Professionally Offensive: Recent Episodes
Joseph Cabrera
Honest, Raw and Unfiltered conversations about Leading Teams, running businesses, family and life.
Join host Joseph Cabrera- West Point Grad, Texas MBA, Wartime Leader, FinTech Senior Executive, Performance Running Brand President and Citizen of Humanity- each episode as he and his guests uncover authentic insights of becoming a better person and pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to make a difference and leave the world a little better.
Jonathan Lusk, Co-Founder and CEO of BirdDog, is bringing the art and craft of hunting to everyone. This "non-hunter" grew up knowing very little of the activity, but later realized the deep human connection that results from it. At BirdDog, they've figured out how to make experiencing the richness of hunting come to life in an easy and dynamic way. Jonathan shares that it's about bringing together hunters and land owners who can appreciate the land and wildlife that inspires both parties. Jonathan's professional life has brought him from the world of finance/wealth management to engaging with the same kinds of folks in the outdoors. He says that folks from all backgrounds can truly appreciate an outdoors experience and the ability to put food on the table that you hunted is one of the purest things you can do. He shares that his ability to trust his faith, prioritize his family and "Get Neutral" is what has allowed him to find success along the way. Doing hard things equals growth and you can often find the answers you're looking for, in the early morning, sitting in deer blind. Jonathan and the Team are interested in finding the folks that LOVE their mission and who want to find a way to more deeply connect with each other.
Check Out BirdDog Here: https://www.birddogit.com
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Each Memorial Day Americans fill their long weekend with time on the lake, shopping sprees, BBQs and time with family & friends. We often forget about the reason we celebrate this day- Service & Sacrifice. This day is to remember the incredible Warriors that have come before us, that laid down their life for this dream we call America. They were humble heroes from towns we never heard of, with faces we are most familiar and with personalities that resemble our own families. There are small monuments all over this nation and world that represents their sacrifice and pays just a small tribute to the significant contribution they made. On this Memorial Day spent time enjoying real connection with those you are close to... After all, this is the peace and joy they sacrificed for.
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No News, is the worst thing you can do to somebody. We are often caught up in the idea that we only want to relay an update if the news is good or if we have something new to give. What we don't realize is that time waiting in between makes folks come up with their own realities, often worse case scenarios that we spend more time trying to recover from. If you want to be World-Class with customers, your family and friends, give updates and give them often.... Despite the content of the news.
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The Outdoors is not only a place where we find sunshine and running rivers, but it's a place where we can train the mind, body and spirit to better endure what we're facing in the office and at home.
Joseph goes through the key reasons we should consider visiting the outdoors more and the ways we can apply the energy of the wild to everyday life.
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Pascal Finette, Co-Founder of beradical Group says that common sense, isn't always common practice. The simplicity of execution is paramount when innovating, but it is human to complicate. When digging into what innovation actually looks like on the frontline, it usually is much more messy, iterative and raw than how the MBA and strategy books make it seem. When companies are inspired to bring folks on who can run through walls and cowboy their way through problems; it is typically short-lived because these "cowboys" don't conform to corporate culture. Doing some thing new requires bold action, but you can't require a cowboy to wear a suit and clean boots, while trying to trudge through the mud.
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Joseph talks w/ Dave Carapetyan, CEO, Founder of Rally Ready, Baja 500 Champion, 3 x Pike's Peak Winner and Pro Rally driver about the what racing taught him about life and business. The physical part of learning to race is the easy part, its the mental part that's the challenge. When folks learn to race, they walk away with a new understanding of themselves. Dave shares the importance of empowering your Team and not getting in the way. When the Team is empowered to make good decisions, then you know your customers will be taken care of. Just like in racing, you don't always know what's up ahead, but if we embrace the unknown, we can set the conditions to do our best work.
Looking For Adventure? Check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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Joseph speaks with Chris Williams, Founder of Williams Knives about the early days of starting the company and the reason he left a successful career in investment banking to follow his calling. Chris shares that money isn't everything and that you know in your heart what you need to do... But many of us will never give our calling a true chance. He also talks about how tough it is to get something new off the ground and the hard work involved. He respects and cherishes the kindness of People along the way that gave him a chance and even with continued success, he says how important it is not to forget those folks.
Looking For Adventure? Check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 5 Joseph dives into Leader mindset and the use of Spies. No matter what the condition, terrain or circumstance we can choose to find opportunity... it's up to us to see it. We must become aware of ourselves and our environment before effectively employing fragile assets, such as spies. A double agent can be very valuable to an organization, but one must be committed and cautious before engaging in this practice.
Looking For Adventure? Check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 4 of this series, Joseph focusses on Character and Reading The Signs (especially the obvious). In chaotic situations, it is often the things that are right in front of us, that tell us the truth. A calm mind will be able to read the battlefield and inform the best decision. It is also our ability to build trust and pursue hard things with the right intentions, that will create sustainable execution.
Looking For Adventure? Check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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LinkedIn: Joseph-Cabrera-Explore & WyldWhisper
Sometimes we're too stubborn or "Creative" to make short term sacrifices, to ensure longterm prosperity. In this episode, Joseph talks about the importance of resourcing yourself to make the next best decision. It is often our pride that holds us back from objectively moving ourselves to a place of strength. If we bleed out, how will we make a ANY decision tomorrow.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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LinkedIn: Joseph-Cabrera-Explore & WyldWhisper
On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 3 of this series, Joseph focusses on “Forms and Dispositions", "Potential Energy" and "Empty and Full". Being able to find success and win, begins before we even send one round downrange. We must understand where we are going, clearly articulate it and then move toward it with maximum power.... and nothing wrong with running down hill.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
Follow @Joseph.Cabrera (Instagram)
Follow www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
LinkedIn: Joseph-Cabrera-Explore & WyldWhisper
On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
In Part 2 of this series, Joseph focusses on “Waging War" and "Strategic Offense". Execution only matters if you can sustain it. Prior planning and considering the logistics needed to win, is what counts. Warfare, new ventures, investments should mean that you take time to consider the plan of attack prior to committing to this heavy and consequential endeavor. Sometimes saying no, is the best decision. When you put a Leader in charge, let them run.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
Follow @Joseph.Cabrera (Instagram)
Follow www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
LinkedIn: Joseph-Cabrera-Explore & WyldWhisper
On this series, Joseph takes a look at a historical piece “The Art of War”. These writings have served generals to business entrepreneurs on their journey to find success and empower a winning culture. Joseph is often asked by founders, business Leaders and executive coaches what they can read to enhance their ability to Lead their Teams, better formulate strategy and navigate the tough headwinds associated with business- Joseph’s recommendation “The Art of War”. This is not just a book that helps battlefield commanders, but the simple lessons apply to business and life.
On this episode, Joseph focusses on “Making of Plans” and the weight of a major decision. Whether it’s attacking a foe or embarking on a new venture, bringing to awareness factors that surround a decision and the effects of those decisions are critical.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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On this episode Joseph Cabrera and Joe Wolfel, CEO of Terradepth discuss the importance of making decisions... Just make one. We often are mired by the million "potential" outcomes, but the magic is where we start to gain inputs. Once we start the flywheel of inputs, we can make better and better decisions. It's counter-intuitive to think that it's tough to make decisions in high-risk environments, but it's actually easier than you think. The stress and high stakes take procrastination out of the picture and forces you to trust you gut.
Listen to the full conversation back on EP. 39
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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John Willenborg, Founder & CEO of Owl Vans, has built a company on Adventure & American Manufacturing. John started Owl Vans out of necessity and soon found that other folks really enjoyed what he was building. His uncle who was a Navy Seal and underwater welder taught him how to put metal together and the rest was history. From specialty van racks, tire carriers to expedition boxes, Owl Vans is helping van lifers and adventurers push the limits of their exploration. John shares his passion for blue collar work and being industrious. This used to be a skill we honored in America and it’s finding its way back. Working with our hands is as natural as our desire to explore unknown places and Owl has figured out how to harness both. John talks about the future of the industry and how he believes it will only get stronger, especially since vans have transformed RV travel into something that is much more refined and rugged. No longer are we traveling around the world in RVs that shake them self apart, but instead, the top manufacturers are investing in Adventure Vans that same way they do their top model SUVs. The way of looking at success is what we get to do with the limited time we have on Earth (not the drop top Corvette or gold Rolex), and John and the Owl Team are on the forefront of making this an enduring reality.
Learn More About Out Owl Vans: www.owlvans.com
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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On this episode, Joseph dives into the Greatness that is ALASKA. Joseph share's why Alaska serves as a great canvas to build grit, Teams and confidence. The special rawness of the Alaskan Wilderness and its ability to galvanize the physical, spiritual and mental make the Last Frontier the premier place to forge People and Teams.
Looking For Adventure? check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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Flashback convo with, Alex Harstrick, Managing Partner at J2 Ventures. He shares that even through the world is complicated, it is inherently good... but we still have to do our part to keep it that way. Being present might be the most important thing we can do for our lives - A lesson he learned from his daughter, as she looked up on a windy day and starred in awe of some leaves. The future is always better, it's our job to keep pushing towards it.
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JH Hugo, Co-Founder of TX Biltong, has brought a staple of South Africa to the Great State of Texas...and beyond. Biltong is more than just a cured meat snack, but it represents the toughness and grit of the South African People. JH shares his journey from aviation to starting a business and how embracing his new home, Texas, might be the foundation for future success. Growing up in South Africa showed JH the importance of self-reliance and enduring hardship. From restricted access to water and security concerns South Africans are used to the discomfort the world can bring. These hardships taught JH and his family to lean into action and rely on the strength of the community. Later in JHs journey, he was given the opportunity to go to Texas and after praying about it, they jumped on the opportunity, little did they know that this would also be the start of a new venture. JH talks about the critical relationship between Texas and Biltong- Not only are the People of both places similar in personality, but respect each others grit. The Texas swagger has provided a critical ingredient for Americans to embrace a South African staple and momentum is picking up. JH also dives into the importance of responsibility and being accountable for one's actions. In a world where it's easy to point fingers, he believes the key to a peaceful life is one where we take responsibilities for our success and failures.
Learn more about JH & TX Biltong at: www.txbiltong.com
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Executive Presence or Leader Presence is that X Factor we often hear about. It's how a person makes you feel when they deliver a plan, give you bad news or chair a town hall meeting. A Leader's Presence is often underestimated in the world of business, but it is the very thing that can create successful or failed companies. We all have experienced the energy of an inspirational boss and the deflation of an arrogant or weak Leader. Even when plan is mechanically delivered well, it is "HOW" it is delivered that makes all the difference.
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Dan French, CEO of ResProp, Managing Director of ATX Acquisitions and longtime partner at Rex continues to believe in the power of communities. He grew up with a strong sense of Service that he learned from his father and that sitting on the sidelines never helped anyone. You’ve got to lean into action and use the successes & failures to help you make the next decision. After a good run as an elected official, Dan moved his family to Texas where he joined forces with Pete Rex to run their ecosystems of real estate, investment and tech companies. Dan shares that their Team’s contrarian thinking is what sets them apart and allows them to gain outsized returns. This thinking doesn’t only exist in their investment thesis, but also how they look for the right Teammates. Dan believes it’s not just one’s extensive experience in real estate that matters, but it’s one character (especially during tough times) that determines if someone is going to be a fit. Tough times are as normal as the changing weather and building a Team around strong character and loyalty is the foundation to a strong company. Dan strives to live a life that is “Ever Upward” and as he continues to honor God, his family and Team, he is hopeful that they will stay at the tip of the spear and help the momentum of growth here in Austin.
Check out what Dan and the Team are working on: www.https://www.atxacquisitions.com/ and www.rex.com
Need Some Adventure, check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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It’s typical in January to kick off with budget planning, investor meetings and strategy sessions, but have you considered starting with a clear mind? Getting outdoors not only helps you work toward clarity, but ensures we don't have the distractions that often clouds our vision and decision making. It may seem like you don't have time, but if you get outside, you'll find that the answers you were looking for, were with you all along, you just needed the clarity to see them. Joseph also shares an update on a rebrand and new endeavor called Wyld Whisper. This next chapter is aimed to help the explorer and adventurer in all of us thrive and ground us when we spend too much time behind the computer screen. Adventure awaits all of us and the Wyld Whisper Team is ready to serve as your guide on this journey.
Need Some Adventure, check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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Lamarque Polvado, Founder, CEO of CareStarter and Feedback says that flying and being an entrepreneur have a lot in common. From afar it looks exciting and fun, but when it's your turn to jump in the cockpit solo, things become serious. Lamarque started CareStater out of a need to help his daughter find the special care she needed... but no info or compassion were to be found. He could not believe that parents were left to themselves to figure out how to navigate the intricate healthcare programs to help a child and that there was nowhere to go to find that info. CareStarter was no easy endeavor and Lamarque shares that the sign of any great entrepreneur is finding meaningful problems and doing it for the right reasons. Through the ups and downs of building CareStarter, Lamarque found a great Team (Feedback) doing work that every Leader should care about which is understanding People dynamics and truly understanding what's going on in our organizations. Surveys and 360 evals are ineffective- It's the unprovoked conversations, identifying signals and caring for People that helps you arrive at the real data. Feedback made such an impression, that he decided to acquire them and bring them into the larger family. Lamarque and the Team continue to help families find the care they need in the time they need it, while also shining a light on the importance of understanding human behavior and getting ahead of potentially catastrophic situations (i.e. nurse strikes). Healthcare and understanding humans are still a long way from being perfect, but it's not going to just take care of itself- It requires Good People to step up, endure the pain and find solutions for a better world.
Learn more about CareStarter and Feedback:
carestarter.co and discoverfeedback.com
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Team, That's A Wrap. 2023 is on its way out and we are ready to bring in the next year. In this episode, Joseph covers some nuggets of wisdom from guest this past year. These are simple reminders to keep pushing, stay humble and recognize you're not alone.
Happy New Year, Here's To Momentum in 2024.
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It's easy to want to live in comfort, heck, it's even human nature. However, it is the times that we endure something really hard that sets the cadence for our future. We often believe it's our planning, setting objectives and reflecting on failure that gives us the tools to be successful the next year, but we underestimate the power of a "Sucky" Reference Point. What allows us to find creative solutions, drive through the pain and show up calm in a storm is our ability to ground ourselves in moments that have callused us. The toughening of our mind, body and spirit is the special sauce to peace and success, not metrics we organize.
Need Some Adventure, check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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Before you can build a great Team, you have to start with yourself. Building an environment where your Team has permission to hold you accountable, may seem uncomfortable, but this is the only way to forge a culture that can stand the test of business. Nathan Baumeister, co-founder and CEO of ZSuite Tech, shares that once you find the right folks, they'll create an atmosphere that self-polices- That way when you bring on new Teammates, there will be no guessing on what's right or wrong. Culture is #1 and without it, you've got nothing.
Check out the full convo on Episode 21 w/ Nathan Baumeister, CEO & Co-Founder of ZSuite Tech.
Need to find a sense of Adventure, check out Joseph and the Team at www.wyldwhisper.com
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Jason McCann, CEO of Vari, had a rally call during COVID that galvanized the Team and help them pivot- "Keep Rowing". Despite their initial plans to take the market by storm and transform the workplace, COVID required them to think very differently about their offering. Jason shares something a friend of his said to him once as they were going through the H1N1 situation, "We just have to keep rowing until the wind catches our sails". This simple statement rang true and served as a way to rally around the situation and push through it. Jason also shares that figuring out how to survive a pandemic is only good, if you share it. Where most would keep competitive learnings to themselves, Jason believes that true Service is also helping your competitors be able to play another game.
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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A flashback from EP. 61, with Graham Weston, CEO/Chairman of Rackspace (NYST: RXT), Texas Billionaire and multi-time entrepreneur. Graham shares the importance of developing tactics and not strategies. The "Big Thinker" gets a lot of credit for the ideas, but it is the executions that makes something come to life. Finding something simple that works is what allows you to deeply seed into the market- After that, you can start refining the big picture. Graham also shares that we often get in our own way of success, by trying to do everything at once. You have to sacrifice and focus on what the business needs first, then you can develop the full vision. Many businesses never leave the ground, because they're too heavy for lift off.
