Podcasts about company culture

About the guest: Meghan Popoleo is the President of The O'Connor Group, where she has spent the last decade helping organizations grow through strong people strategy, culture, and leadership. She came into the business from the nonprofit world, openly admits she did not start out loving HR, and has grown into a values-driven leader known for vulnerability, execution, collaboration, and people-first leadership.About the episode: In this conversation, Steve sits down with Meghan to unpack what it really means to be “growth ready.” Megan shares why vulnerability is not weakness, but a leadership advantage, especially when you're scaling a company, building culture, navigating succession, leading hard conversations, and raising a family at the same time. For founders, executives, and high-performers, this episode is a practical reminder that sustainable growth starts with values, trust, and the courage to ask for help.Key Takeaways:Why vulnerability is essential for personal and professional growthMegan's journey from nonprofit leadership into HR and people operationsThe partnership between Megan and founder Marsha O'ConnorHow hard conversations strengthen leadership tandemsProtecting company culture during growthWhy “teammate” matters more than “employee”Women in leadership, motherhood, and asking for helpThe tension between saying yes, learning fast, and avoiding overwhelmBuilding new service lines without losing core valuesWhy relationships are a true growth leverCreating communities that support female leaders and entrepreneursLinks and resources mentioned:The O'Connor Group: www.tocgrp.comThe O'Connor Group on LinkedIn57th Street Partners Shadow HerSend a textSupport the showConnect with Steve MellorStay connected and keep growing with Steve:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mellor-cc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachstevemellorBook Steve to speak at your next event → www.stevemellorspeaks.comSupport the GrowthReady Podcast by leaving a 5-star rating → Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growthready-podcast/id1406082163Connect with GrowthReadyJoin the community and keep your growth journey going:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearegrowthready/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/growthreadypodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/growthreadywithcoachstevemellorOfficial Website - https://growthready.com/----This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via ...

The Role of Executive Leadership in Shaping Company Culture and Preventing Burnout Source article:  https://www.breakfastleadership.com/blog/he-role-of-executive-leadership-in-shaping-company-culture-and-preventing-burnout In this Deep Dive episode, we unpack a foundational leadership truth: culture is not messaging. It is behavior at scale. And it begins with executive leadership. This conversation moves beyond surface-level engagement tactics and examines culture as strategic infrastructure. If you want to assess organizational health, do not start with the employee survey. Start with leadership behavior. What leaders tolerate, reward, ignore, and model becomes the company's operating system. Culture Is a Leadership Discipline Drawing on research from Gallup and McKinsey & Company, the discussion highlights a critical point: managers account for at least 70 percent of the variance in employee engagement, and organizations with performance-aligned cultures significantly outperform peers. Culture is not soft. It is structural. It is measurable. And it is directly tied to financial outcomes. The episode challenges the common executive mistake of delegating culture to HR. High-performing organizations treat culture as a leadership discipline, not a department function. The Mirror Effect and Emotional Contagion Leaders set the emotional climate of the enterprise. Referencing findings published by Harvard Business Review, the episode explores behavioral contagion. Executive emotional states cascade through teams. If leaders operate in chronic urgency, the organization mirrors urgency. If leaders model accountability, transparency, and regulation, those behaviors scale. A key theme emerges: executive nervous system management is not self-help language. It is performance strategy. If leadership is dysregulated, no wellness program will repair the culture. Incentives Reveal the Real Values Many organizations declare collaboration, innovation, or integrity as core values. Yet compensation and promotion systems often reward individual output at any cost. That misalignment is not a culture problem. It is a leadership integrity problem. Referencing research from Deloitte, the discussion reinforces that organizations with alignment between mission and business strategy demonstrate greater resilience during disruption. Vision, incentives, and modeled behavior must align. Without alignment, culture becomes performative. Psychological Safety as a Performance Lever The episode revisits insights from Google's Project Aristotle research, which identified psychological safety as the primary predictor of high-performing teams. Psychological safety is not politeness. It is accountability without fear. Leaders create this environment by: Admitting mistakes Inviting dissent Responding to failure with curiosity rather than blame You cannot scale performance without scaling trust. Burnout Is a Structural Signal Burnout is often misdiagnosed as an individual resilience issue. The episode reframes it as a culture metric. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. If executives create unclear priorities, constant urgency, unrealistic workloads, and low autonomy, burnout becomes predictable. Sustainable performance requires engineered capacity: Clear priorities Defined decision rights Normalized recovery Sustainable workload design Calm is not passive. Calm is controlled intensity. Top-Down Directional Clarity Building culture from the top does not mean command-and-control leadership. It means clarity. Exceptional leaders: Articulate a compelling vision Model required behaviors Design systems that reinforce those behaviors When executives abdicate culture design, informal power structures take over. Informal culture rarely aligns with long-term strategy. Executive Culture Audit The episode closes with a practical executive checklist: Are leadership behaviors consistent with stated values? Do incentives reward long-term thinking? Is psychological safety measurable? Are burnout indicators treated as operational metrics? Does communication cascade clearly? The organizations that will outperform in the next decade will not simply adopt AI or analytics. They will build resilient human systems. Culture is engineered. Performance is designed. Leadership behavior is the starting point. If this episode resonated, explore further insights in Workplace Culture and Burnout Proof, and visit BreakfastLeadership.com for additional executive-level analysis on sustainable high performance.

In this episode, Kyle Hunt talks with Scott Collins of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Lake Norman about his journey from a 25 year corporate career into launching a design build remodeling business with his wife. They discuss the realities of making the leap into entrepreneurship, the lessons Scott brought from corporate leadership, and how focusing on team empowerment, clear standards, and strong communication helps create a better experience for both employees and homeowners. Scott also shares how their goal is simple but powerful: take the chaos out of construction and replace it with a smoother, more thoughtful remodeling process for their clients. ----- Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing. ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! -----  Takeaways Celebrating wins is crucial in business. Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship can be challenging yet rewarding. Building a strong team is essential for success. Empowering employees leads to better accountability and motivation. Understanding customer needs through storytelling enhances sales. Differentiating in a competitive market requires a focus on client experience. A well-designed showroom can significantly impact customer perception. Franchise support can help shorten the learning curve for new business owners. Effective communication is key to customer satisfaction. Networking with other professionals can provide valuable insights and support. ----- Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Scott Collins and His Journey 06:20 - Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Business 11:51 - Building a Strong Team and Company Culture 17:03 - Early Wins and Challenges in the Remodeling Business 23:30 - Understanding Client Needs and Experiences 31:21 - Differentiating in a Competitive Market 36:48 - The Importance of a Showroom 43:22 - The Impact of Dream Maker Franchise

I talk a lot about generous workplace culture, but in this episode… I flip the script and walk through eight signs that your culture might actually feel like a trap instead of a mission. If top talent and great customers keep slipping away, it is often not because of one big failure but because of subtle patterns that quietly tell people, "You do not matter here, your growth does not matter here, and your time is just a transaction." I unpack what it looks like when people do not feel they are making a meaningful impact, when they believe they are only growing the company brand and not their own, when titles matter more than growth, when the calendar seems to own them, when politics outweigh purpose, when safety is not prioritized, when potential is capped, and when work feels like trading time for money. My goal is to help you spot these traps and start making small but powerful shifts so your culture becomes a place people are excited to join, contribute to, and stay. *Enroll in the "Feeling Generous" Email course

In this conversation, Todd Reed engages with Andy Herbert and Rachel Gass from Be Kind Lyfe Consulting to explore the significance of company culture, particularly the distinction between being 'nice' and 'kind.' They discuss how a positive culture can impact business performance, employee engagement, and innovation.The K.I.N.D framework is introduced as a guide for fostering a supportive workplace environment. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness in leadership, the need for continuous improvement, and practical steps for organizations to enhance their culture. Real-world examples illustrate the transformative power of kindness in the workplace. Thank you for listening/watching.Here's where I ask a huge favor from you, I'm creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give your insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe here on Graybar dot com:  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#podcastsubscribe?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=keepin-the-lights-on-2026&utm_content=kindvsnice.Learn more about Be Kind Lyfe: https://bkndlyfe.squarespace.com/View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/55QL0hUTpRg

