Make My People Better: Recent Episodes
Kyle DeFur and Gretchen Schott
On Make My People Better, by trueU, you will hear conversations from successful CEOs on developing culture, attracting talent, and growing leaders.
Each episode features leadership insights giving you access to executives focused on growing and empowering their people while working on being the best versions of themselves.
We’ll learn how they are embracing the belief that great companies make their people better. We’ll share tools, resources, and best practices to help your team grow personally and professionally.
Key themes we’ll explore include building the transformational power of service to others, company legacy, developing a purpose-driven organization, instilling authentic pride in the company, growing leaders, defining company culture, aligning mission and values, and establishing a thriving work environment.
Taja Graham is the Market President at Emmis Communications, a founding company in the radio industry. To make this even more notable, she is the first African-American woman to hold this position.
Taja has a lot of experience being “the only” in her circles, but she has never let that stop her from climbing the ladder to success with fierce determination. In this episode, Taja discusses the importance of not fearing the unknown and being okay with not having all of the answers. Listen to how her willingness to seek answers from others to educate herself pushed her far in her career.
Shen Macheel is the VP and Director of Government Programs at LER TechForce and their affiliate company, LHP Engineering Solutions. She arrived in the United States at the age of sixteen as an accidental concert pianist and later transitioned to business.
In her life and career, Shen has had to observe, adapt, and grow. In this episode listen as she shares her story of fearlessness, curiosity, and how positivity is the key to breaching D&I issues.
Dr. Lynn Shaw is an Associate Professor at the University of Indianapolis in the Department of Social Work. She is a certified social worker and a certified laughter yoga leader who has spent the last 25 years understanding how laughter can be a coping mechanism for stress.
In this episode, Dr. Lynn shares her perspective on playfulness as a tool for productivity and highlights the distinct relationship between laughter and connectedness. Listen in to find out how to incorporate the principles of laughter therapy into your daily routine.
Jimmy Rayford stepped into his role as the CEO of Dealers Wholesale during the COVID season. Transitioning to a new job has enough challenges without a pandemic, but Jimmy made sure to lean into his leadership style of empathy and clear communication to ease the shift for himself and his new employees.
In this episode Jimmy shares resources he keeps in his “toolkit” to help cultivate leadership development and growth, and be a leader of people versus an organization.
Book Recommendations:
- You’re in Charge, Now What? by Thomas J. Neff and James M. Citrin
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Chase the Lion by Martin Batterson
LaJuana Warren is the Owner and Founder of the consulting firm Tapestry Solutions for Inclusion.
In this episode, LaJuana shares her mission to help others incorporate diversity and inclusion into their organizations and point them towards the true importance of pursuing DEI efforts.
John Elliott is the President and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, where they seek to provide food for communities in need of assistance.
Like many other organizations, Gleaners had to shift their operations during the pandemic, but their problem was unique. Their volunteer force dropped by 40% while the needs of the community and the work doubled. Listen to this episode as John shares how leaning on partnerships helped them continue to serve the community.
Book Recommendations:
- Win the Day by Mark Batterson
Erica Ballard is a healthy living expert and coach with her own business, Erica Ballard Health.
Erica was on a mission to have the “perfect body”, but once she achieved her weight goals, she realized that optimal health is much more than weight loss and what you eat. It includes stress management, purpose, community, and spirituality as well.
In this episode, Erica breaks down what it looks like to have a healthy-living workplace and offers advice for making the change in your organization.
To hear more from Erica, check out her podcast The Lies We’ve Been Fed.
Book Recommendations:
- Beyond the Pill by Jolene Brighten
Podcast Recommendations:
- The Doctor’s Farmacy
- Earn Your Happy
- Redefining Wealth
Perhaps no one exemplifies the mission of trueU more than JoDee Curtis, Founder of Purple Ink, an HR consulting firm. After spending many years in accounting, JoDee discovered her true passion for helping people bring out the best in themselves. Today, she and her team work with companies to find creative solutions to HR problems with one goal in mind: creating a JoyPowered workplace.
What’s the key to making work joyful? For JoDee, it’s about discovering your strengths and leaning into them every day.
On Make My People Better, JoDee talks to Kyle DeFur and Gretchen Schott about the importance of engagement and retention and why you should work into your strengths.
Entrepreneurship often manifests at a young age, and for Bob Kort, President of Kort Builders, the entrepreneurial bug bit him as a young boy watching his father run a pizza business. Today, Bob owns several businesses in central Indiana from restaurants like The District Tap to construction companies like Kort Builders.
How do you succeed as an entrepreneur? For Bob, it comes down to two words: Trust and Loyalty.
On Make My People Better, Bob talks to Kyle DeFur and Gretchen Schott about the importance of building a better culture, and the integrity that comes with following through on your word.
Entrepreneurship and leadership often go hand-in-hand, for Andy Medley Co-founder and CEO of PERQ, it’s this connection that spurs his passion for creating a great place for people to work.
This past year, PERQ was voted as best place to work and the best tech startup in the 2020 B2B Innovator Awards.
How does Andy help foster this award-winning culture? In a word: transparency.
On Make My People Better, Andy talks with Gretchen Schott and Kyle DeFur about the importance of sharing how each team member’s role impacts the overall business objectives, and how you can transfer his lessons learned into your business.
Book Recommendations
-
Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
-
High Output Management by Andy Grove
- The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker
We’ve all heard the phrase “honesty is the best policy”, but how important is it to move a company forward?
Darice Rene, VP of Strategy at Valve+Meter Performance Marketing, attributes a lot of her success, as well as her traits of openness and transparency, to her family.
Early in her career, Darice noticed she was often one of few brown people in the room, and sometimes she was the only one. In this episode, she shares how being honest helped her break down barriers and how she has carried this characteristic into organizations.
Have you ever thought of your office space as a tool for reaching your company goals?
Cara Weber, Co-founder and Partner at DELV Design, and Eric Anderson, Principal at DELV, are firm believers in design thinking and the power architecture has to influence people’s behavior.
In this episode you’ll hear them discuss how constructing a building can solve seemingly unrelated problems. Offices can be unique, but they should also be steeped in meaning and intention.
Liesel Mertes is the Founder of Handle with Care Consulting, where she also works as a workplace empathy consultant. When going through grad school, Liesel experienced the death of her third child only eight days after she was born. Her personal story fuels her passion for empathy and also pushes her to share its importance with leaders and organizations.
In this podcast Liesel discusses the impact empathy has on the bottom line of an organization and shares ways to show empathy to your employees and peers.
Want to hear more from Liesel? Follow her podcast Handle with Care, Empathy at Work or visit her website at lieselmertes.com.
As this year comes to a close, we want to reshare the most-downloaded episodes of 2020. In this episode, we’re revisiting the conversation with Shane Pilarski.
Have you heard this phrase before, “leaders are readers?” In this episode, we’ll hear from Shane Pilarski, President and CEO of Alliance Bank. One of the initiatives she started was a book club leaning into the organizational values of helping grow and develop their people to be their best selves.
Interested in the books they read? You’ll have to take a listen. And if you do, you’ll also learn other ways Shane leads her team to embrace new challenges, titles, and life opportunities. Shane’s story is an inspiring one. While she’s now CEO, she started at Alliance at an entry-level position and grew into the leader she is today.
As this year comes to a close, we want to reshare the most-downloaded episodes of 2020. In this episode, we’re revisiting the conversation with Demetrius Warren.
