Growing Leaders, Growing Companies: Leadership Strategies for Business Growth

According to Patrick Lencioni's book, The Advantage, organizations need to be two things: smart and healthy. Smart organizations make good decisions across their businesses. Healthy organizations, in contrast, rise to the top in terms of their interactions, collaborations and conversations. To create forward momentum, a company needs to be both smart and healthy. How does yours stack up? Join us to investigate this distinction and uncover six questions that will help you get traction for healthy growth. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: https://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Do you know what makes you stand out against your competition? Do you have a clear picture of your ideal customer? And maybe most importantly, do you know both who you should and who you should NOT be doing business with? If you're unclear about any of these issues—or if you want to shore up the strategies you already have—the Entrepreneurial Operating System will bring you new clarity. With this simple, four-step system, you'll create a laser-sharp focus for your sales and marketing efforts. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: https://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Every now and then, a business decision gets put off. Maybe there are good reasons behind it - and maybe not. We found ourselves in this position when it came to hiring a virtual assistant to help with our business. In this episode, we'll talk through the reasons behind our delay. We'll also show you what we learned to help you become a more effective delegator with a team who gives you the support you need to flourish as a leader. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

In this episode, we'll tackle one of the most common questions we get about implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System: "Can we implement EOS ourselves?" The short answer is: Yes . . . BUT, you may not want to once you hear this podcast episode. Listen in to discover the four questions you need to ask yourself to determine whether you should self-implement EOS or hire a professional implementer. If you decide to hire an implementer, we'll also show you what to look for to find the right match for your company.  To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

There are business strategies that work for companies of every size. However, there are some that are easier to implement in small, entrepreneurial organizations—and others that come easier to larger businesses. In this episode, we'll investigate six strategies and discuss who's got the edge when it comes to each: small businesses or big businesses. You'll discover: How to leverage your strengths, no matter what size business you run. What you can learn from companies who are implementing more effectively than you. Ultimately, you'll discover new strategies to help you get more from your business. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

In the last episode of the Growing Leaders, Growing Companies podcast, we discussed how to recruit a high-performance team that achieves high-performance goals.  In this episode, we'll dive into nurturing that team to fulfill on their potential, including: How to set your team up to win consistently. How to focus their energy in the direction that makes the most impact on your organization. How to make it simple for them to repeat their successes over and over to give your business tremendous momentum. The three strategies you'll discover will help you create an organization that's set up for success, one that will help you achieve your vision at the highest level. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Hiring staff is not the same as building a team. Instead, if you want to build a high-performance team that achieves high-performance goals, you have to get serious about investing your time and energy into assembling your team. When you do it right, you'll end up with a healthy team who's primed to get more done, one that will more than deliver on your investment. In fact, you may even find that you've assembled a team who will become your greatest competitive advantage. We'll show you how to make it all happen in this episode of Growing Leaders, Growing Companies. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

What separates the struggling companies from the strong ones—or the good ones from the great? It's not their issues. All companies have issues. Instead, it all comes down to how your organization deals with its issues. Do you have a systematic method for cataloging and solving issues at your organization? If not, listen in to the newest episode of the Growing Leaders, Growing Companies podcast. We'll share the same methodology we use to help our clients solve their most pressing issues once and for all—and remove the barriers that are keeping them from breaking through to the next level. We'll also show you how to avoid the biggest mistake many organizations make: wasting valuable time and energy on issues that simply don't move the needle. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Many executives aspire to be great leaders. However, being a great leader isn't enough. Your team members need more from you. They also need you to be a great manager. Leadership and management are like the two wheels of a bicycle:  The front wheel sets the direction of the bicycle. That's what leadership is about. The back wheel of the bicycle provides the forward momentum and engagement. That's what management does. When you can get the whole bicycle moving, you'll create a team who's inspired and engaged to turn your company's vision into reality. If you need to break through the ceiling and reach a new level of success, mastering the ability to be a great manager will help you get there. We'll walk you through it in the newest episode of the Growing Leaders, Growing Companies podcast.  To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Imagine what it would be like to operate in an environment of complete accountability, one in which: Your team members accept responsibility for the Rocks they need to accomplish. Your major initiatives make progress, quarter after quarter. Your company grows consistently and breaks through the ceiling. It's all possible when you can be two things for your employees. We'll walk you through them in this episode of the Growing Leaders, Growing Companies podcast. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