What actually makes a company culture work and how do you know if you're truly in the right one? In this episode of Achieving Success with Olivia Atkin, Olivia sits down with Matthew Person, founder of Town Square Advisors and creator of the Square Management System, to explore what alignment inside an organization really looks like. Too often, “culture” and “alignment” are treated as buzzwords, but Matthew explains why they should function as intentional operating systems that shape how companies grow, collaborate, and perform.Matthew shares how leaders can design high-trust, high-performing organizations by balancing autonomy with clear guardrails through what he calls constrained independence. The conversation dives into the four sides of the Square Management System, why organizational drift happens, and how individuals and leaders alike can evaluate whether they're operating inside the right environment. If you've ever questioned whether your workplace truly aligns with how you think, lead, and work best, this episode offers a new way to think about culture, leadership, and success.Want to start your own podcast, grow your show, or get featured as a guest? Let's map it out together. Book a free clarity call with Olivia to explore the next best move for your podcast strategy whether you're building from scratch, ready to scale, or looking to use guesting to grow your brand. MeetwithOlivia.meNeed more inspiration or tools?Access Olivia's book, podcast growth resources, and done-for-you support at Achieving-Success.comGet the Podcast Growth Partner For Yourself: Want to cut your content time from 12–20 hours a week down to under 30 minutes without sacrificing strategy, voice, or quality? The Podcast Growth Partner is the customized AI system built from Olivia Atkin's proven frameworks, giving you titles, descriptions, SEO, and monetization support in minutes. Access it here: ACHIEVING SUCCESS LLCStay Connected With Us:LinkedIn: achieving-success-llcInstagram: @_achievingsuccessTwitter: @_achievesuccessFacebook: @Achieving SuccessYou Can Find Matthew Person:Website: townsquare-advisors.com  Email: matt.person@townsquare-advisors.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdperson/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABEDon't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2026Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitabilityTransform your shop's marketing with the best in the automotive industry, Shop Marketing Pros!Get a free audit of your shop's current marketing by clicking here: https://geni.us/ShopMarketingProsShop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into a single, sleek digital platform.Simplify payments. Streamline operations. Check out 360payments.com today!In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Kevaughn Williams, Operations Manager at 360 Payments. Kevaughn underscores the importance of company culture in building a motivated, accountable team, highlighting how 360's values of transparency and peer-to-peer accountability support both employees and customers. The discussion covers practical strategies for automotive shops to protect themselves from payment chargebacks, with Kevaughn outlining red flags to watch for and offering tips to improve payment security. 00:00 "360 Culture and Leadership"04:28 "Honesty and Accountability Matter"08:13 "Impactful Workplace Culture Insights"11:16 "Towing Office Experience Reflection"14:50 Car Rental Customer Support Journey15:54 Rental Car Upgrade Mishap21:08 Mandatory Work Schedule Change24:40 Building Youthful Team for Success27:58 "Disney Trip as Life Milestone"28:40 Prioritizing People Over Business34:51 Preventing Text-to-Pay Fraud38:11 Fraud Awareness and Payment Precautions39:06 DocuSign ID and Card Verification44:24 Chargeback Fraud at Local Shop48:02 "High-Risk Account Threshold Explained"50:23 Transparency and Informed Decisions53:22 "David's CSP Concerns"56:19 "Buttoning Debate Unresolved"

Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, has dedicated 30+ years to the travel industry. Serendipitously, her very first job in travel was with a French hotel group, where she regularly worked with travel advisors. Krueger quickly recognized that personal connections were far more important than product, and she brought that line of thinking to future roles in wholesale travel before moving to Classic Vacations. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Krueger reflects on the lessons that have shaped her as a leader, including building the right inner circle, being the kind of champion for others that you’d want for yourself and learning from the “scripts,” or examples, of others. Krueger also outlines Classic’s cultural pillars and discusses making career advancement moves to fit life stages. She also explains Classic’s ownership evolution, up to its recent acquisition by TBO, and previews the company’s continued digital transformation. Even with forward motion on the tech side, Krueger says that “trust, time and humanity” are and will remain foundational to Classic and the travel advisors it serves. This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Classic Vacations From TravelAge West: Classic Vacations to Be Acquired by TBO, an Indian Tech CompanyContact Krueger: officeoftheceo@classicvacations.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(0:00) Intro (1:35) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel (2:22) Start of interview (3:01) Joelle's origin story (7:00) The Journey of Paradigm, the culture company she co-founded in 2014. "Our goal is to help organizations build healthy and high performing cultures where people from all backgrounds can come together, do their best work and thrive." (11:15) On the current backlash against DEI. (16:49) On Coinbase's "mission focused company" statement in 2020. (21:53) The Politics of Company Culture, and Silicon Valley's approach. (26:15) The Shift from Public to Private Companies (29:33) AI's Impact on the Workforce (35:18) The Role of the Board on Workplace Culture (37:23) Talent executives and CHROs on Boards (39:54) Rethinking Compliance in Organizations (42:43) Evaluating an organization's culture (45:22) Books that have greatly influenced her life: Growth Mindset, by Carol Dweck (2007) Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson (2025) Sea of Tranquility, by Emily St. John Mandel (2022) (47:04) Her mentors.  (48:24) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by "Do the best you can until you know better. And then when you know better, do better." (Maya Angelou) "Forward is a pace" (heard from a Peloton instructor, Robin Arzon) (49:08) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that she loves (49:44) The living person she most admires (inspiring now): Lindsey Vonn. (50:30) The Unique Perspective of a Lawyer-CEO Joelle Emerson is the CEO and co-founder of Paradigm, a company that empowers organizations to create innovative, high-performance workplaces where everyone can do their best work. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Jay Barney, a professor at the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business, studied leaders who successfully led culture change and found one thing in common: they created and spread authentic and memorable stories. The new stories then emanated throughout the workforce and rewrote the old narrative. Barney explains the six rules leaders need to follow to drive cultural change with storytelling.

Episode 128: Company Culture is Not Dress Down Fridays In this powerful episode of Monday Morning Mojo, Anna Gibbs pulls back the curtain on what company culture really is and why so many high-achieving women in leadership positions struggle to scale their team to the next level.  When you know deep down it's not about better perks, another team lunch, or a motivational speech, this conversation will have you digging deep, understanding how to fix the real problems and finally getting your team moving in a better direction. Listen to Learn: What's really causing the “quiet quitting” phenomenon Why most culture problems are actually clarity problems (and how to fix it) How to turn good intentions into high performance with accountability How to hire for cultural alignment without hiring people who all think like you If you're leading at a high level but sensing friction, disengagement, or misalignment on your team, this conversation will help you get them back on track. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Building Your Company Culture Workbook (pdf)  DISC Assessment Find out more about the 4-1-1 in The One Thing Quotes to Remember: Your culture may be pretty solid but it could evolve over time. Your culture can evolve just like your leadership evolves. Journal Prompts: How am I fostering a sense of inclusivity? Once people are in the room, do they feel seen? Do they feel valued and respected? Why does my company exist? Where are we going as a company? How do I/we behave? Connect with Anna: Schedule a Discovery Call  Monday Morning Mojo Facebook Group Facebook  Instagram Watch the Monday Morning Mojo Video on YouTube To learn more about coaching with Anna visit  coachannagibbs.com To learn more about the supplements and products Anna uses to improve her overall health and well-being visit: https://plexusworldwide.com/annagibbs 

Birgitta, Heinrich and Sven look back at the latest developments in AI-assisted development, tools and practices which emerged in 2025 and work for teams. Furthermore they discuss a few topics like "where does the rigor go in AI assistance" from the future of software development retreat in Utah

In Episode 208, I'm joined by Sam Chapman to talk about building businesses with family and long time partners and what that actually looks like behind the scenes.Sam lives in Northern Virginia and has spent the last 10+ years growing companies in the construction and insurance restoration space. After beginning his career in commercial real estate, he partnered with his brother to build Caseco into a general contracting company and later launched Merit Restorations, which now operates in multiple markets across the U.S.This episode is centered around entrepreneurial leadership.We talk about:What it really takes to build with family and friendsHow radical transparency keeps partnerships healthyThe difference between loyalty and accountabilityCulture breakdowns and the cost of avoiding hard decisionsDiversification as a long term growth strategyWhy you can't shortcut the early stages of buildingLearning to say no and protect your commitmentsSam shares openly about seasons where culture wasn't strong, where leadership decisions were delayed, and how stepping into accountability changed the trajectory of the business. If you're thinking about scale, legacy, and building something that lasts beyond you, this conversation will challenge you in the right way.Connect with Sam and his companies:Caseco Homes: https://caseco.net/ Merit Restorations: https://meritrestorations.com/Sam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samchapmanco/Sam's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samcprojects/Connect with Builders of Authority:Website: https://buildauthority.com/FREE Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7685392924809322GoHighLevel Extended 30-day Free Trial w/TONS of Personal Branding Bonuses: http://gohighlevel.com/adammcchesney