Having difficult conversations doesn’t always come naturally. For Demetrius Warren, Branch Manager at Star Bank, this uncomfortability is something he’s learned to embrace. Throughout his career, sage advice from his dad has allowed him to maintain a learner’s mentality. The advice? Listen.
In the conversation with Demetruis, he identifies others who have made an impact on his life while reflecting on what challenges he faced as a Black leader in a predominantly white work culture.
As this year comes to a close, we want to reshare the most-downloaded episodes of 2020. In this episode, we’re revisiting the conversation with Chad Peterman.
Why are you a leader? Is it because it was the next career move? Or because you really want to make an impact on people? For Chad Peterman, President of Peterman Heating Cooling and Plumbing, the answer was clear. He is passionate about growing people and helping them chase their dreams, and he joins the Make My People Better Podcast to share how his company is working to create an environment where growth is unstoppable.
As we reflect on 2020, we know this year has been a challenge for many, but it’s taught us the importance of listening to each other.
In this final episode of 2020, Gretchen and Kyle recap the interview highlights from this year and share the lessons they’ve learned from the conversations.
Join the trueU community, along with Truth At Work, in this special, live podcast event with New York Times best-selling author Bob Goff (@bobgoff).
Bob is driven by a desire to help others unlock their potential to love and be loved greater.
His books - Love Does and Everybody, Always - have inspired millions of people to be action-oriented in living out a richer life of service to others, while having fun doing it.
Listen in as Bob discusses how faith, love and being present tie into meaningful relationships. As Bob says, there is huge power in being present and available to those around you.
If you want to feel inspired - and laugh along the way - this episode is for you.
During these difficult times it’s important to reflect on what we are thankful for. For this episode, Gretchen and Kyle invite leadership members of the community to take a moment to reflect on what they’ve learned from these challenges and how they are moving forward.
You’ll get to hear from Christia Hicks, VP of Human Resources at Eskenazi Health, Bob Kort, CEO at Kort Builders, Jeff McDermott, CEO of the Center for Performing Arts, Cynthia Pizzaro, President at C-Spring, Steve Long, CEO at Hancock Regional Health, and Greg Streamlaw, CEO with Indy Eleven. Each guest has a different experience with the impact of COVID. Tune in as they share not only what they are thankful for, but also how they are giving back.
Jason Barnaby is the Founder, President, and Chief Fire Starter at Fire Starters Inc., where his mission is inspiring people to connect to their purpose.
In this episode Jason shares how igniting passion within yourself will propel you towards a more fulfilling life.
To learn more about Jason and Fire Starters Inc., email him at email@jasonatfirestarterstribe.com or go to firestarterstribe.com.
Kerry Jones is the Service Projects Manager at freije engineered solutions company where he specializes in design, build, and installation work. As a child, Kerry learned to do everything with excellence. This mindset has carried him throughout his career.
In this episode, Kerry discusses the importance of vouching for others and encouraging them to succeed. He also addresses the difficulties minority businesses face and the hopes he has for improving their experiences.
In this episode, Gretchen and Kyle sit down with two leaders who keep servant leadership at the heart of all they do. Allen Southerland is the Chief Partnership and Leadership Pipeline Officer at Shepherd Community Center, and Derrin Slack is the Founder and Chief Program Officer at ProAct Indy. While they have different missions, both organizations focus on better serving those in the community.
In this conversation, Derrin and Allen break down what servant leadership means to them and dive into the best ways to effectively serve.
Maxine Thomas is a SNAP Outreach Specialist at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana where she takes joy in seeing how she impacts the lives of others. She is continually driven to find new ways to serve, and she spends her free time volunteering at her church, homeless shelters, and elsewhere in her community.
In this episode, you will hear how Maxine was humbled by the faith others put in her as a leader, and how it inspired her to intentionally build other leaders. Listen in to hear her story.
Ashley Scruggs, an HR Training and Development Specialist at Elements Financial, knows the importance of valuing others’ experiences and creating a safe space for employees to be heard. Being “the only” in many settings, Ashley has recognized what she values in a workplace environment and strives to replicate those aspects in her company. In this episode you will hear how Ashley endeavors to lead by example and support others, even if it’s through a simple email or passing conversation.
Why are you a leader? Is it because it was the next career move? Or because you really want to make an impact on people? For Chad Peterman, President of Peterman Heating Cooling and Plumbing, the answer was clear. He is passionate about growing people and helping them chase their dreams, and he joins the Make My People Better Podcast to share how his company is working to create an environment where growth is unstoppable.
As a leader, building relationships isn’t always a top priority. For Jarrad Rankin, Vice President of Operations at Rehab Medical, taking the time to purposefully establish relationships outside of the work environment has had a tremendous impact on him and his approach to leadership.
In the conversation, Jarrad recalls memories of his grandfather and the impact he had on the community through the relationships he built. As a growing leader, Jarrad realized this also holds the key to improving inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
What led him to this revelation? Listen in.
As a leader having difficult conversations doesn’t always come naturally. For Demetrius Warren, Branch Manager at Star Bank, this uncomfortability is something he’s learned to embrace. Throughout his career, sage advice from his dad has allowed him to maintain a learner’s mentality. The advice? Listen.
In the conversation with Demetrius, he identifies others who have made an impact on his life while reflecting on what challenges he faced as a Black leader in a predominantly white work culture.
In this second episode of our new series, Invitations to Listen, we’re using our monthly Leadership Series event as an opportunity to check in with leaders from the trueU community.
This series focuses on exploring leadership to understand the journeys people take to become their best selves. Our goal in this series is to connect businesses that are working towards diversity, racial equality, and inclusion with leaders who have experienced bias, discrimination, and injustice.
Today we’ve asked three members of the trueU community to share their stories and experiences with us. Ashley Scruggs, HR Training & Employee Development Specialist at Elements Financial,
Carlonda Davis, HR manager & VP at Community First Bank of Indiana, Phil Edwards, Chief Volunteer Engagement Officer at Shepherd Community Center.
Listen in as they vulnerably share how recent events have impacted their professional and personal lives.
What does it mean to have a better digital workplace? In today’s rapidly evolving environment it can often feel like leaders are mental health first responders. Neil Miller joins Gretchen Schott and Kyle DeFur in the trueU studio to share what he calls the five levels of a digital workforce.
In the conversation, Neil also sheds light on how communication and technology play a key role in creating a thriving culture no matter where your employees are located.
Resources Mentioned:
- The Digital Workplace Podcast
This episode introduces our new series, Invitations to Listen. This series focuses on exploring leadership to understand the journeys people take to become their best selves. Our goal in this series is to connect businesses that are working towards diversity, racial equality, and inclusion with leaders who have experienced bias, discrimination, and injustice.
We feel that these conversations are needed. They are stories of leaders, and it is how as a community, we all become better. In our first episode, we are featuring Tony Sanders.
As a young professional at the time, Tony Sanders quickly learned how impactful failure is in developing as a leader. Looking back on lessons learned from running his own business and playing a pivotal role at Medxcel, Tony shares how important it is for leaders to gain the perspectives of their employees.
When it comes to being a minority in the workplace, Tony highlights his journey and what our listeners can think about differently to create a more inclusive environment.
As restrictions concerning COVID-19 begin to ease, implementing a re-entry strategy for the workplace is a high priority. Jacob Houk of Hays+Sons and Dan Morris of Officeworks join Gretchen and Kyle to discuss the challenges facing businesses as team members return to their offices.
