The Leadership and Learning Podcast

In this episode, host Randy Goruk and conflict resolution expert Ursula Taylor tackle understanding and resolving workplace conflicts. A challenging topic, but not when you have an expert in the house. You learn how to transform toxic team dynamics, improve communication, and create a culture of psychological safety. You will also learn: Common causes of conflict you see in construction. The cost of avoiding or delaying the resolution of conflict. How ‘old school' leaders should transition to a more productive approach to conflict. The signs of a team experiencing unhealthy conflict. The importance of communication style in escalating or resolving conflict on job sites. How to create a culture where disagreement isn't feared but actually fuels better decisions. A helpful strategy for de-escalating a heated conversation between team members. Advice for leaders who feel stuck between upper management pressure and field-level tension. Contact Ursula Taylor: Ursula@conflictreimagined.com Ursula's website: www.ConflictReimagined.com

In this episode, with employee retention on the forefront on everyone's mind, host Randy Goruk has a conversation with social Impact Leader Mai Moore about leadership and Generation Z employees.   In the leadership and learning podcast episode, Randy Goruk and Mai Moore discuss the challenges of retaining Generation Z employees in various industries, emphasizing the need for a collaborative and inclusive leadership approach.  Mai Moore, an expert in social impact and intergenerational leadership, shares her extensive experience working with youth and advocating for a more connected and empowered workforce.  She highlights the importance of work-life balance, equitable wages, and purpose in the workplace. Moore also stresses the significance of middle management in bridging generational gaps and the necessity of addressing mediocrity to foster a culture of continuous learning and growth. In this episode you will learn:  The needs and wants of Gen Z employees. The ways in which leadership must evolve to retain Gen Z employees. The role of middle management in bridging generational gaps. Strategies leaders can take to embrace Gen Z employees. The importance of adapting leadership styles for future organizational success. Continuous learning and growth are essential for leaders of all ages.  You can get in contact with Mai at mai@maimoore.com  

In this episode, host Randy Goruk shares his views on how leaders can lead effective meetings. Based on over 40 years of experience leading a myriad of meeting types, his approach to meetings has proven to be effective many times over. In this episode you will learn: What an effective meeting is. The 3 – components to an effective meeting framework. Techniques for managing the meeting timeline. Why you should have two agendas. What the 48-hour rule is. How to deal with meeting distractions and interruptions. Techniques to engage the meeting attendees. Randy also challenges you to calculate your meeting ROI and to get feedback on the effectiveness of your meetings. Then make adjustments to improve.

This episode is a rare and personal look into the life, wisdom, and legacy of Earl Nightingale—the man behind The Strangest Secret and one of the founding fathers of the personal development movement. My guest is Hall of Fame professional speaker Joel Weldon. Joel was a friend of Earl Nightingales, and he shares insights into the man behind the message, how his timeless ideas came to life and how they remain relevant for you sixty years later.   For career-minded leaders like you, this is more than a history lesson—it's a lesson in influence, legacy, and the lasting power of an idea. For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with The Strangest Secret, we have included a short clip within the podcast to inspire you to listen to the entire message. You can ​ Click here to listen to the entire message from The Strangest Secret Special Edition.​ If you are familiar, revisit Earl's message one more time, share it with your kids and grandkids. Please join me in a “Thanks Offering”—a heartfelt tribute to Earl's lasting impact by turning gratitude into action. Any amount helps his wife, Diana. How Can You Contribute? Zelle: DNightingale2@Yahoo.com ​ Mail a Check: 18630 East Mazatzal Circle, Rio Verde, AZ 85263 ​ If you can, I hope you'll join in this mission to honor the one and only, Earl Nightingale.