If you're an entrepreneur or founder who feels like you have to work twice as hard just to keep your business from spiraling, you're not alone—and your company's chaos might not just be “part of the job.”Most founders don't realize their business “vibe” is a mirror of their brain. ADHD traits like chasing dopamine, avoiding conflict, or struggling with structure aren't just personality quirks– they ripple through your team, processes, and business operations.Whether you're a founder, team lead, or anyone building something from scratch, this episode will deliver a clear framework to assess your current culture, recognize what's working (and what's not), and take the first practical steps toward building a company that truly fits and supports the neurodivergent way you do business.Organizational Psychologists Quinn & Cameron identified that 90% of companies worldwide fall into one of these four types of company cultures in their Competing Values Culture Model: Clan (Family): Collaborative, relationship-focused, but slow to make tough calls.Adhocracy (Innovators): Fast-paced, risk-taking, constant brainstorming – but often unstable and unfinished.Market (Competitors): Results-driven, clear metrics, high stakes – can burn people out.Hierarchy (Machine): Structured, predictable, rule-heavy – can stifle creativity.Most founders with ADHD unintentionally create either:“Accidental Adhocracy”: Innovative (read: scattered), chasing novelty for dopamine, team struggles with chaos and change, projects rarely get finished.“Accidental Clan”: Warm, fuzzy, avoiding confrontation, underperformers stick around, roles are blurry, you feel more like a therapist than a CEO.3-Step Plan to Build Your Business Culture on Purpose1. Honestly Assess Your Current CultureAsk tough questions—from “Who really solves problems here?” to “How many projects did we actually finish this quarter?”2. Get Real About What's Working… and What's NotList out where your accidental culture is winning—and where it's burning you or your team out.3. Pick ONE High-Leverage ChangeDon't try to overhaul it all. Make one intentional hire (like a project manager or COO) or put a single new process between your ideas and your team. Act, observe, and iterate.You get to choose your culture.The question isn't if your ADHD is shaping your business, but how.About the Host, Diann Wingert:Drawing from her experience as a psychotherapist and serial business owner and her understanding of ADHD, Diann empowers founders to understand the default culture their ADHD brain creates, and shows them how to transform it into a purpose-driven environment that supports both their goals and the well-being of their team.Sharing is CaringKnow a fellow ADHD founder who's quietly fighting fires (or fighting themselves) every day? They might need this wake-up call, too, so be a pal and share the episode.Want one-on-one support? If you're ready to intentionally design a company culture that works with your ADHD,

About Margaret Graziano: Magi has spent her life reinventing herself. From a single mother at 19 working at the first Cable TV company, to leading one of the fastest-growing consultancies and becoming a best-selling author in her field of expertise, Magi has continually taken challenges and failure as lessons, and learned to move beyond her limits (both real and perceived) to live a life that inspires and contributes. Using a unique combination of experiential coaching, science-backed development tools, and actionable strategies, Magi empowers leaders to evolve themselves and their organizational culture to meet the moment. Whether it's change initiatives, new leadership, or cultural transformation, she partners with teams to catalyze positive change.   In this episode, Dean Newlund and Margaret Graziano discuss: Defining organizational culture as the ecosystem that turns vision into reality The measurable financial impact of culture on engagement, productivity, and EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) How stress, distraction, and insecurity since COVID have eroded workplace performance Why outdated post-World War II workplace architecture blocks innovation and trust The real cost of meetings and how they either drain energy or inspire change   Key Takeaways: Explicitly teach self-regulation skills so employees can manage stress, fear, and emotional reactivity instead of letting it silently undermine performance. Audit meetings for cost, purpose, and energy impact, and redesign them to inspire change rather than search for blame or status updates. Hire and develop people based on competency, commitment to mission, and accountability rather than relying on goodwill or passion alone. Connect each role to a noble cause that matters beyond compensation, so employees operate from courage and belief in a positive future.   "It is the ecosystem that turns the organization's vision into reality.” — Margaret Graziano   Connect with Margaret Graziano:   Website: https://www.margaretgraziano.com/ Book: Ignite Culture: Empowering and Leading a Healthy, High-Performance Organization from the Inside Out: https://www.amazon.com/Ignite-Culture-Empowering-High-Performance-Organization-ebook/dp/B0BQCZB4HF YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/keenalignmentmg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretgraziano/       See Dean's TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.comPhone: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this incredibly candid conversation, Nikki Krishnamurthy (Chief People Officer at Uber) joins Jessica Neal (former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix) to discuss the high-stakes reality of leading people through crisis, transformation, and the AI revolution.Nikki opens up about the "Strategic Calmness" required to navigate Uber's most turbulent years, from handling global layoffs to dismantling a culture of leaks and entitlement. She shares the internal mechanics of her 13-year partnership with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, explaining why a Chief People Officer must act as a business leader first and why being "the mirror" for a CEO is the most important, and loneliest, part of the job.We dive deep into:The C-Suite Burden: Why the HR role has shifted into a hybrid of Chief Medical, Diversity, and AI Officer.The "Entitlement" Trap: How Uber moved from "investigating everything" back to a culture of high judgment and "doing the right thing."Managing Up: The exact moment Nikki gave Dara feedback and how that blunt honesty built a foundation of radical trust.AI vs. Innovation: Why Nikki is prioritizing "AI-native" college grads and her warning to big companies: Don't let efficiency kill your ability to invent.The Art of "Disagree and Commit": Navigating executive hires and knowing which hills are worth dying on.This is a masterclass in leadership, human psychology, and the raw reality of what happens behind the closed doors of the world's biggest tech companies.

If you're an entrepreneur or founder who feels like you have to work twice as hard just to keep your business from spiraling, you're not alone—and your company's chaos might not just be “part of the job.”Most founders don't realize their business “vibe” is a mirror of their brain. ADHD traits like chasing dopamine, avoiding conflict, or struggling with structure aren't just personality quirks– they ripple through your team, processes, and business operations.Whether you're a founder, team lead, or anyone building something from scratch, this episode will deliver a clear framework to assess your current culture, recognize what's working (and what's not), and take the first practical steps toward building a company that truly fits and supports the neurodivergent way you do business.Organizational Psychologists Quinn & Cameron identified that 90% of companies worldwide fall into one of these four types of company cultures in their Competing Values Culture Model: Clan (Family): Collaborative, relationship-focused, but slow to make tough calls.Adhocracy (Innovators): Fast-paced, risk-taking, constant brainstorming – but often unstable and unfinished.Market (Competitors): Results-driven, clear metrics, high stakes – can burn people out.Hierarchy (Machine): Structured, predictable, rule-heavy – can stifle creativity.Most founders with ADHD unintentionally create either:“Accidental Adhocracy”: Innovative (read: scattered), chasing novelty for dopamine, team struggles with chaos and change, projects rarely get finished.“Accidental Clan”: Warm, fuzzy, avoiding confrontation, underperformers stick around, roles are blurry, you feel more like a therapist than a CEO.3-Step Plan to Build Your Business Culture on Purpose1. Honestly Assess Your Current CultureAsk tough questions—from “Who really solves problems here?” to “How many projects did we actually finish this quarter?”2. Get Real About What's Working… and What's NotList out where your accidental culture is winning—and where it's burning you or your team out.3. Pick ONE High-Leverage ChangeDon't try to overhaul it all. Make one intentional hire (like a project manager or COO) or put a single new process between your ideas and your team. Act, observe, and iterate.You get to choose your culture.The question isn't if your ADHD is shaping your business, but how.About the Host, Diann Wingert:Drawing from her experience as a psychotherapist and serial business owner and her understanding of ADHD, Diann empowers founders to understand the default culture their ADHD brain creates, and shows them how to transform it into a purpose-driven environment that supports both their goals and the well-being of their team.Sharing is CaringKnow a fellow ADHD founder who's quietly fighting fires (or fighting themselves) every day? They might need this wake-up call, too, so be a pal and share the episode.Want one-on-one support? If you're ready to intentionally design a company culture that works with your ADHD,

