coaching Different from the Rest?

I spent 30 years in active-duty service, leading soldiers through some of the most demanding environments imaginable. When I retired, I carried a second title into civilian life as a GS-13 in federal service, closing out that chapter on January 31, 2019, after 14 more years of leading people toward mission success. Folks around here know me as McKinley, but most call me Charlie Mike — CM for short, a term that in military circles means "continue mission." That's exactly what I've done since hanging up the uniform: continued the mission of building better leaders, one person and one organization at a time.

Real Experience, Not Just Theory

There's no shortage of coaching programs out there promising to transform your team overnight. What sets my approach apart is simple — I've actually lived it. For three decades, I was responsible for the readiness, morale, and performance of people whose decisions had real consequences. I didn't learn leadership from a textbook; I learned it in the field, under pressure, and through 44 combined years of watching what works and what doesn't. When you work with a Leadership Development Coach who has genuinely led at every level, from junior soldiers to senior leadership, you get insight that's grounded in experience rather than theory alone.

A Program Built Around the Whole Leader

My coaching isn't a one-size-fits-all seminar. I structure development around the real skills leaders need to succeed: emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, performance measurement, team building, communication, resiliency, and crisis leadership. Each module is designed to meet leaders exactly where they are, whether they're a first-time supervisor or an executive steering a large organization. As a certified Maxwell Leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, I blend proven leadership frameworks with the discipline and adaptability I developed through military and civil service. That combination is rare, and it's what allows me to speak to both the technical side of leadership and the human side — because leadership, at its core, is about people.

Coaching That's Personal, Not Generic

Too many leadership programs treat every client the same way. I don't. Every organization has its own culture, its own challenges, and its own definition of success. My coaching sessions, workshops, and mastermind groups are built around your specific goals, whether that's improving conflict resolution among your team, sharpening decision-making under pressure, or developing the next generation of leaders inside your company. I take the time to understand where you are and where you want to go, then I build a plan to get you there — not a generic slideshow, but a genuine partnership focused on measurable growth.

Accountability Rooted in Discipline

If there's one thing three decades of service taught me, it's accountability. I don't just deliver a workshop and walk away. I check in, I follow up, and I hold the people I coach to the standards they set for themselves. That's what a serious Leadership Development Coach should do — stay engaged in your progress long after the initial session ends. Growth doesn't happen in a single meeting; it happens through consistent reinforcement, honest feedback, and a coach who is invested in your long-term success, not just a one-time transaction.

Leadership That Rises Above the Noise

My philosophy is straightforward: rise above your limits. Whether I'm coaching an individual working through a career transition, training a corporate team on communication and productivity, or speaking to a room full of professionals about resilience, the goal is always the same — equip people with the tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose. That's not a marketing slogan for me. It's the same standard I held myself to in uniform and in federal service, and it's the standard I bring to every client relationship today.

If your organization is ready to move beyond generic training and invest in leadership development that's built on real experience, genuine accountability, and a track record of results, let's talk. Reach out today at (706) 627-4863 to schedule a consultation, and let's start building the kind of leaders your team can count on — because the mission continues, and I'm ready to help you lead it forward.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What does a leadership development coach do?

A leadership development coach works one-on-one (or with teams) to help leaders build specific capabilities — self-awareness, decision-making, communication, and the ability to navigate change — through structured, on-going sessions rather than a single presentation.

2. What are the 5 C's of leadership development?

There's no single universally agreed-upon version of the "5 C's," but the most commonly cited framework centers on Character, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Compassion.

3. What is the 70-20-10 rule for leadership development?

The 70-20-10 rule is a learning framework developed by researchers at the Center for Creative Leadership, based on decades of studying how executives actually learn to lead. The model calls for 70% of development to come from on-the-job learning, 20% from coaching and mentoring, and 10% from formal classroom training.

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Faith

Today, I’m reflecting on the word’s faith the size of a mustard seed.

What is it that we believe?

It’s not so much about the various faiths we belong to. it’s about the things we put our faith in every day.

Recently, my doorbell rang, and to my surprise, there were about four other couples, all elderly black women and men, walking the neighborhood.

The opening question I was asked is “How am I dealing with the current situation in the world, with all that continues to divide us?”

It was an open question that I felt the need to ask them to come inside for a minute and offer them some water.

Little did I know my faith and knowledge were tested by what they both presented to me under Mosaic law and what I believed after going through the book of Galatians and the new covenant.

As a person of faith and somewhat familiar with the Bible, we talked about the new covenant under Jesus rather than Moses.

Although it was truly a learning experience for all, they wanted to come back and visit, which I said yes to if I were home again when they rang my doorbell.

This got me thinking about how faith can plant a seed in a ministry as they walked the neighborhood expressing their faith to others.

Today, each of us puts our faith in many different things.

We want our children to see our faith in us as we practice living a life filled with grace and mercy.

I’m aware we should all be a living letter as stated in the Bible.

“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered[a] by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

2 Corinthians 3-4 CSB – Living Letters – Are we beginning to – Bible Gateway

In life, we sometimes take things for granted and accept them as they are.