In this episode, Jacob and Dan provide specifics on how you can navigate the policies and procedures that will protect your people and help alleviate their health concerns about returning to the office. Their expertise and professionalism shine through in this episode of Make My People Better.
Quick Links:
- Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmorrisowi/
- Connect with Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-houk-057a766/
- Learn more about OfficeWorks: https://officeworks.net/
- Learn more about Hays+Sons: https://haysandsons.com/
- Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyledefur/
- Get engaged with trueU: https://trueu.com/ or missyshopshire@trueu.com
When it comes to navigating the return to work, there’s no one better to have in your corner than Karen Seketa and Drew Smith. As VP of Talent at Element Three, Karen knows the challenges and concerns facing her team members as they contemplate returning to the office. As President of American Specialty Insurance, Drew knows the perils of returning to the workplace in a post-pandemic world, both for the business and the individual.
In this episode, Karen and Drew provide tactical insights on returning to work in this new environment and how you can navigate the personnel and policy issues you’re likely to face. Their expertise, empathy, and professionalism shine through in this episode of Make My People Better.
Quick Links:
- Connect with Karen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenseketa/
- Connect with Drew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-smith-39006026/
- Learn more about Element Three: https://elementthree.com/
- Learn more about American Specialty Insurance: https://americanspecialty.com/
- Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyledefur/
- Get engaged with trueU: https://trueu.com/ or missyshopshire@trueu.com
When it comes to marrying passion with purpose there is no who embodies this more than Mark Caswell. As the CEO of KSM Consulting, Mark focuses on helping organizations achieve goals and deliver results no matter how complex the challenge may seem.
In this episode, he provides tactical insights into how he leads his organization while helping to solve problems for his clients. His humility, storytelling, and stewardship shine through in this episode of Make My People Better.
Quick Links:
- Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markocaswell/
- Learn more about KSM Consulting: https://www.ksmconsulting.com/
- Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyledefur/
- Get engaged with trueU: https://trueu.com/
Marcus Hall is the President and Partner at California Closets – a custom furniture and storage firm located throughout Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Marcus has a fascinating leadership journey from the world of professional sports through technology, and he has a passion for building brands and aligning teams. Listen in as he shares the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way and how he connects his purpose with the work he does.
Quick Links:
- Connect with Marcus
- Learn more about California Closets
- Connect with Gretchen
- Connect with Kyle
- Get engaged with trueU
At trueU we believe in continuous improvement and evolvement to better equip our leaders and members. In these interesting and challenging times, evolvement is constant. We want to give back to our members by addressing the obstacles we’re all facing head-on in a candid conversation between Gretchen and Kyle.
In the second of this two-part series, the conversation turns to the ways leaders can become more human in the midst of the current crisis. Why is extreme humanization important for a leader in this new virtual world? Listen in as Kyle and Gretchen break it down.
Takeaways:
- Leaders don’t need to have all the answers.
- When we are isolated, virtual meetings + connections are vital.
- Trust is built through shared experience–communicate what you’re experiencing
Quick Links:
- Patrick Lencioni–The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com/
- Bob Kort – Kort Builders, Inc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kort-47981a3
- Jeff McDermott - President/CEO at the Center for the Performing Arts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-mcdermott-8126b616/
- Connect with Gretchen
- Connect with Kyle
- Get engaged with trueU
At trueU we believe in continuous improvement and evolvement to better equip our leaders and members. In these interesting and challenging times, evolvement is constant. We want to give back to our members by addressing the obstacles we’re all facing head-on in a candid conversation between Gretchen and Kyle.
In the first of this two-part series, the conversation covers the issues CEOs and business leaders are facing during this crisis. They also examine ways to grow in the midst of the situation, and what really matters.
Listen to part one now.
Takeaways:
- Send a “thinking of you” note.
- People will remember how you showed up during times of trial.
- Do the harder right thing over the easier wrong thing.
Quick Links:
- Patrick Lencioni–The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com/
- Al Wurster–Wurster Construction: https://wursterconstruction.com/team-showcase/al-wurster-2
- Karen Gregerson–The Farmers Bank: https://www.thefarmersbank.com
- Seth Morales–The Morales Group: https://moralesgroup.net
- Connect with Gretchen
- Connect with Kyle
- Get engaged with trueU
Today’s episode was recorded Live at trueU’s Leadership Series event with Nick Smarrelli of GadellNet and Shelley Hunter from College Mentors for Kids.
Nick and Shelley are experts in mentoring and mentorship programs, and Nick takes the stage first to deliver the keynote. Before he discussed some key themes of mentorship, such as culture or ineffective matchmaking, he asked a ground-zero question: “What do you need to have before you do anything else?”
After Nick’s keynote, Shelley joins Nick on the stage for a panel discussion led by Gretchen. They address key questions such as when you know you’re ready to be mentored and take questions from the audience.
Listen in to hear the answers.
- Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarrelli
- Connect with Shelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyhunter1
- Connect with Gretchen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschott
- Connect with Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyledefur
- Get engaged with trueU: https://trueu.com
At trueU we believe in continuous improvement and evolvement to better equip our leaders and members. This belief is why we are excited to announce a new series, The Employee Experience.
In this series, you will hear from a couple of leaders from the same organization on how they have been impacted by one another’s influence. What our CEOs don’t know is that they’ll get to hear how they've impacted their organization's leader. Its an opportunity for us to give back to our purpose-driven leaders, showcasing how important their diligence truly is.
Tune in next week to hear our fist of the series.
- Connect with Gretchen
- Connect with Kyle
- Get engaged with trueU
CJ McClanahan is a dynamic speaker, leader, author, and, in his own words, a recovering overachiever. He brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience helping organizations achieve record sales and profits.
In our community, many of us strive to be grateful. It takes intentionality to build it into your life and business. This episode CJ shares his newest venture inspiring leaders to give. Hear how this project came to be and why it’s pivotal for leaders today.
- Connect with CJ
- Learn more about Project Two Rule
- Connect with Gretchen
- Connect with Kyle
- Get engaged with trueU
Have you heard this phrase before, “leaders are readers?” In this episode, we’ll hear from Shane Pilarski, President and CEO of Alliance Bank. One of the initiatives she started was a book club leaning into the organizational values of helping grow and develop their people to be their best selves.
Interested in the book they read? You’ll have to take a listen. And if you do, you’ll also learn other ways Shane leads her team to embrace new challenges, titles, and life opportunities.
Shane’s story is an inspiring one. While she’s now CEO, she started at Alliance at an entry-level position and grew into the leader she is today.
Hear her story and learn how you too can be a better leader.
Throughout the year, we have had some amazing guests on the Make My People Better podcast. From members of our trueU community to former Colts player Joe Reitz to author and thought leader Bob Goff, we hope that our listeners have truly benefited from these leadership lessons our guests have shared with us.
Although every episode in 2019 was packed full of conversations on developing culture, attracting talent, and fostering leaders, we wanted to share a few highlights to celebrate the end of the year.
In this episode, you’ll hear leaders from some of our most popular episodes including Matt Rolfsen, President of Renovia, Jacob Houk, President of Hays and Sons, and Marcia Barnes, CEO of Valve+Meter.
Listen in as trueU hosts Kyle DeFur and Gretchen Schott guide us through some of their favorite moments from 2019!
In this special bonus episode from our trueU Learning Summit, Nick Smarrelli (@smarrellin), CEO of GadellNet, shares the exclusive and innovative programs that have powered the rise of the six-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company.
