Podcast appearances and mentions of james goebel

Do you have joy at work? My guests on this episode of this podcast do. Helen Hagos and Lisa Ho work for Chief Joy Officer Richard Sheridan at Menlo Innovations. Rich, along with his co-founder James Goebel, created Menlo to “end human suffering in the world as it relates to technology.”®. That's a lofty goal who's solution involves paired programming, zero bosses and total transparency in the workplace.

James Goebel is the President and CEO of Sotel Systems in St. Louis, MO. James is also the Chairman of the Board for NUSO, which is also headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Sotel Systems is an industry leading distributor of business class communication and networking equipment throughout the United States and Latin America for over 39 years. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with purpose or to gain joy from your work? What if you felt a deep sense of transparency, valued communication, and trust with the people you work with? How would your home life change if you came home from work not needing to get a day’s worth of frustration off of your chest? To discover the benefits of creating and working in a joyful work environment, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two men who have first-hand experience with it, the founders of Menlo Innovations, James Goebel and Rich Sheridan. James and Rich describe the unique environment they have created at Menlo Innovations and why other companies tour their basement office for ideas and inspiration. The software company has a non-traditional workplace structure where team members work in pairs, projects are peer-reviewed, and the responsibility of human resources belongs to everyone. It is sophisticatedly simple.

James Goebel at the time of this interview was COO and Co-Founder of Menlo Innovations, a software development company based in Ann Arbor Michigan.  His topics included: Hope, Processes, and Fear in the Workplace Everybody as Manager Open Salaries Open Interviews and Diversity Remember to go to http://inspiredandintentional.com/episode136 to leave comments. Also go there to join the email group. I will be drawing for a booklet on Bottom Line Change by Ari Weinzweig. I will draw from all those who are a part of the email group as of March 6, 2018.

Menlo Innovations CEO Rich Sheridan had the all-consuming thought during a difficult mid-career in the chaotic technology industry that things can be better. Much better. He had to find a way. His search led him to books, authors, and history, including recalling childhood visits to Greenfield Village every summer. The excitement of the Edison Menlo Park New Jersey Lab served as his siren call to create a workplace filled with camaraderie, human energy, creativity, and productivity. Ultimately, Rich and his co-founder James Goebel invented their own company in 2001 to “end human suffering in the world as it relates to technology” by returning joy to one of the most unique endeavors mankind has ever undertaken: the invention of software. Their unique approach to custom software design, they named it High-tech Anthropology® has produced custom software that delights users rather than frustrating them. The programming team creates the software that works every day without the emergencies that are all too common in the tech industry. The process itself is so interesting that almost 4,000 people a year travel from around the world just to see how they do it. Many spend a week or more studying “The Menlo Way” being taught by the Menlonians who love to share their experience and knowledge. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Rich’s background Menlo Innovations’ joyous culture that people come in the thousands every year to witness Why you need to turn your sights outward to who you serve and deliver joy to them Why Menlo has its employees work two to a computer and bans the use of earbuds How Menlo simulates the work environment during the interview process Why Menlo doesn’t even look at resumes The three-week paid trial new hires at Menlo enter into The tower of knowledge problem that becomes a prison on knowledge problem in the IT industry and what Menlo does about it How Menlo systematically gives each other feedback The one meeting Menlo has every day (and why they avoid other meetings at all costs) Why the Menlo team doesn’t even look at email on vacation Why staying the same is riskier than growing Ways to contact Rich: Email: rsheridan@menloinnovations.com Website: menloinnovations.com Book: “Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love” Twitter: @menloprez

This is the final episode with James Goebel, COO and Co-Founder of Menlo Innovations. Menlo is a software development firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan that has the mission of “ending human suffering in the world as it relates to technology™.” Part 4 highlights Alignment Company Secrets The Importance of “I don’t know” News, community, fun times - http://inspiredandintentional.com/episode52

This is the 3rd of 4 episodes with James Goebel, COO and Co-Founder of Menlo Innovations. Menlo is a software development firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan that has the mission of “ending human suffering in the world as it relates to technology™.” Part 3 highlights Open Salaries Diversity of Thought and Demographics Interviewing the Menlo Way Show notes, links to resources, join the Inspired and Intentional Community - http://inspiredandintentional.com/episode51

This is the 2nd of 4 episodes with James Goebel, COO and Co-Founder of Menlo Innovations. Menlo is a software development firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan that has the mission of “ending human suffering in the world as it relates to technology™.” Part 2 highlights: How do you know if you’re right? Team closeness is more mental than physical Everybody as manager http://inspiredandintentional.com/episode50 - sign up for the newsletter, leave comments, pictures, and suggest new guests.