Ben Askins is the co-founder of Gaia, a green technology company that builds online tools for companies within the environmental space. But he cut his teeth as an entrepreneur by creating a digital marketing business for luxury brands, which he scaled and successfully exited. He shares with Richard Harpin practical advice on interview techniques to hire the best candidates, building an engaged and happy workforce and how to scale a start-up with a future exit in mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a company culture goes quietly toxic, founders usually don't see it in the metrics first. They see it in silence. In this episode, Alex Sheridan sits down with Sarah Mitial of People Architecture Group to break down what “toxic” actually looks like inside growing companies—and what leaders can do before it turns into churn, distrust, and stalled execution. Sarah brings 19+ years across the full HR spectrum (with deep focus on talent acquisition, talent development, and onboarding), plus experience across both profit and non-profit organisations, and her core argument is simple: retention problems aren't always “bad people.” They're often predictable outcomes of leadership habits, missing feedback loops, and inconsistent follow-through. This conversation is about the gap between what leaders think their culture is and what employees actually experience. Sarah explains why teams stop giving honest feedback, how to build trust without trying to be “liked,” and how to give tough accountability without attacking the person.Q&A-Style Takeaways with Timestamps00:00:00 Introduction00:04:50 How can a founder tell if the culture is unhealthy—even if performance looks fine?Answer: Look for what employees say when it's “anonymous”: survey results, stay interviews, exit interviews, and whether people fear retaliation when asking for help. Those signals usually show culture health before dashboards do.00:08:16 Why do employees stop being honest with leadership?Answer: If people gave feedback before and nothing changed (or leadership tried to “figure out who wrote it”), employees learn it's not safe or worth the effort. The fix is visible action + clear communication on what will (and won't) change right now.00:10:30 What's one simple meeting habit that increases real participation?Answer: Leaders have to stop filling the space. Ask the question, then wait through the silence. People need time to process—especially if the leader usually speaks first and sets the “correct” answer.00:14:18 What actually builds trust inside a scaling company?Answer: Be consistent. Do what you say you'll do, when you say you'll do it—and communicate early when you can't. Trust gets destroyed fastest when leaders take credit for team wins or dodge responsibility when things go wrong.00:24:20 Do founders need different leadership approaches for different generations?Answer: Some principles stay the same, but what people value changes by “season of life.” Benefits, flexibility, development, and incentives should match who is actually in your workforce—not what looks good on paper.00:27:00 How do you hold people accountable without creating a toxic environment?Answer: “Attack the work, not the person.”00:40:19 Why do good hires quit in the first 30 days?Answer: Because the handoff from hiring to onboarding breaks. HR can set the candidate up well, but if managers mismanage the first month, the experience collapses and the new hire walks—fast.Watch the full episode and subscribe for more authentic, no-fluff entrepreneur podcast interviews with real founder lessons.

In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham is joined by Perry Timms, author of Transformational HR and founder of PTHR, to explore how HR leaders can design for constant change rather than react to it.Together, they unpack Perry's updated HR operating model — one built on product thinking, systems design, and behavioural science. You'll hear how HR teams can treat services as evolving products, hire for learning speed, and design employee experiences that adapt without burning people out.The conversation spans real-world adoption stories from charities, construction, and hospitality, showing how different sectors interpret the same principles to fit their realities. Perry also introduces the idea of the polymorphic organisation — many forms working in sync — balancing governance where it's needed with fluid networks where innovation thrives.Looking ahead to 2026, we tackle the AI question head-on. Instead of chasing shaky ROI promises, Perry proposes a sharper metric: return on usefulness. Measure time returned to people, clarity of decisions, speed of work, and the quality of human conversations that actually move the needle.We close with a leadership challenge: become incubators. Create the conditions for safe experiments, rapid learning, and scalable success.If you care about resilient teams, smarter HR design, and making technology serve people — not the other way around — this episode is for you.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Careers don't peak and fade—they evolve.In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Pauline James is joined by Dr. Ben Zweig, economist, data scientist, and CEO of Revelio Labs, to unpack what AI, remote work, and risk-off hiring really mean for later-career professionals.The data-driven headline may surprise you: while AI exposure is dampening demand for junior roles, experienced roles remain largely untouched. Ben explains why this shift reflects a deeper transition—from task execution to orchestration—where coordination, prioritization, and cross-functional judgment become the most valuable skills in the economy.Together, Pauline and Ben explore the difference between procedural organizations that automate easily and adaptable environments where roles evolve continuously. They discuss practical strategies like job crafting, choosing leaders who encourage experimentation, and navigating the loyalty tax without drifting into stagnation. The conversation also covers remote work's “suburban advantage,” lower job mobility in risk-off markets, and why experience is increasingly rewarded when employers prioritize near-term delivery.Ben also previews his new book, Job Architecture: Building a Language for Workforce Intelligence, showing how better job taxonomies and LLMs can bring clarity, speed, and fairness to people decisions.If you're thinking about your next career chapter—or advising others through change—this episode offers a clear, data-backed roadmap.Key topics include:Why AI is cooling entry-level hiring but sparing experienced rolesAdaptable vs. procedural organizationsOrchestration as a core human advantageJob crafting as a hedge against stagnationThe loyalty tax and mid-career earnings trade-offsRemote work trends and later-career opportunityUsing job architecture and LLMs to structure skills and rolesSupport the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Accountability isn't about blame or punishment. It's about learning faster than the cost of avoiding it. In this episode, we unpack why leaders drift when things go wrong, the three patterns that quietly sabotage accountability, and how to turn mistakes into meaningful progress.This is accountability as a skill, not a slogan.

Most entrepreneurs were trained to be great at their craft… but not trained to lead people. This series is here to bridge that gap!The #BossToLeader series is designed to help you shift from the overwhelmed, doing-everything-yourself boss… to a confident leader who knows how to delegate, create accountability, empower your team & lead with vision instead of stress. In each episode, you'll get practical tools, strategies & honest insight into the real-life obstacles entrepreneurs face like trusting your team, letting go of control & showing up as the leader your business actually needs.So, if you're ready to stop surviving in your business and start leading with clarity and confidence, this series is for you.In this episode, I'm sharing simple leadership shifts & daily actions that will help you finally get the best out of your team!    Need one-on-one help with navigating being a new leader? Schedule your complimentary clarity call with me here!  www.baproinc.com/ep185       Apply to join the New Leader, BIG IMPACT Coaching Program to level up your leadership & build an engaging team... even if the culture is toxic & without management's support! https://baproinc.com/newleaderbigimpact   Questions about this episode? Topic suggestions for future episodes? Send them to culture@businessadvocatespro.com  Let's chat about this episode on “X”: @BAPROINC or IG: @CultureBuildingPRO  The Culture Building like a PRO Podcast: Simple ways to transform your company culture... Today!| Company Culture | Culture Building | Organizational Culture | Employee Engagement | New Leaders | Effective Leadership | Servant Leadership |baproinc.com

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels with your team? Too much back and forth, unclear expectations, and you're wondering if it's them or if it's you? In this week's episode of the Small Business Straight Talk Podcast, I'm bringing back my conversation with Yuri Elkaim because he gets real about being the source of his own team's chaos AND explains exactly what he did to fix it. What You'll Discover In This Episode: ✔ The Two Leadership Skills That Matter Most When Building A High-Performing Team ✔ Why Your Company Culture Is A Direct Reflection Of You As The Founder ✔ How To Build Strong Team Bonds When Everyone Works 100% Remotely ✔ The Simple Tool That Turns 10 Minutes Of Clarity Into 10 Hours Saved ✔ What "Stars And Seeds" Means And How It Transforms Your Hiring Strategy ✔ So Much More! To access resources and links from this episode, visit AmberDeLaGarza.com/414 P.S. Not sure where to focus first? Take my free Next Level Business Owner Quiz to find out exactly what's holding you back and what to prioritize next. → Take the quiz at AmberDeLaGarza.com/Quiz And… If you're ready to stop being the bottleneck and start building a team that actually runs without you, I'd love to talk. Schedule your Discovery Call at AmberDeLaGarza.com/Call