You’ll want to hear Nick’s advice on employee retention. Listen in.
About the trueU Learning Summit:
- The trueU Learning Summit was held in September 2019, and focused on personal development. Visit trueu.com for more information.
- Use the hashtag #trueUsummit on social media and tell us why you loved this episode!
In this special bonus episode from our trueU Learning Summit, Tiffany Sauder, CEO of marketing agency Element Three, dives into an honest look at what broke as her company scaled.
Listen in as Tiffany shares lessons from the front lines of a growing business, and why she believes success is the result of many little failures.
About the trueU Learning Summit:
- The trueU Learning Summit was held in September 2019, and focused on personal development. Visit trueu.com for more information.
- Use the hashtag #trueUsummit on social media and tell us why you loved this episode!
In this special bonus episode from our 2019 trueU Learning Summit, Cynthia Pizarro (@cynthiapizarro), President of CSpring, discusses how you can engage your teams and why, as leaders, it’s your responsibility.
What steps can you take to inspire engagement and collaboration across your teams? Find out on Make My People Better.
About the trueU Learning Summit:
- The trueU Learning Summit was held in September 2019, and focused on personal development. Visit trueu.com for more information.
- Use the hashtag #trueUsummit on social media and tell us why you loved this episode!
Episode 46: Daniel Benefiel, Regional Operations Manager, Morales Group
How can you inspire your people and innovate your workplace? For Daniel Benefiel, Regional Operations Manager at Morales Group, it comes down to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Daniel is a trueU Leader in Training (LIT) graduate and his willingness to learn, grow, and share is something he continually pours into his employees.
In this episode, you’ll hear why giving your employees an invitation for feedback and truly listening to their ideas can increase employee engagement in the workplace.
“If your employees get deflated, they won’t give you another idea, they won’t even think of another idea,” Daniel says.
You’ll want to hear Daniel’s advice when it comes to performing at your highest level for your people because he believes that in the end, you report to them! Listen in.
Episode 45: Santiago Jaramillo, Co-Founder/CEO, Emplify
Santiago Jaramillo (@santiagojara) is on a mission to help everyone be their best selves at work.
As the CEO and Co-Founder of Emplify, an employee engagement measurement software company, and author of Agile Engagement, Santiago stresses the importance of knowing the difference between employee satisfaction vs. employee engagement.
When your employees are truly engaged, they are meeting and exceeding goals and driving your business. On the other hand, when employees are satisfied, they’re simply comfortable. Are you measuring the right things at your workplace?
In this episode, you’ll hear Santiago explain why the reasons people work has fundamentally shifted from what it used to be 30 years ago. Now, it’s all about cultural values, belief in the organization, growth, and passion. However, many organizations, in general, have been slow to adapt. Why?
Plus, what are the top two data points that matter to your people when it comes to employee engagement? And what does a Betty Crocker cake mix have to do with employee engagement?
Santiago’s answers may surprise you. Listen in.
Episode 44: Bob Goff, New York Times Best-Selling Author
Join the trueU community, along with Truth At Work, in this special, live podcast event with New York Times best-selling author Bob Goff (@bobgoff).
Bob is driven by a desire to help others unlock their potential to love and be loved greater.
His books - Love Does and Everybody, Always - have inspired millions of people to be action-oriented in living out a richer life of service to others, while having fun doing it.
Listen in as Bob discusses how faith, love and being present tie into meaningful relationships. As Bob says, there is huge power in being present and available to those around you.
If you want to feel inspired - and laugh along the way - this episode is for you.
Episode 43: Scott Williams, Executive Vice President/General Manager, Ohio Valley Gas Corporation
How do you get really great at having honest conversations and giving feedback with care? Scott Williams knows it takes time, patience, and effort.
Scott is the Executive Vice President and General Manager at Ohio Valley Gas Corporation, a company that delivers natural gas to homes, small businesses, and rural communities throughout Indiana. One-third of Ohio Valley Gas is new to the company over the past six years so Scott understands the challenging of leading through change.
In this episode, he discusses how he shifted the ‘this is how it’s always been done’ mentality and encouraged his people to understand the ‘why’ behind the work.
Throughout the years, Scott implemented intentional communication tactics from one-on-one meetings to encouraging feedback by challenging directly while also showing that you care personally.
If you’re struggling with discomfort when it comes to giving feedback to your people, you’ll want to hear Scott’s story on radical candor. Listen in.
Episode 42: Kevin Gearheart, President, Rehab Medical
As the leader of a rapidly growing company, Kevin Gearheart, President of Rehab Medical, understands that hiring the right people - and hiring them on a deadline - isn’t easy.
Three acquisitions have helped accelerate the growth of the company, which provides physical rehabilitation equipment to doctors, patients, and other clients. Since then, Rehab Medical has experienced double-digit growth and was named among Indianapolis Business Journal’s Fast 25.
In this episode, you’ll hear Kevin share why the company places a heavy emphasis on having the right structure - and hiring the right people.
How do Kevin and his team ensure they have the right people on the bus in the right seats? If you’re tired of settling when it comes to hiring decisions, you’ll want to listen in to Kevin’s advice on Make My People Better.
Episode 41: Mike Kenney, CEO & Angie Hubbell, General Manager, Kenney Machinery and RPM Machinery
Mergers and acquisitions can be challenging. Even the leaders at the highest level have unanswered questions throughout the process. As leaders, we know we have to think of others, but we also can’t help but think to ourselves, ‘What does all of this mean for me?’
Mike Kenney, CEO, and Angie Hubbell, General Manager, know first-hand the difficulty of maintaining trust while managing different positions as they brought the merger of Kenney Machinery and RPM Machinery to fruition.
Listen in as the duo discusses how they utilized Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) to foster transparency and engagement, identify issues, and provide solutions on the Make My People Better podcast.
To learn more about EOS® implementation, you can contact Mike and Angie's Professional EOS® Implementer, Ken Bogard, at ken@knowhonesty.com.
Episode 40: Max Yoder, CEO, Lessonly
Max Yoder (@maxyoder), is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lessonly, a team training software company. He’s also the author of Do Better Work, a foundational book for leaders that focuses on the whole human approach.
Do you ever find yourself getting buried in the ‘How can I make things better?’ mentality? What if instead, you started focusing on what’s going well and doing more of that? In this episode, you’ll hear Max’s thoughts on why it’s important to bring less fear, shame, and guilt into the workplace - and start bringing in more compassion.
Listen in as Max shares how you can break down your walls and show your vulnerability, starting with the people you love and trust first.
Episode 39: Jennifer Burk, President/CEO, Junior Achievement of Central Indiana
As the President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Jennifer Burk strives to create an environment that inspires, energizes and empowers her people to be “all in.”
As she says, people can’t be what they can’t see. So, this year alone, Jennifer and her team are impacting and reaching around 40,000 children throughout Central Indiana with JA’s programs including BizTown, Our City, and JobSpark.
Listen in as Jennifer discusses the importance of flexibility (it’s an essential retention strategy - not just a perk anymore!), and why leaders need to start recognizing employees as a whole person.
Plus, you’ll hear some touching stories on how JA continues to change the trajectory of the lives of young people in Central Indiana, and all over the country.
Episode 38: Jon Loftin, President/Chief Operating Officer, MJ Insurance
Jon Loftin believes everyone wants to learn and grow, but as a leader, you have to provide them the tools and resources to do so.
