CXO Conversations: Recent Episodes
Michael Mitchel
CXO Conversations interviews all functions of C Level executives ranging from CEO, COO, CHRO, CFO, CSO to Board Members in their profession to share their insights and advice for the benefit you, regardless of your profession.
In "Focus on Impact, Not Money," Todd Siegler shares candid lessons from a career spanning nearly every C-suite role—CFO, COO, CAO, CDO, General Counsel, and eventually CEO of his own company. A Princeton and Tulane Law graduate, Todd reflects on the differences in executive roles across organizations, the dynamics of C-suite interactions, and how managing direct reports effectively builds trust and results. His message is clear: the best leaders aim to create impact, not just chase titles or compensation. For aspiring executives, his story is both an insider's view of the C-suite and a roadmap for building meaningful leadership.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/coo-cfo-todd-siegler-focus-on-impact-not-money/
#leadership #executiveinsights #careergrowth #Cleveleadership #CXO
In "Being a Blue Collar LGBTQ Executive," Jamey Seely, Chief Legal Officer at Gates at time of recording and now General Counsel for Crusoe, shares her journey to the C-suite and what it means to lead authentically in traditionally blue-collar industries like energy, manufacturing, and nuclear. Named one of Denver Business Journal's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, Jamey reflects on her career path, the two common legal career tracks, and why inclusivity, resilience, and curiosity have shaped her leadership. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, board interactions, and building trust across global organizations—reminding us that diversity is not just policy, but lived experience at the executive level.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/evp-gc-jamey-seely-being-a-blue-collar-lgbtq-executive/
#leadership #LGBTQleadership #executiveinsights #authenticity #CXO
In "Pros & Cons of Long Tenure at Same Company," Michelle shares how she built an HR organization from scratch and the lessons she learned across leadership roles at ASAP Software, Dell, GiveForward, and CompPsych. A graduate of Indiana University and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, Michelle reflects on the advantages and challenges of staying with one company for 16 years, the importance of aligning HR with business needs, and why self-advocacy, curiosity, and developing others are essential for long-term success. Her perspective offers valuable guidance for HR leaders and executives navigating career growth and organizational change.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/cpo-michelle-anastasi-pros-cons-of-long-tenure-at-same-company/
#leadership #CPO #humanresources #careergrowth #CXO
In "CEO Bill Wosilius, Why and How to Prepare for CEO Chair," Bill Wosilius, who was CEO of NexusTek at the time of recording, shares candid insights on declaring your career goals, assessing situations with clarity, and making the tough executive calls that define leadership. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Bill served eight years before moving into executive roles at InFlow, Sungard, Healthgrades, CoreSite, and Optiv, ultimately preparing him for the CEO role. He emphasizes why the best job is the one you have right now, how every experience builds toward the moment of leadership, and why trust, competence, and humility are essential when building strong executive teams.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/ceo-bill-wosilius-why-and-how-to-prepare-for-ceo-chair/
#leadership #CEOjourney #executiveinsights #careergrowth #CXO
What does it take to get noticed by both venture capitalists and C-suite recruiters? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Steve Joanis—CEO of PlanetIQ and veteran of more than $200M in venture fundraising—shares how his career path from Army combat aviator to consultant, investor, and CEO shaped his leadership style. Drawing on decades of experience scaling startups and serving on 20+ boards, Steve highlights why relationships matter more than résumés, how to present yourself authentically to investors, and the strategic decisions that define a CEO's success. His advice is invaluable for executives and entrepreneurs navigating the path to the top.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/ceo-steve-joanis-getting-noticed-for-c-level-by-vcs/
#leadership #executiveinsights #venturecapital #CEOjourney #CXO
In "CEO Steve Joanis, Getting Noticed for C-Level & by VCs," Steve Joanis, the CEO of PlanetIQ (at time of recording, now a PE Managing Director), shares lessons from 25+ years in management consulting, venture capital, and executive leadership. A West Point graduate, decorated Army aviator, and Wharton MBA, Steve has served as CFO, President, board member, and investor across more than 20 companies with multiple successful exits. In this episode of CXO Conversations, he explains how to stand out to venture capitalists, what personality traits the most successful C-suite candidates share, and how military leadership shaped his approach to business. For aspiring executives, his insights provide a clear roadmap to attracting investors and advancing to the CEO role.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/ceo-steve-joanis-getting-noticed-for-c-level-by-vcs/
#leadership #executiveinsights #venturecapital #CEOjourney #CXO
What does it take to build a high-performing sales organization from scratch? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Carlos Perez, CRO of Simuwatt, shares lessons from leading revenue teams at startups, global enterprises, and everything in between. He talks about the changing nature of sales leadership, the importance of aligning marketing and sales under a unified revenue vision, and why adaptability is critical in a post-COVID world. From closing his first $25M outsourcing deal to scaling SaaS organizations, Carlos offers actionable advice for leaders building sales orgs designed to last.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/cro-carlos-perez-building-a-sales-org-from-scratch/
#leadership #salesstrategy #CRO #revenuegrowth #CXO
In "CRO Carlos Perez, Building a Sales Org from Scratch," Carlos shares how he's grown revenue organizations across startups and billion-dollar companies alike. From his early consulting days to CRO roles at Wowza and now Concept3D, Carlos reflects on the evolving role of the Chief Revenue Officer, aligning sales, marketing, and customer success to accelerate growth. He also discusses how sales has changed post-COVID, why trust and creativity matter more than ever, and how to build scalable sales teams from the ground up. For executives and entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with insights on driving sustainable revenue growth in today's marketplace.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/cro-carlos-perez-building-a-sales-org-from-scratch/
#leadership #salesstrategy #CRO #revenuegrowth #CXO
What does it take to know when to step aside and hire the right CEO? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Heather Callender-Potters—global investor, co-founder of PharmaJet, and experienced board member—discusses the lessons she's learned from founding companies, navigating leadership transitions, and serving on boards. From her international upbringing to launching one of the first private equity funds in Eastern Europe, Heather's journey offers a unique perspective on resilience, cultural awareness, and executive selection. Her advice for aspiring leaders and board members emphasizes humility, preparation, and the importance of aligning values with organizational needs.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/heather-callenderpotters-founder-and-board-member/
#leadership #executiveinsights #boardleadership #careergrowth #CXO
In "Heather Callender-Potters, Founder and Board Member. Hiring a CEO and Board Member Perspectives," Heather shares lessons from a remarkable career that began in Poland just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, bringing access to capital during a time of historic transformation. Now co-founder of PharmaJet and a seasoned board member, Heather reflects on the challenges of handing over leadership to a CEO, the importance of cultural fit versus just résumé credentials, and why resilience and trust are critical in executive roles. She also offers candid advice for first-time board members on adding value, building confidence, and contributing authentically without ego.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/heather-callenderpotters-founder-and-board-member/
#leadership #executiveinsights #boardleadership #careergrowth #CXO
What does it mean to lead with authenticity in the C-suite? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Doug Gattuso talks about the importance of leaving ego at the door and focusing on creating value for people and organizations. He shares lessons from building teams, returning to companies multiple times, and leading international initiatives across Europe, Mexico, and India. Doug offers candid advice for those aspiring to executive leadership: don't chase titles—invest in learning, seize opportunities, and always contribute to the bigger picture.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/c-suite-perspective-in-leading-with-authenticity/
#leadership #executiveinsights #careergrowth #authenticity #CXO
In "C-Suite Perspective in Leading with Authenticity," Doug Gattuso shares why true leadership is about focusing on opportunities and outcomes—not titles or ego. A veteran of the Naval Academy and Marine Corps, Doug reflects on a career spanning executive roles including President and Chief Customer Officer. He explains why burning bridges is never wise, the lessons gained from international work experiences in Prague and India, and how patience, teamwork, and humility shape long-term success. Doug's story is a reminder that authentic leadership and continuous contribution create lasting impact in any organization.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/c-suite-perspective-in-leading-with-authenticity/
#leadership #executiveinsights #careergrowth #authenticity #CXO
What does it take to admit a prestigious path isn't for you—and have the courage to pivot? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Casey Woo, CFO of Landing.com, discusses his journey from West Point to Harvard, from Wall Street hedge funds to executive leadership roles at startups like WeWork and Zozi. Casey shares how he found fulfillment in finance by building teams, driving strategy, and embracing the operational challenges of scaling businesses. Along the way, he offers candid advice on following passion over prestige, understanding the differences between CFO and COO roles, and preparing for a career in the C-suite.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/making-the-hardest-call-admitting-its-not-for-you/
#leadership #CFO #careergrowth #executiveinsights #CXO
In "Making the Hardest Call – Admitting it's Not for You," Casey Woo, former CFO forLanding.com, shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career journey—from starting at West Point and pivoting to Harvard, to walking away from Wall Street to pursue his passion for building and leading companies. With CFO and COO roles at firms including WeWork and Zozi, Casey reflects on following your own path instead of others' expectations, the lessons he's learned on his way to the C-suite, and why choosing finance allowed him to combine strategy with impact. His story is a powerful reminder that the hardest calls often lead to the most fulfilling careers.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/making-the-hardest-call-admitting-its-not-for-you/
#leadership #CFO #careergrowth #executiveinsights #CXO
What does it take to plan a career all the way to the CEO chair? In this episode of CXO Conversations, John Oechsle discusses the strategic decisions that helped him rise from technology leadership at J&J and IHS to CEO of Derive Systems. He reflects on how international assignments shaped his leadership style, why embracing "crackpot projects" at Kellogg's accelerated his growth, and the importance of taking roles for the right reasons—not just for compensation. For aspiring executives, John's story is a roadmap on career planning, resilience, and the values that define strong leadership.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/career-planning-and-strategic-decisions-to-become-ceo/
#leadership #careerplanning #executiveinsights #CEOjourney #CXO
In "Career Planning and Strategic Decisions to Become CEO," John Oechsle, was CEO of Derive Systems and now Bolt On Technology, shares how purposeful choices shaped his path from CIO roles at Johnson & Johnson and IHS to leading multiple organizations, including Swiftpage and now Derive. John explains how he set a goal early to become a CEO, took on challenging assignments others avoided, and leveraged international experiences across Europe, Latin America, and Asia to expand his leadership perspective. He also offers candid insights on why money is the wrong reason to pursue the C-suite and why true leaders must focus on growing people and creating shareholder value.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/career-planning-and-strategic-decisions-to-become-ceo/
#leadership #careerplanning #executiveinsights #CEOjourney #CXO
What does it take to transition from the battlefield to the boardroom? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Craig Cummings—Army veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and co-founder of Moonshots Capital—discusses the lessons he's carried from 17 years of military service into the world of startups and venture capital. He shares practical advice on creating a career-defining elevator pitch, supporting veteran entrepreneurs, and building strong networks that accelerate growth. From deploying with Special Operations to scaling tech startups and investing in extraordinary leaders, Craig's journey offers inspiring insights for executives and founders alike.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/craig-cumming-general-partner-moonshots-capital/
#leadership #entrepreneurs #careergrowth #venturecapital #CXO
In "Building Your Career Transition Elevator Pitch," Craig Cummings shares how his journey from Army Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan to General Partner at Moonshots Capital shaped his approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and investing. A Bronze Star recipient and West Point graduate with a Ph.D. from Columbia, Craig explains how veterans can craft an elevator pitch that opens doors, the importance of building strong entrepreneurship communities like Austin's, and why investing in talented veteran founders is a mission for him. His story is a powerful reminder that clarity, curiosity, and community fuel both careers and companies.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/craig-cumming-general-partner-moonshots-capital/
#leadership #entrepreneurs #careergrowth #venturecapital #CXO
What can hundreds of transactions and decades of leadership teach us about CEOs? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Chris Younger, CEO of Class VI Partners, reflects on buying, selling, and leading companies across industries. He shares candid insights on managing the stress of leadership, why presence and transparency matter, and how servant leadership builds lasting teams. From his experience acquiring 27 companies to guiding CEOs through exits and growth strategies, Chris highlights both the rewards and the realities of C-suite life—and why prioritizing self-care is as important as strategy.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/ceo-insights-self-care-with-chris-younger/
#leadership #executiveinsights #selfcare #privateequity #CXO
In "CEO Insights & Self Care with Chris Younger," Chris shares lessons from a career spanning telecom, private equity, and advisory leadership. As President of Expanets, he acquired 27 companies in just 3 years before selling to Avaya, and today, as CEO of Class VI Partners, he advises middle-market businesses and family offices on transactions and growth. Chris opens up about the physical toll of overwork, the importance of managing stress, and why diet, sleep, and exercise are critical for executives. He also explains his "Dinner Test" for CEOs and why executive presence sets the tone for organizational success.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/ceo-insights-self-care-with-chris-younger/
#leadership #executiveinsights #selfcare #privateequity #CXO
What does it mean to be truly intellectually curious as a leader? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Christine Gagnon, CFO of African Asset Finance Company at time of interview, discusses the value of continuous learning and the global perspective she's gained from international assignments and advanced education at top institutions. From her early career at PwC and EY to her current role financing critical sectors across Africa, Christine shares how ongoing education enriches her work, enhances strategic planning, and opens new angles of business she would have never seen otherwise. Her story is a reminder that curiosity fuels both personal growth and executive success.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/christine-gagnon-cfo-the-importance-of-being-intellectually-curious/
#leadership #CFO #executiveinsights #continuouslearning #CXO
In "Christine Gagnon CFO, the Importance of Being Intellectually Curious," Christine shares how a lifelong passion for learning has shaped her global career. During recording, she was the CFO of African Asset Finance Company, she reflects on her journey through leadership roles at EY, PwC, and OneWest Bank, as well as earning multiple advanced degrees and executive certifications from Harvard, Stanford, and Washington University. Christine explains how international experiences, from Johannesburg to London, shaped her global market perspective, and why intellectual curiosity allows her to better serve CEOs, boards, and organizations with strategic insights.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/christine-gagnon-cfo-the-importance-of-being-intellectually-curious/
#leadership #CFO #executiveinsights #continuouslearning #CXO
In "General Kevin 'Chili' Chilton, Board Member, Astronaut and Flying the Space Shuttle," General Kevin "Chili" Chilton shares lessons from his extraordinary 34½ years in the U.S. Air Force and his successful transition into corporate leadership. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Chili reflects on problem-solving and leadership training, the astronaut band Max Q, and the experience of flying three space shuttle missions. From serving as Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station to becoming the only astronaut to achieve the rank of 4-star General, Chili's story is a powerful blend of humility, discipline, and leadership.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/general-kevin-chili-chilton-board-member-astronaut-and-flying-the-space-shuttle/
#leadership #executiveinsights #aerospace #riskmanagement #CXO
What does it take to transform one of the world's most respected publications without losing its identity? In this episode of CXO Conversations, David Cox discusses his 14 years at The Economist, including his role as CFO and COO, where he spearheaded the company's global shift from print to digital and live events. He explains how he balanced editorial independence with client demands, why pricing digital at the same level as print was a pivotal decision, and what he learned about storytelling, teamwork, and leading large-scale transformation. David's lessons remain invaluable for leaders navigating today's rapidly evolving business environment.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/leading-an-iconic-brand-through-a-global-transformation/
#leadership #digitaltransformation #globalbusiness #executiveinsights #CXO
In "Leading an Iconic Brand Through a Global Transformation," David Cox, former CFO of The Economist, shares how he helped guide the publication through its bold shift from weekly print to a digital-first and live events model. On this episode of CXO Conversations, David reflects on early digital adoption, the value of listening to clients, and how consultative selling reshaped the way advertisers and subscribers engaged with the brand. From launching Economist Espresso to hosting government roundtables across the globe, David's story is a playbook for executives leading organizations through disruption and change.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/leading-an-iconic-brand-through-a-global-transformation/
#leadership #digitaltransformation #globalbusiness #executiveinsights #CXO
What does it take to go from West Point to the corner office? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, opens up about his path from Army officer to five-time SaaS CEO and the lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous leadership development, and building a strong professional network, while sharing strategies for excelling in current roles and preparing for future opportunities. For aspiring and current leaders alike, Jack offers practical insights on team building, mentorship, and how presence and emotional intelligence can shape company performance.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/from-west-point-to-the-boardroom-jack-blahas-leadership-odyssey/
#leadership #veteransinbusiness #SaaS #privateequity #CXO
In "West Point to CEO," Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, shares his remarkable journey from Army veteran to seasoned executive leading multiple SaaS companies. On this episode of CXO Conversations, Jack reflects on how military-honed adaptability and leadership shaped his transition into the corporate world, from hospitality to social media marketing software. He discusses the impact of emotional intelligence on company culture, the value of mentorship, and the importance of building strong teams—including bringing trusted colleagues to ensure operational success. Jack's story is a masterclass in translating military skills into business leadership.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/from-west-point-to-the-boardroom-jack-blahas-leadership-odyssey/
#leadership #veteransinbusiness #SaaS #privateequity #CXOC
What does it take to go from making cold calls to leading a hyperscale data center company powering the cloud? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Laura Ortman, CEO of COLOGIX, shares her journey through pivotal roles across tech, the lessons she carried into the C-suite, and why broad business experience is critical for informed leadership. She reflects on perseverance, mentorship, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, while emphasizing the importance of corporate culture, strong networks, and risk-taking. Laura's story is a masterclass in resilience, relationship building, and leading with impact.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/leading-with-impact-laura-ortmans-journey-to-ceo-at-cologix/
#leadership #womenintech #careergrowth #executiveinsights #CXO
In "Leading with Impact: Laura Ortman's Journey to CEO at COLOGIX," Laura shares how her career path—spanning Lockheed Martin, Jeppesen, VMware, and Hologic—prepared her to lead North America's leading network-neutral interconnection and Hyperscale Edge data center company. On this episode of CXO Conversations, she discusses the unique challenges of scaling with private equity partners, her customer experience strategy of listening and rebuilding trust, and how her athletic background shaped her "Together We Win" leadership philosophy. From making cold calls to steering a tech giant, Laura's story highlights resilience, adaptability, and the power of mentorship and teamwork.