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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We're headed into the holiday season and it's a time we get to spend with the folks who are in our corner. The folks, that regardless of the outcome, will always be there to pick you up or celebrate. As professionals we spend a lot of time thinking about the folks that impact our career, but do we remember that it's the folks that support our life, with no expectation, that should get our best self?
As you head out on the road, hope this brings you some grounding.
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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Ian Villa, Co-Founder, COO and CPO of Whisper Aero is changing the way we fly. As we think about the sky above us, as a more viable option to travel, we have to think about the impacts. Noise and efficiency are one of the things that can stop the democratization of the everyday human utilizing flight. Ian and the Whisper Aero Team are on a mission to make propulsion quieter, faster and more efficient. Ian has always been fascinated with flight and this double degreed Stanford aero guy is living the dream, getting to build the future of propulsion. He pulls from his experience at companies like Northrop Grumman and Uber Elevate to help inform how to build a foundation for Whisper Aero that can go the distance. Some of the boring things are the important things for a scrappy startup. Documentation, writing product requirements and creating systems early are traits that larger companies have and he is able to infuse that mentality early at Whisper Aero. On the other end, Ian shares that what makes Whisper Aero able to compete with the larger companies is SPEED. His Team’s ability to react and adapt to the tech and customer needs gives them a key advantage that a larger ship (aka established company) will not be able to harness. There are over 5,000 local/regional airports in America that are under-utilized and with the tech Ian and his Team are working on, we’ll be able to cut travel time down significantly and enjoy the open skies while we do it... not to mention, this tech even makes everyday items better, like leaf blowers. Tech is important, but the how and why you build something is even more. Ian shares that he learned from his time at Uber Elevate that starting with Values, Mission and Vision are paramount. If your People don’t know where they’re going and how important integrity is to mission success, you may not reach the destination.
Check out the Whisper Aero Team at www.whisper.aero
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Hope MacGregor, Country Music Artist has been on a long road back to where it all started... behind a guitar and microphone sharing what’s on her heart. This former Army Aviator and classically trained attorney has already lived several chapters of life and thanks to a conversation with her Dad, is back to her calling. Serving in the military and enduring personal hardship helped inspire her music. Pain is not an easy thing to make sense of, but when we recognize that we are all enduring something, the right tune over the radio can make you feel a little less lonely. Hope’s life has embodied all the ingredients of a great country song…. serving during wartime, personal let downs and loss. Her journey to the deepest lows have showed her that there's always good up ahead and singing about her journey is one way to help connect people the most honest way she knows how. Hope also shares the logistics and dynamics of running a band and putting an album together. Much of what she learned in the Army has proved valuable on stage and her instincts is that running a well oiled machine will give them opportunities as they continue to find their way to bigger and bigger stages. Her music is important, but so is taking the folks she loves with her.
Hope is doing more than singing country music, but she's using what's on her heart to help others make sense of their hardships, celebrate their wins all while leaving a catchy tune in your head.
Tune Into Hope's New Album "The Matriarch" Available Now On Apple, Spotify and Everywhere You Listen To Music. This Album Is UNREAL.
www.HopeMacGregorMusic.com
Also Check Out A Special Acoustic Unplugged Session, on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@JosephCabreraExplore
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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Lots of things that we could be troubled with, especially with the recent world events. War, market turmoil, interest rates.... you name it. Maybe we haven't achieved what we wanted in our businesses or reached our potential as a professional. Fortunately for us, this turbulence is not a new human condition, but something our history is full of. So if that's consistent, then how do we find something to be grateful for? What you'll find is that those that can find the smallest acts of kindness to be grateful for, they've already won and everything else is just the extra cherry on top. Once you harness that gratefulness, you can then be bold and tackle the highest peaks.
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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Evan Seale, Co-Founder of VRB Labs, is on a mission to help folks find deeper rest and get better sleep. How well we sleep, is one of the things we have control over and if we stay disciplined about it, we can fully access our potential. Stigmas and a hustle culture can cast the importance of sleep away, but Evan believes that if we prioritize good sleep, we can extract more out of the hours we're awake. When this former Army Ranger, West Pointer and Private Equity guy started VRB Labs he was starting from scratch and leaned on his experience of being thrown into situations that he knew little about and having to seek creative solutions, that helped VRB achieve momentum. The military and combat especially can be a great teacher of simplifying the complex, learning the unknown and being comfortable with the chaos. Evan shares lessons learned from the early days of VRB and how your customers have the ultimate vote on your brand- Meaning, you shouldn't get stubborn about "How" you achieve success. Entrepreneurs can be romantic about how their business operates and can sometimes miss the thing that is working. VRB found that sleep gummies and high-quality supplements is what folks gravitated to. Sleep is also about setting the conditions for success the night prior and Evan shares that the way we eat, exercise and get sunlight also play a major factor in performance. Evan and VRB Labs are committed to not only sharing world-class products, but educating others on the holistic approach to living better.
Learn more about VRB Labs: www.vrblabs.com
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Throwback to a conversation with Megan Thornton, Chief People Officer extraordinaire. On this episode we talk about the bad reputation HR can get and how they often deserve it. A true "People Partner" in business is focused on understanding the needs of People and the Business first, then figuring out how a path can be created that also adheres to policy. Often HR personnel can get caught up in being the policy police and forget that creating value for customers and creating a positive work environment is priority #1. Megan also shares that being extremely aligned with the CEO is paramount, without it you're dead on arrival. If the person at the helm is not truly invested in the well-being of their employees, there is no point in moving forward. The Peace Corps taught Megan a lot about what it means to listen and honor a place first before you try to "enhance" it. You can't help something if you don't understand it.
For the full episode check out EP 25 on the Professionally Offensive Podcast.
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Throwback to an episode with John Merris, CEO of Solo Brands (Solo Stove, Chubbies, Oru Kayak and Isle), talking talent, skills and culture. When you are looking for the right folks to bring onto a Team, don't get mired by the skills that are or are not on their resume- They can learn those later. Focus on their natural talent and what their upbringing put into them- You can't teach that. Running a company of companies can be challenging, but the goal is not to force a culture, but let it grow organically and through example. If you want your folks to be driven, on time and committed, it must start with you. Once you reach a point where you think you deserve to lean back and coast- It's time to leave.
For the full episode check out EP 46 on the Professionally Offensive Podcast.
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Alex Harstrick, Founder and Managing Partner at J2 Ventures, leans into his experience from the Iraq/Afghanistan war to inform and fuel the next generation of technology and capabilities. Although he graduated from Columbia and Harvard, he shares that his time as an NYC EMT taught him a lot of how to be a Leader and ultimately run a VC. Spending time in the back of an ambulance teaches you extreme accountability and that one must take responsibility for their actions. Being an EMT also allowed him to meet his co-founder, Jonathan Bronson and build an enduring relationship. Alex dives into the significant impact the middle layer of any organization can make and it is the Sr. NCOs, LTs and CPTs on the battlefield that use high-levels of creativity to solve our biggest problems. The closeness to the problem makes you invaluable, but it is also the thing that can prevent others (especially the public) from seeing the value one is truly able to create. Through his time as a management consultant and intelligence officer, Alex was able to involve himself with entities like the National Security Defense Capital and KKR, that would ultimately allow him to better understand how dual-use applications can be a way for him to continue to Serve and create meaningful returns for investors. Alex believes that life is not just about measuring risk, but instead aligning your purpose with Teammates who you want to do the fun and hard things with. In the world of VC it is easy to be mired with the returns and numbers, but the "doing right" part for a world that is inherently good, is not lost on Alex and the J2 Team. Exposure to war and what's going on in our world can leave you wondering if we're going to be okay. Alex strongly believes that the world is good, but it requires Good People to get to work and keep it that way.
Learn more about Alex and J2 Ventures: www.j2vp.com
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Transparency... A buzz word that has found itself in every boardroom meeting and corporate call across America. The spirit of transparency is meaningful, but it's how we apply it that matters. Transparency is authentically communicating to you Team what's going on, but if you don't have an effective Leadership structure, this will be for nothing.
Transparency comes down to communicating 3 things:
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What we know
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What we don't
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What we're working toward
If you are able to deliver on these items, then you're achieving transparently. A culture of effective communication starts from the top and only with this culture are you truly able to claim transparency in your organization.
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Dr. Ernestine Fu, Stanford PhD and Venture Capitalist (Alsop Louie & Brave Capital) joins forces with Dr. Tom Ehrlich, Fmr. Stanford Law School Dean, Provost of UPenn and lifetime public Servant- To talk about the importance of civic duty. Whether you are advising the President on public policy, nurturing new ventures that will support front-line troops or working at your local community kitchen, it starts with you. Democracy is not a spectator sport and requires Good People to get involved with making our today and future better. Tom shares that one of his keys to success has been working with folks that don't look, think or act like him. The best ideas are when we have diversity of thought and allow the best solutions to rise to the top. Ernestine also shares that curiosity, intent and effort are the hallmarks of folks that ultimately make a difference. In her experience, the best entrepreneurs are the ones that have a passion for changing the world. Both Dr. Fu and Dr. Ehrlich value the education and say that it is not just the academics that prove to be valuable, but the diversity of thought and the creativity of others that one get's exposed to. Civic contributions are not easy and while making the world a better place, it's critical that we don't lose our way. A strong moral compass to keep you on track is paramount, especially when dealing with the complexities of politics and business. The act of one person matters and the collections of these works add up to preserving and enhancing a world, for the next generation.
Learn more about Dr. Ernestine Fu and Dr. Tom Ehrlich through their co-authored book: Civic Works, Civic Lessons.
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Have you ever been halted in your decision making or finding it difficult to gain clarity and move forward? Risk of an endeavor too overwhelming? It may be that your decision making ability that has been distorted and you need to look at risk differently. How we understand and weigh subjective vs objective risk is paramount. Subjective risk prevents many companies and Teams from finding forward momentum, because of what is perceived to be risky. Subjective risk can often be mitigated through mindset. Objective risks are the clear waves we'll hit, the facts. Shared understanding and practice allows one to understand the objective risks, work through the subjective, build a plan and execute.
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Joe Wolfel, CEO and Co-Founder of Terradepth, has made his living being a student of the seas and is on a mission to uncover all we don't know about the largest portion of our planet - The Ocean. Joe talks about his time on the SEAL Teams and how that gave him a strong foundation, especially when running new and complex ventures. Being good and Leading small Teams through the "Suck", is a particularly useful skill when it comes to navigating the uncharted waters of an ocean exploration company. One of the keys lessons he learned from combat was making decisions and being comfortable with the associated risks. Practice and intuition serves as a valuable asset on the battlefield and in the boardroom. Many of the decisions we spend a lot of time on, provide no better outcomes than the ones we trust our gut on. Joe dives into the importance of data, especially when it comes to having a well informed discussion. Much of what we debate (in all subjects) is a circular reference, because we don't have good data to ground our conversations and decisions. The Terradepth Team aims to collect data about one of the most important resources- The Ocean. Over 90% of Earth's inhabitable area is covered by water, but we know little about it. From expansive sub-ocean mountain ranges to wildlife patterns, we don't have a robust data set to make good decisions. Joe and Team believe that democratizing what we know about the ocean will not only help us better understand the planet we live on, but impacts commerce and endeavors that may ultimately take us to Mars...and beyond.
Learn More About Terradepth : www.terradepth.com
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On this episode, Joseph is joined by guest Host, Kelsie Cabrera as they take a look back on a few years and a 100 episodes of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. Joseph talks about the origins of the show, its continued purpose, lessons learned and the incredible People that have shared their journey to help others. Although there are themes and patterns to achieving success, each person has their own style of getting there. The one thing that has been consistent is their level of commitment and humility. Joseph shares what the next 100+ episodes have in store and how the show will be evolving for the future.
Thank you all for tuning in each week- We could not do it without you and our incredible guests. Here's to 100+ more.
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Many of us show up to work and don't really understand why? Sure there's bills to pay, project to tackle and promotions to get, but is that really what you would be doing if money wasn't a factor. Speaking with Travis McAshan, Founder & CEO of Glide, he talks about the importance of reflection and spending time contemplating who you want to be. Values are a critical piece for running your company and knowing yourself. If want to be known as someone who helped others, are you doing that today? Why not? In life you become what you think about and actions will allow you to bring that to life. Joseph and Travis huddle on the importance of values and how companies need to "Uncover" them, not "Create" them. A common misconception is that lasting values are created, but in actuality, they already exist. Actions speak louder than words on a lobby wall and great values should not only drive work productivity, but also just make you a better person.
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Sandeep Chennakeshu, COO of Uhnder and former CTO of Ericsson and President of Blackberry Technology Solutions, has lived a charmed life. His "Series 1" mindset has led him to always say yes and take on some of our world's greatest technical challenges. From bluetooth to 2g technology, Sandeep has been on the cutting edge of universal technology. He says that you only really solidify your leanings when you test them in real life and "Battle-Testing" your learnings ultimately leads to wisdom. Enduring pain and life's challenges requires commitment- Unfortunately, many folks are not prepared to stay the course. Sandeep learned some early lessons that he thought may have been career ending, but realized that his mistakes or "Expensive Education" were building blocks to a prosperous career. Talent, Technique and Temperament are core tenants every successful professional has, but Temperament being the most crucial. One's ability to maintain calm during the chaos, lean into adversity and demonstrate an attitude of commitment is what will ultimately win the day. No amount of technical expertise will help you out-perform your mindset and the example you set for others. Sandeep also shares his philosophies and principles in his book "Your Company Is Your Castle". One core principle is a Leader's greatest responsibility - To unburden your Team, so that they can be their best. When we learn its not about how much you know, but how much you empower others, you can accomplish the impossible.
Sandeep's Book "Your Company Is Your Castle" can be found on Amazon and other places books are sold.
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It's human nature to want to be right, but does that ultimately allow you to win in the long run? Whether it's an argument, pushing for a promotion, finally getting the resources you've been asking for or something at home- Winning should be front of mind.
Winning means that both sides understand the situation, what there is to gain & lose and ultimately recognize the pain that may exist. Being right may give you what you want in the short term, but typically comes at the cost of the other side and won't likely sustain you for the road ahead. It takes patience and humility to focus on winning, but the long-term effects of this atmosphere will benefit and sustain, you and those you serve.
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Do we have what it takes to take an idea, company and Team the distance? Many founder's enter the game of business without realizing what their objective is and if their intentions will sustain them through a tough journey. It's a hard reality, but many founders are not able to scale a business and the lack of self-awareness can prevent them from being fulfilled, achieving "their" unique success and ultimately being happy. Owning, running and growing a business can be like owning a pet tiger and even though everyone around you might think its cool, there are still a good amount of occupational hazards that come with the endeavor. We can all benefit to listening to our inner voice, accepting who we are and being content with what we are meant to do- Not what others expect.
If you enjoyed this segment- Tune into the full episode (EP 33) where Joseph & Pascal Finette dive deep into all things, innovation, People and finding happiness.
Learn More About The beradical group : www.beradical.group
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Luke Fischer, CEO and Co-Founder of SkyFi, is changing the way we understand our world by opening our eyes wider to it. Luke grew up flying helicopters for the Army and has used his experience working in VC and at tech titans like Uber to harness the power of satellite imagery and make it easier for the world to access. The SkyFi Team is helping uncover issues that are not obvious. For example, in the middle of Chile lies several tons of fashion clothing that was discarded- These kinds of global issues are usually unknown to most of us, because we are not able to easily see what’s going on. Luke strongly believes that if we can continue to “Eas-ify” satellite imagery, this will enable folks on a mission to execute and do something about the greatest obstacles our world faces. This is not an easy process as satellite imagery has been historically bureaucratic and optimized for government agencies, but SkyFi is on a mission to make this consumer friendly (fast, easy and economical). Luke uses lessons learned from his time in Army Special Operations to guide his Leadership style and way he grows a business. A 70% solution is better than a perfect plan and iterating on failure is key to success. He also shares that his time at Uber taught him to take your time finding the right folks and even if you don’t bring them onto the Team, treat everyone like a customer. In the military we are used to accepting great personal risk- Up to death, but when we transition to the private sector many Warriors can be stunted by the financial risk needed to grow and create value in business. Luke shares that once we can acknowledge that we all have innate value and that even if things were to go to ZERO, we can find a way to get back on our feet and provide for our families, then we build the confidence to explore the unknown and truly create something great.