As the President and Chief Operating Officer at insurance brokerage and consulting company, MJ Insurance, Jon continually concentrates on shaping a business environment where growth and development flourish.
Jon considers MJ’s greatest asset to be its people. In fact, MJ Insurance spends five percent of its revenue on employees’ learning and development.
If you want to focus on your employees’ personal and professional growth journey, this episode is for you.
Episode 37: Cindy Konich, President/CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis
“Be curious. Take risks. Find your voice. Raise your hand.” Wise words from Cindy Konich.
Cindy is the President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI), a regional wholesale bank. In this episode of Make My People Better, you’ll hear Cindy’s journey as a female presence in a male-dominated industry.
How can you overcome obstacles and gain traction in your career? For Cindy, the answer is simple: raise your hand when it comes to new opportunities [and challenges].
Her wisdom - regardless of your gender - is insightful for every leader. Listen in.
Episode 36: Drew Smith, President, American Speciality Insurance
As a leader, what are you doing to encourage your people to grow?
Drew Smith is the President of American Speciality Insurance, a company that specializes in providing sports, recreation, and entertainment insurance.
From ‘Payday Popcorn’ days to showcasing March Madness games throughout the office, American Speciality Insurance has built a culture that fosters collaboration and teamwork. In fact, people at the company are referred to as ‘teammates’ - not co-workers or employees.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Drew encourages growth and development, and why he seeks out teammates who have drive and ‘grit.’
If you’re looking for resources in growing your people - not just as employees but as parents, spouses, and friends - you’ll want to listen in for Drew’s advice.
This week on the Make My People Better podcast, you’ll hear our Live Leadership Series event featuring Keynote Speaker Seth Morales (@smorales84), President and COO of Morales Group, Inc.
Join the trueU community as we discuss the personal habits of high performers.
Episode 35: Robb Blume, President/CEO, Community First Bank of Indiana
How do people experience your company’s brand? Robb Blume believes a true brand consists of more than just a logo or slogan, and there’s no better marketing than having your people out in the community.
Robb is the President and CEO of Community First Bank of Indiana, an independent bank created in 2003 with a core belief of being actively involved in making the community a better place to live and do business.
The bank specifically focuses on employee engagement and service as a means to grow. As Robb says, ‘Happy employees lead to happy clients.”
For Robb, a true service mindset isn’t just about giving money; it’s about getting your people involved and leading by example.
In this episode of Make My People Better, you’ll hear why Robb believes interacting and getting to know people in your community leads to long-term benefits that you can’t put a dollar figure on.
How can we, as leaders, expect our employees to be fulfilled if we aren’t fulfilled ourselves?
We know we receive energy from good nutrition, along with working out, adequate sleep and maintaining positivity. But there is another major source for the energy we need: having the right kinds of relationships with others.
Dr. John Townsend (@drjohntownsend) is a New York Times best-selling author, business consultant, leadership coach, psychologist and founder of the online Townsend Institute and the Townsend Leadership Program. He’s also trueU’s newest partner.
In this episode of Make My People better, we’re digging into Dr. Townsend’s new book, People Fuel, which provides a fantastic framework on how we can think about relationships and personal development.
Listen in as Dr. Townsend discusses how ‘Relational Nutrients’ can keep us healthy, creative, and resilient, and how the right kinds of relationships with others refuel us.
Episode 33 [BONUS]: Mike Webster, President, Freije-RSC
Mike Webster is the President of Freije-RSC, a specialty engineering, service, and construction provider.
A few years ago, Mike found himself in a tough position. His company was losing employees, but it wasn’t due to their craft. His people were leaving because of stress at home, such as marital issues, substance abuse, and money problems to name a few.
In this episode of Make My People Better, you’ll hear how Mike turned things around to build a culture that allows his employees to enjoy life and foster better relationships with their families, spouses, and friends.
So, how can you help your employees live a happier and more productive life? Listen in to Mike’s advice.
Episode 32: Mike Lantz, President/Founder, ML Talent Strategies
Mike Lantz (@mikelantz) is one of the original visionaries of trueU, so it’s not hard to believe that he is passionate about growing and developing employees.
In this episode of Make My People Better, we’re diving into people. As a leader, your talent is a strategic asset just like your equipment or office space.
Mike, President/Founder of ML Talent Strategies, believes leaders must be continually ‘pouring’ into employees, especially when it comes to development and setting clear career paths. When it comes down to it, employees leave organizations because they don’t know where they’re going.
So, how do you develop your people? How do you engage them? Plus, how can you become a ‘destination employer’ that people want to work for?
Listen in for Mike’s advice on utilizing talent - the right talent - as an engine for growth and success at your company.
Episode 31: Donna Kelsey, CEO, American Senior Communities
Donna Kelsey, CEO of American Senior Communities (ASC), oversees more than 10,000 employees at the Hoosier-based senior healthcare company.
A 26-year veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve, Donna is responsible for driving strategic plans to carry out the vision, mission, and values of ACS.
In this episode, you’ll hear how the company’s core values [which spell out the word ‘CARE’] are instilled in the culture. Investing in things such as committees focused on employee engagement and Care Companion, a program where employees are assigned to a ‘partner’ patient to get to know them better, have been key in ASC’s talent attraction and retention strategy.
Service is at the core of Donna’s being. She joined the military to serve our country and now she has dedicated her life to the service of seniors.
“I see a spirit in them. I see life through their eyes,” she says.
If you’re interested in dedicating more of your time and energy into service, this episode is for you. Plus, you don’t want to miss Donna’s advice when it comes to hiring the RIGHT people.
Episode 30: [BONUS] Cynthia Pizarro, President, CSpring
Following a ‘rebirth’ of the company, Cynthia Pizarro (@cynthiapizarro), President of CSpring, was focused on building a best-in-class consulting firm - and a great place to work.
“We wanted to attract people who were energetic and positive, and interested in being part of something great,” Cynthia said.
The foundation of CSpring’s culture started there, driven from the top-down.
As CSpring evolved as a business, the executive team realized the company - and its employees - were capable of far more, so the values and direction of the firm began to change.
Cynthia and her team used the book The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni to differentiate between a ‘healthy’ company and a ‘smart’ company and quickly found out why organizational health trumps everything else.
So, how can you keep your employees focused on the purpose of your business? Plus, how are CSpring’s core values reflected in the day-to-day to nurture its culture? Listen in to find out.
Episode 29: Jacob Houk, President, Hays and Sons
Reducing turnover and increasing employee retention. It’s a goal almost every company in today’s world strives to achieve.
When Jacob Houk became President of restoration company Hays and Sons in 2015, the turnover rate was 55%. Fast forward to 2019, the company is now an industry leader in employee retention, and turnover has reduced by more than half.
Through employee surveys, Jacob quickly learned his highly engaged offices were the most profitable offices. It wasn’t always that way, though. He fully admits he struggled to get his team on the same page back when he first stepped into his role at Hays and Sons.
In this episode, you’ll hear why Jacob believes if you provide your people with the right opportunities and tools, they will want to grow, to become better versions of themselves.
How can you create a culture where every employee - no matter what their title - feels respected and empowered? Plus, how did Jacob gain these tangible retention results [in just three years]? Find out on this week’s episode of the Make My People Better podcast.
Episode 28: Erik Cooper, Vice President, Community Reinvestment Foundation
“Purpose, clarity, and healthy culture don’t just randomly happen. If we aren’t intentionally focusing on those things - we will not have them.”
