974: Navigating CHAOS with clarity, resilience, and evidence-based decisions w/ Brian Baxter

Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

How can you navigate chaos with clarity and resilience? Join us as we explore this compelling question with Brian Baxter, founder and president of Performance Critical Inc., and a 30-year veteran of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Brian's journey is nothing short of extraordinary, ranging from roles such as patrol trooper and SWAT team member to undercover narcotics agent and senior executive. His service doesn't stop there—Brian also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is actively involved in Gentlemen Inc, a nonprofit fighting sexual exploitation. This episode is a treasure trove of insights on evidence-based decision-making in leadership and personal growth.
Brian brings a wealth of knowledge on mastering stress and decision-making under pressure. He shares how mentally rehearsing scenarios can transform our responses to challenges, similar to assessing traffic at a green light. We'll discuss cognitive biases, selective attention, and how our goals can skew our perceptions. Brian's strategy of using the acronym WIN (What's Important Now) offers a practical tool for maintaining focus on macro goals while managing details. This episode provides actionable advice on how to train our brains to interpret stress as a challenge rather than a threat, ultimately enhancing our performance.
Building rapport and public trust is crucial in both business and law enforcement, and Brian's experiences offer valuable lessons in this area. We'll explore techniques for establishing personal connections and the core values that drive Performance Critical—integrity, objectivity, public service, and extreme transparency. Brian's empathetic approach to conflict resolution, shaped by his past encounters, offers a unique perspective on cultivating trust in high-stakes environments. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs seeking to ground their passion with practical, evidence-based wisdom.
ABOUT BRIAN

Brian Baxter is the Founder and President of Performance-Critical, Inc. a company whose vision is stronger relationships, enhanced universal safety, and reinforced public trust. A retired, 30-year veteran of the Texas Dept. of Public Safety where he served as a patrol trooper, a SWAT team member, an undercover narcotics agent, an organized crime investigator, and a people leader from first-line supervisor to senior executive. Brian has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Applied Psychology and is a combat infantry veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brian also volunteers with a 501(c)3 non-profit organization called, Gentlemen, Inc. whose mission is to eliminate the DEMAND for sexual exploitation by identifying and changing the behaviors that create it.

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Visit Performance Critical’s Website
• Find Gentlemen, Inc on LinkedIn
• Follow Performance Critical on Facebook
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn

Chapter

1. Navigating Chaos (00:00:00)

2. Mastering Stress and Decision Making (00:08:08)

3. Navigating Cognitive Biases and Objectivity (00:12:56)

4. Cultivating Awareness and Objectivity in Perception (00:16:34)

5. Building Rapport in Business Operations (00:23:36)

6. Building Public Trust and Awareness (00:26:45)

7. Appreciation for Entrepreneurial Guests (00:39:01)