Learn More About SkyFi : www.skyfi.com
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Sweat before you bleed- A concept that is foreign to most. Everyday in business is game day and unfortunately that can cause us to be blindsided, maintain instead of grow and be consumed with the chaos, instead of smiling through it. Elite Teams know that visualizing success and uncovering friction is the only way to build a championship organization. When was the last time you launched a new product, rolled out a new org chart or conducted a board meeting and it was just OFF? Rehearsals are the anecdote and here's why:
Rehearsals:
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Allow you to see success prior to execution
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Uncover potential friction points
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Confirm shared understanding
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Instill Confidence
Take the small amount of time to conduct a good rehearsal and watch your actual execution elevate.
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Jackie Cuyvers, Founder & CEO of Convosphere, has spent her life understanding People through what they say and how they say it. Social Intelligence and Social Listening are what allow us to really understand what People want, what they really think about a brand or how much respect they have for their workplace. Surveys and 360 assessments are not the answer, but it is the unprompted and unfiltered insights that help paint a true picture of what’s going on. Jackie also shares that context is as vast and nuance as the world languages. When businesses desire to enter new markets, it’s important to understand that our humor, needs and slang don’t always translate- So before you launch that new product in Japan, make sure you are not just translating the text on the packaging. Having high social intelligence requires strong EQ and despite the analytical nature of the process, understanding human behavior and emotions is paramount. Getting the right answers, is about asking the right questions, in the right place. Jackie and her Team believe that the answers are all around us, but we must look in the unprompted and unfiltered places to really gain the truth. If we can properly invest in the seeking the truth, we can propel our Teams and companies to new levels.
Learn more about Convosphere: www.convosphere.com
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Christopher Cassibry, COL US Army (Ret), Callsign “Denali 6” has spent his entire professional life in the Service of his People. During this conversation, Joseph talks with his former wartime commander about the making tough calls, remaining calm as a Leader and understanding what it means to “be good with the decisions, one makes”. Chris has held many positions of command in his military career, but one of the most consequential was his time leading 500+ paratroopers during one of the campaigns of the Afghanistan War. Spread over multiple outposts and against a determined enemy, this tour of duty was no walk in the park. Combat is a unique human endeavor and a sheer test of wills- A thinking man’s game. If you are not able to spend time thinking about your decisions, you may find it difficult to live with them. Good news is that you don’t have to make this decision on your own. Despite the responsibilities of Leadership, especially during a time of war, Chris says that even the Leader needs someone to lean on. This even further applies to the caregivers in our organizations. Whether it’s a medic, Chaplain or that Teammate everyone goes to with their problems, a good Leader is aware that the folks who give so much, can be burdened with the emotions and stress of others. It’s important to ensure you take care of those folks. Cassibry learned from his father (Army Chaplain) that you don’t have be a jerk to be a good Leader. If your People are not able to approach you, then how can you help them solve their problems. In war and in peacetime, being “Loyal Down” is the sign of trust. When a Leader honors their responsibilities and has the best interest of their Team front of mind, your Team reciprocates. Despite the harsh and unforgiving nature of war, it can be a great teacher and one that reminds us that the art of human nature will always supersede the science.
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Andrew Markoff, Founder & CEO of Pallas, leads a Team whose mission is to help People achieve their seemingly impossible dreams. Whether it's making Team USA for the next Olympics or swimming the English Channel, this Marine and former special operator says that his experience as a “generalist” has helped him, help others. The Marine Corps taught Andrew the importance of breadth and depth. In the military there’s no margin for error and being able to context switch with a level of depth is business as usual. In a world where specialist are highly sought after, Andrew believes that being an effective generalist is it’s own “technical” skill. As a Leader, you must quickly learn and understand the technical factors that contribute to a situation and synergize it into a solution that can apply effectively and broadly. After a successful career in the military, Andrew spearheaded initiatives at tech giant Palantir and sustainability at Origin Materials, but there was something missing- Sweat. A career in the military will make you miss the balance of physical and mental work, so Andrew decided that he wanted to create a company that would combine intersect service, his unique skills, mission and physicality. Pallas helps folks achieve their greatness through the physical practice and diving into the areas there are not as obvious- Like "how do I eat during a 100+mile swim". Similar to his journey, highly effective folks are missing a physical outlet and need the expertise and accountability of a great coach to keep them on track.
Learn more about Pallas: www.pallas.io
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Building a brand is no easy feat, but if you can get it to matter to your customer, you'll build something that lasts forever.
We flashback to last June (a year ago) on this segment, where we speak with Brent Looby, Co-Founder of Desert Door. During this segment he dives into building a spirits company in a hyper-competitive environment and using brand to break through. Even though this drink made from sotol has a smooth and unique flavor profile, you have to get your product to matter to your customers. Fortunately, Desert Door was born in Texas and a company started by 3 Veterans, has a lot to be proud of. Building brand is what allows you to go the distance, weather the storms and create lasting impact.
Listen to the full episode (EP 39)
Learn more about Desert Door: www.desertdoor.com
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Explorer Series: We launch a new series, where we dive into a particular domain and explore the dynamics of a profession, craft and art. On this 2-part series we curiously dive into the art of Rally Racing. Racing combines the best of engineering, road design and skill- It’s about the human and machine moving as one. Rally is one of the most unique forms of racing where you drive mostly with your feet, the road is completely unpredictable and communication in the cockpit is key.
Dave Carapetyan (aka Texas Dave), Founder & CEO of Rally Ready and Professional Rally Driver, has spent nearly 20 years sliding rally cars in the dirt and pushing the limits. This 11-time Pikes Peak and Baja 500 winner has learned a lot about himself and others through rally. He believes the more we know, the further we are from the destination, making it difficult to feel settled in what one has accomplished. Ego and the relentless pursuit for more is equally a superpower and liability in all of us, but those that can harness it are destined to change the world. Dave transformed his career as a racing driver into something that he can share with others. By introducing and teaching others the sport of rally, he has found a new gear. The greatest rally instructors sometimes have little to no experience in rally, but are highly empathetic, great listeners and understand People deeply. A great coach is not necessarily a great olympian. Dave shares that the journey has become the destination and winning is not as important. The further we chase the glory, the further we get away from our destination, because it will never be good enough. Get obsessed with the ride and loving others - You’ll arrive at your destination.
Learn more about Texas Dave & Rally Ready: www.rallyready.com
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Explorer Series: We launch a new series, where we dive into a particular domain and deeply explore the dynamics of a profession, craft and art. On this 2-part series we curiously dive into the art of Rally Racing. Racing combines the best of engineering, road design and skill- It’s about the human and machine moving as one. Rally is one of the most unique forms of racing where you drive mostly with your feet, the road is completely unpredictable and communication in the cockpit is key.
Rob Winter, General Manager & Head Instructor at Rally Ready, has spent years perfecting his art of rally and teaching others this incredible practice. This classically trained anthropologist and landscape architect says he was destined for rally, especially after studying People and Dirt. Rob shares that if Formula 1 is classical music, Rally is jazz. Improv on the road and dealing with imperfection is paramount when getting the most out this practice. He dives into the importance of keeping things simple (especially at high speeds) and how powerful clear communication is, with anything in life. Teaching folks and instructors how to rally has been an incredible privilege for Rob, especially since it’s showed him how far empathy can really enhance an experience. Being a student is much harder than being a teacher and putting yourself in the seat of those learning can make all the difference. One of the things that makes Rally unique, is the driver/co-driver dynamic. Being able to drive a car fast is one thing, but being able to verbally direct someone at high-speeds and do it calmly is another. Rally can help us face our fears and work on the things that might be holding us back in life, but we have to first learn to let go. Racing and life is supposed to be fun, but if you don’t spend the time working on them, you’ll just be a passenger.
Learn more about Rob & Rally Ready: www.rallyready.com
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Brendan Mullen, CEO and Founder of MKS2 Technologies, has spent an entire career in the Service of others, in and out of uniform. After West Point, combat and time in D.C., Brendan embarked on a path different than most Army Officers. His first exposure into the private sector was as COO of a high-growth start up, then a run for Congress and eventually supporting improv comedy to enter into the government space. What all of these seemingly unrelated things had in common, were honoring those that Serve. Brendan saw an opportunity to be a part of upholding the sacrifice his classmates, brothers and sisters had made by raising his hand and offering his support. Running for Congress showed him the good, bad and ugly of democracy, but taught him about how our most vulnerable citizens are often not prioritized. Helping run a high-growth start up showed him he could adapt to the private sector quickly and there was a living to be made by helping folks integrate into the government space. He shares that building a business is the hardest thing he has ever done (even compared to war zone) and is proud of what his Team has accomplished in nearly 15 years. No one is going to give you the keys to the kingdom, you have to storm the castle to get what you want. This bootstrapping entrepreneur believes it’s not about collecting badges and trophies, it about making a difference. Brendan and MKS2 exists to transform lives and continues to push to that summit.
Learn more about Brendan & MKS2 Technologies: www.mks2.com
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Judson Kauffman, former Navy SEAL and multi-time entrepreneur (Exbellum, Desert Door, Terradepth and more) has turned his business experiences into a way to help others find their greatness. Judson has spent most of his life trusting his intuition and the times where he hasn’t, he has found himself misaligned with what he was put on this planet for. He says that the heart knows things the spreadsheet doesn’t and if we’re able to tune into that intuition, we can be far more successful and more importantly, happy. “Playing it safe” can prevent us from finding out what makes each of us special and as a coach he helps folks push beyond their point of comfort, to find that meaning. Judson believes that the most important thing you can do before starting any business is pressure test your co-founders and align on values. The “Anti-Resume” is what determines the character of people and values can be the difference between failure and success. In the end, we all must enter into the darkness and learn who we are. Once we know that, we then must find peace with ourselves and as Judson states “Love Ourselves”. If we can do that, we will not only be authentic but drive an attraction that the world won’t be able to resist.
Learn more about Judson: www.judsonkauffman.com
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Dara Chike-Obi, CEO & Co-Founder of Grio Baby, is back on the podcast to talk about where her innovative company is heading and the importance of understanding your customer. After several rounds of R&D, market testing and product development Grio Baby is in market and being well received by mothers and care-takers. Dara talks about the importance of remaining flexible and despite the data, understand where your customers actually are. Timing and their comfort with your product may mean you will need to go to market different than expected- “Don’t Disrespect Your Market”. Dara also reflects on her life as a former corporate attorney and despite having the weight of her company on her shoulders, she’s not looking back. She shares that even with the responsibility of carrying Grio forward, her ability to prioritize family and be the person she wants to be, makes it all worth it. As a founder and CEO, your are stretched for time and being a mother means you have to make every minute of the day count. Dara believes this is why it is important to be unapologetic with your time and dedicate yourself to the people and things that really matter. This fast-driving entrepreneur is able to boldly engage the problems in front of her because of the tribe that stands with her. Her family is the reason she is able to take on the tasks at hand, with confidence. She shares that her family taught her to speak up and tell the world what you need- That's the only way you'll get fed. Her passion for working mothers, creating stronger family units and leaving the world better, is embodied in Grio. "If you don't do it, who will?"
Check out Grio Baby: www.griobaby.com
Instagram: @GrioBaby
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Peter Rex, CEO and Founder of Rex, has been making moves his entire life, which has led to creating a collection of real estate companies aimed at shaking up the status quo and empowering others. This classically trained lawyer, CPA and almost Catholic Priest found his calling in business. Pete strongly believes that time discerning and spent in silence can be one of the most important things a Leader does. Sure you have People, a company and customers depending on you, but you can’t guide them through the darkness without focussing on the path that will get there. Taking the time to understand your next step and listening to that quiet voice is paramount. “Find A Way, Or Make One” is a motto he and his company live by. When you are doing something innovative and different, it requires tenacious Teammates who are willing to seek out creative solutions, especially in the darkness. Pete believes your job as a CEO is to enter the darkness first and then bring folks along who are confident and capable to take those steps behind you. Many will not follow or think you’re crazy, but Pete believes that those who push into the darkness are the ones who can find greatness. Pete shares that business is tough and the path to greatness means you'll be let down by some of the folks closes to you. This pain is worth it, especially if you're serving a bigger purpose. Pain and failure comes with the territory; the silver lining is that you learn who you can trust and which Teammates stay committed. Pete shares his experience with the 08-09 recession, but how he was able to turn that into multi-billion dollar portfolio, because he followed his Faith. Pete was called to leave the world better through business and giving everything to God is what has allowed this entrepreneur to push beyond what most think was possible. Business can be a great catalyst for good and serving others, you just have to stay committed and do honestly. Commitment to Faith, reflection and remaining courageous is what it takes to build something that matters. Without courage, you don't stand a chance.
Check out the Rex Team at: www.Rex.com
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The Craft: A 3-Part Series focused on checking your internal Leader compass and ensuring you are on the right azimuth, especially during turbulent times. Today's economy is putting many companies to the test and those that have been investing in their "Craft" seem to be more prepared, while others are struggling and surprised.
The Foundation
We don't know how strong the ground we stand on is, until we're tested. A strong foundation encompasses 4 things: Team, Culture, Customer and Product. When a storm hits, we learn how well we've invested in these pillars. Were they built with enough flexibility to adapt to the needs of the market or are they rigid and come apart because they're brittle? Strong foundations are built through consistency and with the intention to adapt. Foundation building requires investment ahead of time, proper time to cure and a discipline to keep doing the hard things, even if they seem unnecessary. Take the storm to reflect on if you've put in that work.
Join us on this 3-Part Series where we help you check your internal compass and help you stay on course (or course correct). Turbulent times either bring out the best in us or can expose our lack in preparation.
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The Sword (Pt 1)
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The Lesson (Pt 2)
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The Foundation (Pt 3)
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The Craft: A 3-Part Series focused on checking your internal Leader compass and ensuring you are on the right azimuth, especially during turbulent times. Today's economy is putting many companies to the test and those that have been investing in their "Craft" seem to be more prepared, while others are struggling and surprised.
The Lesson
Storms are either something we survive or something we grow from. Learning from the turbulence is the hallmark of a company with a strong future. The ability to see beyond just today, is what can set your Team up to thrive for years to come. A tough economy creates anxiety within a Team and the focus can turn into only focussing on primitive needs. Although these needs are important, Leaders can help their Team focus on the opportunity in front of them and creating an environment that can sustain their needs for years ahead. If we are willing to take a learning mindset during uncertainty, we can grow our Teams into something we can look back on and be proud. Turbulent moments are also opportunities to follow our gut and finally be forced to do something with it. Leaders set the tone for how their Teams decide to handle tough times- Is the tone one of learning?
Join us on this 3-Part Series where we help you check your internal compass and help you stay on course (or course correct). Turbulent times either bring out the best in us or can expose our lack in preparation.
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The Sword (Pt 1)
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The Lesson (Pt 2)
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The Foundation (Pt 3)
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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The Craft: A 3-Part Series focused on checking your internal Leader compass and ensuring you are on the right azimuth, especially during turbulent times. Today's economy is putting many companies to the test and those that have been investing in their "Craft" seem to be more prepared, while others are struggling and surprised.