Building a powerful personal brand as a leader isn't just about what you say online; it's about the culture you create within your organisation. When your team feels seen, valued, and connected to a larger purpose, that positive culture becomes your most significant competitive advantage. But how do you move from simply having values on a poster to truly living them? In this episode, I talk with my friend and best selling author of 'Culture Pays', Margaret Brown, a leadership expert with 35 years of experience, about the art and science of building a culture that pays.We explored several key areas during our conversation:✳️ The Three Pillars of Leadership: Margaret explained that successful leadership requires a balance of business acumen, technical excellence, and-the often-neglected pillar-values and behaviours. We discussed why the EQ side of leadership is the true differentiator that separates thriving organisations from the rest.✳️ The Real Cost of a Bad Culture: We looked at the hard numbers behind employee disengagement. With "quiet quitting" costing the global economy an estimated $8.9 trillion, it's clear that culture has a direct impact on the bottom line. Margaret shared a case study of how one company reduced its attrition rate from 12% to under 1% by focusing on its culture.✳️ A Framework for Transformation: Margaret introduced her "Five Ls" of leadership-Listen, Learn, Lead, Leverage, and Live by your values. This model provides a practical process for leaders who want to understand the blockers in their organisation and inspire their teams to do their best work.Here are three actions you can take this week based on our discussion:✳️ Conduct a Listening Tour: Don't wait for formal surveys. Actively seek feedback from your employees, partners, and stakeholders. Ask them what's holding them back and what they need to succeed.✳️ Practice Visible Leadership: Find small but consistent ways to connect with your team and show you care. It could be as simple as knowing the name of the person who brings the coffee or starting a "Good News Monday" meeting to celebrate weekly wins.✳️ Audit Your Values: Look at your official company values and then honestly assess whether they are reflected in the daily experiences of your team. If there's a gap, start a conversation about how to close it.More about Margaret Brown : https://www.margaretbrownconsulting.com/free-chapter/---(00:00) Introduction(01:42) Welcome Margaret Brown(03:04) Are Leaders Born or Made?(06:51) The Three Pillars of Leadership(10:07) Company Culture and Purpose(13:31) Leading with Vision and Purpose(17:10) Living Your Company Values(21:34) Belonging in a Post-Pandemic World(24:12) The Staggering Cost of 'Quiet Quitting'(28:58) The Importance of Visible Leadership(33:26) Connecting with Margaret and Her Book 'Culture Pays'(35:00) Conclusion----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business BlueprintIt's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Sponsors:◦ Visit Buildertrend to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account◦ Marvin Windows and Doors◦ Sub-Zero Wolf Cove Showroom PhoenixConnect with Eric Auffant:◦ https://www.modernshade.netConnect with Brad Leavitt:Website | Instagram | Facebook | Houzz | Pinterest | YouTube

In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by future of work strategist Danny Stacy to unpack the growing disconnect between what employees now expect from work - flexibility, trust, and purpose — and the legacy systems many organisations still rely on.The result of that gap? Disengagement, burnout, and quiet opting out.Danny argues that the fix doesn't start with perks or platforms, but with clarity. Leaders must define what “good work” looks like today, decide how AI-driven productivity gains will be shared, and equip managers to lead with empathy and accountability.We also explore how hiring has changed. Even in slower markets, candidates are more selective, prioritising culture, adaptability, and long-term fit over pedigree. Danny explains why skills and potential now matter more than traditional credentials — and how to assess for capability without undermining fairness.Looking ahead to AI in 2026, we challenge the idea that it's simply a tech rollout. AI is a leadership decision. That means setting clear privacy guardrails, training middle managers to coach realistic use, and answering the question employees are already asking: who keeps the time AI saves?We also get practical about well-being. Perks don't fix broken work design. Real well-being shows up in workload, role clarity, trust, and manager quality. Danny shares the leadership behaviour that shifts culture fastest — empathy with accountability — and why moments of pressure reveal what organisational values are really worth.We close with one actionable move to future-proof your talent strategy: write and share your people principles before buying the next shiny tool, then align hiring, development, and performance to those commitments.In this episode, we cover:The gap between new employee expectations and old systemsWhy hiring now favours skills, adaptability, and long-term fitAI as a people decision — with clear value sharingManager readiness and practical AI enablementWell-being as an operating model, not a perkEmpathy with accountability as the leadership edgeOne action to future-proof talent strategy this yearSubscribe to the show, follow us on social media, and visit HR Gazette for more insights on the world of work.Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

In this episode of The Business Method Podcast, host Chris Reynolds sits down with Kenneth “Hap” Klopp, the legendary former CEO who transformed The North Face from a small outdoor brand into a globally recognized powerhouse. From his early days growing up in Spokane, Washington, to leading one of the most iconic outdoor apparel companies in the world, Hap shares the leadership philosophy that drove his success, one rooted in understanding people, building authentic culture, and balancing commercial growth with environmental responsibility. Hap opens up about how The North Face built demand rather than simply following it, the innovative branding strategies that helped define the company, and the importance of storytelling in creating lasting brand value. He also reflects on sustainability, employee engagement, and how true innovation often comes from staying focused on long-term purpose rather than short-term wins. Today, Hap continues to inspire future entrepreneurs through teaching and mentorship, sharing decades of hard-earned lessons about leadership, resilience, and building meaningful businesses. This episode is packed with insights on brand-building, sustainability, leadership, and innovation straight from one of the outdoor industry's most influential pioneers.  Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Hap Klopp and The North Face 01:27 Hap Klopp's Early Inspirations and Philosophy 03:49 Challenges and Lessons in Business 07:19 Building The North Face Brand 12:18 Environmental Commitment and Innovations 16:10 The Impact and Legacy of The North Face 19:06 Company Culture and Employee Development 23:37 Branding and Storytelling 29:54 Chapters of Growth and Survival 32:13 Maintaining Employee Engagement 35:19 Creating Demand vs. Following Demand 37:40 The Importance of Focus and Survival 43:10 Influencer Marketing Before It Was Cool 46:28 The Myth of Overnight Success 48:35 Lessons from Bucky Fuller 51:29 Connecting with Nature 01:00:05 Final Thoughts and Resources    Connect with Hap Klopp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapklopp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hap-klopp-b3b976/ Twitter (X): https://x.com/HapKlopp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALMOSTbyHap/  Subscribe to The Business Method Podcast  Website: https://www.thebusinessmethod.com/  Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod  Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod  Follow Chris Reynolds: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn — @chrisreynoldslive  https://linktr.ee/ChrisReynoldsLive

In this conversation, we introduce a speaker and author whose journey began in a small cafe, where she learned that leadership is truly about human connections rather than just metrics. Her story offers inspiration and motivation for fostering effective interactions in the workplace that bring harmony.Lisa Even (ee-ven) is on a mission to help leaders and organizations create the ultimate ripple effect, the kind that moves people and drives impact.Better leaders. Better culture. Better results.A nationally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author of Joy Is My Job, and host of the Have Good Ripple Effect podcast, Lisa has partnered with top organizations across the world to help teams navigate change and create remarkable performance. Through her signature S.E.A. Model (Show up, Engage, Adapt), Lisa teaches that culture and performance aren't built in meetings; they're built in the moments in between, through our attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. She helps leaders recognize that their ripple effect, the tone they set, the energy they bring, and the example they model, has the power to shape trust, collaboration, and long-term results.Drawing on more than a decade of experience leading teams and studying what great leaders do differently, Lisa equips audiences to move from the day-to-day hustle and firefighting to captaining their own ship. Her message blends strategy, science, humor, and connection, showing that when leaders focus on creating a Good Ripple Effect, results always follow. She brings contagious energy, actionable insights, and a real-world perspective to every room. Known for making leadership practical and people-centered, she challenges leaders to think beyond daily metrics and consider the legacy their leadership leaves behind, the kind measured not just in results, but in how people feel, perform, grow, and show up because of them.Whether she's on stage, in a workshop, or hosting conversations on her podcast, Lisa reminds leaders of a simple truth: leadership isn't just an initiative, it's a performance strategy.Lisa EvenLinks: Website: https://www.lisaeven.com/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisa_even/videos Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/have-good-ripple-effect/id1737506915Social Media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-even-have-good-ripple-effect-0778b112/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaeven11 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaeven_/ Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use."