For the full interview:
https://ocns.co/leading-with-impact-laura-ortmans-journey-to-ceo-at-cologix/
#leadership #womenintech #careergrowth #executiveinsights #CXO
From Army paratrooper to Chief Transformation Officer, Sean Odendahl's career path is a masterclass in adaptability and leadership. In this episode of CXO Conversations, discover his lessons on mergers, building high-performing teams, and creating a culture of trust and feedback.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/sean-odendahl-partner-and-chief-transformation-officer/
#mentorship #executiveleadership #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #CXO
Mentorship and direct feedback can make or break a career. Sean Odendahl, Chief Transformation Officer, joins CXO Conversations to discuss how candid conversations, military discipline, and legal expertise shaped his leadership style. A must-listen for executives and future leaders.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/sean-odendahl-partner-and-chief-transformation-officer/
#mentorship #executiveleadership #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #CXO
What makes a successful executive worth following? In this CXO Conversations episode, Rand Lewis—accomplished investor, co-founder of Delta-v Capital, and former McKinsey consultant—shares lessons from hiring and backing leaders across some of tech's most recognized companies, including Zayo, Iterable, and Chegg. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Rand explains the traits he looks for in candidates, why decisiveness and followership matter, and how building authentic relationships is just as important as financial investment. A must-listen for founders, CEOs, and aspiring leaders.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/the-hallmark-of-a-great-leader/
#leadership #privateequity #venturecapital #executiveinsights #CXO
With over 24 years of experience in venture capital and private equity, Rand Lewis has seen what separates good leaders from great ones. In this episode of CXO Conversations, the Managing Partner and co-founder of Delta-v Capital—whose investments include Zayo, Cloud Sherpa, LogRhythm, Iterable, and Chegg—shares why he invests not just capital, but real relationships. Rand also offers candid advice to current and emerging CEOs, explains how he evaluates executive talent, and reflects on lessons learned from his early career at McKinsey and Centennial Ventures before launching Delta-v.
For the full 40 mins interview: https://ocns.co/the-hallmark-of-a-great-leader/
#leadership #privateequity #venturecapital #executiveinsights #CXO
From co-founding Techstars to authoring several books on startup leadership, Brad Feld has spent decades shaping the future of entrepreneurship. In this episode of CXO Conversations, Brad talks about the evolving role of boards, why supporting the CEO is a board’s most critical responsibility, and how diversity and culture drive long-term success. He also shares stories from the Colorado Trail and a personal life experience that continues to guide him daily—offering both wisdom and humility for founders, executives, and investors alike.
For the full 40 mins interview: https://ocns.co/brad-feld-vc-boards-why-be-on-one-1st-timers-and-the-colorado-trail/
#startupleadership #boardgovernance #entrepreneurship #venturevapital #CXO
What does it really take to build an effective board and foster a thriving startup community? In this episode of CXO Conversations, Brad Feld—venture capitalist at Foundry Group, Techstars co-founder, and co-author of the released second edition of Startup Boards—shares lessons from serving on more than 30 boards (and why he’ll never do that again). Brad also reflects on leadership, diversity, and culture in startups, plus a few personal stories—from hiking the Colorado Trail to the pivotal life experience that still shapes how he leads today.
For the full 40 mins interview: https://ocns.co/brad-feld-vc-boards-why-be-on-one-1st-timers-and-the-colorado-trail/
#startupleadership #boardgovernance #entrepreneurship #venturevapital #CXO
From Director to President overnight—Stephen Brown’s career pivot is the stuff of bold leadership moves. In this CXO Conversations episode, Stephen tells the story of how one transition memo at Travelers Insurance turned into running an entire division in California. He opens up about the challenges of leading executives older than him, the importance of continuous improvement, and how he built the confidence to grow into the role. Now a veteran CEO, Stephen also shares the hard-won lessons and advice he’d give his 32-year-old self.
Tune in for actionable insights for anyone aspiring to executive leadership.
https://ocns.co/creating-the-president-role-for-yourself-at-32-years-old/
#leadershipdevelopment #executiveleadership #careeradvice #CXO
What happens when you propose leading a transition project—and instead get promoted to President overnight? In this episode of CXO Conversations titled “Creating the President Role for Yourself at 32 Years Old,” Stephen Brown shares how a bold memo at Travelers Insurance changed his career forever. Thrust into leading an older C-suite generation at just 32, Stephen talks about overcoming self-doubt, continuously learning, and preparing himself for responsibilities far beyond his years. Today, as a seasoned CEO, he reflects on the advice 55-year-old Stephen would give his younger self, offering lessons every ambitious leader should hear.
For the full interview: https://ocns.co/creating-the-president-role-for-yourself-at-32-years-old/
#leadershipdevelopment #executiveleadership #careeradvice #CXO
Big news from CXO Conversations. After 70+ in-depth interviews with executives across the C-suite landscape, we’re unlocking the best moments. Starting soon, you’ll get 10-minute clips—actionable insights on leadership, hiring, growth, and navigating the C-suite.
These clips will give you a front-row seat to how leaders think, decide, and lead. Actional insight you can apply to your career growth.
Follow now so you don’t miss the first drop of CXO Conversations Clips.
In this episode, host Michael Mitchel interviews Laura Hamirani, a speech language pathologist specializing in therapy for voice disorders. They discuss vocal executive presence and preventing vocal strain in the new Zoom culture. Laura emphasizes the importance of vocal warm-ups, breathing techniques, and vocal hygiene for maintaining a healthy voice. They also explore the impact of remote work and virtual platforms on voice issues. Laura shares advice on improving executive presence vocally and how it can prevent vocal cord strain.
Takeaways • Speaking in a comfortable pitch and controlling cadence can enhance executive presence. • Remote work and virtual platforms can contribute to vocal strain and voice issues. • Be mindful of vocal hygiene, such as staying hydrated and avoiding throat clearing. • Practice vocal warm-ups and breathing techniques to maintain a healthy voice.
An accomplished Soprano singer, Laura earned a Masters in Speech Language and Learning focusing on Pathology from Northwestern University. For over five years, Laura has been a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in voice disorders.
In this episode of CXO Conversations, Michael Mitchel interviews Anna Conrad, CEO of Impact Leadership Solutions, about executive coaching and the changing landscape of executive presence. They discuss the importance of reflection, self- awareness, and personal growth in executive coaching. They also explore how executive presence has evolved over the years, emphasizing the need for authenticity, connection, and integrity. Anna shares tips for projecting executive presence in virtual meetings, including being mindful of backgrounds, showing up fully, and being present. They also touch on the importance of concise communication and the power of silence in conversations.
Key Takeaways: • Executive coaching focuses on reflection, self-awareness, and personal growth. • Executive presence has evolved to emphasize authenticity, connection, and integrity. • Anna share tips for projecting executive presence in virtual meetings include being mindful of backgrounds, showing up fully, and being present.
Anna Conrad JD has been an executive coach for over 17 years. She is the Founder and moderator of Executive Voices, a panel series with leading senior leadership from Colorado’s premier companies. Anna also teaches at University of Denver, a campus she knows well – she graduated from their DU law school.
In this episode of CXO Conversations, Michael interviews Mike Murphy, Managing Partner of Sunstone Management Advisors, about the skills he gained during his career growth in the insurance industry and the advice he received throughout his career.
They discuss the importance of building a diverse skill set and over earning your pay. They also emphasize the value of having an internal Sherpa who actively promotes and advocates for your career growth.
he key takeaways from the conversation are: 1) Build your skill set and portfolio to enhance your career prospects, 2) Find an internal Sherpa who can guide and support your professional development.
After over 20 years within the insurance industry, Mike founded Sunstone Management Advisors. Offering consulting services leveraging executive skillset and expertise in the healthcare and insurance industries to help clients improve operations and accelerate growth. Services included Strategic Planning, Operations, Performance Metrics, Product Development, Distribution, and Sales Effectiveness.
Mike has served as COO for American Medical and Life Insurance Company, EVP with National General Insurance and CEO of HRGi Holdings.
Abbas Udawala is the CFO of Hexagon Digital Wave who is a seasoned financial veteran with a track record of turning companies around. He joins us today to share his insights on leadership and building a strong personal brand.
With a resume that includes nine transactions and executive roles in multiple industries, Abbas knows a thing or two about navigating the complex world of business. He's been involved in everything from high-growth startups to turnarounds, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today's leaders.
During the conversation, Abbass discusses the importance of your personal brand:
- Earn the Trust- through authentic conversations
- Transparency-Open dialogue and trust building
- Self Awareness- be honest with yourself to maximize your strengths and identify areas to improve
Two key takeaways:
- Honesty in leadership- have those direct conversations while being proactive
- Operational ownership- you have to know your business
In addition to Hexagon Digital Wave, Abbass has been a CFO for Custom Window Systems (sold to strategic buyers), US Fence Solutions, Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co, Griffen Dewatering, PGI International (Sold to a strategic buyer) and more. He holds an MBA from Tulane University and volunteers with business and social nonprofits.
Veracode’s CRO Andre Cuenin joins CXO Conversations and shares his journey from sales to the C suite. He doesn’t like the title Chief Revenue Officer as it puts the focus on him versus the customer.
Andre moved from presales to sales by having a post presentation conversation with a customer; he casually asked for the signature.
During the conversation, Andre shares his three core management philosophies:
- Authenticity; be more authentic, gain and share experiences and value wisdom
- Importance of having a plan; don’t chase the money- chase the dream
- Go the extra mile; there’s no traffic jam there
Andre discusses the value and importance of always being curious and learning.
Key take aways from the conversation with Andre:
- Be who you are and be truthful to yourself
- Go outside your comfort zone
- Passion gives you confidence
In addition to Veracode, Andre has served in C level roles for Rapid7, Cherwell Software and President for the Americas and Europe for IR.
Andre also led worldwide sales for StrataVia until it was acquired by HP and held many leadership roles for CA in both Europe and the US. He earned his BSC in Computer Science from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.
In this episode, Dave Wynne, CFO of Hootsuite, discusses his career journey, from starting as a consultant to becoming a leading financial executive. He shares how his foundational consulting experience applies across different industries and shaped him into the leader he is today.
Dave dives into his unique perspective on the CFO role, comparing it to the central nervous system of a company. He also explores the evolution of the CFO position and the changing demands it requires.
Key takeaways for listeners include:
- The importance of finding a work culture aligned with your values and ethics.
- How setting goals and cultivating the right mindset are crucial for achieving success.
- The art of receiving recognition for your accomplishments while maintaining humility.
Dave's extensive career covers a wide range of companies, including those in technology, apparel, manufacturing, and private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) sectors. He also spent five years at The Riverside Company, a leading private equity firm with over $14 billion in assets under management (AUM).
This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to build a successful career in finance or business leadership.
Join Michael Mitchel for a sneak peek into the upcoming season of CXO Conversations. We've lined up a stellar lineup of guests who share their invaluable perspectives and experiences on leadership, innovation, and success. From Dave Wynne, CFO of Hootsuite, discussing the power of internal sponsorship, to Carlos Abisambra, former CEO of Travelers Haven, sharing insights on scaling a business successfully. Abbas Udawala, CFO of Hexagon Digital Wave, dives into building trust and transparency, while Andre Cuenin, CEO of Veracode, shares his management philosophies. Get ready for a season packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories. Stay tuned!
More episodes and resources: https://ocns.co/podcast/
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
As CXO Conversations wraps up another season, host Michael Mitchel reflects on the increasing role of AI in our daily lives. From streamlining tasks to enhancing productivity, Michael shares practical examples of how AI is making an impact, both personally and professionally. Join us for a brief yet insightful episode, and stay tuned for the return of engaging interviews next spring!
More episodes and resources: https://ocns.co/podcast/
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
In this special edition of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel revisits an engaging dialogue with John Vranas, who at the time was the Chief Development Officer for the Humane Society of America. This episode covers a breadth of topics that all can benefit from; from program creation to donor ( or sales) engagement and executive leadership preparation.
John's insights transcend organizational boundaries, offering actionable strategies applicable to both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His journey from volunteering to leadership underscores the transformative power of personal experiences, while his emphasis on engagement, storytelling, and strategic alignment provides invaluable guidance for driving impact and fostering a culture of purpose and innovation.
Regardless of whether you're in a nonprofit, for-profit, or volunteering role, John's wisdom provides actionable strategies for fostering a culture of purpose and innovation.
Full show notes and resources: https://ocns.co/podcast/
Key highlights include:
- Organizational Distinction: Understanding the roles of the Humane Society and the Humane Society of the United States clarifies their collaborative efforts.
- Leadership Essentials: Engagement, storytelling, and strategic thinking are crucial for Chief Development Officers.
- Strategic Planning: Clear direction and accountability drive consistent growth and success.
- Fundraising Balance: Aligning funds with strategic goals ensures sustainability and impact.
- Program Innovation: Collaboration and effective execution are key in implementing innovative initiatives.
- Team Dynamics: Hiring based on values and fostering teamwork parallels successful sports rosters.
- Ethical Engagement: Authentic storytelling respects donors' sensitivities and maintains trust.
- Leadership Clarity: Providing clear direction in fundraising efforts is essential for success.
- Management Development: Middle managers seeking leadership experiences contribute to organizational growth.
- Personal Growth: Curiosity fuels innovation and personal development within nonprofits.
- Commitment to Learning: Fully committing to diverse perspectives fosters effective problem-solving and relationship-building.
Timestamps
- John Vranas and his role at the Humane Society of the United States (00:00:00)
- Distribution of funds and lobbying efforts within the organization (00:07:16)
- Career path and skills required for a Chief Development Officer (00:14:23)
- Importance of engagement and storytelling in fundraising (00:19:21)
- Convergence of development, strategy, and marketing roles in nonprofits (00:20:30)
- Balancing unrestricted and restricted funds in fundraising efforts (00:21:26)
- Process of implementing innovative programs and initiatives (00:26:57)
- Criteria for hiring key personnel and building cohesive teams (00:30:38)
- Ethical considerations in storytelling and donor engagement (00:34:41)
- Importance of providing clear direction in fundraising efforts (00:36:55)
- Parallels between fundraising strategies and investment portfolios (00:37:50)
- Value of middle managers seeking experiences demonstrating leadership (00:39:32)
- Personal anecdotes shaping career path and leadership qualities (00:42:17)
- Significance of curiosity in contributing to nonprofit organizations (00:44:23)
- Importance of showing work and committing to different perspectives (00:45:36)
- Lessons learned from past experiences and advice received (00:48:10)
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
Join host Michael Mitchel as he welcomes back Ben Deda, CEO of Food Maven, for a revealing look at the company's four-year journey. Explore key milestones, strategic shifts, and insights into navigating challenges in the food industry. Gain valuable lessons in leadership, resilience, and adaptability while gaining optimism for the future of Denver's startup ecosystem.
Full show notes and resources: https://ocns.co/podcast/
Key highlights include:
- Strategic Evolution: Ben Deda outlines Food Maven's strategic shift towards a tech-centric model, reflecting on their trajectory over the past four years.
- Tech-Driven Solutions: The episode explores Food Maven's transition into a technology-driven provider, spotlighting the introduction of their Procurement API.
- Navigating Stakeholder Dynamics: The intricacies of managing stakeholders amidst uncertainty and transformation, emphasizing effective communication strategies.
- Market Fit and Resistance: Reflecting on industry challenges, Ben highlights strategic shifts made to align with market demands, overcoming resistance to change.
- Investor Relations: The importance of investor buy-in during strategic pivots and setbacks is discussed, shedding light on managing expectations.
- Lessons Learned: Insights gleaned from Food Maven's journey, stressing the significance of adaptability and maintaining a clear business narrative.
- Leadership Traits: Drawing from experience, Ben elaborates on essential leadership traits and decision-making skills crucial for navigating uncertain environments.
Timestamps
- 00:00:00 - Introduction
- 00:01:41 - Challenges Faced During the Pandemic
- 00:02:11 - Growth Strategies and Acquisitions
- 00:03:14 - Impact of COVID-19 on Fundraising Efforts
- 00:04:07 - Transitioning to a Tech-Centric Business Model
- 00:05:16 - Introduction of Food Maven's Procurement API
- 00:06:27 - Challenges and Opportunities in Food Procurement
- 00:07:32 - Transformation from Tech-Enabled to a Tech Company
- 00:09:15 - Managing Stakeholders and Communication Strategies
- 00:14:48 - Strategy evolution and go-to-market approaches
- 00:16:24 - Overcoming challenges in stakeholder engagement
- 00:17:39 - Industry resistance to change and finding the right market fit
- 00:18:43 - Dealing with investor expectations and buy-in
- 00:19:31 - Lessons learned and the importance of creating optionality
- 00:20:27 - Gaining wisdom and skills through experience
- 00:21:04 - Leadership traits and decision-making in uncertain environments
- 00:22:22 - Reflections on Denver Startup Week and adapting to changing community dynamics
- 00:25:15 - Goals and considerations for the future of Denver Startup Week
- 00:27:00 - Building optionality and maintaining a clear narrative in business
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
In this episode of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel revisits an insightful interview with Ben Deda, CEO of Food Maven, and co-founder of Denver Startup Week. This conversation dives deep into Food Maven's mission to combat food waste by revolutionizing the distribution model, prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, and community impact.
Ben shares his personal journey transitioning from tech to CEO, and provides insights into the inception and growth of Denver Startup Week, highlighting its format, impact, and key lessons learned.
Join Michael and Ben as they explore sustainable business practices, community-building, and visionary leadership, offering a compelling exploration of the challenges and opportunities in driving positive change. Plus, stay tuned for the next episode, where Ben shares updates on Food Maven's journey over the past four years.
Key highlights include:
- Fighting Food Waste: Ben Deda discusses Food Maven's mission to transform food distribution, focusing on sustainability and community impact.
- Tech-Driven Solutions: Food Maven's platform connects surplus food with buyers, reducing waste and supporting local suppliers.
- CEO Journey: Ben shares his transition from tech to CEO, highlighting leadership and collaboration.
- CEO Focus Areas: Ben outlines key areas of focus for CEOs, shaped by influential roles in his career.
- Denver Startup Week: Ben explores the origins and impact of Denver Startup Week, sharing valuable insights and lessons learned.
Timestamps
- Introduction of Ben Deda - (00:00:00)
- Overview of Food Maven's Mission and Operations - (00:01:42)
- Addressing Food Waste Challenges - (00:03:22)
- Tech Integration and Business Model Evolution - (00:04:39)
- Transitioning to CEO Role and Leadership Insights - (00:06:05)
- Mentors, Board Management, and Succession Planning - (00:08:28)
- CEO Preparedness and Learning from Experiences - (00:10:26)
- Ben's Key Focus Areas as CEO - (00:13:42)
- Influential Roles in Ben's Career Journey - (00:15:31)
- Advice for Aspiring CEOs - (00:16:09)
- Co-founding Denver Startup Week - (00:19:04)
- Evolution and Impact of Denver Startup Week - (00:23:26)
- Lessons Learned from Organizing Denver Startup Week - (00:25:15)
- Transition from Day-to-Day Operations to Board - (00:28:13)
- Temperature Adjustment in Warehouse Setting - (00:29:20)
Resources
- Ben Deda’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamindeda/
- Ben Deda´s original episode: https://ocns.co/ceo-ben-deda-changing-industries-and-building-communities/
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
In this episode of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel engages with Laura Ortman, CEO of COLOGIX, to explore her dynamic journey from the athletic fields through various pivotal roles in the tech industry to her current position at the helm of a leading network-neutral interconnection and Hyperscale Edge data center company. Laura shares her comprehensive insights into the power of teamwork, perseverance, and a broad understanding of business operations that shaped her into a results-driven leader. She delves into the nuances of customer experience, the importance of culture, and the collaborative ethos underpinning successful leadership.