The Sword, kicks off this series with focus on one's commitment to the Craft and how accountable we are to our decision and the road ahead. During tough times, we can be tempted into self-preservation. As a Leader we must remember the role we serve and that our duty is to the integrity of the ship, not to our personal OPEX. We must also be able to speak extreme truth, even at the cost of our careers. Are you willing to be fired, to make the right decision? When we realize business models, unit economics or major investments are not turning out the way we planned, it is our responsibility to deliver truth and solutions, even when boards and investors would prefer to hear something else. That truth is how you operate with integrity and rally the Team to push through the storm.
Join us on this 3-Part Series where we help you check your internal compass and help you stay on course (or course correct). Turbulent times either bring out the best in us or can expose our lack in preparation.
-
The Sword (Pt 1)
-
The Lesson (Pt 2)
-
The Foundation (Pt 3)
Check out other ways Joseph and Team are serving other Leaders at www.cabreratoro.com
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Flashback from EP 19 with Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. We pull a segment from a prior episode where Gabe talks about the core value of Love and how it not only drives good in one's personal life, but makes for good business. In this specific segment, we focus on the section where Gabe talks about why we should take advantage of this one precious life we have and that the pains we feel in life are a good things, because it means we are alive. Gabe also shares that doing something for money will only take you so far, at some point it will lose its luster and you'll be faced with the predicament as to why you do what you do. Stand for something- Whether that is making the world better for the next generation or proving that Love is the answer, find something outside of money to drive you. Gabe talks about "State Management" and how being mindful of where your mind, body and spirit are critical for any Leader. Your state of mind not only impacts you, but those around you. If you're not in a good place, it will show through your micro expressions and the nuances of your language- Your Team will pick up on it. As many of us are navigating new chapters in our lives, it is important to reflect on why you wake up everyday and if what you are doing is truly bringing you joy.
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Brad Harrison, Founder & Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, strongly believes that happiness is key to success and the money comes when you stop focusing on it. This West Point and MIT grad spent the beginning of his career Leading soldiers and living the Airborne Ranger life. This eventually brought him to the world of technology and spent a career working in companies like AOL and Endeca, where he found his passion for an industry that was on the cutting edge. Brad's focus has always been about "Service" and even out of uniform, his investment philosophy is to help companies who serve those who are in harm's way. Each of us have a competitive advantage and figuring that out is paramount to success. At Scout Ventures, reaching hard to access founders and intimately understanding the nuances of a military background, has been a keystone for their investment strategy. While most folks see a simple helicopter pilot, Brad and Team sees a special operations aviator who pushes the limits and finds a way to succeed (despite the odds). Better understanding the human behind the company has allowed Scout to help build companies like Unite Us, ID.me, Voyager and many more. Self care has also been a priority for this Venture Capitalist, especially as it pertains to how they help their companies perform at their best. A Leader's brain is the most important thing they bring to the Team. If that's not in good health, what real value and clarity can that Leader provide? Whether it's soothing tunes from an earthy flute or taking time everyday to work out, those are the things that ultimately keep us sharp. Centering on what's personally important, allows us to be better professionals. Being our best self is about self-awareness and sitting with discomfort. Once we are able to create space to understand who we are, then we can begin to reach new heights. Brad and the Scout Team are not only building a successful VC, but one with Service and the Human at the center of it.
Check out the Scout Team and their initiatives at: www.scout.vc
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Bill Tyndall, Founder & CEO Tynrose, Inc. believes that People are the answer to scaled growth, which is core to how he invest and operates. Bill says that rethinking the obvious is often the key to successful innovation and meeting a market need. When looking for the right company to back, Bill digs into a Founder's philosophy around People and Team development. Bill shares that the money usually follows if the Founder/CEO is operating with the mindset of building great Teams, developing their People, self care and boundaries. Boundaries can especially be powerful if used consistently and directly. The life of an entrepreneur is not easy and can often times "Suck", but the regimens and boundaries you hold yourself accountable to, can determine how sustainable your business will ultimately be. Today's economy continues to show us that building "Honest" companies is the only sustainable operating design. Bill says that the truth is difficult, especially amongst investors, but it is crucial to running a business you can be proud of. Posturing and showing that things are "Going Well" when they are not, is not only exhausting, but prevents your business from getting the right help. On Bill's journey, that support came in the form of great executive coaches and a Chief of Staff. He shares how dynamic and critical the Chief of Staff role has been for Tynrose. From extreme accountability, establishing culture and creating a high-drive in the company are just some of the things that comes with having an effective Chief of Staff (After all, many Chiefs of Staff are future CEOs). Overall, Bill believes that his life goal is the help others become the best version of themselves and sometimes that requires helping others acknowledge their gift and helping them pursue it. That gift sometimes requires one to leave their job to fulfill what they were put on this planet for: Like a great sales person, who should actually be a world-class fly-fishing instructor. Bill and the Tynrose Team continue to not only help companies stay ahead of a fast-changing world, but help folks be happier along the way.
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Great Leaders have the gift of engaging with their Teams and building meaningful relationships. After all, Leading is simply inspiring those on your Team to move in the direction that will push you all, further up the mountain. No matter what kind of systems and processes you have in place, it is your understanding of how your people tick, what their fears are, how their family is doing and appreciating their dreams, that makes the difference. On the battlefield, soldiers are able to do the impossible because of their deep connection and care for one another, nothing else. On this episode, Joseph also debriefs his learning from SXSW 2023, specifically on “Finding Community”. Community is the external manifestation of human connection. The pitfall from most business owners if their desire to force and forge community. You don’t force community, you find it…. They find you. Joseph shares some insightful words form YETI CMO and how communities invite other communities once they find you.
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Mohammad Elashi, Founder of Synaptic Pediatric Therapies and Co-Founder of Dynamic | Synaptic Solar, didn't mean to get into business. During college he quickly realized that becoming a medical professional himself may not be the path, especially as he sat through anatomy class . However, he discovered that there are other ways to serve in this industry which began his path to starting his first pediatric rehab facility. Now that the practice has grown to 9 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, his determination and mission to make a difference is continuing to gain momentum. Mohammad shares that what holds back many aspiring entrepreneurs is simply not getting started. Ideas after ideas is not the path to building something meaningful, but instead, putting one foot in front of the other is where you really learn about yourself, your clients and your business. Being young and inexperienced can be a super power, which allows you to take on problems boldly. Mohammad talks about the first pediatric office he ever opened up, getting a lease despite not having a bank history or credit and looking for used furniture to get things going. Throughout this endeavor he decided to prioritize treating the patients and his Team with utmost respect, in hopes that it would keep his business alive. That not only turned out to be the competitive advantage, but what continues to sustain his ventures in other industries like Solar. Mohammad believes that if you build a great culture based on investing in Leadership, empowering others and making work a great place to be, then your customers will naturally be taken great care of. Investing in Leadership has become a hallmark of how Mohammad and his partners run their businesses. Leaders in their organization are measured on how well they develop others, not their personal skills. Building a Team requires humility and focus, which in turn echos to your customers. With his sights on the future, they will continue to invest in their Team and push on to new heights.
This episode was in partnership with the Texas Business Hall Of Fame. You can learn more about TBHF by visiting texasbusiness.org
Check out Synaptic Pediatrics: www. synapticpediatrictherapies.com
Check out Dynamic | Synaptic Solar: www.dynamicslr.com
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Courtney Hudson, Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court, came from humble beginnings and has pioneered a career that required grit and courage. As the youngest person ever elected to the High-Court of Arkansas and the first woman to win a contested race for the Court, she is no stranger to trail-blazing. Courtney shares her early experience with the court system and contrary to what most would expect, it was actually a pleasant one. As a child, she saw how the power of the law could give someone a new chance, new name and new life. After dedicating her life to the law, Courtney talks about the headwinds she had to overcome in a very traditional profession. As she was gearing up for her run for the Court of Appeals, she was thankful for the people in her corner and reminding her that "Who She Was, Is Good Enough” and that duty called. Many folks overtly doubted her worthiness, experience and timing, but something told her to keep pushing forward. Courtney believes that her responsibility to model courage for her children was paramount in keeping her driving forward, despite the obstacles. Those that look up to you are always watching, it is up to you to show up everyday and do the right thing. She describes the fear many of us have to simply be bold and chase a dream- But how many folks would live different lives, especially if they knew they could not fail. Being in the arena is tough and requires courage. We should all prepare our mind and spirit for that journey- It’s worth it. Courtney continues to mentor the next generation of attorneys and wants to be the person she needed when she was coming through the ranks. Being nice matters and Justice Hudson says that even those on the bench should find the humanity in what they do.
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Maxine Minter, CEO of Co Lab and Founder of Co Ventures, is on a mission to find incredible seeds (aka companies) that will positively change the world. Maxine shares that the skills and experience learned from being an operator and executive coach directly ties into running a VC. As the first Australian woman to run a fund, as Solo GP, she is on a mission. Although Australia is newer to the VC world, compared to America, there is a lot of promise and proven success with companies like Canva, proving that Australian founders have what it takes to go the distance. Understanding a founder’s conviction, what drives them and how they approach solving problems, are all key tenants when making good investments. As Venture Capital is often a 10+ year process, it is also important to understand the potential of these companies and if they are able to grow into strong sequoias that can make a global difference. Maxine boils down Leadership to a simple concept called “Service”. When you are at the helm, your primary duty is to serve those on your Team and enable them to succeed. We are not measured by how well we do, but how well we serve others. This mentality goes hand-in-hand with the concept around “Thinking Longer”. Maxine shares that if we thought about our lives, decisions and involvement in things based on how it would impact folks, 50 years from now, how would that change the way we do things? Service would surely be reinforced, but you would also be more intentional in growing foundational efforts that would impact a generation that you may never meet. The ultimate act of Service may be helping those you will never know.
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Pascal Finette, Co-Founder & Chief Heretic of the be radical Group, is back on the show to share insights from his new book “Disrupt Disruption” and provide perspective on how we navigate the future. After speaking with many Leaders and industry operators, a common thread as it pertains to innovation, is that the glamour of it was not obvious when doing the work. The way innovation is talked about in magazines and on TV, is not the same way it is seen, in the trenches. Pascal shares that innovating for innovation’s sake is not always the best intent, when trying to create real value. Most of what is disruptive is actually common sense, but not common practice. If organizations are able to scale this mentality and practice, the opportunities for growth are endless. Common practice is about using simple tools to attack complex problems. Specialized methods are only good for specific applications, nuanced issues and for a certain amounts of time. Pascal also shares that many companies want “Cowboys” to help them pave a new path, without accepting everything that comes with it. Much of making a difference is messy and requires boldness, but most folks don’t have the stomach or patience for it. As companies grow, continuing to find greater purpose is key. Many companies struggle to keep talent, innovate and grow because it is not clear why they exist. Utility alone is not enough to push a Team forward, but understanding that what you do is making an impact and adjusting tactics to fulfill you mission, is paramount. Although the future is uncertain, we can decide how to influence it. Pascal says that we often articulate the future as just a single point in time, but there are actually multiple futures and opportunities to impact that future. What will you do to influence yours?
Follow Pascal and be radical Group at www.beradical.group
Check out Pascal's new book "Disrupt Disruption"
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One of your most powerful tools as a Leader, is your ability to seek truth, through asking better questions. Not an easy task, but one that if delivered with clear and genuine intentions, will provoke discussions that lead to solutions. Asking the right questions creates clarity and builds a rich environment for your Team to think deeper and more creatively, about the issues in front of them. Showing up with an intention to learn, rather than comment, can set the tone for how your Team responds to your questions. Even the time you give between questions to allow an answer to "breathe" and how you brief back what you've heard can make the difference in knowing most of the truth or all of it. Asking better questions is not about being right, but instead, it's about seeking truth so that your people are in the best position to win. On this episode, Joseph shares the key components of good questions and the meaningful outcomes that can come from it.
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Joseph and Tony Nash (West Pointer, Army Officer and Host of the Got Your Six Podcast), share some takeaways after 100+ conversations with the humble and driven. Contrary to what we believe, patterns of success come from consistent small actions, not grand gestures. A common trait of impactful Leaders and their success stories is their ability to keep their eye on the macro, while operating in the micro. Most of them are obsessed with their purpose and the daily steps to help them get there (no shortcuts). Another key factor is one's ability to build a Team around the initiative to sustain growth and cover gaps. Many success stories often focus on the Leader, Entrepreneur or CEO, but the reality is that most of them attribute their success to others and timing. Simplicity if often the guiding light and what is perceived to be someone juggling many things, is really the impact of very focused work. Great Leaders and high performers ask really great questions. They are obsessed with the craft and learning as much as possible, to be better than yesterday. They even seek mentorship from those junior to them, because they recognize value over age. The takeaways from talking with impactful people, show that there are common threads in the fabric of success, but each story is still proves unique.
Follow Tony Nash at Got Your Six Podcast and www.thetonynash.com
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Matt Gardner, CEO and Founder of Hiline, is changing the way we look at the life-blood of our company, Money. Although Matt is a classically trained CPA, his way of looking a solving problems and driving innovation makes him a non-traditional accountant. Matt shares that what has driven him from an early age was the loss of his 2 best friends and cousin. Recognizing that life is short and making a difference should always start today, is the fuel for Matt “No Regrets” attitude. He talks about the friction of changing an antiquated industry, but how passion drives his Team to push the limits, making Hiline’s appeal to start-ups and influencers. Innovation requires speed and one must be okay with making mistakes. Being comfortable with failure and not spending too much time soaking in your mistakes is the mark of any great entrepreneur. Matt also talks about the importance of having the right Team, in and out of work, if you want to go the distance. Setting the right expectations with your family is critical to maintaining a life you can be proud of personally and professionally. Where many entrepreneurs lose steam is when they drag their families along, instead of bringing them along. Matt talks about his journey of becoming a Leader and the importance of self-awareness. Everything from executive coaching to Chiefs of Staff, are necessary factors to giving your people the Leadership they need. As a Founder/CEO it is easy to force your way through in the beginning, but as your Team grows you have to genuinely check in on their well-being and ensure you are still investing in the skills needed to elevate. Like any sport, winning by yourself is not a thing and sometimes we have to rally back to ensure everyone is still with us.
Follow Matt and the Hiline Team at www.hiline.co
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Chris Williams, Founder & Owner of Williams Knife Company (Williams) believes that if you live a life doing what you love, you will never work a day in your life. This second-generation knife maker says that even though he was educated in business, he was meant to make knives. After a career working as an investment banker and managing people’s wealth, he realized that even though he was having a good time and making a great living, something was missing. As he would retire to his knife shop on the weekends, he realized that his calling was to build great knives. Chris shares how taking off the suit and going door to door to sell knives was a humbling experience, but a necessary one to get traction in a business he believed in. After years of knocking on doors, a popular outdoor magazine recognized the quality and unique craftsmanship in one of Chris’ knives, The Edisto Oyster Knife. After winning the top award, this put Chris and his company on a rocket ship. He shares that the journey of a founder and how “letting go” and knowing that his Team will take care of the baby, was the thing that helped his company grow. It's not an easy thing to release control over something with your namesake on it (literally) but finding the right people who share the dream can help create the impossible. As Chris and his Team continue to grow, they make sure they never forget where they came from. Advice from his father taught Williams to make sure you prioritize the customers you have, not just find new ones. Loyalty & Quality are a two-way street and the Williams Team continues to uphold that promise.
Follow Chris and The Williams Team at www.williamsknife.com and @williamsknifeco
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Mark Richards, former Army Aviation Commander, Iraq & Afghanistan War Leader and Leadership & Development Pro, shares lessons learned from a life spent in the service of others. Mark has used much of what he has learned in the military and has applied it to helping Fortune 100 companies create the best Leadership & Development programs, to extract the best from their people. Mark believes that Leaders who spend time creating a "Commander's Intent" are less likely to create cultures of disengagement and rock chasing. A good Commander’s Intent articulates what success should look like without being a tyrant on how a Team accomplishes the task at hand. Mark shares that spending time clearly articulating the purpose, key tasks and end-state can help a Team accomplish difficult objectives in the most creative ways. In this episode we also cover the power of listening and how many of us never learn this skill. We are taught to speak, read and present but not to actively listen. Leaders Listen. Mark dives into his personal journey with mental health and the simple ways Leaders can help engage their Team’s wellness while executing the mission. First step is to recognize that you are working with people who are not always going to have a perfect day before coming to work. Simply acknowledging that, humanizes work and allows you to really understand where your people are. Incorporating "human and personal" check ins creates genuine conversations and trust with your Team. Everyone will deal with their mental wellness differently, but your job as a Leader is to give space for your Team to be seen and heard.
