Leading through transformation takes clarity, urgency, and a deep respect for the people doing the work.

In this episode, John and Kyler talk with Britton Smith, former President of Blue Bird Corporation, about what it really means to guide a company through a high-stakes turnaround. Britton shares how lessons from the Navy and consulting shaped his approach to crisis leadership, and why showing up—literally on the factory floor—was key to earning trust and driving results.

You’ll hear how Britton balanced short-term cash flow with long-term strategy, what it took to scale electric buses, and why he believes real leadership happens when problems are faced head-on with honesty, consistency, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

Key Takeaways:

1. Lead with Focus in Crisis: When everything feels urgent, leaders must prioritize with discipline, block out the noise, and align the team around one clear objective.
2. Stay Grounded in the Work: Spending time on the front lines builds credibility, uncovers operational blind spots, and creates a shared sense of ownership and purpose.
3. Build Cultures of Candor: Teams thrive when they’re encouraged to speak openly, take accountability, and work together toward continuous improvement without fear.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Meet Britton Smith

(01:50) From submarines to Blue Bird: Britton’s unlikely path

(04:17) Why Britton calls himself a “recovering consultant”

(07:49) The one thing that matters most in a business crisis

(10:37) Scaling electric buses while staying cash-focused

(12:17) How a daily 30-minute meeting turned the company around

(16:13) What Britton learned spending a week on the factory line

(20:36) Building credibility by visiting customers and mechanics

(26:00) Simplifying SKUs to fix a broken supply chain

(30:43) Why seat belts and airbags are Blue Bird’s next safety leap

(35:21) Creating a culture of candor and shared responsibility