At IPCO, strong leadership isn’t just something we idealize; it’s something we talk about, invest in, and expect from everyone on our team. It’s not reserved for people with a certain title. Whether you’re new to the field or managing a project, we make sure you have the knowledge and support to take ownership, communicate clearly, and help the people around you succeed.
Anthony Chille, one of our Assistant Project Managers, came with us to the Muster Leadership Conference hosted by Echelon Front. The conference, which is led by retired Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, is designed to teach the principles of Extreme Ownership and apply them to leadership in business and life. IPCO sends team members to events like this because we believe that leadership is something everyone at every level can learn and grow into.
“I thought I knew what I was doing…until I didn’t”
Anthony walked into the conference with an open mind and no real expectations. He walked out with a different lens, not just on leadership, but on himself.
“I didn’t even realize I had an ego until one of the sessions helped me realize it,” Anthony said. One speaker that stood out to him, Danny Zien, spoke about keeping ego in check, something that resonated with Anthony. “It made me step back and reevaluate myself. I realized that part of leadership is owning your faults and not just your strengths. It’s a long campaign, not a quick fix.”
That mindset shift, from “I have it under control” to “how can I lead others better?” is the kind of growth we foster at IPCO.
Sharing Leadership, Not Just Responsibility
One major takeaway Anthony brought back to IPCO is the concept of decentralized command—the idea that everyone should be equipped and empowered to lead.
“It’s not about one person doing everything. It’s about giving others the opportunity to grow,” he said. That’s a tough shift for anyone taught to finish tasks themselves to keep things moving. However, at IPCO, leadership is about building trust, coaching others, and creating a team where every person knows the mission and has the tools to act on it.
Sometimes, that kind of leadership looks like stepping back, taking a breath, and de-escalating a tense situation instead of charging ahead. “The biggest tool I walked away with is that pause,” Anthony shared. “Sometimes you just need to call someone, talk it out, and remember to stay humble.”
A Culture That Walks the Walk
Conferences are great (and we highly recommend Muster Leadership!), but they’re only as valuable as what happens afterward. For Anthony, it was clear that the principles he heard at the Muster weren’t new ideas at IPCO—they’re already baked into the culture.
“I didn’t fully understand what Brian meant when he talked about leadership until I went to the conference,” Anthony said. “Now it all clicks. He’s built a company that gives people a chance to lead.”
At IPCO, that trust shows up in many ways: apprentices who get real responsibilities early on, project managers who back each other up, and leaders who coach, not just correct.
Leadership here doesn’t come from a title. It comes from being the kind of person others want to follow.
As IPCO continues to grow, we’re not just building infrastructures, we’re building people. That means creating pathways for development, encouraging ownership at every level, and sending team members, like Anthony, to experience that stretch and sharpen them. It also means keeping our eyes open for the next generation of leaders. Our internship and apprenticeship programs are a big part of that. We’re not looking for perfect resumes; we’re looking for people willing to learn, grow, and take responsibility. At IPCO, leadership is a practice, and we’re proud to be a place where people can learn how to do it well. Want to join a company that invests in your growth? Check out our open positions and upcoming apprenticeship opportunities. We’d love to meet you.