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Reference Points can serve as a powerful tool, moment and method to approach difficult situations with confidence. Everyone has Reference Points, but the key is being able to reflect on them, appreciate them and utilize them to ground you. These moments originate from success and failures- wins and trauma. These moments show you what you're able to endure and still come out stronger for it. Join Joseph as he discusses the meaning of Reference Points, where they come from, how to build more and how to utilize them as a Leader.
Reference Points: A moment you can return to that gives you courage and confidence for what’s in front of you.
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We interact with this concept almost every single day, but often don't understand and appreciate the weight of it. Management, performance metrics and processes are used interchangeably with Leadership, but this would be incorrect. Leadership is a craft, way of life and art that Leaders practice to inspire greatness in others. This craft is enduring and necessary to effectively Lead Teams and move people through difficult situations.
As we kick off another year of inspiring wisdom and raw insights, establishing a foundation for Leadership seems appropriate. During this episode, Joseph reviews various definitions of Leadership, his personal perspective and how this craft is necessary for the responsibilities and positions we hold.
Welcome to 2023.
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This episode is action packed with some impactful highlights from conversation with our 2022 guests. As you prepare for 2023, this collection of clips are designed to deliver reflection and momentum for the year ahead. The right mindset as a Leader is paramount in moving your Team the direction you need them to go, values are critical to ensuring your service to others is unwavering and People are at the center of all of it. As you listen to these curated segments, we recommend that if something really resonates, to go back to the episode and listen through it for additional context and insights. Here's to the solid work completed in 2022 and an exciting year ahead.
Key Takeaways By Episode
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EP. 46 John Merris (CEO, Solo Brands): Leader of Leaders, Talent vs Skill and Leading By Example
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EP. 33 Pascal Finette (Chief Jester & Co-Founder, "be radical" Group): Know Yourself and Stop Romanticizing Big CEO Jobs
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EP. 50 Jason McCann (CEO, Vari): Scaling Values, Chief People Officers and Building Culture When Small
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EP. 17 Kate Saber (Executive Coach, Kate Saber Coaching): Don't Delegate The Qualitative, Thriving Teams, Looking In the Mirror, Finding A Coach
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EP. 62 Travis McAshan (CEO, Glide): Uncovering Values, Not Creating and Delivering Faithfully
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EP. 27 Steve Stoll (Frm. Special Forces Officer): Making Others Successful, Building Rapport, Being Creative
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EP. 61 Graham Weston (Founder, Fmr. CEO & Chairman Rackspace): Focused Leadership, Specializing, Knowing When To Transition As A Leader.
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Part 2 of Simplify and Perfect walks you through the tactics for establishing one's true priorities and how someone begins to perfect them. Simplifying one's life is the key to continued success and using the unique gifts you have to make a difference. Simplifying requires you to take an inventory of all the things you do and put them into 3 buckets: Unique Gifts/Drives You, Delegate & Eliminate. Sorting through these buckets can be challenging, but will allow you to clearly delineate the tasks and commitments in your life that prevent you from reaching the best version of yourself. Joseph shares a very simple method for laying all of your commitments out, categorizing them and clearly executing the actions needed to stay the course. After you simplify, then and only then, can you begin to perfect. This is a lifelong process and one that involves action, mentorship and discipline. Are you ready to reach a flow state and the top 1% of your potential?
Join Joseph on this 2-part series where he dives into the "Simplify & Perfect" concept and the tactics to get you moving in that direction.
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Part 1 of Simplify and Perfect dives into the concept of focusing your efforts on a few critical objectives that bring energy and drive you. Joseph shares that simplifying one's life is the key to continued success and using the unique gifts you have to make a difference. Simplifying is not easy, but 100% worth it. Most of us have created complexity in our lives (in many cases, unintentionally) and are trying to keep everything organized and moving forward. What is really happening, is that we are not moving the needle at all and focusing our energy in areas that bring us little to no joy. Simplifying is about taking an inventory of all the things you do and putting them into 3 buckets, the most important bucket being the things that you're uniquely gifted with, that provide value to others and generates sustaining energy. The items in that bucket usually have a theme that can further inform how you eliminate and delegate the other things, in your life. Once you've simplified, you can then begin to perfect. Perfecting is an enduring task and one that is never complete. Honing your craft, seeking mentorship and refining your skills are all ways to extract the most out of your gifts. But only perfect after you simplify, otherwise you'll be back to where you started. Join Joseph on this 2-part series where he dives into the "Simplify & Perfect" concept and the tactics to get you moving in that direction.
Travis McAshan, Founder & CEO of Glide Design, has been building stunning websites for nearly 20 years. From F1 to Yeti, Travis and his Team have been involved in transforming the way people serve their customers and represent their purpose. He started as a record breaking track & field athlete that competed with some of the fastest and most talented runners in the world. During that time he also pursued his passion for design and functional beauty. After working in graphic design at a few start-ups, he decided to plant the seed for Glide and the rest was history. Travis is quite the student of culture & values and believes that a true investment in their company “Why” is the primary reason Glide has been so successful. Travis shares that values are “uncovered”, not created. Each company has an organic lean to the things they care about and believe in. Values are something you already are, not necessarily something you want to become. Travis also shares that many companies have a hard time putting momentum behind their values, because they have a laundry list of them. 3-4 values is all you need to move mountains. Values should also be something that not only makes you better at work, but makes you a better person... period. In the early days of any business, it can be difficult to find the right mentors and advice- Travis leaned on and continues to lean on books. He says that if you think about any book, it is usually a lifetime of work that went into writing it and you get to absorb that in 7-10 hours. Overall, Travis believes that finding your authentic self and living that in everything you do is critical to happiness. One does this by executing their mission on their own terms. If you don't, you can find yourself also pursuing your purpose at your detriment which is not sustainable. Whether it is creating an environment for your employees to uniquely deliver their passion (even at some cost to the company) or saying "no" to a client that who doesn’t fit within your values (even if the price tag looks great), happiness is about living out your “why” and pursuing it with focus. Travis and his Team are on a mission to help those, who help other and be around great people while they do it.
Learn more about Travis and his Team at: www.glidedesign.com
Graham Weston, Former CEO & Chairman of Rackspace (NYSE: RXT), founder of Geekdom, Weston Ventures, Weston Urban and the 80/20 Foundation (to name a few) talks about the power of “thinking small” and how the tactics inform the strategy, not the other way around. Much of finding success is about executing something simple, very aggressively. Graham believes that one of the greatest contributions he made, in the early days at Rackspace, was reducing all the other services they had and focusing on just hosting. Doing one thing well, allows companies to have an advantage over established organizations. Graham also shares that the devil is who gets you to diversify, meaning, stick to what is working for a while before you decide to invest elsewhere. Any entrepreneurial endeavor also requires burning the ships and fully committing if you want to have a shot at finding success. Graham believes that many ideas and dreams are never realized because of fear. The fear of not having a stable job and being able to maintain a certain standard of living, is the very thing that can hold back the best ideas from coming to life. Being self-aware is also critical and understanding that sometimes you are better off being employee 7, instead of employee 1. It’s about creating value and doing it the best way you know how. Self-awareness also applies when it comes to how long one stays the course. Tenacity in accomplishing a goal is commendable, but not if timing, product-market fit and lack of Team is not on your side. Nothing wrong with acknowledging that certain conditions are not present and moving onto something else. Sacrifice is also a crucial mindset, especially in the early days of any business. Not personal sacrifice (although that is part of it), but business sacrifice. It is easy to get lured into "Doing It All", but you will almost guarantee failure if you do. Graham’s induction as a Legend, into the Texas Business Hall of Fame was for his contributions to Texas business and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs. From the 80/20 Foundation to ventures like Geekdom, Graham continues to help companies and Teams across Texas reach their potential.
You can follow Graham at www.grahamweston.com
This episode was in partnership with the Texas Business Hall Of Fame. You can learn more about TBHF and their mission by visiting www.texasbusiness.org
During this season of Thanksgiving, we have gifts, events and traditions top of mind. While it is admirable to aim for the incredible gestures to show folks we care, it is often the small acts of kindness that mean the most. Joseph shares his gratitude for the community that has been built via the podcast as well as thanking all those who have shared anything, from these episodes, with others in need of a boost or check in. Joseph also shares a story from a time very early in his professional career and how that has dynamically influenced how he Leads and treats others. A simple act of kindness during Ranger Training set the tone for years to come. Whether in the workplace, Team room or at home- Don't underestimate the power of a small and random acts of kindness. It is these acts that are often the most helpful to someone and can go the distance.
Being outdoors brings more than just sunshine and fresh air, but is the canvas for building Grit & Grace. The mountains are especially good at developing a strong spirit and mental foundation for the storms and winds we can encounter in life. The Mountain resembles many things that we encounter in our personal and professional endeavors, an environment or seemingly immovable force that can prove difficult to navigate. What you find with seasoned mountaineers is that they don't force the mountain to do anything- They work with it, not against it. The Mountain and the Market are going to be what it "is", it is our job to appreciate that and adapt to it. The better we are to build a mindset that is flexible through the storms, the better we are able to build grace for the situation and ourselves. In turn, we develop a grit that can help us overcome anything we face. Mountains (metaphorically and actually) are a great way to build grit and harness grace- So get out there.
Allen West, LTC Army Retired and Former Congressman, has lived his entire life in the service of this nation. Allen's father and brother had served, and his mother worked supporting the United States Marine Corps- He knew he was going into the "Family Business". Allen grew up hearing stories about his father’s service during WWII and how people came together to stand against incredible odds. Understanding that serving one’s nation is not only a privilege but a duty, has been a guiding principle throughout his life. Allen was the first officer in his family, which allowed him to gain a different perspective on Leadership and serving in airborne units further solidified the importance of leading from the front and taking care of your people. He also talks about the incredible examples of Leadership he was able to observe and how much of that wisdom shaped his Leadership style. These Leaders taught Allen the importance of training hard and maintaining standards- Because this will ultimately translate to saving lives. Once in combat, Allen shares that you discover what it takes to Lead with confidence and be able to prepare your Team for the unexpected. After his time in the Army, Allen took those lessons learned in uniform with him, when he went to go serve in the House of Representatives. Serving in Congress was a different environment from the military but one that Allen was determined to do his best in. Despite political headwinds, Allen says that keeping one's integrity, even at personal sacrifice, was a non-negotiable. Allen continues to encourage Veterans to serve in public office, simply because of their mindset. Focus on mission, putting others before oneself and working as a Team to accomplish something are all attributes that make Veterans incredible public servants. Whether it's helping small businesses communicate better with their employees or developing new policy, serving others is the core principle of Leadership. Allen believes there's no such thing a small issues and that helping your community one issue at a time can make all the difference. This session is full of war stories, Leader lessons and stories about Service.
Joseph Sommer, President & Founder of Whitestone Branding, has successfully run a decade-old company that elevates workplaces everywhere. His “swag” company is more than just fidget spinners and water bottles- He believes that it’s about the “return on experience” and not the product that ultimately helps a company add meaningful value to their employees and clients. Joseph shares lessons learned from what it took to break through $1M revenue mark to eventually growing his company many multiples beyond that. The two key things that stunt most companies and founders is their lack of a plan and investment in being a Leader. Joseph says that even though it seems obvious, many companies don’t have a plan and are just going through the motions. Once he was able to identify their north star and articulate it to his Team, momentum began to build- The goals they had established to achieve $10M in revenue, was knocked down much sooner. Joseph says that his ability to become a “Leader” was paramount to growth. Before that, he was just a founder who was a really good sales person and relied on his drive to get everything done. Looking back, he realized that wearing all those hats was not a badge of honor, but silly. He also realized that you can’t have folks doing too many different things, because it ultimately distracts them from being really good at their critical function. If you don’t have a Team, get one quick, specify their responsibilities and delegate. Where Whitestone is headed next will require technology and new muscles they have not had before, but Joseph shares that self-awareness is crucial to knowing what to get better at and excited for the road ahead.
We are all rounding out the year and focused on sales, strategy and next year's objectives. As you are focused on these corporate items, don't forget that many employees are thinking about leaving your company after the holidays. Some of this is the natural course of things, but much of it is due to a lack of communication. Huddling with your Team is critical at all times, but especially in Q4. Lots of new goals and strategies are in the works, but does your Team have any clue as to what they will be expected to do next year? Many of us wait until the plan is 100%, but what that leaves at risk is employees making a mis-informed decision about their future value and an opportunity to better inform your strategy planning. 70% plan is good enough, trust your people to execute the rest. When employees are kept in the dark until the last moment, they begin to wonder if this company is where to best deliver their value is, leading to them looking elsewhere for purpose. When Leaders wait until the last minute to publish objectives, you create goals that are not informed with what is achievable on the ground. Give yourself to the opportunity to build the best plan with your Team's input and the opportunity to retain the human capital needed to accomplish these goals. Plus, it's just good culture.
It can be a tendency for managers to micro-manage their employees and many of them don’t know they're doing it. The main reason for this is an underlying issue- Lack of trust. Managers lack trust in themselves and their people, which manifests into a toxic work environment. Micro-managing originates from a managers insecurity about their ability to create a foundation and environment for their people to thrive. Lack of training, clear communication and leeway to make mistakes all contributes to the suffocation of a Team's will to win. When Leaders spend the time to communicate, train and inspire their people, they develop a trust that allows them to walk away from a given task knowing that their Teammates will find a way to be successful. Unfortunately, many training and development budgets are the first areas to be cut during a financial planning cycle, because it doesn’t clearly ROI. Joseph shares how elite Teams are able to prepare their Teammates through rigorous training, clear expectations and giving space to make mistakes. Small mistakes now, equal big wins later. Joseph also shares that contrary to what the movies depict, there usually isn’t much chatter on the radio, when it comes to military operations. Great Leaders give their people on the ground trust and space to execute the objectives they were asked to accomplish- Not hover over them. The mark of great Leaders is their ability to create an environment of trust and step back and let their people get to work.
Dr. Fab Mancini, Healthy Living Expert, World-Class Chiropractor, Best Selling Author and President Emeritus of Parker University shares his journey from immigrants roots to mainstream impact. His parents decision to move their family from Colombia to the United States set the tone for the opportunity Fab was ultimately able to experience, but this was not achieved with ease. From being held back in a new school to being threaten with his own life, these were the building blocks that ultimately led to Fab's outlook on life. Fab shares that most of us live in the past or the future, but rarely do we take advantage of the present. Moving with purpose and living with a sense of urgency will allow you to reach sustained happiness. Fab also talks about his journey from being the CEO of a successful chiropractic practice to taking a chance on running a struggling university. Many folks advised against this decision to move to education, but the idea of being uncomfortable was what Fab hung on to: Discomfort = Growth. Fab shares that treating people with dignity is what allowed Parker University to experience immense success under his Leadership. Fab was able to bring the university from extreme debt to hyper-profitability. After over a decade serving as the university's President, Fab felt the need to reinvent himself again. From there he went on to produce best-selling books, become an acclaimed media personality and serve as an advisor to many business Leaders. Fab shares that most people are afraid of trying something new because they are apprehensive about failure or don't believe they are qualified for the next chapter. He believes that you never start from zero, but the your prior learnings can be an incredible foundation for future success. Fab talks about the ideas that so many of us have and how they are a gift from God. When you have an idea, that means you are ready. If you encounter headwinds on your journey to pursuing your idea and you find that you don't believe in yourself, Fab is convinced that using the belief of others is a great way to gather momentum.
