98. How to take over a team and turn it into a high-performing system - with Carl Sharperson Jr.

What’s the smartest way to take over a team without falling into the usual traps? In this episode, I’m joined by Carl Sharperson Jr. — a former Marine Corps pilot, corporate VP and leadership coach who’s worked with brands like Chick-fil-A, BMW and Lockheed Martin. Carl shares the exact process he uses to walk into a new team and turn it into a high-performing system (not just a team).

We get into how authenticity and resilience aren’t just personal values — they’re strategic leadership tools. Carl breaks down his "join-up" approach for building trust, getting buy-in and turning adversity into fuel. No theory here. Just straight-up, battle-tested tactics from someone who’s lived it in the military, the boardroom and life-or-death moments. If you’re a leader stepping into a new role — or rebuilding a struggling team — this one’s essential.

How to take over a team and turn it into a high-performing system

Build trust with a “join-up” conversation — start with your own story
Ask what the org can do better, from their perspective
Set expectations and invite the truth, even if it’s uncomfortable
Ask: “How can I help you?” Solve one problem, earn long-term loyalty
Co-create the vision, strategy and plan — don’t dictate
Focus on the system: people, processes, relationships and metrics
Teach resilience: if you quit once, it gets easier to quit again

Timeline summary

[04:52] - The P&G plant that outperformed by building trust and diversity
[11:07] - Carl’s join-up method: the conversation every new leader should have
[13:20] - “Help them with one problem, and you’ve got a friend for life”
[16:13] - Turning trust into results with clear, co-created goals
[20:01] - Why high performance means building systems, not just teams
[24:46] - Resilience in action: what football, cancer and leadership have in common
[31:33] - Why you should go with their solution, even if yours is better
[36:08] - The real leadership challenge execs confess too late: balance
[40:08] - Carl’s message to the world: “Love covers a multitude of sins”

Links & resources

👉 www.carlsharpersonjr.com
📘 Sharp Leadership: Overcome Adversity to Lead with Authenticity — available on Amazon

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