Dick Stricklen is the owner of Motor City Auto Center in Bakersfield, CA, a sprawling campus which includes a Buick/GMC dealership, a Lexus dealership, and a large used car & truck operation. Dick's team devote themselves to helping and serving their customers and providing staff with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests. Dick took over the GMC dealership at the age of 19 after his father's death and since then has followed his passion for building authentic relationships with team members and clients alike. Dick joins me on the show today to share how he started in the automotive business and why he's grateful to his late father for starting him as a porter at the dealership at a very early age, allowing him to learn from the ground up. He tells the story of how he managed to put together a proposal that saw him successfully take over one of his father's businesses, and why he walked away from a critical bank loan at the 11th hour. Dick also shares the core values of Motor City Auto Center and why promoting the company culture is so important to him as a leader. "Let's all get focused on what we have control over." - Dick Stricklen "I always get in the other person's shoes; I develop a relationship with them a personal relationship." - Dick Stricklen "Bottom line is important to manage, but that's not what we're about. The bottom line is a result of the major motive, and that is to help people get what they want, see them grow, give them opportunities." - Dick Stricklen "We are really in the people business that just happens to sell cars." – Dick Stricklen This Week on The Wow Factor: Why Dick switched his sales team from wearing suits and ties to casual wear and how that small decision impacted his business How Dick developed the core values of Motor City Auto Why the fuel shortages of the 1970s and the jump in interest rates caused Dick to think creatively about how to pull his team together Some of the things that Dick as a leader has found to be helpful in growing and developing the people in his stores How Dick felt during the recession of the late 2000s and the implications for the business Dick's philosophy on developing his team members Dick speaks to the moment in his life when he realized that making money was not his true purpose in life What inspired Dick to write down the guiding principles of his company and why he believes that those principles are at the source of his success Dick Stricklen's Words of Wisdom: Take time, either with prayer or just quiet time, analyzing yourself to figure out what gives you the greatest heartfelt satisfaction in life. Examine your motives and align your behavior as a leader with the values that are truly important to you. Connect with Dick Stricklen: Motor City GMC Website Motor City GMC on Instagram Motor City GMC on Facebook Connect with The WOW Factor: I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma Words of Wisdom Website Brad Formsma on LinkedIn Brad Formsma on Instagram Brad Formsma on Facebook Brad Formsma on Twitter

What does it really take to scale a business without sacrificing culture?In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Dr. AJ Tremont and Taylor Plyler of Mint Hill Dentistry to unpack how intentional leadership, servant mindset, and people-first systems have helped them grow four thriving dental practices—while maintaining a five-star experience for patients and employees.From shutting down operations for culture days (yes, really!) to using EOS, core values, and powerful storytelling exercises to build trust and connection, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with heart and still win in business.You'll hear real stories about hiring for character, creating psychological safety, overcoming scarcity mindset, and why culture isn't something you hang on the wall—it's something you live every day.Vibrant Highlights:00:02:44 – Culture Always Wins: Dr. AJ Tremont explains why they willingly shut down operations and invested time and money into their people—because when culture is strong, everything else follows.00:07:20 – Core Values in Action (Not on a Wall): AJ and Taylor share how they actively use core values by nominating and recognizing team members who live them, turning values into daily behaviors instead of empty words.00:11:59 – Going Above and Beyond for Patients: A powerful story about a team member driving 25 minutes to help an elderly patient—showing what “being a difference maker” truly looks like in action.00:19:23 – The Exercise That Changed Team Relationships: The team uses a vulnerability-based storytelling exercise inspired by The Five Dysfunctions of a Team that deepened trust, empathy, and respect across roles.00:26:39 – Fail Fast and Lead with Heart: AJ and Taylor share their leadership philosophies: don't fear failure, embrace hard conversations, and remember that servant leadership fuels both performance and profit.Connect with Dr. Tremont and Taylor:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-tremont-987115264/minthilldentistry.com (Mint Hill, NC)southerncharmdentistrync.com (Concord, NC)albemarledentistry.com (Albemarle, NC)Also mentioned on this episode:The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: https://a.co/d/0dEvm4mhAuthor Keith Cunningham: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keith-J.-Cunningham/author/B00606AQZ2?ref=ap_…Ready to build a culture where people feel valued, energized, and committed?Bring Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, to your leadership team, organization, or conference to ignite clarity, accountability, energy, and results.Visit: vibrantculture.comEmail: nicole@vibrantculture.comWatch Nicole's TEDx Talk: vibrantculture.com/videos

Most leaders don't lose their integrity all at once. They lose it slowly, under pressure, through choices that feel reasonable in the moment. The uncomfortable truth is that the very things leaders use to protect their reputation often end up costing them trust. In this episode we examine the subtle ways integrity erodes, why good people justify small compromises, and how those decisions compound over time. If you've ever felt the tension between doing what's right and doing what works, this conversation is for you.

The list highlights, purpose-driven startups and tech companies that create consistently positive employee experiences through strong leadership, thoughtful policies, and genuine care for people. The companies on the list provide workplaces where values show up in day-to-day decisions. Employees feel supported and included. And flexibility, wellbeing and growth are treated as essentials, not extras. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While we prepare Season 16 of the podcast, Tim will be giving weekly rapid reactions to audio articles from The Fire Time Magazine. In this week's episode, Tim reacts to an article by Ryan Przybylski titled, "5 Building Blocks of a Strong Company Culture" (released in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠February 2025 issue of The Fire Time Magazine⁠⁠).⁠⁠ ------ To hear more audio articles from our magazine, subscribe to the Fire Time Magazine Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.itsfiretime.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Read The Fire Time Magazine Reader Edition online: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://magazine.itsfiretime.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Download The Fire Time Magazine app to get full access to the magazine (for free): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.itsfiretime.com/app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support The Fire Time Podcast financially: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/itsfiretime⁠

Send a textReal CEO Confidence in Uncertain Times | Leading Through Chaos with Rome MadisonWhat does real CEO confidence look like when the pressure is high, the answers aren't clear, and uncertainty feels constant?In this episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, Patrick and Patsy sit down with executive coach and leadership strategist Rome Madison to unpack how today's CEOs and founders can stay grounded, decisive, and confident—even while navigating chaos, complexity, and rapid change.Rome shares a practical leadership framework built on self-acceptance, competence, and strategy, and explains why humility, customer proximity, and embracing uncertainty are not weaknesses—but competitive advantages. This conversation offers real-world guidance for leaders who feel stretched thin, stuck in complexity, or overwhelmed by constant demands.Whether you're leading a fast-growing company or steering an organization through turbulent times, this episode delivers clarity, perspective, and actionable insights for leading with confidence when certainty is off the table.

In an industry built on speed, what actually sustains long-term success. In this Industry Spotlight, Kortney Harmon sits down with Elizabeth Rosenberg to examine why trust and reputation remain recruiting's most durable advantage.Drawing on decades of experience advising executives on communication and personal brand, Elizabeth offers a grounded perspective on how credibility is built through everyday behavior. The conversation explores where transactional habits quietly undermine relationships, why visibility without intention can weaken trust, and how recruiters shape their reputations long before deals are closed. Rather than focusing on tactics, this discussion reframes personal brand as a reflection of consistency, judgment, and how leaders show up when it matters most.The conversation reveals why lasting relationships—not speed alone—define long-term success, and how investing in trust and authenticity shapes both stronger firms and more durable careers.______________________Follow Elizabeth Rosenberg on Linked: LinkedIn | ElizabethCheck out her website hereFollow Crelate on LinkedIn: CrelateWant to learn more about Crelate? Book a demo hereSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.crelate.com/blog/full-desk-experience

Purpose isn't a slogan. It's a decision system.We explore why even high-performing leaders drift under pressure and how purpose quietly breaks down when stress is high.This episode unpacks the three most common purpose failures leaders experience, often without realizing it, and introduces a practical way to use purpose as a daily decision-making guide, not an abstract ideal.It's a conversation about choosing contribution over consumption, staying aligned when tradeoffs are real, and building a purpose that actually holds when it costs you something.If leadership starts with leading yourself, this is where it begins.

Ever wonder why some companies feel magnetic while others are just…a job? If you believe company culture is fluff, this conversation will put you on your heels. Cameron Herold sits down with Amy Emberling, Managing Partner of the legendary Zingerman's Bakehouse—a $16M+ artisan bakery with a cult following and a blueprint for employee loyalty big brands envy. Together, they pull back the curtain on Zingerman's famed “Community of Businesses,” why profit isn't a dirty word, and how even a manufacturing team can become fiercely passionate.Don't settle for endless turnover, disengaged people, or another bland org chart. Discover the real-world actions and surprising rituals that transform frontline staff into owners (and skeptics into super-fans). Listen now because one insight could radically shift your retention, results, and reputation. This episode delivers the practical and emotional gut-punch you won't find anywhere else in operations podcasts.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why showing vision to new hires exposes if they really want to learn (or not)[03:01] – How an Ann Arbor Deli became a multi-business giant—without franchising[07:07] – The origin myth: Saying "no" to chains and revolutionizing local growth[09:33] – Why Zingerman's refuses to franchise (and why profit wasn't the goal)[14:43] – The surprising role of vision statements and posters in a baking plant[16:10] – Handshakes over contracts—trust, ownership, and radical accountability[19:27] – Secret sauce: How weekly "appreciations" meetings melt even the toughest shells[25:43] – Culture hacks that turn hourly hires into a vibrant, all-in teamMentioned ResourcesZingerman's Community of BusinessesAri Weinzweig (Zingerman's Co-Founder)Paul Saginaw (Zingerman's Co-Founder)Zingerman's Bakehouse (Amy's business)Zing TrainZingerman's Bakehouse Book, Celebrate Every Day Book1-800-GOT-JUNK (culture reference)Great Little Box CompanyAbout the GuestAmy Emberling is Managing Partner of Zingerman's Bakehouse, Ann Arbor's nationally acclaimed artisan bakery. Leading a team of 150, she helped scale Zingerman's into a powerhouse community business known for its uncompromising...

