Leadership Secrets

Joe Carbone is CEO of Eastward Partners, an executive search and human capital consultancy. Our conversation was full of great leadership ideas. Here's what we discussed:Connecting with your customers is key. Understand their needs and focus on fulfilling them.Leadership is a privilege. Bring your true self every day.His leadership philosophy is to always put the team above the individual. Joe feels like he works for his team rather than them working for him.It's important for leaders to connect with their team individually, understanding what's going on in their lives, their families.When you share your vision, what's possible, people get excited and want to be a part of it.Always invest in yourself and seek executive coaching. Joe sees a coach weekly.His brand follows a Pablo Picasso quote: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Help people become the best version of themselves.

Listen in to a great interview with Brock Long, former FEMA Administrator, and currently the Executive Chairman of Hagerty Consulting. Hagerty helps public and private sector partners prepare for and recover from disasters. Brock describes his fascinating road toward leadership, where at age 32 he became the Director of Emergency Management for the State of Alabama. How? By knowing his trade, having a vision, and earning Governor Bob Riley's trust. It's a great conversation full of high-quality leadership advice. Here's what we discussed: • The vital role of strategic planning, and his three step process for what he calls the “Discovery-Change” Process to get people on board toward a new future they help create • Why it's important to be a diplomat in your relationships • Getting stuff done without asking permission • The importance of being willing to move to elevate your career • Recognizing leaders don't have all the ideas and the need to work with a team to find solutions • The importance of trust as you delegate • How disaster preparedness is like a 4-legged chair https://tinyurl.com/brock-long You can also listen via Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/apple-leadership-secrets Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/google-leadership-secrets Spotify Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/spotify-leadership-secrets Amazon/Audible: https://tinyurl.com/amazon-leadership-secrets

Listen in to a great interview with Dan Beans, Electric Utility Director for the City of Roseville. Dan describes his winding road toward leadership, which included years working at a gas station, doing pottery, studying poetry, and then finally, getting his degree in physics and engineering. The road led to the City of Redding Electric Utility, and today to his role as Electric Utility Director for the City of Roseville, California. It's a great conversation full of high-quality leadership advice. Here's what we discussed: • The valuable lesson he learned about customer service as a gas station attendant. • The importance of talking with employees to help them get better, instead of criticizing. • The awesome responsibility of leading a public power utility. • The importance of being a parent to his leadership journey. • How communication is a key skill for every leader to master, and how he struggled. • His advice to new employees about the importance of character https://tinyurl.com/dan-beans You can also listen via Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/apple-leadership-secrets Google Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/google-leadership-secrets Spotify Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/spotify-leadership-secrets Amazon/Audible: https://tinyurl.com/amazon-leadership-secrets

The great, accidental lesson Jared learned in his college summer job about the high value of being authentic.How he takes time for himself every morning to exercise, and shuts off his phone each evening to spend time with his family. He puts confidence in his colleagues to make decisions. He doesn't worry about making wrong decisions; he makes decisions and moves on. If it's not right, the next decision will fix the last one. Everyone in the company knows and lives by the meaning of the word T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R. Listen in to learn more.

She has incredible drive and persistence, and her leadership philosophy centers around hard work. Her favorite quote is from President Calvin Coolidge, “Nothing in the world takes the place of persistence. Nothing.”Her advice to growing leaders is to be confident and know who you are. When it comes to strategic direction, it's vital to get people on the same page.Before making tough decisions she looks at the situation in reverse. What's the best outcome, and then move backward to what actions have to take place along the way.Her favorite book is Success Habits by Napoleon Hill, which she reads regularly. 

People need to make life plans, so keep sacred the trust they put in youAs a child she loved watching the nightly business reportShe was into screen writing and theatre, and always knew she wanted to have an impactHere leadership philosophy is people-centric. She models the behavior she wants to see and considers herself a benevolent leader. Employees need key skills of patience, accountability, and self-confidence, which comes from doing things. Before making tough decisions she tries to obtain many perspectives. But then you have to make the decision. You can't lead by committee. Her parting advice is to show up as your best self every day.

The journey to become CEO and the big lessons learned along the way. The “Awesome Responsibility of a leader.When he felt like he became a leader, and the transition to leadership. Leadership philosophy.Skills for today's employees to be successful, and develop as leaders.The value of setting a strategic direction.A “Rookie Moment” when he learned a big lesson from a mistake.The process for making tough decisions. Good advice received, and advice for young people starting out in their career. 

Here's what we discussed:• The journey to become CEO and the big lessons learned along the way.  • The “Awesome Responsibility of a leader.• When he felt like he became a leader, and the transition to leadership.• Leadership philosophy.• Skills for today's employees to be successful, and develop as leaders.• The value of setting a strategic direction.• A “Rookie Moment” when he learned a big lesson from a mistake.• The process for making tough decisions.• Good advice received, and advice for young people starting out in their career. 

Listen in to a great interview with Henry Martinez, General Manager of the Imperial Irrigation District. Henry describes his journey from a space-loving child, which inspired him to learn engineering, to seeking opportunities that provided increasing responsibility. He had a moment of clarity when his supervisor gave him some wise advice, which helped him understand the role of a leader. Henry discusses how he delegates to others, yet takes on key projects when senior-level direction is needed. He offers great advice for people starting out in their careers.

Michelle Bertolino is the Electric Utility Director for the City of Roseville Electric Utility. She didn't always know that she wanted to be a leader, but pursued career options that put her in the position to move to the next level as opportunities presented themselves. As Michelle excelled, those leadership positions opened up, and she was recognized to move up the ladder. The road wasn't always smooth though, and she had to persevere and stay resilient to advance. Michelle offers great advice - and specific actions leaders can take - to develop a great corporate culture.

The Leadership Secrets Podcast is dedicated to learning from leaders, their life lessons, and what they do every day to lead. I believe you can lead from anywhere in an organization… on a board, in the C-suite, as a manager, and even at the entry level. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, or know of anyone you think would be a great guest on the podcast, email Barry Moline at barry@barrymoline.com.

The Leadership Secrets Podcast is dedicated to learning from leaders, their life lessons, and what they do every day to lead. I believe you can lead from anywhere in an organization… on a board, in the C-suite, as a manager, and even at the entry level. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, or know of anyone you think would be a great guest on the podcast, email Barry Moline at barry@barrymoline.com.