You can follow Fab at www.drfabmancini.com and explore ways he is continuing to help Leaders and Entrepreneurs live more fulfilling lives.
Leading is about knowing, being and understanding your people. In a start-up or on a small Team, it is much easier and natural to understand how everyone is doing and where sentiments are with the objectives you are trying to achieve. As we grow, we become fancier and more sophisticated in how we attempt to garner this information. Professionals who are the best in their industry, craft and sport have a mastery of the fundamentals- They focus on the foundation of their craft and get really good at it. This is imperative when running a business, especially when it comes to the basics of communication and gathering information. Joseph talks about some simple fundamentals that keep you sharp as a Leader and help you understand what's happening on the front lines. There is a time and a place for town halls and more complex evaluations, but the best Leaders are the ones who never forget where they come from and realize that the information they receive casually and at random, can be the most valuable. Your people will also appreciate the act of “Giving A Hoot”. Yes, we are busy running a company, but what we don’t realize is how our Team's perception of their Leader may be non-existent because they never see that Leader. The next time you have a few minutes open on our calendar- Go walk around and talk to your people.
Michael Gorton, CEO of Recuro Health, 14 x Entrepreneur and Best-Selling Author, has been pioneering the way for healthcare, space and other industries. This serial entrepreneur learned early in his life that he couldn’t and wouldn’t want to succeed on his own and shares how realizing that not being the smartest guy in the room, helped him achieve a competitive advantage. Michael founded a company called Teladoc, what was birthed out of a conversation while climbing Kilimanjaro. It was during that walk up the mountain that he, Byron Brooks and his Teammates realized that healthcare needed to be better and went on to eventually create a quarter-trillion dollar industry that we all use today- Telemedicine. Michael shares that even though their cause was just, the path to change healthcare was far form easy. From almost being thrown in jail to marching against heavy bureaucratic headwinds, the persistence of he and his Team never faltered. Michael contributes all the success to his Team's culture of fighting for something that was bigger than them, something they knew would change the world for the better. Michael dives into the importance of knowing "what's behind you" and what's really on the line. When you are fighting for something that truly matters and will make the lives of the people you care about better, you find the fuel to push on. After going public with Teladoc, Michael pursued his next venture, Recuro. Teladoc served those that were already sick, while Recuro is aimed to identify health issues before they take grip. In addition to Michael's work in healthcare, he is involved in space, music and giving back. Early in Michael’s career, his mentors planted the seed of giving back as a way to keep the goodness of business and humans moving forward. Michael fulfills this everyday with the contributions he makes with aspiring entrepreneurs, the Texas Business Hall of Fame, local community initiatives as well as national endeavors that aim to educate future generations (Back To Space, being one of them). There's no end in sight for this passionate business builder as he continues to push ahead with Teams aimed to positively change the world.
You can follow Michael and the Recuro Team at https://recurohealth.com
This episode was in partnership with the Texas Business Hall Of Fame. You can learn more about TBHF by visiting texasbusiness.org
Talking “Presence” with a group of executives & business Leaders at the McCombs School of Business (University of Texas at Austin). Sometimes the best thing a Leader can do for their Team, is be their oak tree. Times of chaos, confusion and challenge can bring out panic in our Teams. Joseph shares his journey of learning from a young age what it meant to have “presence” by watching the courageous way his mother guided their family during her fight against cancer. Years later he would apply what he observed as he was fighting a determined enemy overseas. He also shares that a “Collective Presence” can be incredibly important to the families of your company/Team. When times are falling apart at home, it is not only comforting but confidence inducing to have a Team that you know will be there, even outside of work. We all have reference points that we can use in our lives to hone in our Leader Presence and as we develop it, we find that it’s about one’s calm that brings action to your organization. In trying times, give your Team space to think clearly and sometimes the best thing we can do is stand fast.
Jason McCann, CEO of Vari, has had a compelling and unique entrepreneurial journey that took him from the hurricanes of Galveston to elevating the way people connect. Every meaningful moment of his life, stood an example of Leadership that shaped who he is today. He strongly believes that effectively Leading a company means that you must be the eye of the storm. When things are uncertain and not going well, your Teammates will look to you for confidence- Be calm and move forward. In the early days of a start-up, you the Leader, can influence and control how culture is built, but at some point you will outgrow your reach. After diving deep into Vari’s values, with the Chief People Officer at Southwest Airlines, Jason knew that operationalizing culture was going to be critical to his company’s longevity and continued success. At Vari, it is clear that “People” are at the center of everything- With an entire People Department dedicated to training, developing and inspiring others to ensure the company is elevating their customers, workplaces and communities. Saying Vari “Invests In People” would be an understatement. A genuine investment in People has resulted in Jason's Teammates take Vari's mission to levels beyond his imagination, like organizing community events to help those in need, without being prompted by their Leaders. Jason also talks about the hard lessons learned from COVID and how Vari could have been on the brink of business turmoil. However, great Teams know how to pivot and ultimately monetize the pain they’re given to turn something like COVID, into something positive. During one of the most widespread pandemics, Jason and his Team rallied their company to new heights. Their rally call became “Keep Rowing” which meant keeping your head down and pushing forward until you had enough wind at your back to keep momentum. This rally cry not only benefited Vari, but other companies and Teams looking for support. Jason wholeheartedly believes that in business, it is not just about helping yourself, but sharing what you learn with others (even competitors). We are all in this together. In the end, Jason is committed to making the world a better place, transforming how we connect in the workplace and leaving positive ripples beyond one's life. The best way we can do that as entrepreneurs, is by finding the “Pocket”, enjoying the journey and helping folks along the way.
You can follow Jason and the Vari Team at www.vari.com
This episode was in partnership with the Texas Business Hall Of Fame. You can learn more about TBHF and their mission by visiting www.texasbusiness.org
The most important thing about having a Chief of Staff is utilizing them appropriately so that you and your company are able to extract maximum value. Many principals mess this part up because they continue to treat their CoS as administrative support. In order for a CoS to be effective in a company, you must expose them to everything. Nothing can be off-limits. The most effective CEOs, Founder, Entrepreneurs and Executives have their CoS involved in everything. From email access to board meetings, an effective CoS is processing all information in real-time. Joseph discusses the importance of principals setting the right tone and creating a fruitful environment, especially as they onboard their CoS. Gaining executive buy-in, is paramount to ensuring that this CoS is not hindered or siloed when doing their job. Also, the better your entire company understands that a CoS is not their to “Get Them” but instead to serve as an asset, the better your CoS will be able to do what they do best, Execute.
This 3-part series will discuss the Concept of a Chief of Staff, Who makes a good one and where to find them and most importantly, How to properly use their talents.
Now that you’re on the hunt for a Chief of Staff: Who are you looking for and where can you find them? Each Chief of Staff is custom-fit to the principal (CEO, Founder, Executive) and the company based on the culture, gaps and personalities of those involved. However, there are common traits that are found across all effective Chiefs of Staff: Execution Forward, Emotionally Intelligent and Endurance. In this episode, Joseph also discusses the sub-traits that make a great CoS and whether you should be looking inside or outside your organization for the right person. A great CoS can be usually be found in environments where grit, service and ambiguity are a constant reality. From combat-proven military Leaders to multi-time entrepreneurs, excellent CoS candidates can come from very diverse backgrounds- It is their tenacity, teamwork and “Get It Done” attitude that ties them together.
This 3-part series will discuss the Concept of a Chief of Staff, Who makes a good one and where to find them and most importantly, How to properly use their talents.
What is a Chief of Staff? Why does a company, CEO or Team even need one? Do they really make that much of a difference? Answer is YES. For any CEO, entrepreneur, executive and operator, having a Chief Of Staff in your corner allows you to scale your reach as well as access hidden potential in your company. Military and politics have capitalized on this position for decades and has proven to be the person on the Team who "makes things happen". Talent trends have showed that the Chief of Staff position has become more necessary and is sought out by companies of all sizes and stages. The value this positions provides is allowing founders, CEOs and executives to be the best version of themselves, by having someone on the Team who serves as a direct extension of them. Unlike administrative support, the CoS sits right next to you in a motorcycle-sidecar taking on every engagement, meeting and decision with you- Then helps you think critically about them all. They serve as your best advisor because they are processing all of it in real-time with you. This is a unique executive within your company, because it is their lack of direct authority and sole use of influence- That's the special sauce. After a CoS tenure with a Team, it's not uncommon that they go onto become CEOs, entrepreneurs or senior executives at other companies. This 3-part series will discuss the Concept of a Chief of Staff, Who makes a good one and where to find them and most importantly, How to properly use their talents.
John Merris, CEO of Solo Brands, has spent a life trusting his gut and doing what he loves- Leading companies and building meaningful brands. John talks about the wisdom learned from growing up on a ranch in Texas and how lessons of doing worthwhile things the “Right” way, still influence and guide how he runs organizations today. Being the CEO of a public company means there is much more scrutiny on how you operate, but fortunately for John, this comes naturally. He believes that the best way to find success in your profession is to actually treat the company, like it’s your own- Take care of your environment, don’t mindlessly spend money and give it a 100%, every day. John believes that the key to building an unstoppable culture is NOT to try to build one- Instead, live out what you want your company values and ethos to be. Culture is built and sustained from the top and Leaders must serve as the example for others to follow- You should never expect your Teammates to do something you are not willing to do. Solo Brands is a Brand of Brands- Which means they really have to know who they are and how all their company stories (from Oru Kayak to Chubbies) resonates with their customers. John strongly believes that building a brand is about knowing how to tell your story and especially echoing why you matter to the world. Often times we can be mired by the things we build instead of the impact we make. Solo Brands is not a company that just makes innovative fire-pits and fun apparel, but they stand for helping folks create good moments that leave lasting memories. Brands are about what you believe and how you make people feel- Not what you make.
Joseph shares his experience about making decisions from a strong foundation and position of strength. It's human nature to make key decision on premises of failure, risk, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and disappointment, but you’ll find that making decisions that way often leads to a negative self-fulfilling prophecy. The decision itself is not important alone, but the successful execution of that decision is what often leads to triumph. When we make decisions, we can forget how important it is to ensure our own house is order, support systems are in place and if we can rally a belief of success. Operating from a place of strength is a mindset and mechanism that enables a violence of action, that ultimately breeds a winning outcome. Joseph shares how important it is to reflect on past wins that seemed effortless and dive into what else was going right for you, during that moment. You were likely in a good position, personally and professionally, which allowed you to have clearer thoughts and execute with swagger that enabled creative thinking, when you found friction. Circumstance won’t always be perfectly positive when making important decisions, but being aware of the cracks in your foundation will give you the grace, time or support needed to ensure a better outcome.
Kristin Kagetsu, CEO of Saathi Pads, is making the world a better place by providing those in need, basic necessities. This MIT engineer could have worked in many different cutting-edge industries, but her passion is to leave this world better than she found it. Kristin, Tarun (Co-Founder) and the Saathi Team work everyday to improve access, for women in need of sanitary pads. Kristin shares that this luxury is something we take for granted in the West, where we can simply go into a store, use self-check out and go about our day. In places like India, there is not only a lack of these sanitary products, but stigmas and culture taboos that prevent women from easily accessing these basic health and wellness needs. Kristin also shares that her journey is not only with sanitary products in mind, but to help other companies build more sustainable ways to manufacture. Lessons learned at Saathi, has showed Kristin and her Team that we can all help each other produce goods more responsibly. Whether that is using incentives to deter plastic use or using waste from banana farmers to create sanitary pads, there are ways to produce more sustainably, that will actually help bring more economic prosperity to all involved. Even though Saathi is a “For Profit”, its purpose and mission are more akin to a non-profit or NGO. Kristin believes that making a profit is crucial to the sustainability of good companies, but the metrics which success is measured should rest on positive impact- Not just revenue. Growing a company just to sell to another company, doesn’t seem to interest this entrepreneur. Kristin shares the importance of company legacies and how we should all strive to leave the world with a lasting positive impact.
Joseph dives into the difference between Leaders and Managers. Past podcast episodes reference this difference, but he unpacks what it means to Lead versus manage. Both are important to business success, but these terms are often used interchangeably, which is problematic because of its loss of accountability. Not all managers are Leaders and therefore, the lingo we throw around in business makes folks in positions of authority haphazardly think they have earned the respect of those they are supposed to be Leading- Not always true. Leading is about service, humility, energy and momentum while managing is a process of completing objectives and achieving outcomes. Being a manager is a position you hold, while being a Leader is a way of life- Even those not in positions of authority can be Leaders. Managers are critical to the accomplishment of business objectives, but often in the "Business of People" it is the lack of Leadership that is a Team's # 1 struggle. As we aspire to be the Leaders our Teams deserve, we should be mindful of how mastery in the craft is achieved. You'll find that "Manager" is a responsibility that is given to you by those you follow, while "Leader" is given by those that follow you.
Joseph talks with Alex Santiago- West Point Grad, Combat Leader and Past Podcast Guest about Leaders in their careers, that made a difference and why. What makes the best Leaders great are often the intangible things, which is why this profession and craft is an art. Joseph and Alex share their experiences about folks who successfully Led with their heart and character first. Even though these Leaders were often firm in their style, it was always complemented with fairness. "Leader Presence" is also an aspect of Leadership that can be tough to quantify, but matters. How a Leader talks, stands or conducts themselves (personally and professionally), impacts how their followers view them. Joseph and Alex, also dive into the right way to empower your Team and embrace the burns that will come along the way. A pitfall of many managers is to temporarily empower their employees and unintentionally retract that empowerment, but hovering over them as they march toward their objective/goal. After time, employees become deflated and will only do the minimum to keep managers off their back. On the other hand, great Leaders give trust to their Teammates and accept that the bumps along the way, are worth the growth of their Teams. Joseph and Alex also share some simple ways to become better in the craft of Leadership- From active listening to owning your Teammate's growth, you can move one step closer to being the Leaders your Team deserves.
Joseph spends a few minutes talking about "Transparency" and how many operators, business owners and Leaders may not be going about it the right way. Communicating good, bad or indifferent news is a best practice, especially when creating alignment and shared vision. However, when that news is delivered to a Team who is not ready to productively receive it, then it becomes problematic. As Leaders we need to spend more time preparing our Teams to absorb information from a point of strength, especially the bad stuff. Educating our Teams about the game of business and its inherent risks, allows them to better operate within its construct. Developing self-confident Teammates who possess a level of adaptability that can weather anything (market shifts, sales shortfalls, potential loss of job), should be the major focus of any Leader. Empower others to stand on their own two feet and they'll move mountains.
Ross Mery, Master Mariner & Co-Founder of RCM Maritime, has lived a life on the open seas and is able to Captain any ship in the world. Ross shares his journey of attaining the coveted "Master Unlimited" which allows him to Captain any ship, any size and anywhere. He talks about the responsibilities of a ship Captain and hardships of being away from home for weeks and months at a time. As he gained more and more expertise in the maritime industry, he became fascinated with the idea of creating a professional and personal life he could be proud of. That is when he and Chuck(co-founder) decided to embark on their entrepreneurial journey. Starting a maritime school from scratch was no easy endeavor, especially when there are already quite a few established giants. Ross says that years of being a customer themselves and focusing on excellent customer service, was what set them apart and gave them a chance to succeed. The early days of running a ship and school was challenging, but both Ross and Chuck over-communicated their goals, timelines and aspirations to achieve the life they wanted. Ross also talks about the importance of picking the right co-founder and the traits you should look for, especially when there are two folks at the helm. Trust, difference in perspective and shared values is what allows both co-founders to achieve their maximum potential and continue to reach new heights. RCM Maritime continues to grow as a company and offers courses from advanced firefighting to Leadership training. The maritime industry is one we all benefit from and Ross continues to look into the future and be a part of building the next generation of maritime professionals.