At the helm of every great company, you'll find a leadership team packed with great bosses. These leaders and managers have become adept at getting the most out of their employees and motivating them to bring their A-game, every day. However, a recent study shows that nearly 2/3 of the American workforce feels disengaged from their work at some level. If you're experiencing these challenges with your team, we'll show you how to turn things around. You'll discover what you need to rise to the occasion and become a great boss who inspires your team to deliver at the highest level. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast  

When you want to get better at hiring and keeping the "right people," look no further than your culture.  Creating a great culture is a journey that asks you to go beyond buzzwords and uncover the Core Values that define you as an organization. In this episode of the Growing Leaders, Growing Companies podcast, we’ll walk you through: Avoiding the trap that results in watered down, meaningless Core Values. 5 ways to apply your Core Values so they infuse themselves into your culture, simply and easily. How your Core Values can help you attract A-level players and repel the ones that aren’t a good fit. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Almost all the companies we work with are struggling with a particular form of people problems, namely 1) recruiting top talent to fill open positions and 2) retaining high-performing team members. In this episode of the podcast, we'll address an unexpected source of this problem: undermanagement.  The bottom line is this: When there’s just not quite enough management being done, accountability slips, goals get missed—and the entire business suffers. We'll share three ways to eliminate undermanagement and create an environment that top performers want to be a part of. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

As one of the Five Leadership Abilities in the Entrepreneurial Operating System, your ability to predict gives you a much-needed opportunity to spend time in the future. It's an opportunity to understand where your company is going—and exactly how it's going to get there.  In this episode of Growing Leaders, Growing Companies, you'll discover: How to make long-term predictions about what your company will achieve 90 days and beyond. How to make effective short-term predictions to improve the day-to-day running of your organization. How to know whether your company is well positioned to turn both these long- and short-term predictions into reality. The ability to predict is not about fortune-telling. It's about making the right decisions to actualize a compelling vision for tomorrow and beyond, based on what you know today. You'll discover exactly how it all works in this episode. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Organizations aren't inherently designed to be simple and efficient. However, when complexity creeps into your organization, confusion takes over. Without the clarity of simplicity, it's not obvious what activities are moving the needle in your business and what are not. Plus, with you and your team's energy scattered, it's nearly impossible to build momentum and create traction for growth. That's why it's critical to cultivate the ability to simplify, which is one of the Five Leadership Abilities within the Entrepreneurial Operating System, created by Gino Wickman. In this new episode of Growing Leaders, Growing Companies, we'll show you a simpler lens through which to view your business to eliminate complexity and confusion. We'll also share a simple strategy that will help you and your team hone your ability to simplify, freeing up your organization to create the growth it deserves.

After receiving a flood of comments about Episode #6 of the Growing Leaders, Growing Companies podcast, we decided to take a deeper dive into the topic of delegation. When you master this leadership ability, it has the power to free you up to flourish in your unique abilities, develop your team's capabilities and unleash your organization's potential for growth. In this episode, we'll dig into the "how" of delegation to share: 5 simple steps to create delegation success in your organization. What you should NEVER delegate to a team member. The ONE quality you need to cultivate as a leader who's committed to delegation. To access a transcript of this episode as well as the other tools mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Have you ever experienced the thrill of operating from your superpowers, what Dan Sullivan calls your "unique ability"?  Imagine working within that skill set, enjoying what feels like never-ending improvement. You feel energized, rather than drained. Most of all, you feel a passion that pushes you forward, allowing you to achieve new levels of success. But here's the sobering truth: You'll NEVER get to work this arena unless you learn to delegate. And until you begin to delegate effectively, you also may be holding your company back from experiencing significant growth.  In this episode of Growing Leaders, Growing Companies, we'll explore what holds people back from delegating, as well as some practical ways that you can start delegating in your organization to open the door for significant growth. 