Erik Cooper (@erikcooper) serves as the Vice President of Community Reinvestment Foundation (CRF), an affordable housing business that owns, sustains, and rehabs homes for people in need.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Erik, a former pastor, weaves faith and work into this mission-based company - and how it impacts CRF’s organizational purpose.
What is the organizational purpose? How can you, as a leader, bring it to life within your company?
Erik believes all businesses have a purpose whether they know it or not. What is behind your why? Why do you do what you do? This purpose not only guides you on how to do things, but it also tells you what you shouldn’t do.
Listen in as Erik gives his advice on building strong leadership [humility is key], and why you first must be clear with your personal ‘why’ before you develop an organizational ‘why.’
Episode 27: Joe Reitz, Associate Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
From college basketball to the NFL to an advisor at Northwestern Mutual, Joe Reitz’s (@JoeReitz76) career is anything but traditional
Joe recently traded in his football uniform for a suit and tie after graduating from the IU Kelley School of Business with his MBA. Before that, he could be found playing on Sundays in front of millions of people.
“When life gets really tough, God is always there - life, football, whatever. It’ll all bring you to your knees at some point.”
In our conversation with Joe, he discusses how persistence paid off when he ended up playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He believes there’s no substitute for simply showing up.
Whether you’re struggling with work-life balance, looking to strengthen your faith or just a football fan, you’ll find this episode of Make My People Better invaluable.
Episode 26: Mike Kelly, Managing Partner, DeveloperTown
As a leader, Mike Kelly (@michael_d_kelly), Managing Partner at DeveloperTown, is constantly reflecting and aiming to grow and improve, both personally and professionally.
In this episode, you’ll hear why DeveloperTown, an employee-owned company that helps launch new digital products in the marketplace, created a physical environment conducive to creative thinkers.
“People doing creative work need privacy, and they can’t be interrupted every 15 minutes,” Mike says.
The solution? Each employee works in a tiny house on wheels, complete with a porch light that can be turned on to serve as a “do not disturb” signal. It’s just one of the ways the leadership team has intentionally woven values like respect into its culture.
Over the years, Mike has developed a resilience by figuring out what really matters to him, and pushing through to achieve goals.
Listen in as Mike explains how he uses multiple peer groups to help him grow and re-evaluate the way he interacts with his family, friends and employees. If you’re in a new leadership role, this episode is for you.
Episode 25: Tom O’Neil, Owner, OfficeWorks
How can you ‘win the workplace’ and dominate your marketplace?
In this week’s episode, you’ll hear how a company’s physical office environment and its culture are woven together.
That’s right, your actual workplace - from the desks to the chairs to the whiteboard space - can define your culture, which is where Tom O’Neil, Owner of OfficeWorks, comes in. Tom’s company works directly with clients to tailor their office furniture needs, improving workspaces and consequently, cultures and teams.
Tom discusses his company’s ‘open book’ management style, including the transparency of displaying monthly financials at all-staff meetings - allowing his employees to see the direct impact they have on the performance of the business.
You’ll want to hear Tom’s leadership advice on being your true, authentic self [your employees can sense ingenuity quickly] because when employees trust you, engagement goes up.
Listen in to learn how you can build a stand-out culture, starting right at your front door.
Episode 24: Dave Smitson, President, Crosspoint Power & Refrigeration
How are you setting the tone for your business? What’s your vision? What do you hope for?
“It’s hard to define success if you don’t have an end goal or objective,” Dave says.
On this episode of Make My People Better, we’re talking to Dave Smitson, President of Crosspoint Power & Refrigeration.
You’ll hear about how Dave integrates faith into his leadership style - and his evolution as a steward not only for his employees, but also his customers.
Dave is deeply passionate about developing the leaders in his company into great leaders, and he’s embraced his legacy by partnering with like-minded organizations to leverage this.
If you want to learn more about how you can embody stewardship for growth this episode is for you.
Episode 23: Marcia Barnes, CEO, Valve+Meter
The idea of tying your own team’s success to your client’s success can seem daunting, right? Not for Marcia Barnes (@HoosierMarketer), CEO of Valve+Meter.
On this episode of Make My People Better, you’ll hear why the performance marketing company uses love as a core value in business - and how Marcia leads to unlock transformational changes in both her employees and clients.
“When we love and serve well, and people experience that in an authentic way - they give us permission to lead them,” Marcia says.
If you’re in any type of leadership role, tune in for Marcia’s valuable advice on how loving, serving and leading go hand in hand.
Episode 22: Matt Rolfsen, President, Renovia
This week on Make My People Better, we’re talking to Matt Rolfsen, President of construction company Renovia.
You’ll hear Matt’s take on how he invests in his employees while showcasing the company values, such as all-staff mission trips.
At Renovia, it’s ingrained in the culture that little pieces of improvement over time can create great change - a Japanese phrase called Kaizen.
“There’s always a way to improve what we do,” says Matt.
Renovia also focuses on helping employees understand their “why” as they believe if the staff knows why they’re doing what they’re doing, they will ultimately perform better - not only in work, but in life.
This is an episode you don’t want to miss. Tune in for more of Matt’s advice on how to “do life together as an organization.”
Episode 21: Tom Morales, Owner, and Seth Morales, President, Morales Group
Seth Morales (@smorales84), graduated college when his dad was thinking about starting the staffing agency Morales Group back in 2003. Now the president of the company, he remembers challenging his father, owner Tom Morales to take that leap of faith. “What are you so afraid of?” he asked his parents. The company was born and the rest is history.
Listen to this episode of Make My People Better to hear how serving others and giving back is at the front and center of the company. Hear how this highlights their mission of building better futures one story at a time - whether that’s for the company’s internal staff or external associates who are seeking jobs.
If you’re looking to take your company’s mission beyond paychecks and profits, check out this episode on faith, family, and legacy.
Episode 20: Terri Pascarelli, CEO, AIT Bioscience
As the leader of a company filled with scientists, Terri Pascarelli, CEO of AIT Bioscience, knows how important learning and growing is for their company DNA.
AIT Bioscience is a contract research laboratory that offers science and technology for quality bioanalytical data. Throughout the years, Terri has focused on bringing intentionality - the determination to act in a certain way - into the company’s culture. Intention in the workplace is centered around creating change and building a framework for how people show up every day.
On this episode, you’ll hear how she has experimented with different tools and programs along the journey. Whether its poster presentations, monthly staff meetings or employee recognition, listen in as Terri explains how she helped to create an open and explorative environment, fostered by trust.
If you’re seeking wisdom on how to offer a range of experiences for your employees, this episode is for you.
Episode 19: Nick Smarrelli, CEO of GadellNet Technology Solutions
When Nick Smarrelli (@smarrellin) started working at GadellNet in 2010, he was the third employee hired. Now, he leads a team of 80 people as the company’s CEO.
GadellNet provides businesses with IT support and solutions, and has a client retention rate of 99.2% over the last 10 years. The company’s core values may be contributing to this impressive retention rate.
Listen in as Nick explains GadellNet’s three core values; chosen because they were broad enough to encompass different views in the organization, but detailed enough to recruit the right people.
From snacks in the breakroom to the company’s review process, Nick makes it a priority to “hear” his employees - that’s right, he doesn’t just listen, he makes sure his employees are heard.
If you’re seeking growth - personally, professionally, or for your employees - this episode is a must-listen. Listen in as Nick explains his strategy of crafting a spirit of growth.