Through her narrative, Laura provides invaluable advice for aspiring leaders, emphasizing the significance of building relationships, embracing risks, and the continuous pursuit of learning, making this episode a treasure trove of leadership wisdom and inspiration.
Key highlights include:
- Laura’s diverse career path across tech, DOD, and aviation, culminating in her role as CEO of COLOGIX.
- How Laura’s leadership philosophy was shaped by an athletic background, emphasizing teamwork, resilience, and a broad operational understanding.
- The pivotal role of customer experience in business success, illustrated by her approach to rebuilding trust and driving customer retention.
- The significance of culture, network building, and embracing risks as foundational elements for reaching the C-suite and fostering a successful organization.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that unveils the secrets of resilient leadership in the fast-paced business world.
Timestamps
- Introduction to Laura Ortman and COLOGIX (00:01:06)
- Overview of COLOGIX's Business Model (00:01:58)
- Differences Between Public and Private Companies (00:03:48)
- Athletic Background Influence on Leadership (00:06:23)
- Attraction to the CEO Role (00:08:48)
- Moment of Realization for CEO Ambition (00:10:47)
- Leadership Philosophy: Presence, Listening, and Leading (00:15:19)
- Implementing 'Together We Win' Mantra (00:16:20)
- Adapting Leadership Approaches Post-2020 (00:17:57)
- Advice for Aspiring C-Suite Executives (00:20:41)
- The Importance of Building a Trustworthy Team (00:22:17)
- Role and Challenges in Customer Experience (00:25:32)
- Acquiring Listening Skills and Importance of Crucial Conversations (00:29:33)
- Reflections on Building a Network and Importance of Culture in Organizations (00:32:56)
Resources
- Laura Ortman’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraortman/
- Book: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High - https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Tools-Talking-Stakes/dp/1260474186
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
In this episode of "CXO Conversations," host Michael Mitchel welcomes Grant Stanis, a dynamic CEO renowned for his resilience and strategic acumen in the corporate world. Stanis shares his compelling journey from his first student council campaign to the helm of major corporations, revealing the pivotal role of resilience in climbing the corporate ladder. Delve into his insightful reflections on the multifaceted challenges of a CEO, from transforming struggling companies to fostering team growth and innovation. Stanis's unique approach, blending disciplined execution with a positive mindset, offers invaluable lessons for aspiring executives.
Key highlights include:
- Exploring his early ambition and path to becoming a successful CEO.
- Discussing the comprehensive responsibilities and transformative influence of a CEO on an organization and its team.
- Emphasizing how bouncing back from setbacks and learning from mistakes are crucial for business success.
- Highlighting that effective execution is often more critical than the strategy itself in business growth and success.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that unveils the secrets of resilient leadership in the fast-paced business world.
Timestamps
- 🎯 Grant Stanis' Leadership Ambition (00:01:42)
- 🌿 CEO Growth and Team Evolution (00:03:04)
- 🧭 Mentorship in CEO Journey (00:05:08)
- 🔄 Business Resilience (00:07:56)
- 🌐 From CFO to CEO: Learning Journey (00:10:14)
- ✨ Embracing Risks for Success (00:14:06)
- 💪 Leadership Resilience (00:17:47)
- 🌞 Positive Leadership Approach (00:19:30)
- 📚 Lessons from Each Role (00:20:10)
- 🔑 Consistency and Discipline (00:22:33)
- 🤔 Resilient Executive Leadership (00:24:09)
- 📈 Discipline in Business Success (00:25:36)
- 👥 Right People, Right Roles (00:27:45)
- 🌟 Positive Resilience in Leadership (00:29:07)
- 🌱 Young Executives: Resilience Key (00:32:28)
- 👏 Closing Remarks (00:33:49)
Resources
- Grant Stanis LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantstanis/
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
Dive into 'CXO Conversations' with host Michael Mitchel as he welcomes The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy. From a U.S. Army officer to a congressman and venture capitalist, Murphy's journey is a tale of resilience and leadership. In this episode, explore his transition from military service to influential roles in Congress and the private sector. Discover how Murphy's leadership philosophy, shaped by experiences in the armed forces and public office, guides his current role at Stoney Lonesome Group, a venture capital firm supporting veteran-owned businesses.
Key highlights include:
- Murphy's leadership philosophy combining confidence, humility, and empathy.
- Transition from military service to Congress and the private sector.
- Insights into veteran unemployment and equality in the armed forces.
- Murphy's venture into television with MSNBC and his work in venture capitalism.
- The importance of a growth mindset and inclusive leadership for emerging leaders.
Tune in for an inspiring journey of transformation and lessons in leadership with Patrick Murphy.
Timestamps
- 🎤 Introduction (00:00:00
- 🛣️ Patrick Murphy's Diverse Career (00:00:45)
- 🏅 Veteran Entrepreneurship (00:01:05)
- ❤️ Passion for Making a Difference (00:02:20)
- 🚀 Challenges in Business Ventures (00:04:47)
- 🗳️ Public Service and Politics (00:09:40)
- 🏛️ Decision to Run for Congress (00:10:55)
- 📺 Murphy's Transition to MSNBC (00:11:26)
- 🎙️ Media Appearances and Public Speaking (00:13:00)
- 🎥 First Day Hosting Own Show (00:14:48)
- 💼 Veteran Entrepreneurship and Investment (00:19:33)
- 🔑 Key Takeaways for Emerging Leaders (00:25:37)
- 🌈 Career Reflection and Lessons Learned (00:27:30)
Resources
- Patrick J. Murphy's Book Recommendation: $100M Careers: The 5 Fastest Career Paths to Wealth Beyond Your Wildest Dreams Hardcover – December 1, 2022 by Emmy Sobieski (Author) - https://www.amazon.com/100M-Careers-Fastest-Career-Wildest/dp/B0BMKP4R26
- Patrick’s Website - https://www.patrickjmurphy.com/
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes – thanks!
In this season finale of CXO Conversations, host Michael Mitchel takes a moment to reflect on the remarkable year of 2023, revisiting the wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences shared by prominent executives, like Eric Lougher, David Cox, Craig Cummings, Janine Davidson, and many more.
Michael’s Key Highlights:
- Stephen Brown's journey to becoming a President at 32, emphasizing confidence, seizing opportunities, and continual learning.
- Rand Lewis’s insights on the hallmarks of great leadership and his experience as a successful investor.
- Raphael Crawford Mark's transition from Founder to CEO at Bonusly, mirroring Michael’s own transition in the nonprofit sector.
As we bid farewell to this season, Michael teases the exciting lineup for the upcoming year, featuring notable guests like the Honorable Patrick Murphy, Grant Stanis, Christopher Lochhead, and Laura Ortman. Their forthcoming stories promise to bring fresh and inspiring perspectives to the podcast.
Special thanks to the talented CXO Conversations team for their invaluable contributions throughout the season.
Tune in and gear up for another year of engaging, insightful conversations that bridge the gap between ambition and achievement in the corporate world.
Happy holidays, and here's to a new year filled with more inspiring CXO Conversations!
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Join host Michael Mitchel in a conversation with Jack Blaha, CEO of Cendyn, as they delve into his journey from West Point and military service to becoming a prominent figure in the corporate world. Blaha delves into the synergy between his military discipline and his achievements in the fast-paced world of SaaS industries like hospitality and social media marketing. He sheds light on the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in shaping company culture and the profound impact of a CEO's leadership style, offering invaluable advice for ambitious leaders on mastering the art of adaptability, the art of building robust professional networks, and the subtle art of leading successful teams.
What you will learn in this episode:
- How military experience can be effectively leveraged in corporate leadership.
- The significance of adaptability and leadership skills in business success.
- Strategies for transitioning successfully from a military to a civilian career.
- The impact of emotional intelligence on shaping company culture and performance.
- The importance of mentorship and building a robust professional network.
- Best practices for team building and operational efficiency in new companies.
- Insights into navigating different sectors within the SaaS industry.
- Key lessons learned from various CEO roles and how they can apply to your career.
- Practical advice for aspiring leaders on career advancement and skill development.
Timestamps
🎙️ Meet Jack Blaha: A Leader's Journey (00:00:48)
🏛️ Why West Point? Unveiling Jack's Choice (00:01:36)
⚔️ Battlefield to Boardroom: Military Impact (00:02:04)
🔄 The Soldier to CEO Transition (00:03:11)
🛠️ Skills Forged in Service (00:03:43)
📊 Melding Military Tactics with Business Strategy (00:04:31)
👨💼 CEO Chronicles: Hard-Earned Lessons (00:05:39)
📚 Embracing Feedback and Lifelong Learning (00:08:29)
🤔 Confronting Leadership Hurdles (00:09:40)
🚀 CEO Success Stories and Challenges (00:10:21)
🌐 Diving into Diverse SaaS Domains (00:11:03)
🏅 First-Time CEO: Thrills and Fears (00:12:11)
🤝 The Power of Networking and Mentorship (00:13:40)
🧠 The Emotional Intelligence of a CEO (00:15:53)
🙏 A Word of Thanks to Our Sponsors (00:18:35)
💼 Private Equity vs. Public Markets Leadership (00:19:01)
📈 The Sweet Spot of Mid-Market Leadership (00:20:53)
🌟 Guiding VPs to CEO Success (00:21:02)
🔗 Cultivating a Strong Professional Network (00:22:42)
🏢 Assembling Winning Teams in New Ventures (00:23:37)
🚀 Fostering Future Leaders (00:24:49)
🌐 Broadening Horizons: Beyond Core Functions (00:27:44)
⚙️ Military Precision in Corporate Strategy (00:29:19)
🔄 Never Stop Evolving as a Leader (00:30:52)
This episode is not just a journey through Blaha's life but a great resource for anyone aspiring to climb the corporate ladder or seeking to refine their leadership prowess.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
As the leader of a large public university and former undersecretary of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Janine Davidson has dedicated 30 years of her career to academic, civilian, and military service.
Since 2017, she has been the President of Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she has been a staunch advocate for underrepresented students, DACA recipients, and military and veteran students.
Prior to her work in higher education, she was appointed by former President Barack Obama as the 32nd undersecretary of the U.S. Navy. She's also a trailblazing pilot, being the first woman to fly the Air Force's tactical C-130.
In today’s episode, Janine reflects on her career:
- The interview process to become undersecretary of the U.S. Navy
- Engaging with the local community as President of MSU Denver
- Becoming one of the first female pilots in the air force
Janine has been awarded many accolades, including the HillVets Top 100 Most Influential Veterans and the Secretary of the Navy Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
At the national level, she is chair of the Department of Defense Policy Board and serves on the State Department Foreign Affairs Policy Board. Locally in Denver, Janine serves on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Colorado Concern, Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Rose Community Foundation.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
From the frontlines in Afghanistan to the center of the Texas startup ecosystem, Craig Cummings has built an incredible career developing technology that solves real-world problems. He’s now General Partner at Moonshots Capital, a venture capital firm in Austin that invests in technology startups, with a special focus on those founded by military veteran entrepreneurs.
Join us as we delve into Craig's inspiring journey, his insights into technology investments, and the unique perspective he brings to the entrepreneurial world.
In this episode, Craig shares with Michael his experience:
- Crafting an elevator pitch that advances your career
- Building a strong local entrepreneurship community in Austin
- Helping other talented veteran entrepreneurs succeed
Before he became an entrepreneur, Craig spent 17 years in the Army, most of that time as an Intelligence Officer serving in support of the National Security Agency (NSA). Craig deployed to Afghanistan with the Joint Special Operations Command where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Craig holds a B.S. in Political Science from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was recognized as their first Truman Scholar. He also has a Ph.D. in Political Science with a minor in Econometrics from Columbia University.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on iTunes - thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Perry Kamel has served in numerous leadership roles; Global executive, COO, CEO many times. He has led many organizations through growth and turn arounds by focusing on the people- not the numbers.
Perry shares his experiences and thoughts on:
- Difference between management and leadership
- It’s all about the people- the rest will follow
- Never stop learning- never stop reading
Also, Perry speaks to how his experience in the US Navy created his servant leadership skills.
Siemens, Accenture, McKinsey, BroadPoint Communications, Ciena, Maxamine … Perry has been a CEO, CMO, EVP for brand names. His first CEO role was withing six years of separating from the US Navy.
Perry served as a Service Warfare Officer in the United States Navy and quickly earned a reputation for advancing the careers of those around him. After earning a BSEE at Cornell, his education continued with a MSEE and Wharton MBA.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Sean Odendahl has worked for only four organizations, including his current employer of 17 years. For the last three years, Sean has been serving at the Chief Transformation Officer for the global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.
Sean shares his perspective on:
- The importance of direct feedback as a path to improvement
- Power of candid mentor relationships for professional growth
- What a successful mentorship looks like
Also, Sean speaks to how his experience in the US Army influenced his leadership skills and approach.
Sean’s legal and professional career has been guided by the counsel he provides to buyers and sellers in private equity investments, transactions and M&A related issues.
Sean served in the US Army for over four years with the 82nd Airborne and deployed to Operation Desert Sheild/Storm. After graduating law school, he clerked with in the Ninth Circuit, US Court of Appeals. For five years, Sean was an attorney before moving to Bryan Cave that has become BCLP, a global law firm.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
As Tyson Begly was wrapping up being CFO of Delta Data, after a Accel KKR transaction to Terminus Capital Partners, he was asked to complete the final year of a City Council seat, provided he would not run for reelection. Tyson readily agreed - he wanted to give back to his community.
Tyson shares his thoughts on:
- How serving as a Company Executive helps him be a good public servant
- Corporate skills and experiences that he is able to utilize as a City Council member
- Shared thoughts to those who are interested in serving their community
Tyson served as COO/CFO for Delta Data until a change of control in early 2023. Prior experience includes management consulting for Accenture, Morgan Stanley, Diamond Management and others.
Tyson holds an MBA from Duke University.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
While a CFO for The Economist, David Cox led the iconic brand through a global transformation from print to digital and live events globally.
David shares his thoughts on:
- Early digital adoption and transformation of a globally respected brand
- Listening to the client base
- What he learned and advice offered from the global experience
David led the project management of the transformation with consulting selling both internally and externally. He also listened to clients and subscribers as they went from weekly print only to digital and took the brand live with events from Africa, Europe to North America and Asia.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
After Travelers Insurance acquired several companies, as a Director, Stephen Brown wrote a transition memo and proposed he lead the initiative. His superiors countered by promoting him to President, relocating him to California and told him to run the whole thing.
Stephen speaks to:
- Experience of going from Director to President overnight and how he prepared
- Overcoming self-doubt by continuously learning and improving
- As a 32-year-old, leading an older C suite Generation
- Advice 55-year-old Stephen would give to 32-year-old Stephen
Stephen went from Director to President overnight and never looked back. He’s been a CEO ever since and in this intimate interview, shares those experiences and lessons learned.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Frederic Rivain has served as a CTO for numerous technology companies in France and the US. He speaks to the differences in managing technical vs non technical staff and aligning to their motivations.
Frederic talks to:
- Differences in leading technical and non-technical professionals
- Role of the CTO on the executive leadership team
- Advice to those who seek the C suite.
For the last seven years, Frederic has served as the CTO for Dashlane and held the CTO chair at 3 other companies after serving as a Project Manager for IBM.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Kathleen Neuheardt, CFO for Bonfire talks to her creativity and passion for embracing challenges as opportunities with an entrepreneurial spirit.
During the interview, Kathleen speaks to:
· Being promoted from VP to CFO
· Overlooked Roles and responsibility of being a CFO
· How being a Big 4 consultant helped prepare her for the C Suite
Kathleen was a partner track consultant at KPMG when after 13 years, she decided to become a small business owner. Then Kathleen joined Kalnin Ventures (now BKV) and took ownership of projects and firm needs that included ERP implementations, HR, M&A due diligence, accounting, and more. She was promoted from Controller, VP to CFO within four years.
Her next role was CFO at Quickbox Fulfillment and now CFO for Bonfire.
Thank you to ACG Denver for being a sponsor of CXO Conversations Podcast. Association for Corporate Growth in its role as the hub of the middle market business community for quality networking, education and events. Connections are made, deals are formed and thought leadership is exchanged.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
CXO Conversations is excited to share some great insights from a global CFO and CTO, curious CFO and CEO who created a President role for himself at age 32.
Kathleen Neuheardt CFO of Bonfire airs on July 19th, followed by Dashlane CTO Frederic Revain, Briotix Health CEO Stephen Brown and former CFO for The Economist, David Cox.
An accomplished investor, Rand Lewis is the Managing partner and co-founder of Delta-v Capital. Rand has invested in many well-known companies such as Zayo, Cloud Sherpa, LogRhythm, Iterable, Chegg and others.
For over 24 years, Rand has been investing and hiring executives for portfolio companies and he’s learned and observed a lot about what makes an executive a great leader and successful.
In this episode, Rand discusses:
- He invests not only dollars, but real relationships with people
- Advice to current and emerging CEOs
- What makes a leader successful and how he finds it in candidates
After earning an MBA from Northwestern, Rand was a consultant at McKinsey before joining Centennial Ventures. After a successful 10 year run with Centennial, he co-founded Delta-v that focuses on technology companies.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Jay McMullan is a CRO who started his sales career at an industrial supply company and observed what was happening in the technology sector and said - I want in on that.
For those who wonder how to make the transition from one sector to another, this is a conversation not to be missed.
In this episode, Jay discusses:
- How he transitioned from the industrial shop floor to a tech company
- How he demonstrated his skills to overcome lack of Tech experience
- As a member of the executive committee, how the CRO contributes to company strategy
David has held leadership roles at companies such as Amdocs, Ericsson and others. He truly enjoys sales, relationship building and serving as a trusted advisor to his clients.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Carla Fowler, an Executive Coach and founder of THAXA, has gone through the challenge of changing a career path and embracing new opportunities. Carla speaks to the advantages and growth (both personal and professional) of pushing yourself and getting outside of your comfort zone. Professionals achieve career accomplishments by continuing to push oneself, learning, tackling new projects and improving. That’s how Executives are formed.
Carla talks to;
- Realizing path one is on isn’t always the right one
- Pushing your boundaries and trying new things
- She agrees UDub is the best university- Go Huskies!
After dedicating over 10 years of education, training, and long hours to become an MD, Carla had a long hard self-reflective journey that in the end said, ‘This isn’t what I want to do’, and she became an executive coach. If anyone can appreciate a great career pivot and the personal journey that is required, Carla can.
Referenced prior podcast guest: Casey Woo
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes - thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
For more insightful episodes with some of C-Suites’ big names Click Here
David Parkhurst is the Chief Customer Officer (CCO) and Managing Partner for Omni Interactions. Additional roles he has served as includes Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and Chief Growth Officer.
David discusses:
- The differences between CCO, CGO and CRO
- Moving from VP to C Level and the shift in revenue responsibilities
- When a deal falls apart at zero hour & lessons learned
David has held leadership roles at ServiceSource, Skykes Enterprises and Alpine Access focusing on customer care solutions. This has given David insight into economic cycles and client business conditions in a fresh angle. And we share our love of cold calling!
