In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune sits down with Starla Halcomb of Lead Training to share her incredible journey in GovCon. Starla opens up about launching her business with a single contract, losing it all during the pandemic, and learning how to rebuild from scratch. She discusses the mental challenges, the lessons of bad advice, the importance of learning how to run a real business, and how critical it is to develop boundaries and focus on long-term strategy. This episode is packed with wisdom, hard truths, and encouragement for anyone navigating the ups and downs of government contracting. If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this is the episode you need to hear.
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Featured Guest:	Starla Halcomb	Company:	CEO, LEAD Training

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune shares one of the most overlooked growth strategies for business owners: setting boundaries. If your calendar is packed, your focus is scattered, and burnout is looming, this episode is your wake-up call. Michael breaks down how high-performing leaders use boundaries to protect their time, reduce decision fatigue, and prioritize deep work that drives revenue. You’ll learn how to say no unapologetically, manage communication expectations, leverage your calendar as a productivity engine, and recharge without guilt. Whether you’re scaling your GovCon business or just trying to get control of your day, this episode delivers practical, real-world strategies to help you protect your time and grow with purpose.

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

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune talks with Melissa P about what it really takes to lead successful proposal teams. Drawing from her years of experience and leadership at Strategic Growth Partners, Melissa breaks down the power of human-centered leadership, the shift away from command-and-control management, and how to align diverse personalities to meet tight deadlines without the chaos. She shares actionable tips for solo proposal professionals and team leads alike—from setting expectations early to using AI tools wisely. Whether you’re building your first proposal shop or managing complex multi-partner bids, this episode gives you the leadership tools and process insights needed to win more contracts—without burning out your team.
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Featured Guest:	Melissa Palmer	Company:	VP of Proposals, Strategic Growth Partners

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune dives into a powerful guide for interviewing business development (BD) reps in the GovCon space. Michael shares how to spot red flags, detect lies, and ask strategic questions that reveal whether a candidate can execute—not just interview well. You’ll learn how to test coachability, uncover true experience, evaluate how they handle rejection, and assess their ability to research and strategize. This episode is packed with tactical advice that will help you hire smarter, avoid costly mistakes, and find the right BD talent to drive contract wins. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or making your first BD hire, this is a must-listen.

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

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune welcomes Tony Gray to unpack the major differences between traditional waterfall and agile proposal development. Tony shares how agile proposals—led by skilled writers with deep customer and technical insight—deliver faster, more cohesive, and higher-quality responses. You’ll learn how agile methods cut development time by 30%, reduce burnout, improve SME collaboration, and integrate seamlessly with AI tools. Tony also explains how to overcome resistance to change and how agile helps leaders better allocate B&P resources using gap-based tracking. Whether you’re a small business owner, BD pro, or proposal manager, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you scale smarter and win more contracts.
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Featured Guest:	Tony Gray	Company:	Volunteer, GBDA

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