In this episode, host Randy Goruk invites listeners to an upcoming live webinar on tackling ineffective meetings and in advance of the April 3, 2025 webinar he shares some tips on managing meeting timelines.  The Tackle Ineffective Meetings webinar description is as follows: 55.1% of professionals say most meetings they attend are a waste of time.  As a leader, you set the tone ... whether you realize it or not, your meetings might suck.   But here's the good news, Randy Goruk is hosting a webinar to help you improve the effectiveness of your meetings.   Now is a very good time to fix this timewaster and credibility killer. With the first quarter almost behind us and countless meetings ahead, it's time to take control. Imagine meetings that are engaging, efficient, and productive—where people walk away feeling energized, not drained. That's exactly what this webinar will help you achieve. Join us for this interactive session where you'll discover: The 3 essential components of an effective meeting. How to implement each one immediately for better results. The top do's and don'ts to make meetings more valuable—without wasting time. If you're ready to stop the cycle of unproductive meetings and start leading discussions that drive real results, don't miss this webinar – April 3, 2025 at 1:00 pm Eastern Register now and take the first step toward better meetings and a more engaged and productive team. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yk1XvZqiTnK15zKlUZUpPQ

In this episode, host Randy Goruk emphasizes the importance of employee retention and provided strategies to improve it, including creating an inspiring workplace culture, prioritizing employee engagement, and investing in skill development. He also highlighted the value of showing appreciation to employees and warned against common mistakes like premature promotions and ignoring engagement metrics. Randy stressed that retention should be a strategic leadership priority, not just an HR issue, and that respect, trust, and consistent leadership are crucial for retention.

In this episode, Queen City Roofing CEO, Larry Stock, a long-time construction industry professional shares his thoughts on, and experiences with, intentionality and success. You will learn how intentionality leads to success with: Professional development Work-life balance Growing your business Transitioning from old school leadership to relational relationships You will also learn: The sacred pause What it takes to be an effective (intentional) leader As an added bonus, you will learn the mind-blowing premise of ‘what it's like to be on the other side of me”.

In this episode, Andrea Sampson shares her journey from a career in advertising to becoming an expert storytelling and presentation coach. She discusses how her work with TEDX speakers taught her the power of storytelling to convey ideas and inspire change. You will learn: Effective presentations start with a clear core idea and building a story around it to engage the audience Using personal stories can help connect with listeners and make your message more memorable Incorporating sensory details in your stories activates the brain and makes them more impactful Even if you think you don't have stories to share, prompts can help you uncover meaningful experiences to draw from Storytelling is a valuable skill for building deeper connections with customers and stakeholders Andrea provides practical tips and a free toolkit to help listeners improve their storytelling abilities and deliver more compelling presentations. Speaking Toolkit This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to communicate their ideas more effectively.

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk shares a few ideas for you to elevate leadership performance. These success factors and tips come from a replay of a condensed and edited version of a 90-minute presentation Randy did at a recent asphalt industry conference. We hope you find all of these to be helpful in elevating your leadership to an even higher level. You will learn: 3 – Success factors for any leader who wants to be a successful leader 7 - Tips to elevate leadership performance 7 – Leadership mistakes to avoid There are many more actions you can take to elevate your performance – keep working on getting better and let Randy know if he can help you in any way.

Host Randy Goruk encourages you to explore your area of responsibility for the items that cost you more than they're worth or that anyone would pay for—these are “the pennies” of your business. He emphasized to look for “pennies” in your organization, question all time-related and productivity-related items, paying particular attention to your fix overhead. Leadership involves fiscal responsibility. That's why he reinforces the concept that you can't (or shouldn't) sell something for less than it costs you to make. Responsible leaders pay attention to what your “pennies” truly cost.

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk shares a podcast conversation he had as a guest on the Business Success Tip podcast hosted by Paul Sanneman.   Areas we cover include: Defining and Developing Leadership Skills Practical Leadership Techniques Resources for Leadership Development Coaching and Mentoring Success Stories Handling Difficult Employees and Team Dynamics Building a Purpose-Driven Team You will learn several tips and implementable nuggets for transitioning from where you are to where you want to be in your career and your business.  

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk shares a few ideas for you to build, grow and sustain a high-performance team. These success factors and tips come from a replay of a condensed and edited version of a 90-minute presentation Randy did at a recent asphalt industry conference. We hope you find all of these to be helpful in building, growing and sustaining your high-performance team. You will learn: 3 – Success factors for any high-performance team 7 - Tips to elevate team performance There are many other actions you can take to elevate team performance. To dive deeper, send Randy an email requesting: A free copy of his 21 – leadership tips for elevating team performance. Information on his Elevating Team Performance Mastermind Program or, His six-week live online Elevating Team Performance course.