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Chris Younger is the CEO of Class VI Partners and is an executive with many chapters in his career. As President of Expanets, a telcom reseller, he acquired 27 companies in 3 years then sold it to Avaya. He owned a Private Equity Firm and now provides transactions and strategic advisory services to middle market businesses.
Chris provides insight into:
- · Managing the stress of leadership- why you must
- · Importance of executive presence
- · The Dinner Test with CEOs
Chris has bought, sold, led companies across all business sectors and advises organizations and family offices on transactions. This provides Chris with insights on C level leaders that he shares in this episode.
He also shares the physical toll of being an overworked President and how it changed him.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
In a very honest conversation, we speak with Raphael Crawford Marks, who founded Bonusly over 11 years ago by accident. It was a off shoot of another project that has since taken off and recently secured it’s Series B funding.
Raphael speaks to two points:
- The transition from being hands on to leading
- Differences between being a Founder and CEO and what it’s like
Raphael discusses the challenges and learning moments moving from being a hands-on startup Founder to a governing company CEO. He also embraces hiring those who are smarter than himself and talks about why.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Eric Lougher is a versatile CFO who comes from an investor background. He has served as Chief Financial Officer for both VC and PE backed companies that provides Eric a balanced and insightful view of today’s CFO.
Eric talks to two key points:
- The art of balance various department budgetary needs and fiscal health of the company and achieving strategic goals
- Board relations and the role of the CFO during and in between the quarterly meetings.
Eric views balance needs of sales, marketing, HR, IT and others with the overall vision and trend of his company. Sometimes that leads to an awkward conversation with a department head. His relationship and management style is one of trust, collaboration and openness.
When it comes to Board relationships, Eric’s sees teamwork as the key communication, strategy alignment as the cornerstone of trust with the Board.
Enjoy the show? Review us on iTunes- thanks!
Thank you Jalan Crossland for lending your award-winning banjo skills to CXO Conversations.
Upcoming interviews include Eric Lougher, of Taskray who discusses the role of today’s CFO and Board relations, CEO Raphael Crawford Marks on the transition from Founder to CEO, and Chris Younger, successful executive and CEO of Class VI Partners on advice to CEOs.
Other guests include Jay McMullen, a Chief revenue Officer who decided to accelerate his career by switching from industrial materials to start ups and , Carla Fowler, an MD who pivoted to C suite Executive coaching who about getting outside of your comfort zone and be willing to try new things.
I’m truly excited with the 2023 line up of guests and please visit OCnationalsearch.com for our all-new podcast episode page.
Michael Mitchel, Host
William Toti, after naval career of distinction that included commanding an attack submarine and Commadore went on to a successful career in corporate America. We discuss having the hard conversation between yourself and your boss. William also provides insightful advice on how to reach the gain experience to reach the C suite.
Chuck Mollor is the CEO of MCG Partners, an advisory and executive coach firm as well as the author of “The Rise of the Agile Leader”. For over 15 years Chuck has advised executives on a wide range of areas from one-on-one coaching, team effectiveness, assessments and more.
In our interview, Chuck provides unique insight into the challenges today’s CEOs face.
And we hear about being a Cranberry Farmer!
Ray Gogel has served as COO, President and Board Director numerous times in the energy sector throughout his career.
He has served in executive roles as CIO, CAO, COO, Managing Director and Board of Directors for companies such as Xcel Energy, Accenture, US Grid Company, IBM and others.
Ray joins CXO Conversations to discuss needed skills for today’s CEO and where they may struggle
Brad Feld is a successful Veteran Capitalist and founding member of the Foundry Group. Within the Colorado startup scene, Brad is a bit of a celebrity having been part of some well-known successful companies.
Brad really sees founders and start ups not just investments, but as a community that he supports, sees areas for improvements, mentors and loves.
In this very personal full-length interview, Brad shares his personal Board experiences, what he looks for in Board Director candidates and advice for first time Board members.
He also shares his experiences from his Colorado Trail 2021 days as well lessons learned from the first job he was fired from.
Chuck Melcher is a retired Naval Commanding Officer that has served in various roles including Chief Engineering, XO and Skipper on several Nuclear Attack Submarines.
After retiring from the United States Navy, Chuck joined an international energy company as a VP and quickly rose to CEO.
Chuck discusses interviewing to become a Submarine skipper, his successful civilian executive search and career.
A graduate of the USNA, Chuck earned his MBA at John Hopkins. The interview was conducted outdoors in the Colorado Rockies in-between altitude training hikes for a Mount Kilimanjaro excursion.
Christine is an accomplished global CFO who rose up through the ranks of senior leadership at Big 4 firms, such as PwC and EY.
She is a life-long learner who is both personally and professionally curious, and intrinsically driven to continually broaden her base of knowledge and experience.
She’s an avid traveler who has even hanglided over the jungles of Brazil.
In this episode she delves into the importance of intellectual curiosity.
As summer is in full swing, this is a great opportunity for an excerpt from a 2020 interview with CRO Randal Meske. The full interview can be found here
About our Guest
Randal Meske is the CRO at ConstructConnect (a Roper Technologies company) and the Founder and CEO at Evreware, a market intelligence firm.
Prior to Evreware, Randal was the President at Citation Technologies Inc., an environmental compliance solutions company. Before Citation, Randal was the Vice President of Oracle’s Global Collaboration Sales Unit. Prior to Oracle, Randal was the Vice President, Technical Publishing Business Development at IHS where he managed their worldwide content supply network. Before IHS, he served as Sr. Director of Business Development at Citrix Systems, Inc. He also had multiple international assignments in Europe and Latin America with Lotus and IBM managing regional P&L, creating go-to-market strategies, and building multiple sales organizations in those geographies.
Randal graduated with honors in 1986 from the University of North Texas earning a B.B.A. with an emphasis on International Business. Prior to University, he studied abroad for one year in Germany. Randal is fluent in German and currently studies Italian. He lives in the Denver area with his wife and 3 daughters.
The impressively humble General Kevin Patrick ‘Chili’ Chilton joins the show today to share his 34-½ years of experience in the Air Force as well as the successful transition he then navigated into corporate America.
A note to those who have not served in the Armed Forces: I will be referring to our guest as either General or by his call sign of ‘Chili’ out of respect for his rank and his service to our country.
Here is the full Part 1 interview: https://cxoconversations.libsyn.com/encore-general-kevin-patrick-chilly-chilton-on-preparing-tomorrows-leadership-building-strong-teams-and-flying-nice-birds
ABOUT OUR GUEST
General Kevin Patrick ‘Chili’ Chilton graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and has flown pretty much every aircraft in the Air Force inventory including the RF4, F15, U2, and the B52. He attended test-pilot school, served around the world and was selected as an astronaut that included three shuttle missions. He was also the Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station. He then returned to the Air Force for key postings such as the Commander of the Ninth Recon Wing, Commander of the Eighth Air Force, and Commander of the Air Force Space Command and the United States Strategic Command. He is currently the only astronaut to obtain the rank of 4-star General. Chili has served on boards of the Anadarko, Orbital, Aerospace Corporation and both level three and post-merger with Lumen today as well as with Aerojet Rocketdyne.
Tom started out in technology and discusses how he arrived at the CEO chair by way of GE & NCR. He speaks about to the scrappy opportunties at GE and the similiarties of that attitude at Inovonics, a middle market company.
Along the way, his international travel helped him apprciate different cultures and what unites us.
He also discusses where emerging executives can obtain the robust management opportunites that GE used to offer.
Welcome to Colorado Tom!
When the lockdowns started, Susan realized they had to act fast to support the company, employees and real estate agents in over 120 countries while creating an innovative mental health program on the fly.
A highly respected HR leader in Denver, Susan has worked at OppenheimerFunds, American Residential Communities, Fiserv, Comcast and more.
In her interview, Susan shares the personal side of leading by example and how they are adapting to the permanent WFM culture.
Tony has sought opportunities to challenge himself and not be pigeon holed in one sector. Tony and Michael discuss how the CFO role is evolving, playing volleyball against Olympic athletes, trend in COO and CFO offices merging and his advice to those eyeing the C suite.
Peter grew up in West Africa, attended university in the UK, earned his Masters in the US, and served in several different sectors. Starting his career in banking, Peter founded his own Capital Advising firm before moving into health care.
Peter sought the healthcare sector as a place to apply his executive skills while contributing back to his community.
Setting career goal and making strategic decisions to become a CEO.
John made purposeful key decisions at Johnson & Johnson, Maxxar, IHS and Kellogg’s to gain experience and opportunities to become an effective and seasoned CEO.
VPs Perceptions of getting to CXO and the reality of being a CEO.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcmulverhill/
Today we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of staying with the same company for an extended period, creating an HR organization from scratch, and the lessons that Michelle Anastasi has learned throughout her career.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Michelle is an outgoing CPO who has worked at CompSych, GiveForward, Dell and ASAP Software. She earned her Business Administration degree from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Michelle Anastasi and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — She has had a bear visit her kitchen while she was home!
[4:00] Michelle touches on the roles she embodied and the mentors that guided her during her 16-year stint at the same software company, from the accounting department to building an HR department from scratch.
BUILDING HR FROM THE GROUND UP [6:18] Michelle breaks down how she went about tackling the HR department build with very little experience from establishing priority lists to finding the right mentors.
REGRETS? [11:50] Michelle admits to having made her share of mistakes, but she wouldn’t trade any of them — she does share the one thing she would have done differently: networks and relationships.
STARTING FROM SCRATCH [12:36] Michelle packs so much advice in a minute, you won’t believe it — we counted 11 really important and insightful tips.
SHAKING ASSUMPTIONS [15:30] Behaviors can help in preventing people from pigeonholing you — think about your executive presence and be strategic.
WHY SO LONG? [18:46] Michelle opens up on the reasons why she stayed so long at ASAP, the first of which is that she kept having opportunities to learn and be challenged. She touches on the increasingly short windows companies get to show how engaging they can be to new hires.
THE DELL MERGER [22:21] She did work through a few mergers, but Dell was at a different scale! She talks us through the ups and downs of the experience.
C-SUITE, CPO VS CHRO [25:38] Though there seems to be a push away from the human resources terminology, Michelle sees very little difference between the roles themselves. She delves into what best prepared her for the C-Suite, including a tough boss that knows how to push you outside your comfort zone.
GETTING TO THE C-SUITE [30:04] Michelle hands out fistfuls of advice for aspiring CPOs.
SURPRISES AND REWARDS [33:22] Michelle shares the aspects of being a CPO that she finds surprising and rewarding — even if a lot of the work is covered by NDA!
OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE [33:50] Michelle’s approach to HR is influenced by having lived overseas and being culturally aware.
A BAD CALL [35:18] Michelle shares the time she joined a company led by a narcissist.
MBA [36:56] Michelle touches on the value her MBA has had in her career.
CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES [38:15] What are the things Michelle looks for in a successful candidate to hire.
BEST WORST JOB MICHELLE EVER HAD [39:19] Waitressing is such a good background for everything in life!
FINAL THOUGHTS AND GOOD READS [42:02] Michelle shares a very generous amount of titles to read and a recap of her tips for emerging CXOs.
[44:20] Michael thanks Michelle for coming on the podcast to share her insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
This is Part 2 of the interview with General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton. Tune in for discussion filled with advice on reaching the C-Suite, sitting on good boards , role of the Board, interacting with CEO and more.
A note to those who have not served in the Armed Forces: I will be referring to our guest as either General or by his call sign of ‘Chilli’ out of respect for his rank and his service to our country.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and has flown pretty much every aircraft in the Air Force inventory including the RF4, F15, U2, and the B52. He attended test-pilot school, served around the world and was selected as an astronaut that included three shuttle missions. He was also the Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station. He then returned to the Air Force for key postings such as the Commander of the Ninth Recon Wing, Commander of the Eighth Air Force, and Commander of the Air Force Space Command and the United States Strategic Command. He is currently the only astronaut to obtain the rank of 4-star General. Chilli has served on the boards of Anadarko, Orbital, Aerospace Corporation and both level three and post-merger with Centurylink today as well as with Aerojet Rocketdyne.
The impressively humble General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton joins the show today to share his 34-½ years of experience in the Air Force as well as the successful transition he then navigated into corporate America.
A note to those who have not served in the Armed Forces: I will be referring to our guest as either General or by his call sign of ‘Chilli’ out of respect for his rank and his service to our country.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and has flown pretty much every aircraft in the Air Force inventory including the RF4, F15, U2, and the B52. He attended test-pilot school, served around the world and was selected as an astronaut that included three shuttle missions. He was also the Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station. He then returned to the Air Force for key postings such as the Commander of the Ninth Recon Wing, Commander of the Eighth Air Force, and Commander of the Air Force Space Command and the United States Strategic Command. He is currently the only astronaut to obtain the rank of 4-star General. Chilli has served on boards of the Anadarko, Orbital, Aerospace Corporation and both level three and post-merger with Centurylink today as well as with Aerojet Rocketdyne.
John discusses being acquired by Brocade when he was CEO of McData, how being CEO has changed over the years and how his current company Cerescan is a full circle for himself.
Tim discusses the difference between a public and private CEO, his observations of successful CEOs
Dan and Trent on how the CO CEO model works seamlessly for them and the trust that comes with it.
Scott discusses the role of Chief Architect Officer, and the emergence of the technical role at the executive level.
Tony discusses why CEOs need to have a strong sales background and how the acceptance of the cannabis industry is changing business perceptions.
Anna talks about the emergence of the CISO role within the executive leadership and responsibility to the Board.
Carlos discusses the role of CRO and the changing nature of sales/revenue leadership, how sales may change post COVID and building a sales org from scratch.
Kyle Schultz served as a CEO that wound down a company after a sale and he discusses aspects of that few may have considered. He also speaks about turning down a promotion, why and the positive impact on his career.
Shannon Carter serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Michael and Shannon discuss the role of Associations, transitioning among Associations industries such as Nursing, Tech and Veterinary. She joins us to discuss becoming a CEO of an Association at age 31, and how she was chosen for her current CSO role and the testament of true CEO leadership in hiring her.
Patricia Elias has a unique title at ServiceSource: Chief Legal and People Officer. She joins the show today to talk about how she came to take on the HR role, the unique event that brought her to ServiceSource, and a key realization about this very moment in her career.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Patricia Elias started as an SVP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for ServiceSource in 2016. Within two years, she was asked to assume the global HR role and title of Chief Legal and People Officer for a global company of over 3,000 employees.
Her prior roles include serving as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at ViaWest, Senior Corporate Counsel at Flextronics, and Lecturer for the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.
GET IN TOUCH WITH PATRICIA ELIAS ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[2:02] Michael introduces Patricia and asks her to share an interesting fact about herself as well as a little bit on what ServiceSource is, and does — Patricia is an inline skating evangelist!
SHOOTING SPORTING CLAYS [4:49] Patricia talks about what brought her to ServiceSource and it all began with shooting sporting clays!
CORPORATE SECRETARY [6:38] What does a corporate secretary do? Patricia shares what her first few years were like. She shares the story of how she was approached to take on the role of head of HR.
PREPARATION? HARDLY [11:06] Patricia touches on how little preparation she got before taking on the role. It was on-the-job training; she shares the two things that helped her most at the time. Patricia shares why she chose the CPO title instead of CHRO.
WHY LAW? WHY IT? [14:33] Patricia shares how she made her way to law, and eventually Counsel; the choice of working in tech and IT probably reflects her strong interest in science.
HR/LEGAL [16:53] 80% of her time is spent on HR matters, 10% on legal, and the remaining would be a space where she needs to wear both hats. Because of this experience, as well as some personal choices, Patricia will probably never go for a General Counsel role that has no extended responsibilities again.
PIVOT [20:05] Patricia and Michael agree that she is currently in the middle of a pivot! Patricia explains that the breadth of the impact she has on the organization could never be equaled by a legal-only position.
PRIDE AND LEGACY [21:51] Patricia shares how proud she is about having instituted parental leave at ServiceSource as well as the broader diversity impact this measure has had on the business. She shares another pride point.
EXPECTATIONS [24:35] Patricia talks about the things she has found to be interesting discoveries about her new role, but she didn’t have expectations, per se. She touches on how to handle working in multiple time zones and shares some personal tips on how to manage a team with empathy while working crazy hours.
HUMANS VS TECHNOLOGY [26:52] The modern technological paradigm has built a world where work hours have grown to the point of encroaching on personal life; Patricia shares her take on how to maintain healthy work habits. She also touches on the effects of COVID-19 on work environments and her predictions for the future of work.
ADVICE [29:32] Patricia offers advice to future CXOs and prepares for C-suite interviews. Know your business, and just don’t be a jerk. She also shares her insight for people who hold dual roles as she does — especially when one of those roles involves legal.
BEST WORST JOB PATRICIA EVER HAD [34:14] A temp job answering the constantly ringing corded phone while welcoming and being polite to customers who appeared at the window. It was so stressful it led her to realize she needed a college degree.
FINAL THOUGHTS [36:45] An attitude of gratitude, empathy, and outward mindset are key to success, and happiness.
[37:17] Michael thanks Patricia for coming on the podcast to share her insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Leslie has worked in financial services, engineering, Energy, ski industry, health care, and technology and today she joins the show to talk about starting a new role on the eve of a national lockdown and crisis, how she leverages her experience in different sectors and the impact of authenticity on executive culture.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Leslie McIntosh is the Vice-President Head of Human Resources. Previously she held the role of Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of BioScrip. She was also Vice President, Human Resources at DigitalGlobe, a business unit of Maxar Technologies. Prior to that, she was HR Director at Vail Resorts and held senior HR roles at MWH (now part of Stantec), Janus Henderson Investors, and American Century Investments, with ten years at public companies.
GET IN TOUCH WITH LESLIE ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Leslie and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself as well as what CoreSite is and what they do.
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN [3:52] Leslie talks about getting on a plane to her new job at CoreSite on the eve of the National lockdown at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the experiences she drew from to manage that rocky transition.
CRITICAL MOMENTS [8:00] In her very first professional-level role, Leslie learned important lessons about how to take feedback and how to become more aware of the impact of her action on others. She shares a second pivotal career moment.
CANDIDATE SELECTION [9:27] Passionate, smart, talented, and humble are just some of the key characteristics Leslie looks for in her candidates.
ACROSS SECTORS [10:20] Leslie touches on what the advantages are of having touched and worked in so many different sectors. She also touches on the surprises she had at her different roles.
WHY THE C? [12:53] Leslie shares what personal discoveries she made on her way to figuring out if the C-suite was for her. She also talks about the rewards and challenges of roles at that level as well as some of the overlooked aspects.
PREPARING [16:40] Preparing for a board interview for Leslie is an organized process, she walks us through it and shares her tips for being prepared.