One of my responses to the Jehovah’s Witnesses team was that it’s the same God today as it was yesterday.

I was pleased to see that faith works in mysterious ways, as President Trump’s bill (the Save America Act) didn’t pass, with four Republicans voting against it.

This is not the first time we have had senators from President Donald Trump’s party join Democrats.

If you recall, it was his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which narrowly passed the upper chamber with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance.

We saw this with four Republicans joining Democrats in the House vote to rein in Trump’s Iran war powers.

I often wonder what families are saying to their children, or what others are thinking out loud, when going against the norm, as we witnessed this past week.

I’m also thinking about what happened this past weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn Montgomery – East Chase in Montgomery, AL, which I couldn’t attend, based on other commitments, was our 53rd Biennial Gulf Coast District Junior Conference, sponsored by the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary.

I’m reminded of the phrase as we help our children grow in faith.  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Many of the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters, when they reach the age of 18, officially join the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Proverbs 22:6 – Bible Gateway

I must believe that people will do the right thing for the right reason.

I read a quote from Max Lucado that says, “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.  It is the belief that God will do what is right.”

That is faith within itself.

I’m sure also that many who watched the price of gas go down this week had faith it wouldn’t go any higher.

This past Friday, I also received an email from one of my Catholic Brother Knights in Georgia, stating that one of our Brother Knights was receiving his last rites from the Priest.

Four hours later, I received another call saying that he had passed away.

It’s that faith I wonder about as well when we know death is imminent.

Each of us has taken the faith when we seek employment for the right job, and the faith that we will find another job when the employer decides to let us go.

I’ll wrap this up by saying that I never relented my faith when the family hadn’t heard from my older sister, and the relief it was when she appeared two years later.

Yes, we must have faith in the size of a mustard seed in times like these.

I’m a firm believer that everything is temporary.

Finally, just like the farmer who continues to plant his corn and cotton fields around me each year, he has faith that his crops will grow.

The farmer can’t see the seed working and must have faith in the process.

When I planted my yearly Mexican Roses a month ago, I could not see the roots taking hold until two weeks later, with little green sprouts popping through the soil.

Last year, one Rose appeared; this year, there is a 100% difference this year, with everything popping through the soil.

It is faith that it’s the same God yesterday as it is tomorrow.

Faith is believing in what you cannot see and trusting in what you hope for.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

Today, take a moment and reflect on your faith. What’s your faith story running in the background of your mind that you tell yourself today, that you are leaving to all mighty?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/faith/

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We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude

This week, I had an epiphany about all the things I or we take for granted.

As I was standing in line at Walmart, something was unusually different.

It just so happened that all traffic for those waiting for check-out was limited, with only two check-out lanes open.

As I walked past the first group, there were at least 10 people in each line.

Finally, after about ten minutes, management decided to open the three closed kiosks and check-out lanes.

What a blessing that was.

The line disappeared within seconds, even though at least 12 kiosks were open for transactions.

Sometimes, when we’re in a hurry and think it’s going to be a quick turnaround, it isn’t.

In that moment, I thought about how automated we have become.

Even as we prepare for our Zoom meeting, we take for granted that our computers will be okay in the middle of a storm, until the power goes out.

We can’t predict the weather or what happens in grocery stores; however, we can be more cognizant about our surroundings.

I’m always amazed at how, some days, I can wake up without an ache or pain, and then the next day, something changes and reminds me that life is full of curveballs.

Speaking of curveballs, I was thrown one last Wednesday when the recycling people skipped my house.  I heard the truck at about 4 PM and noticed it was going around me.

Around 6 PM, I saw the truck return again; this time, it was across the street, and I thought it was going to turn at the corner and head to the other side.

Sometime around 9 PM, after checking to see if it was emptied to bring it in, it was still full.

It was at that moment that I said I couldn’t take the small things for granted when the recycling people skipped my house.

I know that last Monday, I couldn’t take things for granted, even though I’d bought a ticket weeks ago to attend the Moth in Birmingham.  Unfortunately, the weather warnings were telling me to stay home, which I did.

It just so happened that the city was under a Tornado watch, and I didn’t want to take things for granted.  It stormed up until 8 PM

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition where anyone can share a true, personal 5-minute story on the night’s theme.

The Moth in Birmingham: REVENGE

I’ve learned to count my blessings and be grateful at the same time.

This past week, I’ve taken in many lessons about taking things for granted, while having a few curveballs being thrown along the way.

What about you?

I’ve learned over the years, and not just this week, that our health is something I took for granted when I was young, thinking I was 30 and bulletproof.

It’s not until we get thrown that curveball that we’re reminded we are not the same person and are now older.

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on those many lessons about taking things for granted, while having a few curveballs being thrown your way.

When you take things for granted, you diminish their importance and may even jeopardize their very existence. – Frank Sonnenberg

Happiness is a simple game of lost and found: Lose the things you take for granted, and you will feel great happiness once they are found. – Richelle E. Goodrich

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/we-often-take-for-granted-the-very-things-that-most-deserve-our-gratitude/

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