We brought special guest, George Satula of Vistage Worldwide, on the podcast to discuss a powerful strategy that a small, tight-knit group of CEOs and executives have tapped into. In fact, this strategy has helped some companies grow 2.2x faster than other small to medium-sized businesses. We're talking about masterminds, and specifically a form these groups have taken in recent years: CEO Peer Groups. Within these groups, executives like you can find a place where you can: Confidentially discuss the real truth about the issues in your organization--and how to deal with those challenges to create year-over-year growth. Find people who will hold you accountable to your vision, something that's often hard to come by at the top level of management. Continue your personal and professional relationship in a high-level environment to help you become a truly great leader. And even though this idea was first put forth in 1937, we'll show you how its modern form can help you get more out your business. For a transcript of this episode as well as additional resources mentioned in this episode, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Popularized in Gino Wickman's book, Traction, The Entrepreneurial Operating System focuses on strengthening the six key components of your business so you can: Master the moving parts of your organization Focus your available resources in one, unified direction Get immediate traction in your marketplace. So why is it NEVER the right time to start using EOS? Find out in this episode of Growing Leaders, Growing Companies. You'll discover: Why one company saw EOS as "one more thing" they didn't have time for - but they implemented it anyway and used it to solve 80% of their people issues How another company used EOS to go from a $38mm company to a $100mm one How you can "test drive" EOS with your leadership team Why understanding what you want in your business is more crucial than implementing any kind of strategic execution system in your business For a transcript of this episode - or to sign up for your Executive Alignment Session, visit: http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Are you feeling overwhelmed, buried in the day-to-day of your organization? Maybe you're stuck reacting to everything that comes at you, instead of directing where you and your leadership team need to spend your energy. Or maybe you're feeling like you've lost the focus you once had on your vision. One discipline that all great leaders have in common is that they take time on a regular basis to rise above the everyday demands of their jobs to think from the 30,000 foot level. We call this a Clarity Break, and it's a habit that can help you become a stronger, more confident and more effective executive. It’s a timeless discipline that all great leaders including Bill Gates, Lee Iacocca and Stephen R. Covey practice. If you’re not taking regular Clarity Breaks, you'll find it challenging to perform at your full potential.  In this episode of Growing Leaders, Growing Companies, you'll discover: 17 questions to help you use your Clarity Break to formulate and execute strategic moves with clarity and confidence What you might be missing by spending too much time working IN your business and not ON your business How to carve out this valuable block of time for yourself - and stay accountable, even when you get busy For a transcript of this episode, plus additional resources and best practices tools, visit http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Business planning can feel complex and difficult. And the more complicated these systems become, the less likely they are to be implemented. What if you had a simple system that allowed you to capture your long-term vision and easily break it down into manageable chunks you could track and accomplish? In this episode, we'll introduce you to the four timeframes of the Entrepreneurial Operating System to help you get more of what you want out of your business.  You'll discover: How to create an aspirational vision for your organization that will inspire your team. How to break down that vision into a timeframe that works WITH human nature, instead of against it. How all four of these timeframes will combine to give you the momentum you need to get traction in your business. For a transcript of this episode, plus additional resources and best practices tools, visit http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast

Has your business growth stalled? Are you struggling to break through to the next level? Are you working harder and getting fewer results? You may be hitting the ceiling in your organization. However, if you're willing to embrace the idea that the ceiling is a natural part of the life-cycle of a business, you can actually plan yourself out of these plateaus. Join Kevin McArdle and Megan O'Leary of McArdle Business Advisors for Episode #1 of the Growing Leaders Growing Companies podcast as they discuss business growth strategies to help you sharpen your leadership skills and create traction in your business.  You'll discover: How you can leverage one business strategy from Amazon to create continual growth in your organization. 5 questions to ask yourself to plan yourself out of a plateau and into the growth phase of your business. How to build a team with strong leadership skills who can give you the outside perspective you need on your business. For additional resources, transcripts and best practices tools, visit http://McArdleBusinessAdvisors.com/podcast