INTERVIEW ADVICE [19:27] Leslie shares her advice for people who may be looking at high-rank interviews in the future.
CULTURE [20:50] Culture is super important; Leslie shares her own experiences with various places she’s worked in; she also touches on how she identifies good cultures. She also talks about how to change or manage culture.
MENTORSHIP [24:15] Leslie speaks to her own experiences as a mentor and a mentee.
PASSING YOUR TURN [27:57] Leslie was always very certain that she wanted a company that was the right fit for her and she has passed up opportunities that would have been great for her career, but not such a great fit.
EMERGING LEADER ADVICE [29:00] Why do you want the role, and what important thing do you have to give are two things Leslie advises you should think on. She also expands on servant leadership.
BEST WORST JOB LESLIE EVER HAD [31:08] Working for a family catering company, Leslie shares what she learned from that experience.
[34:44] Michael thanks Leslie for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CoreSite
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Jordan Connely joins the show today as the President of Obsidian HR and CFO of ProService Hawaii (Obsidian's parent company). He and Michael share some interesting practices when it comes to HR as well as Jordans’ thoughts on how to improve your career, how to transition from consulting to the C-suite, and the many roles he’s held throughout the years.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Jordan Conley is President of Obsidian HR, as well as the current CFO of ProService Hawaii (Obsidian’s parent company). He is responsible for the strategy, customer experience, culture, and profitability of the business.
Leveraging over 20 years of experience in the HR outsourcing industry, he brings a unique perspective to the evolving needs and definition of “HR” in the modern workplace.
Prior to being appointed President of Obsidian HR, he was a founding member of ZeroChaos (now Workforce Logiq) and has held senior leadership roles at CoAdvantage (a large national HR outsourcing firm).
As a natural entrepreneur, Jordan is passionate about seeing opportunities where businesses need help and partnering with leaders to protect their operations and make growth a reality. Jordan attended the University of Central Florida and Crummer School of Business at Rollins.
He is married with three sons and currently resides in Denver, CO where he is an active car aficionado, an avid reader, and a connoisseur of Colorado beer.
GET IN TOUCH WITH JORDAN CONLEY ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[2:49] Michael introduces Jordan and asks him to share a little bit about what ProService Hawaii and Obsidian HR do as well as the differences between working in Hawaii and on the mainland.
A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE BLUE [8:44] What Jordan didn’t realize at the time was that in consulting he had been doing a year-long interview for the CTO position!
CXO PATH [10:30] Having dropped out of undergraduate school to launch a startup, Jordan speaks to his non-linear path to the C-suite by way of an MBA. He shares an anecdote about staying in touch with some of his classmates and even having some of them now working out of Hawaii.
SLOW BUT STEADY [15:19] From CTO to COO Jordan talks about the slow transition he made from IT to HR as well as playing both roles for a period of time. Jordan also shares his most rewarding and challenging moments as a COO.
KEEPING TRAINS ON TIME [19:10] Jordan shares his take on the COO role as well as the period of time when the COO was living out of Sweden and traveling to Honolulu regularly, requiring Jordan to fill a lot of roles.
LEGACY AND ADVICE [20:51] Jordan touches on what he hopes are the traits people will remember him by at ProService. He shares one of his proudest moments at ProService, as well as some critical advice for aspiring c-suite.
[24:00] Jordan explains why you need to make sure you’re never a bottleneck as well as relentless prioritization.
MANAGEMENT STYLE [26:49] Jordan walks us through the leader-leader style of management and talks about the great advantages and difficulties of Topgrading.
RECRUITING [32:10] Recruiting and hiring is one of the most important aspects of Jordan’s job, and he will spend around 40% of his time on it.
DECISIONS [33:22] Jordan shares a decision he made that didn’t go as planned.
BEST WORST JOB JORDAN EVER HAD [35:30] Bussing tables at a restaurant!
[39:26] Michael thanks Jordan for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ProService
Obsidian HR
Topgrading
Books:
Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders, by L. David Marquet
The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability,
by Craig Hickman, Tom Smith, and Roger Connors
Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t, by Verne Harnish
Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO, by Nathan Bennett
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Bennie S. Covington, Chief People Officer for Integrated Financial Settlements, comes on the show to share his story about falling into HR even as he tried to avoid it, what it means to run a successful business, and what you need to cultivate to be a strong leader and aspire to the C-suite, even when you don’t!
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Bennie S. Covington has helped small businesses, nonprofits, Fortune 500, and global organizations align their culture to their mission-critical goals to help them to create a blueprint for success in the global market. He leverages best practices in Agile principles, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and adult learning theory to do this effectively.
He has mentored hundreds of leaders and managers globally in the U.S., Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and Belgium. In 2017, he earned recognition for being in the top 10% of global leadership development programs in the areas of executive coaching, team development, and new leader development from HR.com.
He currently is the Chief People Officer at Integrated Financial Settlements. As a community leader, he has participated in the Downtown Denver Partnership leadership program, served on the Five Points Business District Welton Street Design Working Group, and the Denver Mayor’s Pedestrian Committee.
GET IN TOUCH WITH BENNIE ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Bennie and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself as well as share a little about Integrated Financial Settlements.
LEGACY [9:30] Bennie touches on how his goal at the onset of his current role was to stabilize, partner, and transform HR in the business. He walks us through the key points to keep in mind in order to tackle such an undertaking and what sustainability really means for a business.
DREAMS OF A CXO ROLE? [13:01] Being C-suite, even being in HR, had never been on Bennie’s radar; he talks about the very personal way he became interested in HR and how he came to see CXO roles as a way to transform operations.
C-SUITE QUALITIES [18:06] In order to be tapped for a C-suite role, you have to demonstrate some understanding of business. Bennie talks about a few more reasons why he may have been initially tapped for the VP role as well as some questions he was asked.
IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE [21:35] Having some background in the more technical aspects of the job might have been helpful in the beginning, so Bennie suggests that if you do have a strong interest in a field, you should stay up-to-date.
RADIO [26:02] Bennie was aiming for a radio hosting career, he recounts how that began in earnest and how he actually changed paths when the industry began consolidating. He does rely upon some of that experience for public speaking.
LEVEL SETTING [33:12] Bennie shares a tip to make sure people follow you in a conversation.
CHRO to CEO? [33:46] Bennie doesn’t know if CHRO moves to CEO but it seems like it might be the time for it.
ADVICE [36:50] Understand the business and the number 1 expense is Bennie’s biggest piece of advice for aspiring CXOs. Bennie shares a city design example!
BEST WORST JOB BENNIE EVER HAD [42:00] Call center work… Bennie touches on what he learned working in a field that was not for him.
[46:50] Michael thanks Bennie for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Integrated Financial Settlements
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Randal Meske, CRO of ConstructConnect, joins the show today to talk about how he approaches turning around a business, the complex network of qualities that make a good leader, and how to set up your hiring practices so that you know if the fit is right within 90 days.
Today’s discussion is fast-paced and filled to the brim with advice and tips on how to cut your sales chops in today’s market and bettering your function as a team member; take your pens and pencils out and don’t miss out on any of it.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Randal Meske is the CRO at ConstructConnect (a Roper Technologies company) and the Founder and CEO at Evreware, a market intelligence firm.
Prior to Evreware, Randal was the President at Citation Technologies Inc., an environmental compliance solutions company. Before Citation, Randal was the Vice President of Oracle’s Global Collaboration Sales Unit. Prior to Oracle, Randal was the Vice President, Technical Publishing Business Development at IHS where he managed their worldwide content supply network. Before IHS, he served as Sr. Director of Business Development at Citrix Systems, Inc. He also had multiple international assignments in Europe and Latin America with Lotus and IBM managing regional P&L, creating go-to-market strategies, and building multiple sales organizations in those geographies.
Randal graduated with honors in 1986 from the University of North Texas earning a B.B.A. with an emphasis on International Business. Prior to University, he studied abroad for one year in Germany. Randal is fluent in German and currently studies Italian. He lives in the Denver area with his wife and 3 daughters.
GET IN TOUCH WITH RANDAL ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Randal and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself — Randal was part of a men’s barbershop chorus called the Vocal Majority — and some information on ConstructConnect.
SALES CHOPS [8:05] Randal offers a few possible avenues for newcomers to start gathering some direct sales experience — just make sure it’s something you can believe in.
C-SUITE QUALITIES [11:50] The advantages of having had good, and bad, leadership in shaping your path to the C-suite. Randal touches on what qualities factor into reaching the C-suite.
SIZE OR PRIDE [14:37] Randal shares his biggest, and his proudest deals — they are not the same.
JOB REWARDS [18:11] With regards to the rewards of his work, helping people do the best work of their lives is the answer that comes up spontaneously for Randal.
CXO DIFFERENCES [19:00] Randal touches on the differences in titles between CSO and CRO. Sales will limit the person to sales whereas most times CRO will encompass marketing as well.
#1 CHALLENGE [21:05] Though it depends on the business, Randal talks about the pressure of hitting the number and target objectives you’ve established. He also touches on culture and how important it is to take a business to the next level.
TURNING AROUND A BUSINESS [23:44] Randal talks about his management style as an example of how a turnaround might go — he breaks down the details and reminds people in that position to shut up and listen in the beginning.
MAKING TALENT CHANGES [28:35] Sometimes you walk into a situation where someone is being inappropriate or abusive, in blatant cases, you address them right away, but if your hiring practices are right, you give people 90 days.
LEADERSHIP HIRING [31:19] Randal shares the long version of what he looks for in leadership hires as well as the two most important points: grit and problem resolution.
ADVICE FOR VPs [38:05] Learn, learn, and learn is the basis of Randal’s advice, as well as talking to younger people and becoming a better teammate.
BEST ADVICE RANDAL STILL USES [42:02] Executives are busy; when they give you time, you have to respect that — don’t take half an hour to make a five-minute point, Randal is a talker, he had to learn this skill.
BEST WORST JOB RANDAL EVER HAD [44:38] Digging ditch for a local gas company at $2.87 an hour — Randal shares an ego check story from that time.
[52:03] Michael thanks Randal for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ConstuctConnect
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Our guest today is Steve T. Joanis, CEO of PlanetIQ. He comes on the show to share his experience having served as a CFO, President, board member, and partner through different investment firms.
Don’t miss this episode for some serious tips on how to best appear on VC’s radars and stay top of mind for C-suite recruiting as well as what the most successful CXO candidates share in terms of personality traits.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Mr. Joanis has 25-plus years of management consulting, venture capital, and C-Level management experience in venture-backed companies across many industries. He has served on the Boards of Directors for more than 20 companies and has many successful exits to his credit as both a primary investor and as management. His strength in finance and operations has driven his expertise in scaling businesses with a focus on cash flow and value for investors.
Mr. Joanis managed strategy and M&A consulting engagements at LEK consulting, was a primary investor as a Partner at Wolf Ventures and Roser Ventures, was a Founder and Partner of PE firm HardPoint Capital, and had P&L responsibility as a C-level manager at three different startups, going back to 2003. At T3 Media, his most recent success story, Mr. Joanis led the company from pre-revenue through the high-growth phase and exited by selling to two different PE firms in two separate transactions. Mr. Joanis has raised more than $200MM in venture capital or venture-related debt.
Mr. Joanis has a BS from West Point and an MBA from Wharton. He was a decorated military combat aviator prior to his civilian career.
GET IN TOUCH WITH STEVEN ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Steve and asks him to share a little bit about what PlanetIQ does.
BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS [4:02] Steven shares what attracts him to any specific company: market size, protected technology, high-profit margins, and a solid team are all part of his checklist. He talks about what PlanetIQ had to offer to get him on board.
SPEAKING VC [8:30] An overarching theme in Steven’s career seems to have been his pull towards high tech. He touches on some reasons that may be as well as how being on the investment side has influenced his style as a CEO.
LOOKING BACK [12:42] Going back to investment? Steven talks about all of the things he loved in the investing world and what being on the entrepreneurial side offers that suits him better.
DECIDING TO BE A CEO [15:39] Steven’s military career helped shape his decisional process and probably played a huge role in him aiming for decisional roles and positions that offer responsibilities.
MILITARY INFLUENCE [20:22] Steven touches on how the military influenced his leadership style as well as the success he’s garnered. He also speaks to his hiring practices and how the military plays into that aspect as well.
PIVOTING TO THE C-SUITE [28:57] After having moved away from VC, Steven found a comfortable space for himself which put him on the fast track to his first C-suite contract. He also explains how having been on various company boards helped him identify how he could best tackle the C responsibilities.
ADVICE FOR VP’S [32:40] Looking at where CEOs come from when it comes to venture-backed high tech companies, most of them come out of sales or tech. Steven explains how you can use this information to build a strategic path to the C-suite. He also shares a few tips on jumping into a CXO role.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES [35:47] Steven touches on what VCs look for, in terms of personality, when searching out new candidates. He also shares ideas on getting onto a VC’s radar.
TIMELESS ADVICE [38:52] Steven shares some early advice he got which is still relevant today, 20 years later.
BEST WORST JOB STEVEN EVER HAD [44:56] Being a dairy farmer!
[47:27] Michael thanks Steven for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PlanetIQ
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Scott Miller, EVP of Thought Leadership at Franklin Covey and author of the recently released book Management Mess to Leadership Success: 30 Challenges to Become the Leader You Would Follow joins the show to talk about what he learned from being fired, what a thought leader does, what makes great leaders and how to work towards leadership success.
Strap in for a fast-paced, energetic discussion on the ins and outs of leadership.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Scott J. Miller is Executive Vice President of Thought Leadership. Scott has been with the company for 20 years and previously served as Vice President of Business Development and Chief Marketing Officer. His role as EVP caps 12 years on the front line, working with thousands of client facilitators across many markets and countries.
Prior to his appointment, Scott served as the General Manager of the Central Region, based in Chicago. Scott originally joined Covey Leadership Center in 1996 as a Client Partner with the Education Division.
Scott started his professional career with the Disney Development Company, the real estate development division of The Walt Disney Company in 1992. As a research coordinator, he identified trends and industry best practices in community development, education, healthcare, architectural design, and technology. Scott received a B.A. in Organizational Communication from Rollins College in 1996.
GET IN TOUCH WITH SCOTT ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC National Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:15] Michael introduces Scott Miller and welcomes him to the podcast to talk about his experience having nine distinct careers inside the same organization and what initially drew him to Franklin Covey.
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES [5:30] Scott’s father worked for Lockheed Martin for 35 years, and Scott had a plan to make it to CEO by his mid-fifties; he just never expected to walk most of that path with Franklin Covey! He touches on a few reasons why he stayed.
LEGACIES AND MANAGEMENT STYLES [7:54] Lifting people up is the one thing he would love his legacy to be. Scott also touches on how he approaches managing his employees; brutal honesty is a good start for him.
DISNEY DAYS [12:20] Despite having been an amazing learning experience, Disney was the wrong culture for Scott and his bull-in-a-china-shop attitude got him spun out. He shares his most valuable lesson coming out of Disney.
BEING AN IMPACTFUL LEADER [15:36] Regulating your emotions is a C-suite competency, not an option: You have to be able to have high-courage conversations where you’re moving outside your comfort zone and do it in a delicate and elegant way. He shares an interaction he had with Laird Hamilton.
THE FRANKLIN PLANNER AND MORE [19:22] Scott talks about all of the services and products Franklin Covey offers as well as some of the history of the company.
EARNING THE C-SUITE [22:17] Scott shares the serendipitous story of how he ended up as Chief Marketing Officer as well as how he got on the radar for the position. Always hit your forecast if not your goal, Scott is proud to have earned his way into the C-suite.
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS [28:35] If you can’t summon the courage to call out people on their blind spots, you don’t deserve the leadership role. Scott explains what you can do to improve, and, believe it or not, it starts with practice and separating facts from emotions.
WHAT IS AN EVP OF THOUGHT LEADERSHIP [34:00] Does Scott just sit there and pontificate all day? It really is the new public relations. Scott breaks down what his work entails in practice.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE [37:55] Scott shares his own experience with what he calls seasons rather than continuous balance.
PERSONAL BRANDS [40:27] Scott touches on the delicate balance he has to keep in order to grow his own brand while keeping his fiduciary responsibility to grow the Franklin Covey brand as well. Be very thoughtful about how you are curating your brand, and if you’re an employee of a company, it needs to be congruent with or separate from it.
BEST WORST JOB SCOTT EVER HAD [47:23] Waiting tables! Scott shares exactly what he learned in terms of both customer service and teamwork.
FINAL THOUGHTS [48:40] Don’t confuse being efficient with being effective.
[49:41] Michael thanks Scott for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Book: Management Mess to Leadership Success: 30 Challenges to Become the Leader You Would Follow, by Scott Jeffrey Miller
Podcast: On Leadership with Scott Miller
The 7 Habits of Very Highly Effective People, by Dr. Stephen R. Covey
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC National Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Today, Heather Terenzio from Techtonic joins the show. She’s a name that comes up a lot with good buzz and we’re lucky to have her on to talk about acting on and running with an idea, founding and leading her own company, challenges and successes of selling a unique concept, and what drives her.
Tune in for loads of advice on building and running flexible companies that survive hardship as well as novel ways to build tomorrow’s workforce.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Heather Terenzio is the founder and CEO of Techtonic Group. Techtonic Group is a software services company building web-based and mobile products for start-ups and the Fortune 1000. Four years ago, Heather founded Techtonic Academy to train people with diverse backgrounds how to code using a unique, Department of Labor (DOL) approved Apprenticeship program. This highly selective Apprenticeship program recruits people who have the desire, ambition, and skill set to be a great software developer — regardless of their background or academic training. The Techtonic Group Apprenticeship program has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Popular Mechanics. Heather believes that diverse and inclusive talent are the building blocks upon which great companies are built.
GET IN TOUCH WITH HEATHER ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC National Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:15] Michael introduces Heather and the company she founded and asks her to talk about what Techtonic is, what it does, and how it came about.
LET’S PAY YOU TO LEARN [4:55] Heather touches on how being an apprenticeship company is a really interesting intersection to be in. A whole world of government, grant, and foundation funding becomes available.
AGILE [7:05] Challenges are something that agile helps Techtonics overcome, Heather shares stories of how the company has iterated its processes in order to be better at what they do.
IT’S NOT JUST FOR TRADE JOBS [8:32] Heather touches on some of the reactions she got from developers in the beginning even if humans have been learning by apprenticeship for a long, long time. She also shares some of the apprenticeship criteria and attributes.
BEING BACKGROUND AGNOSTIC [11:42] Taking all of the barriers to entry away was the key to unlocking diversity in a natural way. Techtonics only takes the best of the best and it turns out that this is a very diverse group of people. She shares the first Apple Watch fail as an example of diversity being a necessary element of any successful project.
ONCE THEY’RE IN, THEY’RE HOOKED [15:57] Heather talks about how shifting mindset in potential clients — and their HR departments — takes a while, but once they’re in, they’re hooked!
