Paul Sohl is CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida. Paul oversees The Corridor Council’s portfolio of programs supporting research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship. Sohl joined The Corridor Council in June 2020, following more than three decades of service in the U.S. Navy. In his last command, Sohl led over 500 civilian and military personnel at the Navy’s Operational Test & Evaluation Force in Norfolk, Virginia,

Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Paul talked about how he handled leaving the U.S. Navy after 33 years and transitioned to a civilian career with the Florida High-Tech Corridor. They also talked about his mentors, overcoming a setback — think landing a plane at night on aircraft carrier — and a personal motto he learned about later in life: live for what people say about you in your eulogy, don’t live for what you can add to your resume.

3 Takeaways:

1. (14:40) “Merge into traffic gently”
2. (14:55) First seek to understand then to be understood
3. (26:05) Every day just be a little more curious about somebody else

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio

(00:30) Introducing Paul Sohl, CEO of Florida High Tech Corridor

(03:55) 33-years in the Navy

(06:20) Who are some leaders you admire?

(09:30) What do you enjoy about being a leader?

(11:45) What challenges have you faced as a leader?

(15:50) Leadership advice

(17:20) Challenges of being yourself as a leader

(18:50) Setbacks you have learned from

(22:42) Why was Beast a key mentor?

(25:30) What can people do to improve their life?

(27:00) Rapid fire questions

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