In this episode, host Randy Goruk has an insightful conversation with author Amanda Kenderes, Ph.D. They discuss how the content of her work, and her book on ‘Talk Types': How What We Say Reveals Who We Are, can help leaders be more effective communicators.    In this episode you will learn:  The 'Talk Types' framework and how you can identify (and use) them in the workplace. The most challenging aspect of the ‘Talk Types' framework. How this framework applies to the many communication gaps in the workplace. How you can identify your own communication style. How to adjust your ‘Talk Type' style to lead a team with varying ‘Talk Type' styles. How to resolve communication breakdowns in working relationships. How leaders tailor their communication style to different stakeholders, from employees to clients. The practical steps to start applying the "Talk Types" framework in your organization.

In this episode, in light of President Jimmy Carters recent passing, host Randy Goruk shares three of his favorite quotes from President Carter. He also offers insight into the meaning of Mr. Carter's wisdom, then offers a valuable leadership lesson for all leaders. In this episode you will learn: The importance of your principles while adapting to change. You can always do better. One way to cement loyalty from your team members.

In this episode we replay an episode from the Roofers Growth Hack Podcast where The Leadership and Learning Podcast host, Randy Goruk was a recent guest. He has a conversation about leadership with Chris Hunter, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of RoofingSites.com   In this episode you will learn: How Randy decided to get into construction. How important continuous learning was in his development and career growth. Leadership lessons learned along the way. How he started his leadership development business. A technique for engaging employees. The skills leaders need to learn. The importance of planning. To be intentional and strategic when recruiting and attracting top talent. Other leadership development hacks to consider pursuing.

In this episode, with over 40 – years of experience and having founded two successful eco-friendly companies in the design build and manufacturing space, my guest, life-long entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, Jonathan Orpin shares several areas of interest for leaders in the construction industry.  In this episode you will learn: ·        Why wood is the best material to build with. ·        Why you should consider an ESOP for your company. ·        Sustainability challenges many companies face. ·        The future of sustainability practices in construction. ·        Resources to help you elevate your sustainability journey. ·        What the triple bottom line is and why it's important.

In this episode, Leon Leinbach, Founder of Keystone Construction takes us on his journey as a young construction worker with a vision and work ethic to a successful entrepreneur. He shares his experience and insights on entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship and the success they bring to the individual and the organization.  In this episode you will learn: What it takes for a construction entrepreneur to be successful. How to develop entrepreneurial skills. The importance of having intrapreneurs on your team?  How intrapreneurs differ from entrepreneurs. How to identify someone with an intrapreneurial spirit. How to help someone develop the intrapreneurial spirit.  Success tips for small construction business leaders to be successful.   Success tips for employees of small construction businesses.

Tommy Whitehead is the President & Owner of TomCo Solutions, Inc. a full-service property makeover, disaster restoration, and residential renovations company. In this episode, we had an insightful conversation on the value of networking and his new book, Building Success – A Toolbox for Coming Out on Top.   In this episode you will learn:   ·        The 3 – main lessons he's learned so far in the construction industry. ·        Why people in the construction industry are typically poor at networking. ·        The benefits of building a network. ·        Where small construction company leaders can go to network. ·        Techniques for overcoming connection roadblocks. ·        3 – tips for success for small construction company leaders. ·        3 – tips for success for employees of small construction companies. ·        What inspired him to write his book, Building Success ·        How his new book can help you as a leader.

Tori Baires is a Group Talent Acquisition Manager at Granite Construction. She is one of the founding members and current leaders of Granite's Military Employee Resource Group (Supporting and Recognizing our Veteran Community). She has also created and implemented a military/veteran hiring and retention program across all of Granite. Tori also partners with various departments at Granite aiding in a variety of initiatives for the company. In this episode, Tori shares how her military experience shaped her leadership today and has reinforced her ‘above and beyond' mindset. In this episode you will learn: Many examples of going above and beyond. How she was nominated for the 2022 Veteran Champions of the Year in Corporate America.  The key leadership lessons she learned while in the military. Her passion for taking the initiative / ownership of a challenge. How to get the anti-initiative / anti-ownership people on board. The challenges of Talent Acquisition managers are faced with today and in the future. The biggest recruiting mistakes companies in the construction industry make and how to avoid them. The importance of employee retention. Mistakes companies in the construction industry make that will cause people to leave and ideas on how leaders can avoid making these mistakes. Keys to being a successful mentor program with advice for mentors and mentees. Advice to get ahead in your career regardless of your role.

