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.
—–

Featured Guest:	Melissa Palmer	Company:	VP of Proposals, Strategic Growth Partners

Continue reading→

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

Continue reading→

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.
—–

Featured Guest:	Tony Gray	Company:	Volunteer, GBDA

Continue reading→

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune shares the critical mindset shifts needed to succeed in government contracting. From filtering out distractions like political noise and LinkedIn negativity to focusing on what you can control—like building relationships, refining your pipeline, and improving your skills—this episode delivers a roadmap for mental resilience and business growth. Michael outlines daily, weekly, and monthly habits for success, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking, adaptability, and consistent action. Whether you’re new to GovCon or looking to level up, this episode will help you reframe your focus and build a strategy for winning more contracts.

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

Continue reading→

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune welcomes Kathleen Smith from ClearedJobs.Net to discuss the biggest recruiting challenges in the government contracting space. Kathleen shares insights from her new Cleared Recruiting Challenges newsletter and podcast, highlighting top hiring challenges such as SCIF stress, salary competitiveness, and candidate engagement. They also explore solutions, including improving employer branding, offering workplace flexibility, and building stronger candidate relationships. If you’re struggling to find and retain top talent in the cleared community, this episode provides practical strategies to help you stand out in a competitive hiring market.
—–

Featured Guest:	Kathleen Smith	Company:	ClearedJobs.net

Continue reading→