Episode 209: The Fleet Success Mindset: Building Stronger Teams, Systems, and Results

"Fleet success isn’t found. It’s built—one push at a time on the flywheel."

Episode Summary

In this keynote episode from Connect 2025, RTA CEO Josh Turley delivers a deeply personal and passionate look at what separates great organizations from those that plateau or fail. Drawing inspiration from Jim Collins’ research in Good to Great, Built to Last, and Great by Choice, Josh explores how the most successful fleets aren't lucky—they're built intentionally.

Josh walks through how to apply Collins’ principles directly to fleet leadership. From choosing the right people (“first who, then what”) to defining purpose, values, and mission, to executing relentlessly through the flywheel effect—this episode offers a practical roadmap for fleets that want to stop treading water and start making the leap.

Whether you're in government or enterprise fleet management, this episode challenges you to confront brutal facts, communicate with clarity, and build a culture of disciplined excellence.

Key Takeaways

• Fleet success starts with disciplined people, followed by disciplined thought, then disciplined action
• “First who, then what” is a foundational principle—build the right team before setting direction
• The Stockdale Paradox teaches leaders to hold hope while confronting brutal facts
• Clarity around purpose, values, and mission is essential
• The flywheel effect builds momentum through consistent execution—not chaos
• Overcommunicate what matters most. Leaders are Chief Reminding Officers.

Speaker Bios

Josh Turley is the CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. A passionate advocate for leadership, culture, and operational excellence, Josh has led RTA through its transformation into a purpose-driven fleet software and consulting company. He’s known for blending fleet expertise with leadership philosophy to help fleets across the country make the leap from good to great.

PODCAST HOT TAKES:

Great Fleets Aren’t Found. They’re Built One Push at a Time

Fleet Success Starts with the Right People, Not the Perfect Plan

The Fleet Leader’s Paradox: Hope + Brutal Honesty

Unclear Is Unkind: The Fleet Leadership Rule You Can’t Ignore