Running a small, or a family business is no easy task. Particularly when it comes to scaling the business or planning for succession. My guest, Jim Moody, Consulting Director of the Misura Group shares his knowledge, experience, and expertise on the key elements for both scaling and succession. In this episode, Jim offers plenty of tips and lessons on: The importance of having balance between working on and working in your business. What should come first family need or business needs. Adapting to challenges for small and family business. Problems you'll encounter when you are the Jack or Jill of all trades in your business. How to properly invest in growing your business. Hiring smart people and letting them do their job. When to move on and having something to move on to. Steps for succession planning The hard decisions you must be prepared to make Proper strategic planning. Continuous learning. And a powerful message on the importance of planning for a better future.

Jennifer Todd, owner of LMS General Contractors went from receptionist at a construction company to successfully building her own construction company over the past 16 – years. She knows a thing or two about hard work and relationships. In this episode, Jennifer talks about how L.O.V.E.E. language for leaders can help you sharpen your leadership skills while developing and strengthening your business and personal relationships resulting in long-term success. In this episode you will learn: The five different elements of L.O.V.E.E. language for leaders. The sure-fire ways leaders breach trust and how to avoid them. A fool-proof listening strategy that works every time. How to demonstrate that you value the people on your team. The importance of boundaries. How everything communicates. Plus, much more.  

Creating a safety culture is what most companies in the construction and manufacturing industries strive for ... as they should. My guest, Steven McKenney shares his 30+ years of experience with building safety cultures, fixing broken safety cultures and providing best practices to help you reinforce your safety culture. Steve is the Western Region Safety Manager for Roseburg Forest Products, and he serves as Chairman of the Safety and Health advisory committee for the American Panel Association.  He knows a thing or two about safety !    During this episode you will learn: Why safety programs fail? Why safety programs succeed? What the ideal safety culture looks like? What role do leaders play in the success of establishing a safety culture? The signs you don't have a good safety culture. How to create a good safety culture. How to overcome obstacles of a safety culture that isn't where you'd like it to be.  Critical advice for leaders who want to elevate their safety culture. The importance of a meaningful safety slogan to safety culture and how to create one that sticks.   

Creating and implementing an effective onboarding process for new employees has proven to be critical to individual and organizational retention success. In this episode, onboarding expert, Cody B. Loveland explains what onboarding really is, why it's important and the outcome all organizations should strive for. Listen in as we uncover the key principles behind effective onboarding, the importance of connecting with employees on a deeper level, and the strategies for retaining top talent. In this episode you will learn: The factors critical to a successful onboarding experience. The importance of the connection – intersection. How to ‘win the heart' of new employees. The importance of the 3 – V's in retaining all of your employees. Whose responsibility it is to ensure a successful onboarding process. Why it's important to onboard existing managers. The benefits of investing in a robust onboarding process. The factors causing tenured employees to quit companies. Cody's views on remote workers Why people quit companies.

In this episode, host Randy Goruk shares content from a recent webinar he presented for Team Engine. If you are interested in being an even better coach of your team, you are bound to pick up at least one nugget to help you get there. In this episode you will learn: Why coaching for managers is important. What coaching is. 3 – universal truths about coaching. Techniques for inspiring your team. Techniques for engaging your team. Techniques for empowering your team. A proven coaching model. Contact Randy at randy@LeadersEdge360.com to learn more about his ‘Live Online Coaching Skills Course'.

In this episode, host Randy Goruk has a conversation about hazardous waste management, waste to energy and leadership with Heather Johnson, CEO of INGENIUM, a leading hazardous waste management provider focusing on providing sustainable solutions before implementing traditional disposal options. You will learn: The biggest hazardous waste management challenges manufacturers and distributors of building materials are faced with and the implication for construction companies running jobsites. Why targeting a waste to energy program is important for building material producers. Why a career in hazardous materials can be rewarding. Career advice for college graduates and emerging leaders who want to be successful. Waste management advice for building material and construction company leaders.