UNTAPPED LABOR FORCES [19:24] Training veteran spouses is one of Techtonic’s initiatives and Heather touches on how the idea came about as well as who they partnered with to set it up.
IT COMES DOWN TO GUT [22:52] Heather touches on what she looks for in her key hires for the company. She shares some stories of the good and bad fits she’s had.
BUILDING THINGS [24:42] This isn’t Heather’s first company. She talks about her love of building things and what kind of person it takes as well as her experience building her first company.
THERE IS NO ONE HERE I WANT TO BE IN 5 YEARS [27:48] Heather shares her path from engineering to tech. She also talks about how she made her way to the C-suite.
ADVICE [30:54] Heathers shares her advice for people aiming to be CXOs. She also takes time to share the advice her dad gave her.
COVID [33:11] Crisis management is about focusing on what you can control; Heather offers that in her experience leaner companies fare better in crisis.
BEST WORST JOB HEATHER EVER HAD [35:20] Waitressing in high school and college; it’s horrible for a clumsy person, but it makes you so much more efficient and great at customer service.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND READING RECOMMENDATIONS [37:22]
[41:14] Michael thanks Heather for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Techtonic
Book: Educated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers,
by Ben Horowitz
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC National Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Today Jamey Seely joins the show to talk about being a Chief Legal Officer — which most people refer to as being your own counsel — the two usual legal career paths, being an executive and LGBTQ in blue-collar industries and working in nuclear.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Jamey was named by Denver Business Journal as one of 2020’s Top 25 Most Powerful and Influential Women in Business; she is a Trailblazer in Business honoree by Aspioneer for 2019, an Outstanding Women in Business Award winner in 2017 and a 2018 Out and Proud Corporate Counsel Award winner by the national LGBTQ bar association — and that’s just since she’s arrived in Denver.
GET IN TOUCH WITH JAMEY ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Jamey and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — marathoning and cycling worldwide as well as racing cars are just one of the few things this adrenaline junkie likes to do!
[4:44] Jamey explains what Gates is and what they do — they’re everywhere and they have vulcanizers!
CLO OR GENERAL COUNSEL [8:17] What does a CLO do in terms of helping a company be healthy? And Jamey shares the really awesome thing about being on the legal side of a corporation.
BECOMING GC/CLO [13:00] Jamey knew from high school that she wanted to be a CLO — even not fully knowing what that meant. She also speaks to paying her dues and the importance of mentorship.
[17:14] GC used to require corporate securities and M&A, if not, you could be a number two. Jamey touches on the trends today.
[19:19] Jamey speaks to the most common reasons people aim for that role, as well as what makes a good GC.
PEER AND BOARD INTERACTIONS [20:54] A GC serves multiple roles; Jamey shares a professional story that explains the breadth of interactions a GC needs to maintain. She touches on how a board should behave.
WHY JAMEY GOT THE JOB [25:22] She explains why she joined Gates and what her job was from the get-go — make the company public. She talks about how she did it, as well as getting to the big day and ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
LGBTQ [30:52] Jamey touches on being LGBTQ in business. She shares some advice and talks about how she got a feeling for the culture of diversity at Gates — and how you can get a good feeling for this in any company. Ask if they have a diversity and inclusion initiative both internally and externally!
NUCLEAR [40:28] Jamey talks about working with the brightest minds and running huge fun projects from a legal perspective. She shares her experience of Fukushima which happens right as she had landed an enormous nuclear project.
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING GC/CLO [45:01] Be prepared for the breadth and for being the trusted advisor for the C suite. Jamey breaks down some key experience you should work at getting. Also, keep an open mind!
WHEN JAMEY SET HER SIGHTS [47:54] Jamey speaks to when she decided she was going for the C suite in earnest — after having left law, which became a career asset.
BEST WORST JOB JAMEY EVER HAD [49:46] Litigation was never a match for Jamey — also, waiting tables, it’s brutal. Michael shares his own horrible job!
[53:29] Michael thanks Jamey for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
John Vranas is Chief Development and Marketing Officer for the Humane Society of the United States. He has a stellar track record of helping organizations raise money and make significant impact in people’s lives, society and now animals. Over the years he has rolled out cool programs and partnerships and he comes on the show today to share his experience with us.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Before his work at the Humane Society of the United States, John oversaw the creation and execution of all global projects for fundraising, communications, and marketing at Make-A-Wish International. Before that, he served as Vice President of Fundraising for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Senior Vice President of Field Operations at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well as the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. Vranas is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
GET IN TOUCH WITH JOHN ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces John Vranas and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself.
John shares how rewarding this side of business can be, and explains what the Humane Society of the United States is and how it differs from the Humane Society.
SO HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CDO [6:18] John speaks to the trial and error nature of his own career path and how the size of charities has increased enough nowadays that it is becoming a valid career path to be intentional about.
THE JERRY LEWIS TELETHON [9:33] Michael shares his experience of the telethon as a child which leads the conversation to how donation has changed through the years and how it has also remained the same.
NECESSARY SKILL SETS [11:53] John talks about the various skills both learned and innate required to succeed in this type of work.
OUTSIDE OF THE BIG DONOR ROLODEX [13:10] Though the size of donations may differ from one organization to the next, the important measurement in charities is engagement, John explains how quantitative analytics can lead you to miss the greater picture.
CDO IMPACT [15:56] Aside from driving funding, the impact expected of a CDO is engagement; John touches on working towards closing the gap between donors and causes (from ‘you’ and ‘we’ to ‘us’).
DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING [18:26] John explains how his various roles have converged and what he’s learned along the way.
FUNDING PROJECTS [20:31] John touches on the dynamics of program funding within an overarching funding strategy, as well as the biggest pitfalls to avoid when it comes to donor relationships. He also shares how the ideas for specific programs come about and the requirements for launching and sustaining them.
HIRING SKILLS [27:39] Having a sense of purpose and fitting in the team are very important and John shares the one type of error he will excuse and the one type he won’t.
BASEBALL [29:44] The analogy stands, whether you work at the community level or at the National level, it boils down to the same important factors.
Michael reflects on his own reticence in using veterans’ stories to build engagement at VFW1, John echoes these thoughts but shines a different light on it.
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING C’s [33:47] Understand the position and be comfortable watching other people succeed around you. He also explains what is expected of his position for the benefit of listeners.
Sidebar! [35:30] Did Michael eventually tell Scott Kelly what to say!?
PREPARING FOR A C CHAIR [38:37] Learning to put the right people in the right places may be your greatest asset.
KEY CAREER MOMENTS [40:27] John shares that even though he never directly aspired to the C-suite, his nature got him to take on more and say yes to opportunities.
CONTRIBUTING BETTER [43:00] John shares his advice on how people can better contribute to help their non-profits.
ADVICE JOHN STILL USES TODAY [44:35] This is a piece of two-part advice for which John shares a personal story.
BEST WORST JOB JOHN EVER HAD [47:04] Industrial painting in the hot Virginia summer!
[49:29] Michael thanks John for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Humane Society of the United States
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Timothy Branham had a non-traditional path to the CTO desk. He started out in sales and marketing, moved to consulting, transitioned into delivery and then became the CIO for Fujitsu America.Today’s conversation will range from moving from sales to tech, how a consulting background helped prepare Tim to be a CTO, working for small and large organizations and what tomorrow’s CTO/CIO should be doing today in career management.
Bill Wosilius joins the show to discuss matters ranging from declaring your role and how to obtain it, assessing the situation and making hard executive changes, why become a CEO, and how to prepare for it. He has a wealth of advice to share and the experience to back it up; don’t miss this episode.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
After graduating from the U.S. Airforce Academy and serving for eight years, Bill worked for companies such as InFlow, Sunguard, Healthgrades, CoreSite, Optiv, and now NexusTek.
GET IN TOUCH WITH BILL WOSILIUS ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Bill and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself — Bill made a promise to himself that he would run one adventure race a year, every year until he couldn’t.
Bill talks about what NexusTek does and who they are.
ACCIDENTAL CEO [5:55] Bill shares how he came to be a CEO at NexusTek, and shares a few pieces of advice for reaching the C-suite, including avoiding target fixation!
ALL OF IT IS IMPORTANT [9:35] Looking back on what led him to where he is today, Bill shares that every single experience in the last 10 years has contributed to him being an accidental CEO and IT guy.
FIVE FROGS [12:24] Bill shares the story of how he led his first integration and what cascaded from it, including the challenges of merging and integrating the Hatfields and the McCoys!
M&A BACK OFFICE [19:02] Although he wasn’t directly responsible for the back-office functions, Bill did get a chance to see how an M&A affects them. He touches on how important it is to hire strong, competent leaders for each of the functions.
NEWLY MINTED CEO [21:36] Bill describes his first 30, 60, and 120 days at NexusTek. He shares the first four questions he asks:
- What’s working?
- What’s not working?
- What should we start now?
- What should we stop now?
H.A.C. G.A.S. N.A. [24:54] Bill breaks down the acronyms he used to keep himself on track in choosing a team.
HUGE CHESS MOVES [27:36] Within his first 120 days, Bill had brought in — among others — a new CFO, COO, VP of Professional Services and a VP of Integration; he speaks to those decisions.
MANAGEMENT STYLE [30:22] Bill describes his management style, which he’s been both praised and criticized for!
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING CXO’s [32:32] Quit focusing on it! Just do a good job — the best job you ever had is the one you have right now.
HIRING EXECUTIVES [38:34] Bill shares the qualities he looks for when hiring for executive positions. He shares the use of the FORMS acronym.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS [44:38] Bill shares his final advice: every job prepares you in some way; all of them are important. Michael shares his best worst job for the first time!
BEST WORST JOB BILL EVER HAD [46:52] All of them were good: except two where he worked for authoritative micro-managers.
Michael shares his own best worst job for the first time!
MORE FINAL THOUGHTS (as the music plays Bill off the stage!) [49:18] Bill has more invaluable advice to offer.
[50:35] Michael thanks Bill for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
NexusTek
Five Frogs on a Log: A CEO's Field Guide to Accelerating the Transition in Mergers, Acquisitions & Gut Wrenching Change, by Mark L Feldman and Michael F. Spratt
Top Grading
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, by Jocko Willink and Lief Babin
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World,
by Admiral William H. McRaven
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Today, Mary Beth Loesch joins the show to talk about how she knew she wanted to be a CEO when she grew up, how she hit the fast track when she was in her 20s, and how her experience in sales, operations, and finance prepared her for the CEO chair. We can’t wait to see what Mary Beth accomplishes when she grows up!
ABOUT OUR GUEST
CEO, Board member, and current Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Advisor Mary Beth Loesch started presenting in front of the US West Board before she was 30 years old and opened up operations in the Philippines and Central America. She has extensive M&A experience, is a CEO, Board Member, and Advisor and recently, she took up golf. Mary Beth graduated from Creighton University with both an undergrad and an MBA; her board experience has ranged from Women on Boards to Regis University and many in between.
GET IN TOUCH WITH MARY BETH LOESCH ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Mary Beth and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — before she became pregnant 21 years ago, she used to ride motorcycles!
She explains what her firm CGE Strategic Consulting does.
A CEO AT 5 YEARS OLD [4:02] Mary Beth shares how her father’s entrepreneurship influenced what she aspired to be as a child. She explains what skills she picked up on her way to the C-suite starting with being fearless when it comes to the roles you take on in your early career.
[7:25] Because Mary Beth was so fearless jumping from one role to the next, she gets a wide array to pick a favorite from.
FROM CONSULTANT TO CEO [7:46] Mary Beth touches on the interesting experience of coming in as a consultant and exiting as the CEO for Medical Simulation Corporation.
OPERATIONS OVERSEAS [10:38] Travelling to India, the Philippines, and Central America was an enriching experience.
THE US WEST DAYS [12:06] Mary Beth shares a few pivotal stories — including one fearless flight for her career — from her US West days, starting as the Supervisor, Payroll Accounting and leaving as Division President.
TURNAROUND SITUATIONS [20:00] Turning situations around is one of Mary Beth’s great career loves; she shares a story from her days at Activant Solutions, from doubling the $220 million a year to a $900 million exit in two years.
BEST CEO PREPARATION [23:04] Mary Beth lists the breadth of varied experiences she attributes to helping her succeed as a CEO.
ADVICE FOR ASPIRING CEOS [25:02] Mary Beth shares the most important thing she believes people should be doing who aspire to the CEO position: seize opportunities to pick up new skill sets.
MANAGEMENT STYLE [25:41] Mary Beth’s management style.
B.E.N. [26:12] What is the Blackstone Entrepreneurial Network and why does Mary Beth donate her time?
AHA MOMENTS AND ADVICE [27:20] Mary Beth touches on a big aha moment she had while doing M&A. Leave it better than you found it is a piece of advice that Mary Beth still uses today. She shares the advice she gives to young up-and-comers.
BEST WORST JOB MARY BETH EVER HAD [33:47] All roads lead to US West!
FINAL THOUGHTS AND READING RECOMMENDATIONS [35:09] Mary Beth shares her final thoughts and invites listeners to read the Wall Street Journal.
[36:35] Michael thanks Mary Beth for coming on the podcast to share her insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CGE Strategic Consulting
The Wall Street Journal
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Today’s guest served as a Marine for seven years before making his way from plant manager to VP of Sales within four years in the manufacturing industry and making the jump towards technology.
Ben and Michael will be discussing how to make the jump into the tech field, the impact of military service on his professional life, and how founding the Denver Startup Week has affected his career.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Ben Deda has a professional path that includes seven years of service in the Marines. He started his civilian career as the Plant Manager for TruStile Doors becoming the VP of commercial sales in four years. He then made the jump into tech and was the VP of Sales at FullContact, the COO at Galvanize, VP of Marketing for Vertafore and is currently the CEO of Foodmaven. Ben also co-founded the hugely successful Denver Startup Week.
Ben graduated from the University of Notre-Dame with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Denver.
GET IN TOUCH WITH BEN ON LINKEDIN AND TWITTER
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:50] Michael introduces Ben and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself — Ben grew up in a town small enough that it didn’t require a stoplight and out of which came the founders of two businesses that were sold for over nine figures apiece! He shares what Foodmaven does.
[3:15] 40% of the food produced in the country is wasted, for an estimated 200 billion dollar loss annually. Ben explains Foodmaven’s mission in this landscape as well as how some of the varied industries he’s worked in have similarities that he was able to use and be more adaptable and sometimes even innovative.
CEO EXPECTATIONS [8:45] Being newly minted, Ben touches on what he expected being a CEO would be as well as the people, preparation and path it took to get him there. He also touches on the great board he can count on to help him navigate the learning curves.
CRITICAL EXPERIENCE [12:59] Ben breaks down the different ways you can get the critical pieces of experience you need in order to get to a CEO position as well as the importance of surrounding yourself well while still being knowledgeable.
THE MOST IMPACTFUL ROLE [15:43] While there wasn’t one role that made him the CEO he is today, Ben does highlight a few of the key positions he’s held and how they drove his management style and general business knowledge — and that includes his military service.
FOR THE AMBITIOUS VP OUT THERE [18:52] Ben’s advice is about figuring yourself out, picking your opportunities and planning your path.
WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED [20:40] Without singling out one specific moment or decision, Ben touches on his broader tendency to make decisions that seem not to follow a straight line and what may have helped him land the CEO position.
DENVER STARTUP WEEK [23:40] Ben shares how it started, with whom, and why — today, it’s the largest free entrepreneurial event in North America. He also takes a moment to reflect on the possibilities for the future.
[31:47] Ben speaks to the great network the Denver Startup Week has facilitated for him.
[33:20] Organizing Denver Startup Week has taught Ben a lot about community and that giving up a measure of control is both hard and necessary. He shares how he has now begun to move away from the frontlines and into a board position.
SO YOU WANT TO BUILD AN EVENT? [36:44] Ben shares his best advice for people who may be interested in building an event of their own. He also gives the three rules he uses with new teams:
- Get stuff done.
- Don’t screw your team.
- Always assume positive intent.
MILITARY SERVICE [39:59] Ben breaks down how his military career informs who he is as a person and as a leader.
BEST WORST JOB BEN EVER HAD [41:47] Working on a plastic injection molding factory floor gives you some perspective on what a lot of people’s lives are like.
BOOKS AND FINAL THOUGHTS [43:59] Ben shares his reading list and a few final thoughts for emerging CXOs.
[46:57] Michael thanks Ben for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Foodmaven
Foodmaven board
T-Shaped skills
Denver Startup Week (Denver Startup Bash)
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers,
by Ben Horowitz
Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Irma Lockridge joins the podcast today from the CoorsTek Headquarters in Golden Colorado to discuss what it’s like working for three CEOs simultaneously, what HR and company culture have to do with one another, and the critical importance of mentors in your career path.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Irma Lockridge has an impressive background and has worked with some of the biggest companies that touch our everyday lives — Accenture, Archstone, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Western Union, Rubbermaid, and for the last four years, CoorsTek.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School and completed executive leadership development training from Harvard Business School.
GET IN TOUCH WITH IRMA LOCKRIDGE ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Irma and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — Irma was born in Mexico and is a first-generation high school and college graduate and she is married to her high school sweetheart. She introduces CoorsTek.
WHY HR? [4:30] HR has an impact on every aspect of a business: it deals with people — and if you don’t have the right people in the right roles, you simply can’t get anywhere. Irma shares the path that led her to choose Human Resources even if she says it chose her!
AN UNUSUAL TITLE [6:33] Chief People and Systems Officer… Irma explains what the unusual ‘systems’ part is, and how it can be applied more broadly to CPOs and CHROs.
NEVER AN AVERAGE DAY [11:00] With CoorsTek being such a large company and Irma reporting to three CEOs, ‘average’ isn’t something that happens. She touches on that dynamic and some of her daily activities.
LANDING THE ROLE AND CREATING LEGACY [14:20] Irma tries her hand at answering an aspirational question in terms of her legacy at CoorsTek. She also talks us through the recruiting process, what she believes got her the job, and what makes the company a uniquely good fit for her.
CPO PHILOSOPHY [17:30] Irma shares her thoughts on leadership and management style as well as how she developed the philosophy that HR is not a support role, in the course of her career and some business experience.
[20:39] Irma shares her advice for mid-level managers trying to get ahead. Don’t ask for permission and have your ducks in a row.
INFLUENCING CULTURE [21:14] A CPO or a CHRO is in a prime position to influence culture and Irma touches on how this is operationalized in her own role.
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE [24:11] Working for a global business in one of the things Irma loves; it helps her remain agile and keeps her challenged. She touches on the advantages of having international experience under your belt.
GETTING TO THE C-LEVEL [26:45] Irma’s progression was organic and though she didn’t have the C-suite in sight right out of the gate, a key mentor helped nudge her forward in a very specific way.
FINDING A MENTOR [29:21] Irma shares the story of how she met and developed her mentor relationships and shares her advice for mid-level managers looking to find mentors as well as what she would have liked to be more prepared for going into the C-suite.