You can check out the RCM Maritime Team and their offerings at: www.rcmmaritime.com
Brent Looby, Co-Founder of Desert Door, is no stranger to difficult endeavors and is trailblazing the spirits industry with an wild-harvested plant called, Sotol. After a career of flying jets in the Marine Corps, he and fellow Veterans, Ryan and Judson, decided to start distilling what they believe captures the essence of Texas. Brent talks about what it takes to enter a highly competitive, highly regulated and capital intensive industry. He says much of what is takes, is not fully knowing. He describes the benefit of not having all the facts before you start, because if most folks knew how hard it was, they wouldn't even try. Brent shares the intricacies of the Sotol plant and how this ancient crop that was once forgotten, was actually one of the earliest spirits created. Over the years they have developed a strong reverence for this wild-harvested plant and its applications beyond making a great spirit. Sotol, is a plant strong enough to use as a tool and delicate enough to nurture livestock when a severe drought hits. Brent also shares the importance of understanding who you are as a brand and the importance of listening to your customer. In the early days of Desert Door, the Team was very particular on how they wanted their audience to perceive and interact with their product. What they found is that all walks of life enjoyed their bottles of Sotol and to dictate a universal perspective didn't make much sense- Let folks enjoy as they please. Brent also talks about the importance of taking care of the environment and how that is not only directly correlated to good stewardship but also good future profits. Desert Door's revival of Sotol, is taking the industry by force and and is changing the way folks celebrate good times.
Joseph discusses the value of patience and allowing more time for things to unfold, especially when you think you should have been further along. Sure there are clear paths that are known detriments and paths that confidently inform your next move, but it is the ones that are good but not great, that sometimes you have to stick out. We are often just 24 hours to 24 months aways from making a breakthrough and if we just stayed the course, we would have see our vision come to life. Before you go changing the menu, trashing a project or acquiring a new company, really understand where you are and know that great things often, just take time.
Brandon Kirby, Partner at Rainbow Gardens, took a rare path in business when he decided to leave his corporate job and run a family nursery. He shares what compelled him to leave his higher paying oil and gas job, to move back to where he grew up and work in the hot Texas sun. Brandon used what he learned in the corporate world to help him think about the nursery business differently. After being in business for over 45 years, a successful nursery can be a hard ship to turn, but with determination and passion for his work, Brandon was determined to make a difference. Brandon talks about the early days of coming into the family business and how he quickly realized he did not know anything about running a nursery, but knew that he needed to earn the respect of his Teammates before he could think about improving or changing anything. He shares how far just working side-by-side your employees can make a difference and that simply sweating with them eventually gives you permission to improve upon what they have established for the last half-century. Staying humble is key. Brandon also shares the good and bad of what COVID did for the business. Even though the pandemic allowed the business to grow, it also shocked it when they realized how quickly demand increased. While most folks were stuck in their homes, Brandon and his Team were working harder than ever before, trying to keep up with demand. In the end, Brandon realized that balancing growth and mental health is crucial to the longevity of the business and its operators. Running an "old school" business is not easy, but something Brandon is passionate about. Even though his talents and skills could be used to advance a very lucrative career in oil and gas, he is spending his time improving upon a legacy and business that brings healing and joy to his employees and customers.
Joseph debriefs a hot air balloon trip and some of the insights gained at altitude. From thousands of feet in the air, the world slows down and the aperture opens. On the ground, things can seem hectic and immediate, but when you give yourself time and space, you start to notice things you hadn't before and take the same things on the ground, with more clarity. Much of this experience can be applied to how we Lead our organizations, especially during those times when we get mired in the weeds. Often the best solution is to take a step back, open our eyes and truly understand what is in front of us. Additionally, Joseph was fortunate enough to share some words with the balloon captain and discover that this balloon captain did not only pilot the balloon he was on, but owned the the entire fleet in Tuscany. The hot air balloon business is a unique one, but because one entrepreneur decided follow an unexpected passion, he has seen success over the last 15 years.
Abianne Falla, Founder of CatSpring Yaupon, discovered that an invasive plant in Texas could actually be used to help folks heal. Similar to how we can treat each other, we can often judge a book by its cover before we actually give it a try. For the last decade, Abianne has been sharing yaupon with the world and growing her company. Abianne started her career working for a large corporate firm where she quickly realized that she wanted to do more. She then found a company called Lululemon, where she began to follow her passion for creating community and a brand that stands for connecting people. She shares that working for Lululemon helped her better understand how local heroes and community can be powerful in growing a brand, despite the fierce competition from other fitness apparel titans. Lessons learned on the ground at Lululemon gave her the perspective and tools to ultimately start CatSpring Yaupon. Abianne shares her passion for yaupon, its forgotten history (that dates back thousands of years) and her goal to continue to be an 'understanding employer". She shares how difficult it is for some to restart their lives and maintain work, which is why she believes that CatSpring can be an example for showing other companies how we can do better. Whether folks come from torn homes, abuse or an unfortunate past, a second chance may be all an employer needs to give to make the world a little better. Abianne shares that the journey of an entrepreneur is often a long one and that it is critical to find something with meaning, so that you can stick with it- Understand who you are and what you can do best. Abianne believes that helping other companies incorporate her yaupon in their products is the best way for CatSpring to give their value and stay focused on what they do best. Where CatSpring is now, was not an overnight success, but something that took over a decade to achieve and is looking forward to a bright future.
In this episode, Joseph shares his reflections on a day of remembrance, Memorial Day and how the meaning goes beyond the military. The reverence paid on this American holiday, is because of the selfless sacrifice given by a small few, for the greater good. This philosophy goes beyond just defending a nation, but can be applied to our daily lives, communities and companies. As you calibrate your trajectory for your next goals, ask yourself "How am I serving the most people, the best way I know how?"
Pascal Finette, Chief Heretic and Co-Founder of be radical, is helping companies better understand their futures and pursue them with a practical approach. Pascal's experience spans Leadership roles at technology titans like Google and Mozilla, to the world of start-ups and VCs. After years as an operator, he now finds his purpose in helping companies better understand their future, what they can do to achieve it and how to stay grounded in that pursuit. Pascal describes how be radical's "jester" approach allows his Team to be unfiltered and extremely honest with their client's, because like a jester, there is no personal gain for telling the king/queen the truth. He shares his perspective on what makes founders and their companies go the distance. Much of being a successful entrepreneur is perseverance- Understand that what you're doing has to personally matter and completely embrace that your endeavor will take longer than you think. Additionally, starting a company to grow and scale may not be for everyone. There's no shortage of success stigmas that have unfortunately mis-guided aspiring entrepreneurs- He talks about his time working in tech and how it was culturally shameful to be making a living in a company that was not destined for billions. As this narrative continues today, Pascal believes that companies and individuals really need to check their north star. However, if you are one of those folks who is meant to pursue this endeavor, Pascal outlines the foundational undercurrents in the market and how successful entrepreneurs understand how to tap into those currents, instead of create new ones. Those currents can be entertainment, transportation, communication, etc, but whether it's a horse & buggy or new electric car, getting somewhere is the constant. He shares that entrepreneurs can struggle when their idea or business doesn't solve a fundamental human need. Pascal and the be radical Team continues to help great companies pursue their futures more pragmatically and be the outside voice that helps organizations call their own BS and cut through the noise.
Check out Pascal's podcast "The Heretic Podcast" that delivers bite size and thought-provoking sessions.
Check out be radical at beradical.group and Pascal Finette at finette.com.
Samantha Snabes, Co-Founder of re:3D, is paving the way and democratizing the ability for folks to build what they need and when they need it. Her company, re:3D is an innovative 3D printing company that wants to bring this technology to all folks, especially in countries that would typically not have access to this capability. Samantha talks about her journey to starting a business and how it was somewhat by accident. Her goal was (and still is) to become an astronaut, but her involvement with startups and NASA along the way, took her down a different path. By helping others solve other people's problems, she found a path that moved her toward positively impacting social initiatives. Running a bootstrapped company allows her Team to stay focused on educating and providing this technology to those who need it most. Samantha also shares her philosophy of letting the end user decide how to create value with the tools her company makes. She says that dictating solutions prevents companies from actually helping people solve their most critical problems. Samantha shares stories during natural disasters where 3D printing came in handy, but you’d be surprised what folks actually needed. Growing up in Detroit, Samantha also talks about the days of manufacturing and how she remembers hearing stories of working hard and building things. This migration away from US manufacturing has created challenges for businesses like re:3D in finding folks willing to work with their hands. Increase in cost of living and wages, makes this a difficult and constant issue for this entrepreneur. Samantha shares that she is hopeful and will continue to find creative ways to build that old-fashion manufacturing company, that generations of families work for - In the meantime, she will keep aiming for the stars.
Brandon Karam and Jessica Oley, Founders of Pristine Spray, started from the bottom “literally” and are paving a way for better hygiene. These former attorneys discovered a better to take care of our bodies while also taking care of the environment. Brandon and Jessica dive into their journey from practicing law to running a business- lessons learned about prioritizing momentum over legal exactness, finding balance between founders and working with family. Even though it took some time to fully migrate to the entrepreneur life, they aren’t looking back. Both discuss the benefits and considerations of running business with family. Even though there were concerns of impacting their family dynamics, the real plus is that with family, you just can’t quit. Being accountable to one another, in a very deep sense, has allowed them both to take Pristine Sprays to new heights. They both talk about the significance of focusing on strengths, instead of trying to do everything well. Brandon and Jessica also talk about their journey to The Shark Tank and what goes on behind the scenes. The few minutes that we all see on television is only the tip of the iceberg and the process actually involves months of preparation, series of pitches and lots of uncertainty. For these founders, they were fortunate and able to reach their primetime moment and mentioned how much they learned from the feedback the Sharks provided. In the end, they decided that building their brand the way they believed it deserved, was more important than taking an investment. Brandon and Jessica’s journey has not been a straight line and what started as a side-hustle for two attorney has now become their life’s work.
Morning Huddle w/ Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. In this episode, Joseph shares the advice a mentor gave him regarding partnerships. When businesses get to a point in their growth where they need external support or involvement from another business, how do you know who to partner with? The method is straightforward, only partner with folks/businesses that you know if something happened, they would literally take care of your family. This seems like a very high bar to set when just doing business, but if you see that business is simply people working with people, on something that supports their livelihood, then working with the best people is critical. This also means the character and quality of the businesses you decide to associate with should be treated with the utmost reverence and that before you tether an important part of your company to another, you should really trust whose on the other side of it. Thanks for your mentorship John - Be Thou At Peace.
Pradeep Ittycheria, CTO at Vericast, is a Technology Executive that believes that when human connection and engineering are in balance, anything can be achieved. Technology has been a common thread in Pradeep’s career and at a young age he was inspired by the joy and problem solving that technology provided humanity. Along with his strong interest in technology, Pradeep shares that having incredible role models as parents, taught him how to treat people, which ultimately created a strong desire to work well with others. He shares stories about how well his father, who was a senior military officer, took care of his troops and how natural his mother, who was a teacher, showed compassion for her students. Pradeep’s strong connection with people has led him to live by a simple principle- Be Kind. He says you never know what others are going through and showing compassion can go a long way as a Leader and colleague. Empathy especially comes in handy when working with technology Teams. Pradeep shares the misconceptions many folks have about engineers and developers- One being that it is just 1’s and 0’s. In reality, developing technology is most akin to art and creating a masterpiece takes time, thoughtfulness and patience. Pradeep also shares that the best engineers desire to understand how their creations impact overall business outcomes. The best technical artist want the whole picture. Pradeep also dives into the current wave of job changing, aka the “Great Resignation”, and how companies and employees can both benefit from this event. Companies need new blood to push growth and innovation, while employees should be confident in their abilities to add value, wherever they go. Pradeep shares his passion for talking with folks about believing in themselves and understanding that everyone has an incredible opportunity for employment, but it must start within.
Tim Ginn, General Manager at Republic Services, shares his unique journey from politics to waste management. Tim always had an interest in how communities work and what allows them to thrive. Much of this passion came from an early age and watching his grandfather's involvement in all the small town happenings and politics. From his first job of working for a small Texas town, to helping shape policy in the Governor’s office, he learned the ins and outs of keeping a community running. Helping create, shape and execute policy is no easy task, but an important one. Tim believes that folks should be involved in their communities, because after all, it is a community's direct input that ultimately shapes policy. After spending the beginning of his career in public service, Tim decided he wanted to take a more private sector approach to his passion and took a chance on waste management. Not the normal job one would get after earning an MBA, but Tim says this was one of the best decisions he has ever made. He talks about the incredible people that he gets to work with and how the tenures in this industry can be decades long, because people know they are directly making their communities better. Running a waste management operation is an enormous endeavor, that requires a balance of process and grit. Tim dives into the nuances of trash, misunderstandings about recycling and the intricacies of running a landfill. What you may not know is how waste management sites are able to gather and replenish water, as well as harvest gas for reuse. Running this operation is more like running a mini-city. Tim is excited about he future of waste management and their focus on sustainability and environmental impacts. Without the hard work of everyday folks who keep their communities clean, our world would be a very different place.
Steve Stoll, Fmr. Special Forces Green Beret and Sr. Talent Partner at Twilio, has spent his career connecting with people from all walks of life. Steve shares lessons learned from leading his Special Forces Team through some interesting situations, like being dropped in the middle of Honduras and having to make friends quick. Steve says that it's all about finding one thing to connect on- whether that is music or good whiskey, it just takes one piece of common ground to start a meaningful relationship. After leaving the Service, Steve found that his innate gift to connect with people, allowed him to be effective in business and it was the soft skills that ultimately allowed him to climb the corporate ladder. From Dell to Twilio, Steve has found that clear communication, being open to input and spending the extra time to get to know people, leaves an impression. So much so, that Steve now spends most of his days helping tech executives find the right people. In a world where data and resumes are abundant, Steve says that nothing beats an in person conversation with a potential Teammate. Often it is intuition that helps you make the right call, on a hire. Years of experience making quick decisions on someone's character has led Steve to many hires where senior Leaders were unsure, but ultimately turned out to be beyond successful. It is almost never the lack of technical or hard skills that cause companies to look for new talent, it's because folks didn't play well with others or possess that level of commitment that is hard to teach. It may take time, but Steve believes that folks can work on their soft skills by putting themselves in Team situations that are uncomfortable and require creativity. Steve also shares that his perspective gained, while in the military, allows him to live life with gratitude. Having seen unrest and harsh environments reminds him to live his best life everyday and prioritize the moments in front of him.
Morning Huddle w/ Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. In this episode, Joseph talks about why the "Change" part of Change Management can be so problematic. Most managers come into a new role and immediately want to start shaking things up, then wonder why nothing really is improving. Simple answer: You did not build the understanding, rapport and foundation to actually create progress- If anything, you created new friction and enemies. Before you can make something better, you have to really understand the current situation and where your Team is. Change Management is tough as it is, without further creating a moving target of symptoms that you have to treat. Leadership may have hired you to create immediate change, but it is your patience and observations that will ultimately make you successful. One thing not to be underestimated, is how you rally the folks that will ultimately help you create lasting and positive change- Your Team. Honor the blood, sweat and tears already expended to create what has already been built, then look to improve. Spending the first few months building connective tissue and a real human relationship, will create the conditions for success.
Megan Thornton, Chief People Officer at SwagUp, is in the "People" Business and with her extensive experience in culture, training and development she has helped companies from Ford to FinTechs nurture their most valuable asset- Their People. Megan's start as a teacher is what accidentally landed her first job in human resources, which she admits was not a profession she ever imagined doing. Her passion as a teacher to help young people chase their dreams, perfectly positioned her to be an effective people advisor. Megan shares some advice for those looking to get into the People Profession and that the credentials are not the most important thing. Megan says that her time in the Peace Corps brought along a humble perspective and belief that you must honor a place, before you start to change it. Adding value to a company, only happens after you really understand what's going on, but that takes time. Training and development for employees is typically an area where budgets are cut or the process is overlooked- Megan shares her philosophy around onboarding and how the "first day of school" never stops, even as an adult. Taking the time to make new employees feel welcome and giving them the tools to be successful is not only good for the Teammate, but also for a company's retention strategy. Megan's role in advising CEOs on people concerns has showed her that the office of the CEO, can often be the loneliest. In the end, Megan has found that Teams better operate when they live out their values (not just some words on a wall, in the lobby) and understand that everyone from the entry-level employee to the CEO are just people, with regular people stuff (family, money, fears, etc), and that we are more the same than different. After all, business is just a collection of ordinary people trying to do the extraordinary.