Brett Jennings is making a big bet on peer accountability pods. A billion-dollar bet.The Owner and Founder of Real Estate Experts, Brett shares the details behind the nearly 10x growth of his hybrid teamerage (from $165M to $1.2B in sales) and the strategy to growth through acquisitions to $4B.Learn how purpose has made team agents, solo agents, and staff more productive (creating more than a dozen first-time $1M GCI producers in one year) and how purpose serves as a filter to find right-fit companies to acquire.Get proven strategies and simple tactics to grow revenue by growing your people (and why they might call themselves a Good Vibe Tribe).Watch or listen for Brett's insights into:Clarity within leadership and resilience within team membersTwo ways to test for agent grit and growth (including 1,000 calls in 10 days)What team agents and solo agents get in Brett's hybrid brokerage modelHow working with Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra unlocked agent and team growthWhere to go next after nearly 10x sales in three yearsThe motivation and plan to grow through acquisitions to $4B and 600 agentsHow peer accountability helped create more than a dozen $1M GCI producersCharacteristics of a good acquisition targetWhy agents and staff need a bigger “why” than money alone - and how to deliverHow to create your own peer accountability pods and why Brett's betting big on themHow to increase participation in the optional pod programWhy self-discipline and self-actualization are the next iteration of conscious businessThe next steps for the Good Vibe Tribe movementAt the end, learn about expert advisors, luxury watches and refillable bottles, and two practices to revitalize your operating system. Free resources from Brett Jennings:→ https://goodvibetribeworldwide.com → https://bearealexpert.comConnect with Real Estate Team OS→ https://www.realestateteamos.com→ https://linktr.ee/realestateteamos→ https://www.instagram.com/realestateteamos/

Most entrepreneurs were trained to be great at their craft… but not trained to lead people. This series is here to bridge that gap!The #BossToLeader series is designed to help you shift from the overwhelmed, doing-everything-yourself boss… to a confident leader who knows how to delegate, create accountability, empower your team & lead with vision instead of stress. In each episode, you'll get practical tools, strategies & honest insight into the real-life obstacles entrepreneurs face like trusting your team, letting go of control & showing up as the leader your business actually needs.So, if you're ready to stop surviving in your business and start leading with clarity and confidence, this series is for you.In this episode, I'm sharing how you can lead even when emotions are high!    Need one-on-one help with navigating being a new leader? Schedule your complimentary clarity call with me here!  www.baproinc.com/ep184       Apply to join the New Leader, BIG IMPACT Coaching Program to level up your leadership & build an engaging team... even if the culture is toxic & without management's support! https://baproinc.com/newleaderbigimpact   Questions about this episode? Topic suggestions for future episodes? Send them to culture@businessadvocatespro.com  Let's chat about this episode on “X”: @BAPROINC or IG: @CultureBuildingPRO  The Culture Building like a PRO Podcast: Simple ways to transform your company culture... Today!| Company Culture | Culture Building | Organizational Culture | Employee Engagement | New Leaders | Effective Leadership | Servant Leadership |baproinc.com

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are often talked about—but rarely understood. For many business owners, they represent one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) succession and liquidity strategies available today. In this episode, Adam sits down with Kelly Finnell, one of the nation's foremost ESOP experts, to break down how ESOPs really work, why they offer unique tax advantages, and when they may outperform traditional exits like private equity or third-party sales. Whether you're a business owner thinking about succession—or an advisor guiding clients through exit planning—this conversation delivers clarity without the jargon. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to ESOPs and Kelly Finnell's background 02:00 – What an ESOP is (and why it's both a succession strategy and a retirement plan) 05:00 – How ESOPs create liquidity and operate tax-free 07:30 – The biggest benefits of ESOPs for employees 09:00 – Owner tax advantages, including Section 1042 deferral 11:00 – Who is a good candidate for an ESOP? (financial + cultural fit) 14:30 – ESOPs vs. private equity and strategic buyers 17:00 – Common myths and misconceptions about ESOPs 19:30 – Why ESOPs are growing rapidly right now 22:00 – "Compassionate capitalism" and preserving company legacy 25:00 – Final advice for business owners and advisors considering ESOPs Key Takeaways

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Ashley Goodall, former Cisco executive and co-author of Nine Lies About Work, about lies we are told about work. For example, we are told that the best companies cascade goals and the best people are well-rounded. We are told that people leave because of ‘culture’ and that feedback is a gift. But what if every one of those statements is a lie?! In this episode, often-repeated work ‘dogmas’ will be dismantled—including the myth of “Company Culture” and the trap of “Work-Life Balance”. Ashley Goodall culls from two decades working in leadership and human resources as a consultant, Fortune 50 executive, speaker, researcher and writer. You’ll learn the Nine Lies About Work and why they are lies. You’ll learn how to genuinely and effectively manage and lead teams in any field. You’ll learn the myths of management. And most importantly, you’ll learn what truly does help teams thrive in the real world… (it’s not what you’ve probably heard in the workplace!) If you lead or want to lead, you cannot afford to miss this episode! LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don't miss an episode! SHOW NOTES: ASHLEY GOODALL: BIO: BOOKS: Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World, by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall The Problem with Change: And the Essential Nature of Human Performance, by Ashley Goodall ASHLEY’S SUBSTACK: https://ashleygoodall.substack.com/ WEBSITE: https://ashleygoodall.com/

“Culture… is a critical part of driving growth for your company.” — Marti NymanIn this episode of Evolving Your Workplace, Carol Schultz sits down with Marti Nyman, President and CEO of New Wave Design, to unpack a practical question most leaders face while scaling: how do you keep culture strong, consistent, and real—without turning it into a slogan?Marti explains why culture is more than “values on a wall.” It's a growth engine that affects how teams collaborate, solve problems, and attract top talent. He shares how culture can quietly weaken during expansion if leaders don't intentionally reinforce it—especially when priorities shift to hiring, delivery, and day-to-day execution.The conversation gets tactical. Marti breaks down a simple operating rhythm his leadership team uses to keep culture front-and-center, plus an “S-curve” way of thinking about culture initiatives: early momentum, inevitable plateau, then a deliberate reset to keep the culture alive. They also discuss how leadership handles uncertainty, how slow procurement cycles can become a real growth constraint, and what “speed of execution” looks like inside a complex industry.They close with the CEO-level levers Marti focused on early: building predictability, creating scalable systems, and strengthening data-driven decision-making (including a risk-adjusted scorecard). Marti also shares what employees really want from work—being of value, being valued, and being part of something bigger—and why a real culture of feedback starts at the top.Connect With Host Carol SchultzFind more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, and Instagram.Want to be our next guest expert? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

Most entrepreneurs were trained to be great at their craft… but not trained to lead people. This series is here to bridge that gap!The #BossToLeader series is designed to help you shift from the overwhelmed, doing-everything-yourself boss… to a confident leader who knows how to delegate, create accountability, empower your team & lead with vision instead of stress.In each episode, you'll get practical tools, strategies & honest insight into the real-life obstacles entrepreneurs face like trusting your team, letting go of control & showing up as the leader your business actually needs.So, if you're ready to stop surviving in your business and start leading with clarity and confidence, this series is for you.In this episode, I'm sharing how you can get results from your team without babysitting them!    Need one-on-one help with navigating being a new leader? Schedule your complimentary clarity call with me here!  www.baproinc.com/ep183       Apply to join the New Leader, BIG IMPACT Coaching Program to level up your leadership & build an engaging team... even if the culture is toxic & without management's support! https://baproinc.com/newleaderbigimpact   Questions about this episode? Topic suggestions for future episodes? Send them to culture@businessadvocatespro.com  Let's chat about this episode on “X”: @BAPROINC or IG: @CultureBuildingPRO  The Culture Building like a PRO Podcast: Simple ways to transform your company culture... Today!| Company Culture | Culture Building | Organizational Culture | Employee Engagement | New Leaders | Effective Leadership | Servant Leadership |baproinc.com

