Intrinsic First

Intrinsic Leadership is a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Aaron Robbins, Jimmy Karam, and Dr. Drea Zigarmi, delving into the multifaceted world of leadership. Join this dynamic trio as they explore the essence of leadership, dissect the Leadership in Context model, and navigate through essential topics like self-discovery, leading in diverse contexts, and mastering crucial leadership skills such as active listening, conflict resolution, and goal setting. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to become one, this podcast offers valuable insights to help you unlock your intrinsic leadership potential.

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Intrinsic First

Intrinsic First Leadership Podcast - Matt Beekman

October 28, 2025 • Intrinsic First • Season 3 • Episode 19

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Beekman, Executive Director of Alpha Omega Group (AOG) and current President of the AFCEA San Diego Chapter (Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association). Matt draws on his rich leadership experience in the nonprofit / association world to share how many of the core dynamics of leadership and motivation are the same across sectors — whether you’re leading a mission-driven chapter or a business operation — while also exploring how nonprofit leadership brings its own flavor of influence, stakeholder engagement, and community service.

We dive into:
-How mission, volunteer engagement, and service orientation shape leadership in the AFCEA setting
-Similarities and differences between leading in the nonprofit/association world and more traditional organizational leadership contexts
-What motivates people in volunteer or “service-oriented” roles, and how that overlaps with motivation in paid staff or business contexts
-Practical leadership lessons from Matt’s role as President of AFCEA San Diego — how he builds influence, cultivates engagement, and drives action in a membership-based organization

Key takeaways for any leader who wants to improve their influence, motivation skills, and leadership culture — whether in nonprofit, corporate, or hybrid settings

If you’re looking for insights on how to lead with purpose, influence people, and create meaningful engagement, this conversation offers a fresh lens from the association world.

Stay Connected & Upcoming Events:
Visit the AFCEA San Diego Chapter website to learn more about membership, upcoming events, and how to get involved: https://sandiego.afceachapters.org/

One upcoming event you might want to check out: the 2025 C4ISR Symposium hosted by AFCEA San Diego, scheduled for November 4–5, 2025 at Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station. They also have a Golf Tournament event on Monday, November 3, 2025 at Admiral Baker Golf Course.

#Leadership #MotivationScience #NonprofitLeadership #Influence #PurposeDrivenLeadership #VolunteerMotivation #AFCEA #AFCEASanDiego #DefenseCommunity #STEMLeadership #InspireLeaders #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #MilitaryTechnology #intrinsicmotivation

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