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

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Natalie Johnson is a co-founder of Vidl Work, where she oversees business development, strategy, and innovation. She also works directly with clients, providing consulting, training, and coaching services. Johnson is also an industry-recognized performance coach, a sought-after keynote speaker and a certified Dare to Lead Facilitator. She’s worked with Johnson & Johnson and Deloitte as well as with the United States Air Force and Department of Defense.

Together, we discuss how Natalie got into her field and the inside details of Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead training — and how companies and organizations could utilize it to help employees be more vulnerable, and have more courage, in work, and life. Listen, too, for how Johnson handled one of her toughest assignments — involving people recently diagnosed with cancer. Oh, and they talked about Johnson’s favorite treat: donuts.

3 Takeaways:

1. (16:42) Almost all audiences look like they are not satisfied
2. (18:30) Great leaders are able to show confident humility
3. (21:07) Your story creates your destiny

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode has been sponsored by Kerkering Barberio

(00:30) Introducing Natalie Johnson, Co-Founder of Vidl Work

(02:00) Natalie’s past

(06:25) Growing up in an entrepreneurial environment

(07:15) Identifying obstacles and creating a solution

(08:20) Dare to Lead and key takeaways

(11:00) Examples of success through Dare to Lead

(14:20) Natalie’s strategies for public speaking

(18:05) Great leadership characteristics

(19:45) Mentors

(23:55) One way to improve your lives

(26:05) Rapid fire questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Jason Lutzk is chef and owner of Grace Restaurant in Pass-a-Grille Beach. He’s professionally trained in classical French, Modern American, Mediterranean, South American and Italian cuisine and pastries. A Tampa Bay native, he’s also worked at 400 Beach in St. Petersburg, Ponte Modern American in Tampa with James Beard nominee Chris Ponte and was Sous Chef and Pastry Chef with James Beard nominee Chef Steven Oakley at Oakleys Bistro in Indianapolis.

Together, we talk about Jason’s career trajectory and one of his proudest moments: that he went back to school and earned degrees from the University of Tampa and Culinary Institute of America after some struggles early on. We also talk about dealing with the pressure to be creative as a chef, some of the biggest challenges in the restaurant business today and what cooking shows like Top Chef get right — and wrong.

3 Takeaways:

1. (04:10) Running a business is about being part of a team
2. (05:20) Communicating under pressure is key in a kitchen
3. (13:45) Cross utilize your resources

Timestamps:

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

(00:20) Introducing Chef Jason Lutzk and Grace Restaurant

(01:35) How Jason got into restaurants

(04:00) What have you learned about running businesses from others?

(05:10) What characteristics do you look for in leaders?

(06:00) What is the best part of being a leader?

(07:25) What is the most challenging part of being a leader?

(08:00) Best leadership advice you've received?

(09:20) Failures you learned from?

(10:45) Is Top Chef realistic?

(13:30) How do you address challenges of cost increases?

(15:15) Wages in restaurants

(17:40) What is your day to day?

(19:50) Rapid Fire Questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.