Host Randy Goruk shares a classic audio recording of a speech the late U.S. Army Lieutenant General Melvin Zais gave to the Armed Forces Staff College many decades ago.  The audio recording is over 40 years old so it has a few blemishes but hang in there because if you listen carefully, the powerful message for leaders is delivered with precision and great thought. This special message will cause you to think about the actions you take today to demonstrate that you care. It will make you think about the actions you aren't taking that you could be taking to demonstrate that you care. Because as a leader you must care.

Host Randy Goruk has a conversation with Todd Eichholz, CEO of A&A Paving about his business success. Todd shares the leadership practices that have helped him turn an old, tired paving, sealing company he bought ten years ago, into a growing, thriving jewel of a company today. You can do the same with your business if you know what winning looks like. In this episode you will learn about the importance of: Having a stellar onboarding plan. Being fully transparent with your team. Being a data driven company. How to share results for better results. Having a growth plan for your employees. Achieving work-life balance. You will also hear Todd's three main pieces of career advice for Emerging Leaders.  

Host Randy Goruk has a serious conversation with CEO Jimmy Greene of Jimmy Greene and Associates about the cost of success. Jimmy Greene is an experienced construction industry professional who has so much personal experience to share, and he does. Get ready for a unique set of perspectives on the topic of success. In this episode you will stop and think about: What is success. How you spend your time. What you are not doing that you should be doing. How you make your money. Do you have peace. What you will leave behind. ·  There is so much information to unpack in this episode, you'll listen to it more than once.

Host Randy Goruk has a fun and insightful conversation with subject matter expert, world famous professional speaker and author, Kathy Dempsey. The topic is shedding. Shedding bad habits, negativity, relationships, processes, or procedures. In this episode you will learn: ·        What the SHEDDING philosophy is and how it came about. ·        A few common examples of where we all could benefit from SHEDDING. ·        A few SHEDDING rules. ·        The SHEDDING Revolution – 5 Stages of Change. ·        Why having a Panic Party Now is a good idea. ·        What to do if a recession hits. ·        What to do if you lose your job. ·        How to get a copy of Kathy's 101 – Things to Shed PDF. You will come away from this episode thinking about something you should SHED.

Host Randy Goruk has a conversation with author, professional speaker and cyber security expert, Robert Siciliano about the trends in cyber security that leaders need to pay attention to.  As leaders, we all have a responsibility to keep our businesses, our employees and our families safe. This episode is full of information that will help you do exactly that. They discuss a great number of important areas including: ·        The pending Federal Trade Commission deadline for businesses. ·        The role of a CISO and what to do if you don't have one. ·        The importance of running a vulnerability check. ·        How foreseeability is liability. ·        The danger of personal devices including your Wi-fi enabled appliances.  ·        Multi-factor authentication and passwords. ·        Plus, so much more. When it comes to protecting the good guys and fighting the bad guys, Robert Siciliano is one of the best.

In this episode, host Randy Goruk encourages listeners to develop and refine their coaching skills.  Not all leaders are great coaches. Some leaders may be good at barking out orders or telling someone what to do, but they're not very good at coaching someone through a situation … they can be, but they have never taken the time to develop the skills nor positioned themselves to coach. He shares his thoughts on: ·        The case for Coaching ·        What Coaching is and what Coaching is Not ·        7 – Success factors of an exceptional Coach ·        The top 12 attributes of an exceptional Coach ·        His Live Online Coaching Skills Course If you want to achieve long term profitable growth, be a leader that is effective at coaching.

Have you ever experienced someone not meeting your expectations? Or perhaps being disappointed in someone who didn't deliver on the expectation you set for them? We are often disappointed when expectations we set for someone are not met. In this episode, host Randy Goruk lays out his proven steps to minimize the disappointment of expectations not being met.

Host Randy Goruk discusses the difference between motivation and inspiration, how to create an environment where people are motivated. He then he shares several tips and techniques on how to inspire your team.