Send us a textLeadership isn't something you're born with — it's something you grow into. Andrew Poles knows this well. He's a three-time founder and executive coach who has spent over 20 years helping entrepreneurs and executives worldwide understand the gap to gain mindset so they can move from operator to leader.In this episode of Starter Girlz, Jennifer Loehding sits down with Andrew to hear about his journey from founder to executive coach, working with over 10,000 leaders, including teams at NASA, Dell, Netflix, and Epic Games. Andrew shares the lessons he's learned about leadership, influence, delegation, and culture, and how he helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses while maintaining balance and focus.This conversation dives into the realities of leadership, the mindset shifts required to grow as a leader, and the personal insights Andrew has gained along the way. You'll hear discussion-based insights on confidence, empathy, influence, building culture, and the gap and gain mindset that transforms leadership.⭐ What You'll Learn in This Episode✅ Leadership is a learned skill, not innate✅ Growth is about becoming a different kind of leader✅ Building a business requires more than just hard work✅ Confidence and presence are key leadership qualities✅ Empathy is crucial for effective leadership✅ Influence is about understanding others' perspectives✅ Leadership involves continuous learning and adaptation✅ The gap and gain mindset can transform leadership✅ Effective leaders empower others✅ Personal stories illustrate powerful leadership lessons

Grab Jeff Dudan's book Discernment → https://podcast.homefrontbrands.com/en-us/discernment What if the real business superpower isn't charisma, hustle, or being “the smartest in the room”… but being coachable? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Dustin Hillis (author of Capacity) to talk about: Why coachability separates high performers from everyone else The Chick-fil-A hiring “tests” that reveal humility (and why it works) How to reverse-engineer growth: revenue → people → activity → daily execution Delegation the right way (the “99% rule”) The hidden cost of “low-value” tasks when your goals demand higher leverage Building big without losing what matters most: boundaries, family, and mission-first leadership What Dustin's building now in AI safety + defense-tech (and why it's purpose-driven) Want more conversations like this? Subscribe and share this with a business owner who's ready to scale with systems, not stress. Download Discernment here → https://podcast.homefrontbrands.com/en-us/discernment Links (resources + guests) Learn more about Jeff Dudan: https://jeffdudan.com Dustin Hillis: https://dustinhillis.com/ Capacity (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Capacity-Building-Your-Business-Bigger/dp/1637748035 Capacity book page: https://capacity.dustinhillis.com/ SafeSpace Global: https://safespaceglobal.ai/ Tough Stump Technologies: https://toughstump.com/  #Unemployable #JeffDudan #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Scaling #Delegation #Systems #CompanyCulture #Coachability #ChickfilA #AI #SafetyTech #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #MissionDriven Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grab Jeff Dudan's book Discernment → https://podcast.homefrontbrands.com/en-us/discernment What if the real business superpower isn't charisma, hustle, or being “the smartest in the room”… but being coachable? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Dustin Hillis (author of Capacity) to talk about: Why coachability separates high performers from everyone else The Chick-fil-A hiring “tests” that reveal humility (and why it works) How to reverse-engineer growth: revenue → people → activity → daily execution Delegation the right way (the “99% rule”) The hidden cost of “low-value” tasks when your goals demand higher leverage Building big without losing what matters most: boundaries, family, and mission-first leadership What Dustin's building now in AI safety + defense-tech (and why it's purpose-driven) Want more conversations like this? Subscribe and share this with a business owner who's ready to scale with systems, not stress. Download Discernment here → https://podcast.homefrontbrands.com/en-us/discernment Links (resources + guests) Learn more about Jeff Dudan: https://jeffdudan.com Dustin Hillis: https://dustinhillis.com/ Capacity (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Capacity-Building-Your-Business-Bigger/dp/1637748035 Capacity book page: https://capacity.dustinhillis.com/ SafeSpace Global: https://safespaceglobal.ai/ Tough Stump Technologies: https://toughstump.com/  #Unemployable #JeffDudan #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Scaling #Delegation #Systems #CompanyCulture #Coachability #ChickfilA #AI #SafetyTech #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #MissionDriven Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're stepping into 2026 and it's time to talk about real change. Resolutions come and go, but growth that lasts comes from building a consistent, generous culture at work. Forget starting over every January. Let's focus on the habits and systems that make people feel valued, productive, and excited to contribute. I break down how simple acts of generosity can shift your workplace from competitive to collaborative and from results-driven to purpose-driven. When one person feels joyful and confident in their work, it spreads through the entire team. That's how positive culture takes root. You'll also hear how to focus on daily actions instead of lucky breaks, why humble leadership matters more than flashy performance, and how giving people what they need fuels trust and success. It's not about titles or rewards. It's about people. If you want your organization to grow and feel stronger this year, this episode will show you how to make it happen. If you haven't joined my free 7-day Feeling Generous email course yet, now's the time. It's quick, practical, and a great way to live and lead generosity every day. *Enroll in the "Feeling Generous" Email course

 This week on the Oakley Podcast, host Jeremy Kellett is joined by ops managers Nick Dulaney and Jason Webb to review Oakley Trucking's milestones and challenges in 2025 and look ahead to 2026. Topics include overcoming a tough freight market, the impact of tariffs, equipment and trailer updates, and maintaining high safety and service standards. The discussion highlights proactive strategies for customer retention, operational improvements using data and AI, fostering company culture, annual bonuses, and the significance of the new St. Louis terminal. Key takeaways are Oakley's commitment to its drivers, adaptability in changing markets, positive outlooks for growth and efficiency in 2026, and so much more. Key topics in today's conversation include:Welcome to New Episodes for 2026 (0:52)Studio Updates and Appreciation for Team and Sponsors (2:16)Reflecting on 2025 Freight Market Challenges and Customer Relations (6:16)Proactive Freight Strategies and New Customer Opportunities (8:33)Impact of Tariffs on the Scrap Industry and Operations (10:26)Safety Initiatives and Driver Performance Improvements (13:47)Trailer Turnover Costs and Lessons Learned (16:57)Operational Efficiency, Data Reporting, and Role of Technology (21:09)Company Culture, Camaraderie, and Remembering Drivers (23:50)Annual Bonuses, Equipment, and Trailer Purchases and Sales (25:21)Podcast Success, Guest Highlights, and Retirements (28:37)Looking Ahead: Expanding Operations and the New St. Louis Terminal (32:05)Recruiting, Retention, and Maintaining High Standards (35:19)The Role of English Proficiency in Industry Changes (39:18)Owning Service and Company Reputation in 2026 (40:13)Holiday Stories and Family Reflections (42:02)Parting Thoughts and Optimism for 2026 (43:28)Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ric Elias - The Art of Living Well - [Invest Like The Best, CLASSICS] Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. Ric Elias is the CEO and co-founder of Red Ventures, which has a portfolio of fast-growing digital businesses like Lonely Planet, The Points Guy, Bankrate, and large investments in a variety of other businesses across industries. He began the business in 2000 and has grown it to now a global company with thousands of employees. Ric walks us through the early struggles that have led to what is now a flourishing investing platform, but mostly this episode is a masterclass on cultural values and philosophies that transcend mere financial gain. We discuss the difference between living good and well, the power of forgiveness, and compounding more than just your capital. Ric's story is one of resilience, humility, and grace. His story about being in the front row of the plane that Captain Sully landed in the Hudson is singular and very moving. Please enjoy my conversation with Ric Elias. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by WorkOS. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit WorkOS to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @joincolossus ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Timestamps: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:02:00) Meet Ric Elias (00:02:49) Chasing the Big Dream (00:05:38) Understanding Red Ventures: Origin and Evolution (00:10:25) Operational Success and Company Culture (00:25:30) Reflections on Money and Personal Well-being (00:28:49) The Difference between Good and Well (00:32:55) The Hudson River Plane Crash Experience (00:42:37) Reconnecting with Puerto Rico and Reviving the Basketball Team (00:45:07) Underdogs to Champions (00:48:09) How to Build Trust and Culture (00:52:29) Reflections on Leadership (00:56:12) The Role of Confidence and Courage (00:59:38) The Value of Family and Friendships (01:01:57) The Pursuit of Purpose Over Profit (01:06:52) Recruitment and Company Culture (01:10:07) Reflecting on Success (01:14:33) The Importance of Pace and Speed (01:16:23) Other Business Philosophies (01:23:17) The Kindest Thing