Ep 405: The Psychology Behind the Goals You Never Achieve

Most people think they’re failing at their goals because of discipline, strategy, or time. That’s rarely the truth.

In this episode, Michael LeJeune breaks down the real reason high performers still miss their biggest goals: they haven’t assigned enough value to them. Drawing from personal experience, psychology, and real-world examples, Michael explains why vague goals don’t demand action, how comfort quietly sabotages progress, and why every meaningful goal requires sacrifice.

You’ll learn how to get painfully specific about what you want, identify what you’re protecting instead of pursuing, create daily non-negotiables, and design your environment so the right behaviors become automatic.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain goals stay stuck on your list year after year, this episode will help you finally understand why, and what to do about it.

Featured Guest: Michael LeJeune Company: Partner, RSM Federal
Email: mlejeune@rsmfederal.com Phone: (636)-577-5005
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EP 404: The Hidden Rules of SLED Proposals and How to Win Anyway

Many federal contractors are looking to diversify into state and local markets, but most approach SLED proposals the wrong way. They approach it just like Federal proposal and that’s a recipe for disaster.

In this episode, Michael LeJeune sits down with proposal expert Michele Atkinson to break down the real differences between federal and state/local contracting. From vague scoring criteria and numeric scorecards to the outsized role of presentations, relationships, and local presence, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how SLED awards actually happen.

You’ll learn why compliance looks different, how evaluators really score proposals, why being “technically correct” isn’t enough, and how local politics and community impact can quietly tip the scales.

If you’ve been treating SLED like federal contracting and wondering why you’re not winning, this episode will change how you think about proposals entirely.
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Featured Guest: Michele Atkinson Company: Founding Partner, Cavalry Consulting
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Ep 403: The Invisible Cage: Why Most Government Contractors Never Break Through

Most government contractors aren’t limited by the market, certifications, or competition. They’re limited by an invisible cage they’ve built around their business.

In this episode, inspired by a powerful moment from The Equalizer, Michael breaks down the mindset shift that separates reactive contractors from strategic builders. You’ll learn the four “worlds” most contractors operate in, why chasing bids is not a business model, and how scarcity thinking quietly forces you into bad work and thin margins.

If you’ve ever said “that won’t work in government contracting,” this episode will challenge you to rethink what’s possible and show you how to intentionally design your pipeline, positioning, and growth strategy.

If nothing changes, nothing changes. It’s time to change your world.

Featured Guest: Michael LeJeune Company: Partner, RSM Federal
Email: mlejeune@rsmfederal.com Phone: (636)-577-5005
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EP 402: Rebranding for Growth: How to Attract Commercial Clients Without Destroying Your GovCon Brand

If you think rebranding means “new logo, new website, done”… this episode will convince you otherwise. Michael sits down with Erica Dobbs, CEO of Dobson Solutions, to break down why a company with a strong reputation chose to rebrand and why timing matters when your business matures. Erica shares how her team shifted from speaking pure DoD language to building a more universal message that attracts commercial clients, without demolishing what they already built. They cover the research process, how long a real rebrand takes, why internal ownership beats outsourcing sometimes, and the three-part narrative they built to anchor the new brand: Think Partnership, Think Performance, Think Power.
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Featured Guest: Erica Dobbs Company: President/CEO, Dobbs Defense
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Ep 401: Tell Me the Rules and I Will Find a Way to Win

In this episode, Michael calls out a growing problem in the government contracting space, too many people are whining about FAR changes, small business rules, and politics, and not enough people are focused on winning. He breaks down why winners do not obsess over whether the rules are fair, they simply ask, “What is the new play, coach” and adapt. You will hear why your only real job is to understand the rules, build a sound strategy, and execute while everyone else is distracted and complaining online. Michael also explains how fear of the unknown, attachment to the old way, and believing that change is a disadvantage are quietly killing otherwise good companies. If you want to win more contracts in any administration, this episode is your wake up call.

Featured Guest: Michael LeJeune Company: Partner, RSM Federal
Email: mlejeune@rsmfederal.com Phone: (636)-577-5005
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