PREPARING FOR THE C-LEVEL [32:24] Irma offers her thoughts and advice for people who want to get to the C-suite, starting with asking yourself why you want it. Because she currently sits on the Denver Scholarship Foundation, she also shares advice for mid-level managers and first-generation graduates.
HARVARD [36:40] Irma shares from her experience at Harvard and the key teachings she took from it.
BEST WORST JOB IRMA EVER HAD [38:02] Aside from Fast Food and telemarketing, Irma’s very first managerial job takes the learning cake.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND READING RECOMMENDATIONS [41:15] Irma shares her current ‘reads’ and final thoughts.
[44:07] Michael thanks Irma for coming on the podcast to share her insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CoorsTek
Denver Scholarship Foundation
BOOKS
The Connector Manager: Why Some Leaders Build Exceptional Talent — and Others Don't,
by Jaime Roca and Sari Wilde
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Today we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of staying with the same company for an extended period, creating an HR organization from scratch, and the lessons that Michelle Anastasi has learned throughout her career.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Michelle is an outgoing CPO who has worked at CompSych, GiveForward, Dell and ASAP Software. She earned her Business Administration degree from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
GET IN TOUCH WITH ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Michelle Anastasi and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — She has had a bear visit her kitchen while she was home!
[4:00] Michelle touches on the roles she embodied and the mentors that guided her during her 16-year stint at the same software company, from the accounting department to building an HR department from scratch.
BUILDING HR FROM THE GROUND UP [6:18] Michelle breaks down how she went about tackling the HR department build with very little experience from establishing priority lists to finding the right mentors.
REGRETS? [11:50] Michelle admits to having made her share of mistakes, but she wouldn’t trade any of them — she does share the one thing she would have done differently: networks and relationships.
STARTING FROM SCRATCH [12:36] Michelle packs so much advice in a minute, you won’t believe it — we counted 11 really important and insightful tips.
SHAKING ASSUMPTIONS [15:30] Behaviors can help in preventing people from pigeonholing you — think about your executive presence and be strategic.
WHY SO LONG? [18:46] Michelle opens up on the reasons why she stayed so long at ASAP, the first of which is that she kept having opportunities to learn and be challenged. She touches on the increasingly short windows companies get to show how engaging they can be to new hires.
THE DELL MERGER [22:21] She did work through a few mergers, but Dell was at a different scale! She talks us through the ups and downs of the experience.
C-SUITE, CPO VS CHRO [25:38] Though there seems to be a push away from the human resources terminology, Michelle sees very little difference between the roles themselves. She delves into what best prepared her for the C-Suite, including a tough boss that knows how to push you outside your comfort zone.
GETTING TO THE C-SUITE [30:04] Michelle hands out fistfuls of advice for aspiring CPOs.
SURPRISES AND REWARDS [33:22] Michelle shares the aspects of being a CPO that she finds surprising and rewarding — even if a lot of the work is covered by NDA!
OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE [33:50] Michelle’s approach to HR is influenced by having lived overseas and being culturally aware.
A BAD CALL [35:18] Michelle shares the time she joined a company led by a narcissist.
MBA [36:56] Michelle touches on the value her MBA has had in her career.
CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES [38:15] What are the things Michelle looks for in a successful candidate to hire.
BEST WORST JOB MICHELLE EVER HAD [39:19] Waitressing is such a good background for everything in life!
FINAL THOUGHTS AND GOOD READS [42:02] Michelle shares a very generous amount of titles to read and a recap of her tips for emerging CXOs.
[44:20] Michael thanks Michelle for coming on the podcast to share her insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Mersive Technologies
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin
Tribes: We need you to lead us, by Seth Godin
Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders, by L. David Marquet
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers,
by Ben Horowitz
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Al Rosabal joins the show to share his thoughts on leadership, bettering yourself, and overcoming C-suite challenges. Join us for an in-depth discussion on working at the C-level in a variety of industries and how a skillset can really be agnostic.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Al Rosabal is an accomplished CXO who has served in 4 distinct sectors moving up with each change. CTO for a joint venture with Ford Europe, CTO for the city of Denver, CTO and COO for National Cinemedia, and COO for Galvanize.
GET IN TOUCH WITH AL ROSABAL ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Al Rosabal and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself — a month off riding his bike in Patagonia!
TAKING CHANCES [4:44] Al shares his experience diving into an opportunity at Ford in Europe and chalks this opportunity up to good relationships, good timing, taking chances and a bit of luck. He touches on having maybe gone rogue to drive change and make some exciting things happen!
SOLUTIONS AND CHALLENGES [9:09] The Jaguar X Type launch is one of the use cases that Al looks back to in terms of finding gaps and establishing agile solutions to fill them. Al also speaks to some of the challenges he faced dealing with such a complex organization in a different culture (not only in a new country but in a new company!).
A GOOD LEADER IS A GOOD FOLLOWER [13:22] Al’s work in the C-suite has taught him that even at the highest levels, you always are accountable to someone. He shares his experience COO and CTO at National Cinemedia and touches on what it takes to be a strong leader as well as how important it is to be surrounded by people whose values align with yours.
CORPORATE VS PUBLIC [19:08] Al has worked at the C-level in corporations but also for a municipality and he details the similarities and differences you’ll find between both as well as the primary drivers that propel them into the future.
- both have legacy technology which competes with innovations in the space.
- The municipal level enables you to plan and think really long term as opposed to a more quarterly schedule.
ANY SECTOR WORKS [24:02] Having worked in a multitude of sectors ranging from media to automotive, Al speaks to the importance of choosing a job for the role and opportunity for growth, learning and developing your intellectual flexibility. Additionally, he highlights that there is a core set of skills to any C-level job, independent of sector.
PREPARING FOR A CEO ROLE [25:54] Al’s attraction to the CEO role is intimately linked to wanting to have a deeper impact on the company and putting his skills to good use. He also touches on the preparation for a CEO role: it is not a finite endeavor, no one is ever fully prepared — it’s a difficult role. Al shares how he studies success and tries to palliate his weaknesses as well as the importance of the people that surround you.
PIVOTAL MOMENTS [30:07] Al shares a few key moments — or stretch roles — in his career that marked a substantial change in how he perceived his role and helped him grow.
CHALLENGES AND REWARDS [33:14] Al speaks of his experience as a CEO: the challenges, rewards, and things he’s proud of. He also touches on his management style: accountability, transparency, integrity, people.
TIPS FOR ASPIRING C’S [40:49] Al shares key tips for people looking to reach the C-level: get exposure, find and grab opportunities, and find a coach.
BEST WORST JOB AL EVER HAD [44:02] Al doesn’t find he ever had a ‘worst’ job, only more or less challenging roles. He shares how each of them has contributed to him learning more about himself and bettering his skillset.
[48:49] Michael thanks Al Rosabal for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please gives us five stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari
Extreme Survival, by JG Press
DisneyWar, by James B. Stewart
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
This is Part 2 of the interview with General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton. Tune in for discussion filled with advice on reaching the C-Suite, sitting on good boards and finding balance.
A note to those who have not served in the Armed Forces: I will be referring to our guest as either General or by his call sign of ‘Chilli’ out of respect for his rank and his service to our country.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and has flown pretty much every aircraft in the Air Force inventory including the RF4, F15, U2, and the B52. He attended test-pilot school, served around the world and was selected as an astronaut that included three shuttle missions. He was also the Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station. He then returned to the Air Force for key postings such as the Commander of the Ninth Recon Wing, Commander of the Eighth Air Force, and Commander of the Air Force Space Command and the United States Strategic Command. He is currently the only astronaut to obtain the rank of 4-star General. Chilli has served on the boards of Anadarko, Orbital, Aerospace Corporation and both level three and post-merger with Centurylink today as well as with Aerojet Rocketdyne.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
FINDING C-LEVEL CANDIDATES [1:50] The General explains how the search process goes from the public, private, and non-profit board’s perspective. He also shares some tips on how to be considered for C-Level in an organization.
[4:15] Chilli touches on how many boards are too many boards.
GOOD BOARD, BAD BOARD [6:32] The General has never been on a bad board, so we take the time to ask him how to build a good one. He shares what first surprised him about being on a board as well as the difference between sitting on a Fortune 500 company board and small private ones.
[10:52] Chilli explains how he keeps himself up-to-date on board trends.
A CEO ON THE BOARD [11:39] Chilli shares his thoughts on having the CEO sit on the board, even chair, and what the really important success factor really is as well as what the number one purpose of the board is.
DIFFERENT STROKES [14:00] Having served on boards in so many different sectors, Chilli shares the similarities and differences in the roles he held, he shares his insights on one experience.
LISTENER QUESTION! [17:43] The General answers: ‘How can public companies better leverage their boards?’
ASPIRING CXO’s [20:52] Chilli shares his advice for aspiring CXO’s — no one does anything on their own.
HIS BEST DECISION [21:59] General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton shares his wife’s military service.
AN ASTRONAUT’S WORK-LIFE BALANCE [24:25] The General touches on how he and his wife managed impressive military careers and four children. He makes a point about leadership.
CHILI’S ADVICE FOR HIS YOUNGER SELF [27:20] Keep your options open and don’t burn any bridges.
BEST WORST JOB CHILI EVER HAD [29:35] Can you believe Chilli’s never had a bad job?
READ, LISTEN AND GET IN TOUCH [31:10] Right now, the General is reading on History.
[33:08] Michael thanks Chili for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
NACD
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
The impressively humble General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton joins the show today to share his 34-½ years of experience in the Air Force as well as the successful transition he then navigated into corporate America.
A note to those who have not served in the Armed Forces: I will be referring to our guest as either General or by his call sign of ‘Chilli’ out of respect for his rank and his service to our country.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and has flown pretty much every aircraft in the Air Force inventory including the RF4, F15, U2, and the B52. He attended test-pilot school, served around the world and was selected as an astronaut that included three shuttle missions. He was also the Deputy Program Manager of Operations for the International Space Station. He then returned to the Air Force for key postings such as the Commander of the Ninth Recon Wing, Commander of the Eighth Air Force, and Commander of the Air Force Space Command and the United States Strategic Command. He is currently the only astronaut to obtain the rank of 4-star General. Chilli has served on boards of the Anadarko, Orbital, Aerospace Corporation and both level three and post-merger with Centurylink today as well as with Aerojet Rocketdyne.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:50] Michael introduces General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself — Chilli is a proud family man, husband, and father to four very successful daughters — he also played in the MaxQ all-astronaut rock band!
GETTING CALLED TO THE AIR [5:21] Chilli shares the childhood exposure that shaped his interest in flight and explains how he got about getting himself some flying lessons!
GRACE UNDER PRESSURE [7:59] The General shares how he got his call sign while flying the F-15. He also touches on how the ability to stay cool under pressure, tackle problems, and exemplify leadership can be trained but requires operational terrain experience.
NASA [10:20] Chilli breaks down what qualities NASA looks for in their hires and how executives can strive for those traits even without military training. We also get a peek into the General’s space shuttle flight experience (Endeavour — with its tense and joyful maiden voyage — and Atlantis).
PICKING TEAMS [17:37] There are more astronauts than missions, Chilli shares how teams were built for missions during his service. He recalls his first call to pilot the Endeavour and how easy the ‘yes’ came.
THROWING YOUR HAT IN THE RING [19:45] The one person and the two reasons Chilli eventually applied at NASA.
MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE CAREERS? [21:33] It used to be a general Air Force policy that if you left for NASA, you didn’t come back… but in 1996 ‘Chilli’ was invited to volunteer to help the Air Force operationalize space.
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES [24:07] The Air Force Hierarchy is built in a moving up/moving out fashion, which generates turnover and forces focus on the importance of next-generation leaders. Chilli touches on mentorship, sponsors and the value of a good boss.
COMMANDER VS CEO [30:15] The General breaks down the primary differences between civilian and military work. A commander isn’t just a boss.
ADVICE FOR CEOs [32:40] Chilli shares what he believes CEOs can learn from flag officers — listen in for advice on what strength the military can teach you — and he shares his personal advice on what CEOs should do today to properly plan for tomorrow.
POLITICS [35:22] The General makes a statement on politics in the military and offers his perspective on how and why a CEO might be more affected by politics. He also touches on how the military/political/civilian relationships need to be maintained in order to ensure smooth operations.
FIRST BOARD [39:00] Getting his first board appointment came through an acquaintance and it was a learning experience that Chilli appreciated. He shares his view on managing board members with all the individual egos and existing relationships and baggage that this entails, as well as what the role of the Chair is.
A DAY IN THE LIFE [42:35] Chilli shares a day in his life as a board member, and what best practices are important to keep in place.
The General shares what the role of a board is — and isn’t — for the benefit of an emerging executive and how to best recruit a new CEO.
[46:37] Michael closes out Part 1 of this interview with General Kevin Patrick ‘Chilli’ Chilton and invites listeners to tune into Part 2.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Today we will discuss how to successfully transition between different verticals while continuing to move up the executive ladder. Jean Landsverk shares her best advice on writing for the job you want and planning out a future of pivots without getting dizzy!
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Jean is enjoying a remarkable career that began with a hospitality services company and transitioned industries multiple times while ascending to the C-suite. Jean graduated from Iowa State University and holds an MBA from the University of Denver. She started her career at Aramark having sold for their healthcare division, then Coca Cola, returned back to Aramark and after six years, left as the VP of Sales for the first of several industry pivots. As the VP of Sales for C2 Media, she cultivated her five accounts to 72 million dollars and then joined Western Union. While at First Data, Jean served as SVP and she joined Affiliated Computer Services for the Federal and State sector followed by healthcare-focused TriZetto Group. In 2016, Jean became the CRO of Connecture and at the time of this interview, she is the CRO for Zelis Payments.
GET IN TOUCH WITH JEAN LANDSVERK ON LINKEDIN OR AT JEAN.LANDSVERK@GMAIL.COM
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Jean Landsverk and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — She grew up on a farm!
FIRST POST-COLLEGE JOB [3:30] Jean graduated in December after the market crash of 1987 and took a job in an organization that would invest in her.
BECOMING A VP [7:10] Jean details her own journey to her first VP title and both the work and the luck that played a role in getting her there.
WAIT OR VOLUNTEER? [9:32] Jean speaks to the importance of participating on special projects and gives tips on who to seek out to find them — the busiest person!
LEAVING AN INDUSTRY [11:03] Jean explains why her division being sold at Aramark led to her looking for a new opportunity. She touches on how she went about finding this new opportunity and what her first steps in a brand new industry were like— from quick growth and acquisition at C2 to a well-established brand like Western Union.
SPEED BUMPS [18:09] Building a team, hiring the right people, and growing a business come with a set of learning experiences; Jean shares her journey at Western Union growing from 20 to over 100 million.
MENTORS AND SPONSORS [20:04] Jean speaks to the important role that great mentors played in her career path. She shares some of the great advice she’s received over the years.
SVP AND CRO PREP [21:43] Jean touches on how her previous experiences prepared for her coming roles and what about going higher up attracted her. She also shares the story of what happened when Western Union was acquired by First Data.
CHALLENGES AND PERKS [29:00] Jean touches on how leaving may have been her biggest challenge! She shares what experience from First Data she now shares as a mentor.
PIVOTAL MOMENTS [30:12] Jean shares a story on finding balance that was absolutely critical in her CRO career. She explains what her role was as a CRO and what all of those responsibilities entailed and who the people were that best guided her in her capacity as Chief Revenue Officer.
FINDING ASSETS [34:08] Looking for managers and VPs as a CRO is all about finding balance.
WRITING OUT YOUR GOALS [35:34] Jean explains how she planned out her path for the future after First Data, how she formatted her CV to fit the role she was looking for and where it took her — the pivots are almost dizzying!
FROM SVP TO CRO [39:12] Jean tells the story of how she grew her health company division for acquisition from 115 to over 350 million in five years, which prompted Connecture to headhunt her for their needs. She shares what questions she should have asked and what deeper studies you should do on a company before accepting a C-level role.
ADVICE FOR ACCEPTING A JOB [41:15] Jeane shares her tips on moving into a new company:
- Study the organization
- Understand trends
- Talk to some customers
- Interview more than two to three times
PRIDE AND CHANGES [42:23] TriZetto is a point of pride for Jean; she talks about what her most notable accomplishments were in that company. She shares the story of what happened to profoundly change her life both personally and professionally — get ready for the most unlikely bucket list item you’ve ever heard!
ASPIRING CRO [49:40] Jean breaks down the important to-dos for someone aiming at a CRO position.
BEST WORST JOB JEAN EVER HAD [50:58] Jean worked in a factory in high school and it inspired her to keep aiming for more. She shares her final thoughts.
[52:33] Michael thanks Jean for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Welcome to Part 2 of this discussion with CEO Ray Schiavone. During this episode, we dive into what drives CEO turnover, what working for PE-owned companies is like, where good ideas come from, and the importance of doing whatever it takes. Ray also shares a heap of tips for aspiring CEOs and current C-level professionals.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Ray Schiavone started his career at G.E., during the then-CEO Jack Welch’s tenure. He then moved on to act as a tech company CEO twice over and has since settled into running his own firm.
Ray is a graduate of Syracuse University and subsequently earned an MBA from the University of Maryland where he serves as a board member for the A. James Clark School of Engineering. He has been recognized for his accomplishments with numerous awards including the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
GET IN TOUCH WITH RAY ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:50] Michael opens up Part 2 of this discussion with Ray Schiavone with a question on CEO departures.
KING-CEO [5:22] Ray speaks to working with larger-than-life people and what a company needs to build around such big personalities in order to foster the best out of their people and protect their assets.
SO YOUR FIRM’S BEEN BOUGHT? [8:51] Ray shares his experience with being bought out by a private equity firm, the first discussions he had with the new owners, the relationship before, during, and after the transaction as well as the factors that made them keep him onboard. Ray shares his advice for CEOs who may be going into this kind of situation and the type of work structure they can expect.
WHEN OUTCOMES DON’T MEET EXPECTATIONS [14:50] Admitting failure is the toughest part of life. Ray shares a professional story of failure.
LEARNING FROM JACK WELCH AND GE [17:16] Good ideas come from everywhere is what Ray remembers first, he gives a few examples and explains how he integrated what he learned from Jack into his own management style. He also speaks to the influence Jack had on corporate America.
[21:22] Ray unpacks the toolkit he inherited from GE and explains what he still uses and what he had to change.
MENTORSHIP [24:18] Ray gives tips on how to be mentored.
REWARDS, SURPRISES, AND CULTURE [26:27] Setting a company culture starts with leading by example; Ray also shares what surprised him about being in a leading position.
LEGACY [30:23] Learning and being a good human is the legacy Ray hopes he has. He shares the aspects he enjoyed the most and the least about being a CEO — they’re the same!
