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Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people. - Isaiah 57:14
This is more than my work; it's my mission.
Self-Leadership Trainer | Certified in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Wellbeing | Certified Situational Leadership II Facilitator | DiSC & Agile EQ Practitioner | Author
Hi again, I'm John Bentley. Has anyone ever pointed out something in you that needed to change? It’s happened to me, and I think about it every time I see a can of Coke.
It was 1992—my tenth year in the Air Force. I was driven, focused on being the best, and determined to succeed no matter what. But deep down, I knew something was off. No matter how much I accomplished, I didn’t feel like a true leader. I thought if I just kept proving everyone wrong, their failures would somehow fuel my success.
Then came this pivotal moment with Russell White, one of the most respected leaders in the Air Force. He walked up to me that day, holding a can of Coke, shaking it vigorously. He handed it to me and said, “Open it.”
I laughed, a bit uneasy, and shook my head. “I’m not opening that,” I said. “Why not?” he asked. “Well, if I do, it’s going to explode everywhere! I’ll be covered in sticky Coke for the rest of the day.”
He nodded, took the can back, and gently put a hand on my shoulder. “John, this is you. When things don’t go your way, you get all shaken up. And when someone tries to help or ask questions, you blow up—and everyone around you ends up covered in the mess.”
That moment changed me. It was a simple but powerful metaphor, and it made me realize something. Until you learn to lead yourself, you'll never earn the right to lead others. Until you learn to lead yourself, your relationships will suffer. You’ll feel stuck and frustrated, constantly hitting walls that stop you from reaching your full potential.
Russell didn’t just leave me with that one lesson. He continued to mentor me, showing me the importance of self-awareness and helping me understand my own value—as well as the value of others. I learned to lead myself and, in doing so, became the leader I’d always wanted to be.
Today, when I speak to people, I remember how I responded to his kind but direct feedback. Constructive criticism is never easy to hear, but when we open ourselves up to it, we grow. And that’s the key to becoming the best version of yourself.
My workshops and coaching won’t have a shaken can of Coke waiting for you, but they will offer the honest, thoughtful feedback you might need. I hope you'll join me!
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A little more about my point of view.
I closed out my career in the military as a master instructor at the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, where I focused on developing the next generation of leaders. After retiring from the Air Force, I transitioned to serving as an Army Civilian, taking on roles such as Workforce Development Specialist, Human Resource Development Chief, Leadership Development Consultant, and Career Program Manager.
With the backdrop of 41 years of public service, I now lead Power 2 Transform Consulting, where I draw from over two decades of experience to create custom leadership programs for organizations. My work has helped businesses grow, such as Alabama Farm Credit, which saw a 40% growth—double the industry average—and a Regional Medical Center that saved $250,000 in their nursing home discharge process.
As an author, I’ve written You Are A GIFT and 52 Ways to Motivate Yourself and contributed to Speaking of Success alongside Ken Blanchard, Jack Canfield, and Stephen Covey. My faith testimony is featured in the 17 Biblical Principles of Success audio program.
My wife, Laura, and I have five adult children: Natalie, Krista, Jennifer, Kelly, and Mike—and four wonderful grandchildren: Alex, Cohen, Kaiden, and Myla. We live in Hartselle, AL with our two Yorkies: Bailey and Tucker.
When you hire our team, you fund a future for moms in crisis.
In 2010, my wife and I experienced every parent’s worst nightmare—our oldest daughter, Natalie, passed away just 15 days before her 29th birthday. Affectionately known as Tigee, she lost her battle with addiction to prescription drugs, leaving her young son without a mother. The grief and guilt I felt after losing her put me in a dark place for years, but I have learned to cherish every memory I have of her.
As a tribute to Tigee, I established the You Are A GIFT Foundation, where we partner with organizations to support mothers overcoming prescription drug addiction and help them live Christ-centered lives. 100% of the profits I earn at Power 2 Transform is donated to the You Are A GIFT Foundation.