Episode 18: Mike Kenney & Angie Hubbell | CEO & General Manager, The Kenney Corporation
Mike Kenney and Angie Hubbell encourage employees to invest in themselves and develop individually at The Kenney Corporation, which eventually led to the intention behind putting together specific goal plans.
The family-operated company provides employees with a Portable Plan, which are similar to quarterly or annual reviews, but these plans aren’t just on a business level - they focus on personal goals too.
“We want our employees to know that we value them as people.” says Mike.
Mike and Angie share the company’s core values as early on as the interview process, which leads to choosing candidates who will fit into their culture - and weeding out ones who won’t.
It’s not just The Kenney Corporation’s ping pong tables and stocked fridge that makes it a fun work environment, it’s the ideals of unifying the company as one. (Hint: They don’t use words like “divisions” or “branches”).
Listen in as the duo discusses how they started shaping the company’s culture around just one word that - [plot twist!] - changes each year, on this week’s Make My People Better podcast.
Episode 17: Mendy Werne, CEO, BLASTMedia & Lindsey Groepper, President, BLASTMedia
What’s the number one priority at your company? If you answered revenue, Mendy Werne(@werne) and Lindsey Groepper (@LindseyGroepper) of BLASTMedia, believe you’re wrong. For this duo, the most important thing is people.
In this day and age, you have to switch your mindset to how your employees stay motivated, and how they feel connected to your company, in order to stick around for the long haul.
As the only B2B SaaS-specialized PR agency in the country, BLASTmedia understands the unique challenges associated with scaling a SaaS business and uses PR to impact four primary pillars: investors, employees, partners and customers.
Find out how BLASTMedia puts their employees first, even before their clients, by fostering a team philosophy in this week’s Make My People Better podcast. (Hint: Hiring like-minded people helps).
If you’re struggling with employee engagement, this episode will peak your interest.
Episode 16: Lisa Schlehuber | CEO, Elements Financial
Lisa Schlehuber, CEO at Elements Financial, leads more than 170 employees, all of whom she encourages to “do right by doing well.”
“If we’re doing great, tell us. If we did something wrong, or something’s not right, tell us,” Lisa says.
The company, which is named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Indiana Chamber, prides itself on encouraging its employees to be intentional about finding their voice.
For more than 10 years, Elements Financial has put around 15 employees per year through its Professional Development Program, where they receive one-on-one mentoring from a senior leader in the company.
Lisa quickly learned that not only were these employees growing, the mentors were too. In fact, some of the mentors and mentees retained their relationships long after the program was over.
If you’re searching for raw, honest feedback from employees at your company, listen in to Lisa’s ideas on creating trust through transparency.
Episode 15: Peter Dunn, Founder/Owner, Pete the Planner
Peter Dunn, or as you might know him, Pete the Planner (@PeteThePlanner), is an author, speaker, comedian and USA Today columnist. Pete offers financial wellness services in a variety of formats such as books, guides, podcast, speaking, radio/television content, and more.
The Indianapolis native has dug through the financial lives of more than 25,000 people, in all income brackets. He takes people who are underachieving and puts them on a path to becoming millionaires.
In this episode of Make My People Better, find out how Pete transitioned from a career in the financial services industry, to owning his own business - and how an overly chatty airplane passenger led him to write his first book.
If you’re asking yourself, “How do you engage someone who needs to be engaged but has no interest in being engaged?”, this episode can provide a “wealth” of insight.
Episode 14: Gary Everling | Vice President/Chief Strategy Officer, Hendricks Regional Health
How do you maintain a fast-paced environment but also have a strong culture?
Gary Everling wanted to find the answer. That’s where the Disney Institute, the professional development and business consulting division of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, came in.
The Hendricks Regional Health Vice President/Chief Strategy Officer has worked in healthcare administration since 1998, and he embraced the Disney Institute with open arms. When Gary told the Hendricks Regional Health staff that the Disney Institute was coming in to implement strategy, the staff reaction was extremely positive, as you can imagine.
Find out how this massive “business behind the magic” initiative led to a culture of executing service in the Make My People Better podcast.
Episode 13: Randie Dial | Managing Principal of the Indiana Practice, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
Randie Dial, Managing Principal of the Indiana Practice at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), has more than 20 years of experience in providing valuation, forensic accounting, and financial modeling services to a variety of publicly-traded and privately-held companies.
He is committed to creating an environment for his CLA employees to grow and develop, and follows what he calls a “One Office Culture.” Randie even mixed employees from different departments, creating a new seating chart aimed at achieving a cohesive team.
Listen in to hear more of Randie’s advice on leadership, listening, and how you can become a green apple in a world of reds.
Episode 12: Derek Block | President & CEO, Touchstone
Derek Block is the President and CEO of Touchstone Merchandise Group, a marketing company that works with clients like Progressive Insurance and Kroger to build their brands and tell stories through merchandise collections.
Derek started Touchstone as a fresh college graduate 21 years ago. As a young leader with no playbook, they experienced their fair share of growing pains. Namely, they were so lasered-in on attaining financial success that they neglected to build a strong foundational culture.
There came a point when Derek realized his company had lost its way. So with the help of some great mentors, he refocused his mission and pieced together a plan to build the high-performing culture Touchstone has today. Listen in to learn how to use Derek’s ideas to build an engaged culture in your own organization.
Episode 11: Jeffrey McDermott | President & CEO, The Center for Performing Arts/The Great American Songbook Foundation
Jeffrey McDermott is the President and CEO of The Center for Performing Arts and affiliated Great American Songbook Foundation. Their mission is to engage and inspire the Central Indiana community through enriching arts experiences. Prior to serving at the Center, Jeffrey worked 31 years as an attorney.
The Center for Performing Arts is famous for its world-class artists and performances. This didn’t happen by accident. Jeffrey has purposely fostered a culture of excellence and strives to deliver a first-class experience to his patrons. This means greeting them personally as they walk in the doors and thanking them as they leave.
This type of high-performance environment wouldn’t be possible if not for an intrinsically motivated team working behind the scenes. Listen in to hear how Jeffrey fosters this intrinsic motivation through acts of servant leadership.
Episode 10: Jim Schleckser | CEO, Inc. CEO Project
Jim Schleckser (@incCEOProject) is the CEO of Inc. CEO Project. His team has helped over 100 CEOs overcome the things standing between them and continued organizational success. Jim is also the author of Great CEOs are Lazy, and his ideas have been translated into 9 languages.
He decided to write his book after working with hundreds of CEOs and noticing a few distinct traits the most successful ones had in common. Most notably, the best CEOs were the ones who worked the least. As counterintuitive as it sounds, it’s true.
The CEOs interviewed are extremely clear on what they need to be focused on at all times. In this week’s episode, Jim shares his “five hats” approach you can use in your organization to make a greater impact in less time.
Episode 9: Doug & Zach Bawel | CEO and Chairman/President and COO, Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Doug Bawel, CEO, and Zach Bawel, COO are brothers who run Jasper Engines & Transmissions together. With more than 2,100 associates, five manufacturing facilities, and 46 branches, Jasper is the largest remanufacturer of gas and diesel engines, transmission, and differentials in the United States.
Jasper is unique in that they are 100% owned by their employees. This means the more the company grows, the more each employee benefits. Not only has this had a drastic impact on employee ownership, but their accountability has skyrocketed as well. In fact, the program has been so effective that revenue has almost doubled since its inception in 2010 (from $300 million up to $590 million in 2017).