Tony Nash, Army Officer, Got Your Six Podcast Host and Great American, believes that intentionality is the key to a fulfilled life. Tony shares what it means to do “less better” and how being in the moment not only has allowed him to absorb happiness, but also accomplish more. It may be counterintuitive, but the more focused you are in the moment, the more you actually accomplish. Tony also talks about the importance of reflection and how tracking your wins and failures can be transformative. Using data to help inform your process of becoming the best version of you, is something that requires discipline, but it's worth it. Tony maintains his commitment to intention with tactics like his “Night Before Journal” and continuously surrounding himself with great people. At an early age, life dealt Tony a tough hand, but because of the people he surrounded himself with, he was able to pursue a dream he didn’t even know existed. Tony talks about his current and continued journey of Service- he is still excited everyday to wear the uniform and honored to work with other servant Leaders. Tony is paying it forward with his Podcast “Got Your Six”, where its mission is to encourage those in and out of uniform, that the best days of your life are in front of you and that we all can learn something from each other. Listen to the “Got Your 6” Podcast w/ Tony Nash on all platforms and you can get his “Night Before Journal” here: https://thetonynash.gumroad.com/l/NightBeforeJournal.
Joe Stephens, Sr. Asst Dean & Director at the McCombs School Of Business (University Of Texas), has lived in both the private sector and higher education. His calling ultimately brought him back to higher education, because of his passion for helping people grow. Joe says there's nothing better than watching someone's journey to being a better version of themselves. Joe is also an avid hunter and shares how the skills learned in the woods translates to admissions, education, strategy and even family. Being spatially aware, patient and in the moment with mother nature has allowed Joe to better understand the nuances of people, which in turn allows deeper discussions. Joe dives into the art and science of putting a great MBA class together. What makes a strong MBA candidate isn't just their academic aptitude. One’s ability to reflect, be honest and genuine with their future classmates are critical factors when assessing the right candidate. It's about the whole puzzle when choosing each puzzle piece, because who you select in each class, should also enhance the experience of their classmates. Joe believes that even though someone can get much of the academic content in public domains, nothing replaces the human connection of enduring a challenging program together, like an MBA. He shares that much of his success and the success he has witnessed in his students, have come from fellow classmates vouching for each other, because those closes to you, really know how you are. It’s not only about what you learn in a book, but it’s the relationships you build that ultimately bring you forward in life.
Alex Santiago, Seasoned Warrior, West Point Grad, MBA and Major US Army, trades war stories with host, Joseph Cabrera from their time at a small outpost in Afghanistan, called Wilderness. Alex says that trust is not earned, but bestowed which is why those that respect this gift can grow from it. Alex and Joseph talk about their time as young Leaders and discovering their rhythm on leading Teams, in extremely hostile environments, with limited resources. Much of their early molding came from working with special men, who reminded them about the burdens of leadership and how the job of a combat Leader was to manifest a plan worth dying for and that everyone deserves excellent Leadership. Although war can be tough, the forging of life-long relationships are second-to-none. Alex shares that many of the reasons we do the "impossible" is for no other reason than humanity- because you genuinely care about the person next to you. Alex also talks about what it means to be a "true professional" and using one's worth ethic to instill confidence within your Teams. Whether you realize it or not, those you lead are watching you, so put the work in and don't let them down.
Nathan Baumeister, CEO of ZSuite Technologies, believes that businesses don’t have to be flashy to be successful and fun. In a world where everyone seems to be starting a business, Nathan focusses on a straightforward idea- Does your business solve a problem? ZSuite Technologies has filled a gap in the market where escrow, deposits and rent collections have been a headache for most. This simple idea to fill in where others have ignored, has allowed Nathan and his Team to grow strong and quick. Nathan also shares how important it is to internalize the emotions behind a thought or concept before communicating it. His experiences traveling the world, forced him to communicate outside of just using words. That ability to lead with thoughts and emotions has allowed him to more simply articulate business concepts. Nathan also talks about his passion for creating things, while finding the discipline not to continuously chase new things. He finds that what most entrepreneurs struggle with is focus and execution. Execution is typically underrated in business and a major reason why companies don’t make it. Nathan shares how he is able to scratch his creative side through building culture and working with people.
Morning Huddle w/ Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast. In this episode, Joseph talks through the philosophy of hiring the right person, not the best. We often use resumes, qualifications and check lists to determine if someone is going to be what is "best" for the company. Fast forward a year later and we find ourselves in a familiar position, where that new Teammate hasn't really moved the needle. What happened? The "Right" person may not always be obvious, but certain traits and experiences can propel an organization forward. Look for folks with high levels of "Figure-It-Outness", something to prove and a strong sense of Team. When the going gets tough, you want the right people on the Team.
Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa, has been leading businesses with a common ingredient- A foundation of love. He shares that it’s not the squishy kind of love, but the principles rooted in the value, that makes a company resilient. Believing the best in others, being holistically accountable and not worrying about being “cool” are all reason he’s achieved success in his career. Gabe talks about the early days of being a 22-year-old CEO and mustering up the confidence to lead a company that was originally run by folks with decades more experience. The hardships, excitement and trying to lock in on a purpose, kicked off Gabe's journey in business. In a world where everyone seems to be running a company, Gabe talks about the responsibility and unique stress that comes with being at the helm. Just because you are the CEO, doesn’t mean you have the ultimate power to do whatever you want. Gabe shares that one’s ability to connect with others on a human-level and understand the motives and experiences that make you tick, is crucial to effectively leading. From leading AutoTechs to FinTechs, Gabe's ultimately grateful for the opportunity to raise a family and use this as a cleaner burning fuel, to leave the world a better place.
Brian Hoang, Founder and Fmr. CEO of SURVIVR, has had a unique entrepreneurial journey that's allowed him to combine virtual reality, artificial intelligence and military/law enforcement training into one venture. This noble venture has given military and law enforcement the ability to train in realistic environments through multiple life-saving scenarios. Virtual reality has benefits even in other industries and Brian describes their applications for even retailers practicing Black Friday scenarios. Brian had no experience in any of these areas prior to successfully running his company, yet was able to earn the confidence of investors and the trust of an entire community. He attributes a lot of his success and tenacity to being raised by immigrant parents who taught him to be grateful and that effort only matters, if the results are achieved. Brian shares stories about his parents growing up in Vietnam, living through the war and surviving everyday to keep from going hungry. Brian's gained perspective and being results-oriented, gave him the confidence to lead a company with no "real" experience. The Texas Business Hall of Famer, also knows that any successful venture is not done alone. Brian shares his philosophy on Team dynamics, how to hire the right folks and set the proper expectations for excited teammates entering the start-up world. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones that you follow your intuition on, but once you're on that course, ensure that what your building is delivering outcomes that will move your company forward.
Kate Saber, Owner and Executive Coach at Kate Saber Coaching, helps business Leaders reach their peace and potential. Kate is a seasoned people Leader who draws inspiration from her past experiences being a strategic people Leader at Apple, creating internal global-coaching programs at Airbnb and serving as the Head of People at Tilt. Kate shares her process of diving into a person’s foundational beliefs before working on the tactics. Tactics are crucial to enacting positive change, but you can’t begin to move a new direction without knowing where you stand and the relationship you have with yourself. Kate discusses the human aspect of high-performing Leaders and how even the smallest moment from childhood can lead to many Leaders running into roadblocks, later in their career and within their Teams.
Kate also talks about her own self-development journey and mantra of being a well-rested woman. Self-exploration is critical to being an effective coach: You can only take folks as far as you have gone. For those interested in finding a coach or becoming one, Kate believes that a good coach is not one that tells you what to do, but asks, listens and looks for areas where one can consider being more self-aware and begin to move in a more fruitful direction. Learn more about Kate at www.katesaber.com.
Kyle Rish, Partner at Spaulding Ridge, shares how playing sports was the foundation for him reaching the pinnacle of consulting. Chasing his dreams to play major league baseball led to disappointment as well as new found triumph. Early on Kyle was able to find meaningful mentors who taught him to become the "go to" person and then eventually relinquish the spotlight, to allow others and the company to grow. Kyle's "go to" skills in supply chain and logistics has led him to accomplish incredible things at companies like PepsiCo and Apple. Kyle talks about his decision to move away from industry to help more companies, by jumping feet first into management consulting. After helping grow Spaulding Ridge from a few employees to over 400 people, Kyle reflects on the key moments that got him to where he is today. The common theme has been a strong sense of "Team" which was established in his early days of playing on the baseball diamond. Part of how Kyle stays engaged in his sports passion is by coaching and giving back to kids from under-resourced communities. Many lessons, emotions and principles he sees in young athletes, directly translates to being a Leader at a multi-million dollar consulting firm. Learn more about Spaulding Ridge at www.spauldingridge.com and RBI Austin at www.rbiaustin.org.
Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, launches "Morning Huddles" with a deep dive on Battle Rhythms. Morning Huddles are unique sessions meant to engage listeners with topics outside of guest conversations. These topics range from self-development pro-tips, current events, reflections and answering listener questions. In this episode, Joseph talks through the importance of creating an accountability framework called a Battle Rhythm. Are there times in your life where you feel that after every week, month or year- you seem to fall short on your expectations? Well this might be because you don't have a Battle Rhythm. A good Battle Rhythm is the balance between productivity and flexibility. Unlike a checklist or routine, Battle Rhythms have adaptability built in, to allow you to deal with the curveballs of life. Tune in to learn how to identify and set up your Battle Rhythm.
Mark Sanderson, Director of Operations at The Warriors Keep, leads expeditions all over the world. His passion for the outdoors has led him to taking Teams to some of the highest summits in the United States as well as some coveted climbs, like Kilimanjaro. All of this is in an effort to help America's Warriors re-center their minds, bodies and spirits to remember that all they need to keep pushing forward is some mountain air, a good Team and themselves. Mark discusses the importance of calm Leadership and how less is more when it comes to leading people. Although operating a non-profit isn't easy and comes with many of the same budget, marketing and operational challenges a business has, Mark is undeterred to keep serving in the outdoors. Mark discusses what keeps him motivated and how chasing his passion is a process. Learn more about The Warriors Keep at www.thewarriorskeep.org.
Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, closes out 2021 with the importance of reflection and how to productively go about doing it. Any year provides many ups and downs- how you reflect on these moments can fundamentally impact how you set the pace for the coming year. Whether it's celebrating wins or learning from loses, staying objective is key. Join Joseph as he shares his ritual on reflection and what's in store for 2022.
Jonathan Miller, Founder & CEO of Outlaws Inc, is on a mission to tighten the fabric of America by connecting businesses with talented Veterans. This is not about handouts, but instead, a way to connect industries that are struggling to find good and reliable talent, with a group of folks who have already proven they have what it takes to keep America strong. Jon shares how one tragic event, took him off his initial course in business and was the impetus for his purpose driven company. Jon dives into several aspects of Veteran hiring- from the demand for skilled trades and how Veterans perfectly fit that need to the strategies companies can pursue, to take their business from surviving to thriving.
Learn more about Outlaws Inc here: www.vetsmakeit.com
Carter Bell, Major US Army, West Point & Columbia Grad, discusses the importance of giving back to the future generations of Leaders and how a place like West Point is the perfect environment to do so. Coming back to West Point has allowed Carter to train, develop and mentor the future of military and private industry Leaders. With incredible experience leading teams in extremely hostile and high-stress environments, Carter is able to share real examples with students and how sharing failures has been one of his best teaching tools. His tenure in the military has given him perspective on empathy being a two-way street, patience being the key to growing future Leaders and how human the entire process really is. Carter and Joseph (Host) also reminisce about the forging times they experienced at a small outpost in Afghanistan and how this was a breeding ground for many life lessons.
Dara Chike-Obi, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Grio Baby, an innovative infant product company who is redefining child development by encouraging intimate multi-tasking. Dara shares her commitment to being a hardcore professional as well as a driven mother who not only inspires her family but other women to make time for the things that are important. Losing her mother at a young age and growing up in a household full of boys, has been been the credit to major important life lessons, such as confrontation does not mean conflict, don't fret the small stuff because family is all you got and being mindful of your actions. This former corporate attorney turned entrepreneur is paving the way for how parents should view their responsibility not only to their families, but to themselves. Learn more about Grio Baby at www.griobaby.com.
Dr. Daniel Brinchman, shares how he's set his pace in business through a route that is not widely talked about: Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. From Doctor to VP of Operations for a large group practice, Daniel recognized the value of being able to take something that is not broken and make it better; especially in the healthcare environment where a tremendous amount of growth, innovation and mindset shift is occurring. Although this entrepreneurship path is not as popularized compared to the more well-known founder approach, it is one that's successfully happening everyday with business of all sizes- There's even a manual on how to do it right. Daniel also shares how growing up in California, having an encouraging family and moving to Texas set him up for a really strong foundation to be unapologetically persistent in chasing his dreams.
Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, share his experience around laughter and how humor was often the cure for stressful situations. He reflects on personal experiences where humor at his own expense, was the very thing his Team needed to keep pushing through a tough situation. Even though humor is not the first thing most think about, as an effective "professional" tool, this is something that can positively impact your Team, Family and Life. Join Joseph as he shares some embarrassing moments that kept his Teams light on their feet.
Evan Seale, Co-Founder of VRB Labs, is on a mission to change the way folks think about CBD, debunk any stigmas and ultimately help people lead more meaningful and content lives. Lessons from West Point to private equity, solidified Evan's desire to be an entrepreneur and ultimately enter an unexpected industry, based on his background. Evan shares the common misunderstandings of CBD and how VRB Labs is committed to simplifying the process, to make this healing more widespread. Despite his hard-charging attitude, successful career, education and experience, Evan shares that it is the people he surrounds himself with that matters the most and how his commitment of practicing "Self-Love" has made an incredible difference.
Stephen Bucken, an avid endurance athlete, who currently leads the Virtual Care go-to-market effort for Amazon's latest venture into healthcare, Amazon Care. Although his professional experience has been with corporate giants like GE and Amazon, his drive came from humble immigrant roots and honoring his parents' commitment to give their family a better life. Stephen shares what motivates him to push the limits of performance, seeking discomfort and the pursuit of transforming healthcare.
Joseph Cabrera, host of the Professionally Offensive Podcast, shares his thoughts and reflections about Memorial Day. He believes that profound human connection through adversity and loss is what binds us. Joseph explains that gratefulness for those that gave it all, is the key to moving forward.
Evan Ransome, multi-time entrepreneur and CEO of Golden Home Management breaks down the mystique of "achieving" success. Evan talks about his practice of removing the misunderstood burden of risk, to allow yourself to achieve your dreams. From fast-paced consulting to innovating senior care, Evan proves that seemingly unrelated career moves can lead to one's ultimate happiness.
Charles Mullenger, CEO of Ethos Preparedness dives into what it means to be fit to Lead. Charles shares critical advice he received early in his professional career and how it has allowed him to uphold not only the intelligence and thoughtfulness to run an organization, but the presence needed to instill confidence in those around you.
Jake Martin, Chief Experience Officer at Atreyu Running Company (Global Footwear and Performance Brand) reveals what it takes to successfully navigate the vast consumer ocean. This Customer Service Guru shares personal stories of intense situations, remaining calm in today's highly engaged environment and how a company's mentality may be the deciding factor if it will be truly embraced.
Michael Krajicek, Founder of Atreyu Running Company (Global Footwear and Performance Brand) talks about what it takes to build a meaningful business, the less glamorous & misunderstood parts of being an entrepreneur and the real meaning of driving value