IS THE OLD STILL NEW? [33:11] Giving people the power to make decisions is something Ray saw at GE and still sees today. However, decentralization and the increase in remote work make it harder to stand out.
DIVERSITY [36:51] Corporate America still has a long way to go, but diversity has increased; Ray speaks to simple things that can be done to improve flexibility.
[39:30] Motivating younger generations is a challenge that Ray thinks can be tackled with empowerment, ownership, and flexibility; he details why.
MILITARY SPOUSE [40:48] Ray speaks to his wife having been on active duty in the Air Force and the challenges related to juggling two careers, a military commitment, a family, and multiple deployments and countries!
WORK HABITS [45:20] Ray breaks down his usual routine.
RAY’S ADVICE FOR HIS YOUNGER SELF [47:12] Don’t worry, it’ll all work out.
BEST WORST JOB RAY EVER HAD [48:37] Ray shares his experience working at a circus and what it taught him!
[52:47] Michael thanks Ray for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us five stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Book: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't, by Jim Collins
Six Sigma
ROTC
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
CEO Ray Schiavone comes on the podcast for a special two-part interview where he shares his thoughts, experiences, and advice on a broad range of subjects ranging from leadership and management to the importance of listening and learning, coaching and building good teams. Ray is one of the most talented and well-rounded CEOs I’ve ever met.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Ray Schiavone started his career at G.E. during the then-CEO Jack Welch’s tenure. He then moved on to act as a tech company CEO twice over and has since settled into running his own firm.
Ray is a graduate of Syracuse University and subsequently earned an MBA from the University of Maryland where he serves as a board member for the A. James Clark School of Engineering. He has been recognized for his accomplishments with numerous awards including the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
GET IN TOUCH WITH RAY ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Ray Schiavone and asks him to share an interesting fact about himself — from a formal living room to a music studio: piano, drums, and guitar.
[3:31] What does Ray do now? Business is his passion and he now helps entrepreneurs move their business along towards successful exits. He touches on the start of his career.
CROSS-FUNCTIONALITY [5:40] Becoming a jack of all trades and a master of none can be scary, but on the road to CEO, it can be a blessing: every skill and insight was invaluable in higher roles. David shares the way he approaches new opportunities: always say yes and make sure to position yourself so that when the opportunity comes, you are ready for it and start by listening, learning, and then trying something new.
14 YEARS AT G.E. [11:45] In the late ’80s and early ’90s, G.E. was one of the most revered companies in the world. Why did Ray decide to change? An opportunity showed up!
THE FIRST DAY AS CEO AT ARBORTEXT [15:29] Terrifying! Ray recounts his experience from not knowing what to expect in terms of employee perspective to defaulting to himself. For Ray, that meant listening and learning. He shares the first few weeks of interviewing employees, working with them to build an assessment and getting their support.
IT SHOULD’VE BEEN ME! [20:34] Ray gives his tips on managing people who bid for but didn’t get the position you now hold. He also shares two pieces of advice on when you should engage the board on an issue:
- Bad news doesn’t get better with age
- What’s your solution
CHALLENGES [23:48] A CEO works for all the employees; in that regard, Ray shares some missteps to avoid:
- Don’t think you have all the answers — you don’t
- Don’t be a bully
- Rally the team
WHY BECOME A CEO [27:32] Ray asks why not to do it instead: power, you really don’t have as many decisional levers as you might think! Ray and I discuss leadership and management which leads to a story about what Ray’s employees had to say to his wife!
CEO INTERVIEWS [32:52] The interview process for the CEO position is mostly about assessing character and evaluating trust. Ray shares a funny anecdote on his personal experience with the interview process at Arbortext!
EXPERIENCE [35:22] Ray describes the kinds of experience you should aim to get if you are an aspiring CEO. From taking chances to making sure you are visible.
MANAGEMENT STYLE [36:35] Ray speaks to his management style of empowerment, driving and demanding excellence and his mantra: “Have fun, make a buck, and win.” He also touches on how he rewards excellence and shares the actual organizational concept and work routine he uses — quick market intelligence.
VPs AND SVPs [42:22] What does Ray look for in a VP or SVP? He explains what sets people apart that manage to break into the c-suite: how they tackle ambiguity! Can you come up with a vision without any directive?
GUT HIRES [44:57] Ray shares the story of a persistent applicant and how he hired one of his CFOs.
[47:38] Michael invites Ray Schiavone for a Part 2 and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us five stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jack Welch
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
Todd Siegler joins the show today to shed some light on the differences in C-suite roles depending on the organization, C-suite interactions, management of direct reports and aiming at having an impact, above all else.
Join us today for an in-depth discussion about the inner-workings of the C-suite.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Todd Siegler graduated from Princeton University and Tulane Law School — talk about a well rounded CXO! He has been a CFO, a COO, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Development Officer, General Counsel and saved the CEO title for his own company.
GET IN TOUCH WITH TODD ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCexecutivesearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Todd Siegler and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself.
[3:05] Todd talks about the two things his firm currently does and the one product he is poised to launch in the next quarter.
ACCIDENTALLY INTENTIONAL CAREER PATHS [3:54] Todd and Michael discuss the often convoluted paths that take you on your professional journey.
SO, WHAT’S A CAO? [6:28] Todd touches on the nature of the CAO role, from human resources to legal counsel, with a stopover on infrastructures, as well as the differences in how companies tackle this role with regards to the importance they place on HR.
Todd also shares his takeaways from nine years of experience wearing and stacking different hats from Corporate Development, General Counsel, to finance and even technology.
MULTI-BILLION TRANSACTIONS [10:25] Having been privy to 100+ mergers and acquisition deals, Todd speaks of his involvement in two major transactions and shares a war story!
PREPPING FOR CEO/COO [13:50] Todd highlights the two principal ways being a CAO prepared him for higher positions:
- Hiring — it offers you an opportunity to get a first-hand understanding of what it takes to build a successful team.
- Multiple facets of business — being a CAO lets you stick your fingers in many aspects of the business; you can learn a lot.
Todd shares tips and best practices for building great teams as well as the importance of clear expectations and building good structures.
FOR INFLUENCE: CFO OR COO? [17:32] Todd speaks to the wide span of company structures, and how a variety of C-suite structures can fit into each according to their primary needs and goals. This makes it harder to determine which has the most strategic influence and overall impact since from one company to the next, their effective reach may differ.
Todd’s advice? When looking for new opportunities, you should really focus on people as opposed to title.
[21:45] Why aim for a COO position? It’s a question of impact in mentoring and growing people, as well as on the business and the strategy. Todd shares a story from his time at Marketforce that emphasizes the importance of building people — and companies — up to the point where they don’t need you.
[24:30] What’s your legacy? Is a question I like to ask prospective candidates. Todd shares his view on the importance of the impact you have
ADVICE FOR A VP [25:39] You’re aiming for C-suite? Stretch yourself. Feel uncomfortable.
C-LEVEL SURPRISES [26:41] Todd opens up about what surprised him when he made the C-suite. Impact first, but also the titles may be the same but the job is different according to the company.
This last one leads him to underscore the important questions to ask when moving into a role:
- What does it mean to be Cxx here?
- What decisions can you make?
- What role can you have?
THE REWARDS [28:01] The rewards are all about people for Todd: mentoring, seeing people grow, seeing your teams do well and having an overall positive impact on the company.
MANAGING DIRECT REPORTS [28:53] Todd discusses best practices when it comes to managing your direct reports. It’s about them.
But really, hire great people and let them do their job, and lead by example.
BOARD EXPERIENCE (IS IT A BLESSING OR A CURSE?) [31:02] Todd breaks down the steps to getting a good balance on your board — it’s really about relationships — as well as how to properly prepare for meetings.
MAKING BAD DECISIONS [34:51] You will never have perfect information; don’t be afraid to make a mistake: it’s a chance to learn. Todd can tell you every detail of the three to four bad mergers and acquisitions he was a part of, he learned.
Making mistakes is par for the course to becoming CXO.
TODD’S ADVICE FOR HIS YOUNGER SELF [37:40] Continue to push on the opportunities that deliver experience, not money. Stay you, and if it doesn’t fit with you, you can say no. Finally, live below your means.
BEST WORST JOB TODD’S EVER HAD [39:55] Todd shares his worst job but really, all his jobs have had some bad.
[42:23] Michael thanks Todd for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please gives us five stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Malcolm Gladwell
Freakonomics
Lean startup
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
This episode is Part 1 of 2 of a fascinating interview with Mary-Margaret Henke, a trailblazer executive with a wealth of knowledge gained from a multi-faceted career.
Today we will discuss building an internal coalition and support network for both personal and professional growth and promotions as well as managing the international responsibilities and relationships for a Fortune 500 company with 12,000 employees and 5.6 billion dollars in revenue.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Mary-Margaret graduated from the University of Denver and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business executive advisory board. She started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC as a consultant, then CoBank followed by Janus Henderson Investors as their Chief Audit Executive. She then joined Western Union and pursued several roles including CAE.
Mary-Margaret recently served as Chair of the Audit Advisory Committee on the Supervisory Board for the Western Union International Bank out of Vienna, Austria. Mary-Margaret volunteers with the learning source and was recognized as an emergent leader by the Colorado Certified Public Accountant organization in 2014.
GET IN TOUCH WITH MARY-MARGARET ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:52] Michael introduces Mary-Margaret and asks her to share an interesting tidbit about herself — she has visited 27 different countries!
THE AUDIT WORLD [4:29] Mary-Margaret shares three surprising aspects of the audit world as it relates to executives:
- Having access to the entire executive team
- Having a broad view of the organization
- Becoming skilled with uncomfortable conversations
REPORTING [7:19] The head of Audit in a public company is required to report to the board. Mary-Margaret touches on how that affects the relationship with the CEO.
WHAT IS A CAE? [10:36] What exactly does the Chief Audit Executive do? Mary-Margaret explains when the CAE is brought in: is it for corporate espionage? embezzlement? or even note-sliding under doors?
CAREER PATH [16:00] Mary-Margaret touches on how, and why, the head of audit position often leads to other CXO positions. She also dives into what her career path unfolded and how it brought her to where she is today.
200+ COUNTRIES [20:48] Mary-Margaret details her relationship with 50 direct reports across the globe, as well as how she kept abreast of different foreign news and laws.
[23:10] Mary-Margaret shares how Western Union works with law enforcement to thwart terrorism, drug cartel, and human trafficking cases.
SALES [26:29] Sales is the only part of the business the Chief Audit Executive doesn’t touch.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS [27:24] Mary-Margaret explains why it’s so important to work on your relationships one-on-one, whether within the company, B2B, or with regulatory bodies. She shares a personal story of working with challenging personalities as well as how she turned the situation around.
FILLING A CXO CHAIR [31:24] Western Union is a $5 billion-plus company; Mary-Margaret talks about the recruiting process as well as how her position was involved.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH [33:26] Mary-Margaret shares her three keys pieces of advice for scaling within a company:
- Hard work (all aspects of it!)
- Champion
- Luck
[37:06] Michael closes out Part 1 of this interview with Mary-Margaret Henke and invites listeners to tune into Part 2.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Western Union
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
This episode is Part 2 of the interview with Mary-Margaret Henke. Today we discuss her insight on aiming for and reaching the C-suite.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Mary-Margaret graduated from the University of Denver and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business executive advisory board. She started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC as a consultant, then CoBank followed by Janus Henderson Investors as their Chief Audit Executive. She then joined Western Union and pursued several roles including CAE.
Mary-Margaret recently served as Chair of the Audit Advisory Committee on the Supervisory Board for the Western Union International Bank out of Vienna, Austria. Mary-Margaret volunteers with the learning source and was recognized as an emergent leader by the Colorado Certified Public Accountant organization in 2014.
GET IN TOUCH WITH MARY-MARGARET ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
OC Executive Search: OCExecutiveSearch.com
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[2:16] Michael opens up Part 2 with a question on palace intrigue as well as how Mary-Margaret’s path to the C-suite unfolded. She shares a tip about being verbal with your ambition.
RAISE YOUR HAND, SAY YES [5:57] Mary-Margaret shares specific examples of how she nurtured the relationships that propelled her along the way.
MENTORS AND SPONSORS [8:55] Mentors and sponsors are very different; Mary-Margaret details how. She touches on how to develop those relationships and shares her own experience mentoring junior executives and even further, teenagers!
REACHING THE C-LEVEL [11:55] Reaching the C-level isn’t a simple endeavor, Mary-Margaret reiterates the 80/20 rule she shared earlier but adds a caveat: is the C-suite your end-all goal?
WORK/LIFE [13:38] Balancing family and the C-level is hard, and it’s done over time. Mary-Margaret shares her advice for managing stress and getting it all done: reach out to your support systems!
INFLUENCE [17:35] Mary-Margaret shares aspects of businesses where a CAE is not required but ultimately beneficial.
SURPRISE, WE’RE ALL HUMAN! [19:44] The most surprising aspect of being at the C-level for Mary-Margaret was the deconstruction of the ideal: they’re human too!
GLOBAL INFLUENCE [21:15] The global aspect of Western-Union was the most influential in shaping Mary-Margaret as an executive; she shares why.
LINEAR OR OPPORTUNISTIC? [22:44] Mary-Margaret takes a look back at her career journey. She opens up about the three qualities that have served her best.
PRESSURE [24:22] Pressure points in head of audit roles are common; Mary-Margaret shares a personal experience to highlight how she handles them.
BANKS [28:49] The differences between farm and consumer banking?
INITIATIVE [31:33] Mary-Margaret shares an initiative she spearheaded as well as how she set it up. She also invites people who see an opportunity for solving a problem to raise their hand to solve it!
MARY-MARGARET’S ADVICE FOR HER YOUNGER SELF [34:09] When you lose, don’t lose the learning.
BEST WORST JOB MARY-MARGARET EVER HAD [35:27] Working for an unpleasant, emotionally unstable, volcanic basketcase — twice — sometimes, it’s OK to walk away.
READ, LISTEN AND GET IN TOUCH [37:17] Mary-Margaret shares her reading and listening list, find all the links below.
[38:54] Michael thanks Mary-Margaret for coming on the podcast to share her insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please give us 5 stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Book: QBQ! Be Outstanding, by John G. Miller
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
David McDougall joins the show to share his 20- year-plus expertise on what it takes to make a good Chief Sales Officer (CSO) and what sales management professionals need to foster in themselves in order to run better teams.
Ever wonder how big game deals pursuit prepare a future CSO? Tune in to hear some seriously insightful advice on what it takes to take on the C-Suite.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
David McDougall is Vice President, Cloud and Managed Services at ConvergeOne. His career spans over two decades and he has held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer at CSS Corporation, as well as senior positions at firms including Capgemini, T-Systems, Siemens, and Inacom Corporation.
GET IN TOUCH WITH DAVID ON LINKEDIN
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
OC Executive Search: OCExecutivesearch.com
Podfly Productions: Podfly.net
Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFWpost1.org
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[1:51] Michael introduces David McDougall and asks him to share an interesting tidbit about himself.
[3:03] David touches on the multiple ways in which sales skills translate to different roles and even transcend the professional sphere.
ON MENTORING [5:25] There are people who play a seminal role in shaping our professional futures; David shares the impact one of his superiors had on him as well as the organic nature of this mentoring relationship, as opposed to formal. He also shares what being a mentor himself has taught him.
[9:11] David and Michael discuss the importance of mentoring at the C-Level in terms of promoting company culture.
ADVICE FOR CSOs [10:11] Listening may be the one most important sales skill according to David; he breaks down the ways its consultative aspects can impact your interactions. David shares what it takes to become a Chief Sales Officer, from getting the numbers to being perceptive with your human resources — as well as some important KPIs to track performance. He opens up about the things he’s learned in his two sojourns as CSO:
- People are everything so build a great team
- Take the time to understand your organization
- Set very clear timelines and makes sure everyone is on the same page
- Don’t move away from what you know works
[21:17] David explains how the CSO leads the charge to get deals done and touches on all of the working parts that need to work together for it to happen. This means that your team has to trust you and you have to be the head cheerleader for the overall organization!
RAPID FIRE CSO QUESTIONS [23:24] The surprising, the rewarding, and the overlooked.
SALES MANAGERS [26:18] David dives deep into what teams working well together look like and the opposite while weaving in necessary attributes of a good sales manager and how they affect a team’s performance:
- Be in the trenches — don’t micromanage
- Get to know your people and keep up to date with them
- Find, palliate, and improve on your team’s weaknesses
- Showcase your team’s strengths
- Be ready and willing to make difficult decisions
- When the vibe is off, start probing your team!
- Build trust
- Ask for and be open to feedback; you can always get better
[35:51] If you’ve exhausted every possible option — repurposing, new talent, multiples — to resolve performance issues, it may be time to rebuild your team from scratch. If you’re there, you’ll want to over-communicate why you need to do this; what’s working, what’s not working, what you tried, so as to not negatively impact your recruiting process.
[38:12] How do you manage your top prima donna?! David shares his advice on this prickly beast.
CSO AND C-SUITE [41:14] The relationship you build with the CEO and the CFO is critical and it starts at the interview process. Everyone needs to be on the same page, understand the go-to-market strategy and the strategic plan to get there. David touches on the slight differences between being a newly hired CSO and a long time CSO in the company.
[45:13] David talks about what you should be doing and the skills you should be building if you aim to become a VP or a CSO. Go read! Learn!
BIG DEALS [46:34] David and Michael discuss how big game deals are unique and different from normal-sized deals and how they contribute to the ability to run a sales organization.
DAVID’S ADVICE FOR HIS YOUNGER SELF [51:34] Continue being positive, stay on your vision, work hard, be grateful and there will be setbacks.
BEST WORST JOB DAVID’S EVER HAD [52:13] David goes back to his help desk days, getting unhappy customers with problems... It taught him a few lessons!
[55:09] Michael thanks David for coming on the podcast to share his insight and closes out the podcast with his favorite takeaways.
We hope you learned something today and enjoyed the conversation. Please gives us five stars on iTunes and share your comments so we can improve and ask the questions you want to hear.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek
Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, by Larry Bossidy, Ram Charan,
and Charles Burck
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth
TEDtalks
Sales Hacker podcast
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jalan Crossland for the music
Angela Johnson at OC Executive Search
Joseph Batty at Podfly
Corey Coates at Podfly
ABOUT YOUR HOST
For the past 20 years, Michael Mitchel, B.A., has been interviewing leaders in their fields. He started his career recruiting for United Parcel Service in Seattle, where he implemented the company's Welfare to Work program for the Washington State District. He has recruited for Federal agencies and U.S. Department of Defense contractors for classified programs internationally. He Founded OC Executive Search in 2001 to serve companies ranging from startups to Global F10.
Michael is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Navy and enjoys skiing, cycling, traveling, photography as well as hiking in the Colorado Rockies with his cattle dog, Kala the Wunderdawg.
FIND MICHAEL MITCHEL ON LINKEDIN AND ON TWITTER