Host Randy Goruk recently had a lengthy conversation with process and lean manufacturing expert Todd Drummond. They talked about a number of leadership issues which have are being shared in three focused episodes. This episode addresses industry leadership weaknesses and what you should look for in candidates you're considering for a leadership promotion.   In the previous episodes with Todd, he shared career mistakes to avoid and offered suggestions on what emerging leaders can do right now to become an even better leader (episode #98). In episode #97 the focus was on tackling the labor shortage challenge. Plenty of golden nuggets in this entire series to help you become an even better leader.

Host Randy Goruk recently had a lengthy conversation with process and lean manufacturing expert Todd Drummond. They talked about a number of leadership issues which have are being shared in three focused episodes. This episode addresses advice for emerging leaders. They discuss career mistakes to avoid. In our conversation, Todd shares career mistakes to avoid and offers suggestions on what emerging leaders can do right now to become an even better leader.

Host Randy Goruk recently had a lengthy conversation with process and lean manufacturing expert Todd Drummond. They talked about a number of leadership issues which are being shared in three focused episodes. This episode addresses data he has shared in an article, indicating the current labor shortage challenge is worse than most understand and getting worse. In the conversation, Todd walks us through the four reasons why this challenge exists. He also offers a few solutions in this and the other two episodes that will be released soon.

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk has an in-depth conversation about company culture with company culture expert Stephanie Angelo. During this episode you will learn: What company culture. Elements of culture that most organizations strive for.   The impact the pandemic has had on company culture and a few steps a leader should be taking to regain or rebuild their desired company culture. How to successfully transition into one common company culture when you experience a merger or acquisition of two organizations with different cultures. What to do when you have valuable employees who don't like change and have not fully embraced the new culture. The tell-tale signs of a toxic culture. Solutions for leaders to tackle a toxic culture. Examples of ‘culture killers' that leaders should be wary of. Tips and techniques to help you create a company culture that thrives.  

Alan Laing has been in the homebuilding space for 40 years working in various leadership, executive and board member roles in companies like Tridel, Canada's premier condo builder, Pulte Homes, Taylor Morrison, Rock Wool a Danish multinational manufacturer of mineral wool products to name a few. Here's what you can expect: Key leadership lessons learned along Alan's leadership journey that have been key to his success with Rheia. The areas construction industry leaders could work towards improving today. Solutions for leaders to take to tackle the labor shortage challenge. Leadership challenges on the horizon for leaders in the construction industry. The top characteristics or attributes to look for when looking to promote someone. Leadership mistakes leaders typically make that we should all avoid. Advice for young emerging leaders who want to have a successful career in the construction industry.   Get your notebook ready, you'll take away many insightful nuggets from this conversation.

The shared values and practices of employees shape the culture of companies. Leaders have tremendous influence on those values and practices. Their influence comes from their strategies, controllable actions, and inaction.    Their influence can be positive and constructive in forming the company culture and employee retention. Or their influence can be damaging and destructive to achieving the culture they desire and employee retention success. Host Randy Goruk shares: 3 – Leadership strategies for employee retention success. The top 5 - actions exceptional leaders take to achieve employee retention success. The 3 – biggest mistakes leaders make impacting employee retention success.

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk, has a conversation with Sara McElroy, a former hustle culture devotee, ex-chief marketing officer, the Wall Street Journal's poster girl for pandemic career burnout, and a two-time member of the Great Resignation: class of 2021 and 2022.   In this episode you will learn: About Raze to Rise, an organization created to amplify women's voices from the Great Resignation and to inspire others. What is causing the Great Resignation for many, and what leaders can do about it. Why the distinction between male populated industries versus male dominated industries is important. The key success factors for women to be successful in a male populated industry? Advice for company leaders to eliminate biases against women in the workplace. Advice company leaders to attract and retain female talent to the building materials and construction industry?

In this episode we meet with award winning entrepreneur and author Mr. Walter Hill Jr to discuss his book, Think Red Flags – A Proactive and Practical Approach for Your Small Business. In this episode you will learn: What red flag thinking is and how it helps with profitability. How companies have applied red flag thinking. You will hear specific example of what red flagging can do for a leader? How red flagging help companies with retaining their employees? How you can become more of a red flag thinker.

