Walk the Walk

The thing most innovative companies have in common is a deep understanding of their customer's needs. Michelle Royal knows; she's been helping companies unleash their innovative potential for nearly 20 years through her consultancy, Royal Innovation Design Group (RIDG). In this episode, Michelle and Andi talk about how to stay innovative during crisis, harnessing the potential to innovate within even the most inflexible of organizations, and how all organizations can enable innovation on the inside. 

Colin is the CEO and founder at Sheets & Giggles, a start-up that makes eco-friendly (and ultra comfy) bedding out of eucalyptus trees. Colin knew he wanted to found a business that could make an impact on his community and the earth, and he did it. Colin talks to Andi about the balance between building a startup (and making investors happy) and the desire to give back to his community. 

As President & Chief Executive Officer of The Florida Aquarium, Roger Germann's leadership has been instrumental in guiding this Tampa attraction through some very difficult times. In this episode, Roger and Andi talk about the importance of guiding principles, managing expectations, and always keeping your margins in mind. After all, in the world of mission-driven organizations, more margin means more mission.

There is power in listening. It can broaden perspectives and be a fundamental step towards understanding and atonement. Erik Smith knows; he owns a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consultancy and he's been helping organizations understand their role in systemic racism for most of his career. Conversations about race can no longer be considered taboo or tiptoed around in America. They must be had and addressed, head-on. In this episode, listen as Andi asks some vulnerable and maybe embarrassing questions to help us all learn what we can be doing, now, to address system racism in our organizations and personal relationships.  

Whether you're a solo-preneur or a Fortune 10 company, your clients and customers want you to take a stand – and to really live the stand you take.  For better or worse, the pandemic has "opened the kimono" and shown the true colors of companies and leaders who truly do or do not walk the walk. Barbra Anderson and Janet Craig have seen the good, bad and ugly, as their clients abandon or enforce their CSR programs throughout. The two are on a mission to create a better world, one responsible company at a time.  Their company, Destination Better, provides uncomplicated tools to create more socially and environmentally responsible companies.  

As leaders, we are expected to guide behavior according to the values of the companies at which we work. But what about employees?  How can they find empowerment and autonomy within the ethos of the organizations at which they work? Nancy Lyons is the CEO at Clockwork, a digital consultancy, and the author of "Work Like a Boss, A Kick in the Pants Guide to Finding and Using Your Power at Work."   In this episode, Nancy and Andi discuss finding values alignment between employees and clients, offering autonomy and support to leaders looking to flex their leadership ability, and how to challenge and empower your employees.

Becoming a B-corp is a long, daunting process - so why bother? For Jeremy Stayton, a CEO interested in doing good in the world, it makes perfect sense. With a hope to attract clients and employees who share those values, the B-corp is a badge that triggers immediate recognition. In this episode, Jeremy and Andi talk about how Burning Man and the Mankind Project led to a sort of epiphany of values, and the importance of alignment – even across a fully-remote team scattered around the world.

Firing people is hard, especially when you have a small, close-knit team. But it's an absolutely essential part of running a successful business. Learning to let people go with grace and kindness is a skill that Jen Dary teaches people to do well. In this episode, Jen talks to Andi about the struggles of becoming a manager, leading with values, and how to fire people with kindness.

Susan Scherer is a decorated oncology nurse and entrepreneur who takes patients' rights very seriously.  Her company, Heavenly Hash Creamery, produces high-fat, high-protein ice cream used for cancer patients. The twist? The ice cream also includes CBD, because cancer patients need it.  Susan talks with Andi about the tough choices she's has to make to launch a non-traditional product into a very traditional industry, and how her oath as a nurse guided those decisions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a lot of opportunities for leaders to really stand up and make an impact in either positive or not so positive ways. Dr. Jennifer Hall, an executive coach, leadership trainer and assessment author, talks to Andi about how leaders can use their core values to help guide their behavior during this uncertain time.  Dr. Hall talks about value polarities; how to identify and label values that are authentic and realistic, and how leaders can use the "ring" method to learn how to share emotions and information. 

Andi Graham has spent the past 15 years building a successful nationally-recognized marketing agency built on integrity, transparency, and strong core values. In this podcast, Andi will talk to entrepreneurs and experts about what it takes to run a true values-based organization, the difficult decisions necessary, and how to use those values to find and grow your business.