Hope, Processes, and Fear in the Workplace with James Goebel, part 1, Episode 49 The next four episodes are with James Goebel, COO and Co-Founder of Menlo Innovations. Menlo is a software development firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan that has the mission of “ending human suffering in the world as it relates to technology™.” Part 1 highlights: Hope Are your processes/systems building people up or crushing their spirits? Fear in the workplace http://inspiredandintentional.com/episode49 - show notes, links to resources and to subscribe to the community.

From kid programmer in 1971 to Forbes cover story in 2003, Richard Sheridan, author of Joy, Inc., has gone beyond creating a joyful company culture to teaching leaders around the globe how to do it.   While it’s easy to think such valuable company environments are created through a simple step-by-step process, Rich shares the real story behind Menlo Innovations, a company he co-founded along with James Goebel.   The foundation to this great story lies in the challenge of releasing the need to be the hero, and creating an environment that allows all team members to not only contribute, but take necessary breaks along the way. We all have egos that thrive on the opportunity to be the savior, and Rich is no different.   During the interview, Rich shared a few of the strategies he uses in order to fight off the instinct to be the hero:          Learn to manage without fear. While fear was his primary motivator prior to starting Menlo, Rich now teaches leaders around the globe to intentionally create a safe space for trust, creativity and collaboration to emerge. When we are in a state of fear (widely used to motivate), we do not have access to our pre-frontal cortex, thus we lose access to creativity, innovation, and rational thought.        Eliminate ambiguity. At Menlo they use a paper system that makes it crystal clear where every project is, and what each team is working on. Every day, everyone at Menlo knows what they’re working on, and the progress they’re making. So valuable! To get greater insight into the process they use, grab your copy of Joy, Inc.        Shared vision and belief system. At the foundation of Menlo’s success is their dedication to clear communication regarding who they serve and why they serve them. As a user of software, I am grateful for their mission at Menlo: To end human suffering as it relates to software. We all want software that’s simple, easy to use, and increases our efficiency—at Menlo, they’re creating such software.        Make the shift from “Boss” to “Leader.” There’s a false sense of power that comes with a corner office, an increase in direct reports, and a title. “Leadership is really about influence,” Rich says, and there’s really only one way to know if you’re leading—look behind you. Is there anyone following?   When I asked Rich to share the greatest challenge he sees for leaders who are striving to create a joyful, innovative, generous, and highly successful company culture, he said, “Changing human behavior.”   The strategy with the greatest impact for that challenge is to examine thoroughly how you reward your team. “I don’t just mean financially,” Rich said, “But in all ways. Talking about how ‘busy’ you are is a great example of how leaders reward ‘busy.’”   If you’re ready for a whole lot of “ah ha’s” as it pertains to influence, Provoking Greatness, and leadership, listen in. And, remember: Generosity is at the center of greatness—please share this interview.   To learn more about Rich, and Menlo Innovations, click here.   I hope that one day all leaders adopt your philosophy, Rich—Thank you for sharing the gift of you!   Here’s to Your Greatness,   Misti Burmeister  

James Goebel is a founding partner of Menlo Innovations. Menlo uses highly collaborative project teams to design and implement innovative products for clients that place high value on user adoption. Representatives from start-up companies as well as large Fortune 500 firms routinely tour Menlo's Software Factory environment to study its implementation of agile. James has worked in a variety of environments, from two employee startups, up to billion dollar organizations. As a coach and change agent, James has helped organizations achieve dramatic transformations in both process and culture. He enjoys speaking at conferences, teaching classes, and speaking to small local groups in order to share the lessons he has learned. Secret – timesaving technique James and his team sit together and plan their tasks together – the simple things save the most the time. ONWARD! Daily habit that contributes to success Spend time with your team and customers – James gets to know his people and understands their needs. Could have ruined your business – but now – an invaluable learning experience James' business changed its model and dropped significant revenue – and James tells the whole story here. Most critical skill you think business owners need to master to be successful “Communications – if I can form a picture in my head, how well can I help you form a picture in your head?” Most influential lesson learned from a mentor “Ask 'why am I doing this?' – if the answer is 'make money' – something is wrong.”   Final Round – “Breaking Down the Recipe for Success”  What systems would you go back and put into place sooner? I would have completely redone the way we used our systems – give all your employees access. What one strategy or “recipe” would compound into big wins for business owners? Set your business free through risk – but don't let your employees live in fear. How to exceed expectations and add the most value? An individual would put the needs of others ahead of their own – they are true team players. What strategy would you recommend new business owners focus on to best ensure success? Develop a peer group – share the downs with them – don't scare your employees. Have an obvious purpose/mission – define it as clearly as possible. Learn to articulate clearly what the future holds – pick a specific day and describe what that day is like How best to connect with James: https://www.menloinnovations.com/   You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------