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk shares a segment from a recent a webinar titled: A Leaders Guide to Employee Retention success. You will learn the 3 – biggest mistakes leaders make impacting employee retention success and how what to do about them.

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk, has a conversation with life-long friends, military veterans and authors, John Buford and Sean Georges. We discuss their new book, Mission Focused Leadership and the key role leaders have in attracting, recruiting, and retaining top talent.   In this episode you will learn the importance: The importance for leaders to focus on people – up and down the chain of command. How leaders should not focus on what to do, but how they should focus on what their team needs – and why. A leader's best and highest role to serve their teammates to accomplish the mission. The importance of the quality of leadership and quality of relationships to attract, recruit and retain top talent. Servant leadership is not about being warm and fuzzy – it's so much more. Sharing the why of the mission - with context A few reasons leaders typically fail. A powerful question you can ask someone. Balancing managing and leading. Three pieces of advice for someone making the transition from management role to a leadership role. The one thing that separates exceptional leaders from the others. How exceptional leaders spend their time and recognizing a leadership moment not to be wasted.

In this episode of The Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk, has a conversation with Ben Juncker, the co-founder and CEO of Craftsman's Choice, a leading exterior remodeling contractor in Minnesota ... and one of the highest volume James Hardie siding installers in the United States talk leadership. In this episode you will learn: How he built a family like culture in the business. How he intentionally and brilliantly scaled the business. Advice on CRM's and the value of repeatable processes. The importance of identifying the important tasks and knowing what takes you away from doing them. A creative marketing technique or two. Unique ways to provide incentives that grow the business and reward your people.  

In this episode, we tackle the very challenging issue of the labor pool impacting building material manufacturing companies, construction companies and distribution and lumber yard operations. We explore the benefits of Team Engine's proprietary software tool specifically created to help blue-collar companies hire and retain the best workforce possible with CEO, Carlos del Pozo. In this episode you will learn: What Team Engine's software does for building material and construction companies. How the software is different than other available software.   How companies need to adjust their approach to attracting and retaining top talent – tip; be competitive but the solution isn't more money.   How different the 2022 recruiting process is compared to 2019 and how you can adapt to it. The biggest mistakes employers make when it comes to hiring and/or retention. The best way organizations should engage / communicate with prospects. How leadership is still key to retaining your talent.

Host Randy Goruk shares a story from Miles Levin, a young blogger who lost his battle with cancer at age 18 and a leadership tip. The overall message in this short podcast episode is ... If you aren't at your best and don't prepare like it matters, you miss opportunities you'll never get back. Live every day shooting as if it's your last shot.

Creating an innovative culture for most organizations is critical to long-term survival, however it is not an easy thing to do. In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk is joined by Karen Hold, an established innovation expert.   In this episode you'll learn: What leaders can do to create and sustain an innovative culture. How some companies have had success creating an innovative culture and why some have not. What ‘design thinking' means, where the term originates and how you can get your organization on board with it. The role of empathy in innovation – it's not what you think. Advice to get you started with an innovative culture.

When relationships are critical to your business, your reputation is one of the most important assets you manage. In today's podcast, host Randy Goruk is joined by Bill Coletti - a highly experienced and sought-after reputation management strategist and speaker. We do a deep dive into the world of corporate crisis management. You'll learn: The different types of crises that can impact your reputation. Why you will want to avoid public outcry. How leaders of companies are not prepared for crises and what they can do to be better prepared. Best practices to be prepared to handle a crisis. The number one mistakes leaders make when faced with a crisis. Examples of crisis that impact a company's reputation. How single event crisis can negatively impact an entire industry. How to be better prepared should a crisis occur.

We are Celebrating Women in Construction week by sharing the stories, the experiences, the perspectives, the suggestions for recruitment and other insights from guest Stefanie Couch.             

We are Celebrating Women in Construction week by sharing the stories, the experiences, the perspectives, the suggestions for recruitment and other insights from guest Holly Brenner.             

We are Celebrating Women in Construction week by sharing the stories, the experiences, the perspectives, the suggestions for recruitment and other insights from guest Shawna Peddle.