In addition to their unique employee ownership structure, the Bawel brothers have implemented several other programs to foster a culture of engagement. Listen in to this week’s episode for practical culture-building ideas to incorporate in your organization.
Episode 8: Daryle Doden | President and CEO, Ambassador Enterprises
Daryle Doden is the President and CEO of Ambassador Enterprises, a “philanthropic equity firm” that has helped optimize more than 1,100 for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Prior to Ambassador Enterprises, he founded Ambassador Steel, which was the largest independent steel rebar fabricator and distributor in the US with annual revenues surpassing $500 million.
Growing up as a Pastor’s kid, Daryle as an adult considers himself to be a man of great faith. He recognizes much of his success, both personally and professionally, as stemming back to his formative childhood years.
As a leader, Daryle is intentional about seeing the value of the people he has around him. With a humble spirit, he recognizes his weaknesses and strategically partners with those who complement his strengths. In this week’s episode, he shares why—contrary to popular belief—you should focus on your weaknesses rather than your strengths.
Gregory Simons, CPAPrincipal & Founder
In 1995, Greg founded Simons Bitzer & Associates and has focused his time on providing services to small and medium-sized businesses in central Indiana. He has served as Chief Financial Officer for several organizations and specializes in working with tax agencies to resolve difficult tax matters. Greg enjoys the process of developing strategic plans, budgets and cash projections for our customers.
Greg started his own firm as a result of his passion to provide business consulting to busy entrepreneurs. He knows a business must have accurate books and financials in order to understand the pulse of their business. He also enjoys assisting with the firm’s business development efforts.
With over 20 years of experience as an accounting professional, including work for two of the Big Four accounting firms and a Fortune 500 company, families trust Greg to provide objective expertise and insight into their financial issues that helps them make sound decisions for their future.
Dan Moore joined Home Bank in 1978. He is a graduate of Indiana State University and holds a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Dan is also a graduate of the School of Executive Development and has served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Business School at the University of Indianapolis. Moore is a vice chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. Moore also is on the Board of IU Health Southern Region. On a national level, he is a director of the Confessing Movement of the United Methodist Church and serves on the Mutual Advisory Board of the office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Gary Brackett (@GaryBrackett58) is most widely recognized as the starting linebacker of the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Championship team. Since then, he has become the CEO of Brackett Restaurant Group and Stacked Pickle Restaurant Franchise.
Gary has learned many unique lessons from his athletic career that have transferred over to his business success. One of his football mentors taught him “the speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack.” As a CEO, this continues to resonate with him. It’s taught him he can’t be demanding of his team if he’s not demanding of himself.
For him, he’s realized that real leaders get respect by fighting alongside their troops, not sitting back at headquarters. If you want to build a strong culture, you need to be willing to get in the trenches. Doing this communicates to your team that you believe the work is important, so it should be important to them as well.
Randy Lewandowski enters his 25th year with the Indianapolis Indians and fourth as the club’s general manager in 2018. He is just the team’s fourth general manager since the organization was incorporated in 1955. In addition to his duties as GM, he was named president by the Indians board of directors in November 2016.
Lewandowski was named the International League’s 2016 Executive of the Year, marking the third Executive of the Year award for the Indians front office staff since joining the International League in 1998.
After joining the Tribe as a ticket office intern in 1994, Lewandowski was hired full-time as assistant ticket manager the following year. He served in that capacity for two seasons, including during the Indians’ transition from Bush Stadium to Victory Field in 1996.
Lewandowski took over as director of operations in 1998, helping Victory Field host the 2001 Triple-A All-Star game. He transitioned to assistant general manager in 2002, serving as one of the team’s two assistant general managers before becoming the sole assistant GM in 2005. In this role, his primary responsibilities were overseeing the marketing, operations and ticket departments.
Over the final five seasons of Lewandowski’s tenure as assistant general manager, the team recorded five straight seasons of increased attendance, including leading Minor League Baseball in 2013 and setting a Victory Field record the year after.
That success would continue following Lewandowski’s ascension to general manager in October 2014 as the team eclipsed its top season attendance mark for the second consecutive year. In 2016 and 2017, the Tribe once again led Minor League Baseball in attendance.
Lewandowski has been active in the Indiana chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as past president and board member, and past chair of the LLS Light the Night Walk. For a seven-year period, he was active in the youth sports coaching and mentoring ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and School. Lewandowski spearheaded a partnership between the Indians and Play Ball Indiana in 2015 and now serves on the organization’s board of directors.
A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lewandowski graduated with a degree in business management from Anderson University in 1993. He was also a four-year starter on the Ravens baseball team, where he earned academic All-America honors as a first baseman and pitcher. Lewandowski resides in Carmel, Ind., with his wife, Christina, and their two children, Alyssa and Sam.
Jim Boyce is President and Chief Executive Officer of DEFENDERS. Before being named President and CEO in January 2015, Jim was DEFENDERS’ President and Chief Operating Officer, and was responsible for the company’s revenue and profit growth, leadership development, and all aspects of the customer experience including sales, customer care, installations, permits and collections.
Business first. That’s the tagline of Element Three, a full-service brand and marketing agency in Indianapolis that works across channels to solve real business problems for clients who want to be market leaders. But it’s also the axiom that fuels E3 President Tiffany Sauder’s own approach to growing an enterprise.
When the former financial analyst took the helm of the company in 2006, Sauder was 24. Over ten years later, she’s catapulted annual revenues by over 950 percent. From coaching executives through the brand considerations of an acquisition to helping them use marketing and sales technology to track marketing performance, Sauder understands that success results from an integrated approach to business, brand, and creativity. Sauder has been interviewed by the Harvard Business Review, been a featured speaker at HubSpot's INBOUND conference in Boston, and participated in panels hosted by Ad Age and TechPoint.
Her agency is a three-time Inc. 5000 company, has been named an IBJ Fast 25 organization, and was awarded the HubSpot Agency of the Year award in 2012. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband, J.R., and their three daughters.
Mary Miller is an author, professional speaker and the CEO and co-owner of JANCOA Janitorial Service, Inc., an award-winning, family owned and operated, commercial cleaning service located in Cincinnati. Mary is known for her positive outlook and desire to help others realize their uniqueness and personal power. Through their renowned employee benefits program, the Dream Manager, she has created an exceptional work environment and a truly successful organization. The Dream Manager, popularized by the bestselling book by Matthew Kelly, under the same name, grew from an employee retention program into an inspiring example of what a business can be. As the CEO, Mary has become the backbone and driving force behind the exponential growth of the company.
Mary says her success came when she stopped selling and started caring, and that’s really the core of who she is. Subconsciously she believed that caring had no real place in business, but now she understands that is where it is needed most, and that seems to be where the innovations have come from. “Our basic message to employees,” Mary says, “is that no matter where you come from, no matter what level of income or education you’ve attained, you can lead a productive, fulfilling life—and you can make your dreams become reality.” Two of Mary’s greatest recent achievements include receiving the 2017 EY Ohio Valley EOY Lifetime Achievement award and releasing her book, Changing Direction: Ten Choices That Impact Your Dreams.
The Make My People Better podcast features thought leaders who care about their employees and by caring about their employees their businesses are better. We want to highlight those pioneers who believe that great companies ultimately make their people better.
We’re going to be talking to people in the TrueU community, if you want to learn more about our members and the thought leaders who embrace this ‘make my people better’ mentality then head over to trueU.com.
It’s all about growth.
Do you want to grow your business?
Grow your people.