In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Brent Pohlman, CEO of Midwest Labs and author of 'Leaders Look Within.' Brent shares insights on how authentic leadership and a focus on positive experiences for employees and clients can shape a company's culture. He emphasizes the importance of respect, clear communication, and setting examples as key elements of a thriving workplace environment. The discussion highlights actionable strategies to improve company culture and the profound impact of starting each day with gratitude.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Experience: Experience is a crucial part of company culture and can have significant positive or negative impacts on business outcomes.
• Leadership's Role: The culture of an organization mirrors the behavior and attitude of its leaders.
• Inner Work: Personal practices such as gratitude and reflecting on one's purpose can positively influence leadership.
• Employee and Customer Focus: Improving employee experience directly enhances customer experience.
• Trust and Communication: Building a culture of trust and open communication leads to stronger team dynamics.
• Defining Culture: Explicitly defining the culture can align the organization and reinforce core values.

QUOTES

• "How you show up as a CEO has a direct reflection on how your people show up."
• "Culture is you, you bring the culture as a leader. Every time you walk in the door."
• "Experience is how you make people feel."
• "If your culture is off, it's a signal that something else is off."
• "The way you start your morning and how you lead with gratitude... helps set your mind in a good place."
• "Trust again is you can get trust into a culture. I mean, you're going to go really further and faster."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Brent Pohlman.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpohlman/

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https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Sandi Ratcliff, CEO of the Fischer Group, to discuss how prioritizing culture can lead to transformative success. Sandi shares her experiences and strategies for rehabilitating a struggling organization by fostering trust, authenticity, and a supportive work environment. Tune in to hear inspiring insights on leading with heart, the importance of investing in people, and actionable advice for CEOs stepping into challenging roles. Discover the true impact of a heart-centered leadership approach on employee satisfaction and business performance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Prioritize Culture: Leading with culture can drive significant turnaround in organizations.
• Consistency: Consistently showing up and treating people well builds trust and respect over time.
• Employee Focus: Putting employees first helps them feel valued and leads to better organizational outcomes.
• Adversity as a Teacher: Difficult experiences with poor leadership can teach invaluable lessons on what not to do.
• Long-Term Vision: Successful turnarounds require patience and sustained effort, often taking years to fully realize.

QUOTES

• "When people believe that you see them and you value them, listening to them and you have their best interests at heart, great things start to happen."
• "Just because you might be friends with someone doesn't mean that they share in your beliefs."
• "I believe as an employer, our job is to make everybody the best version of themselves."
• "It's not a coincidence if you find yourself in that spot; I believe that you were put there."
• "Culture eats strategy for breakfast."
• "When people see you show up in a different manner and it's done consistently, it's not just a couple days, but it's day in and day out, week in and week out, they start taking notice."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Sandi Ratcliff.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-d-ratcliff-cec/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Joe Killinger, co-founder of Commercial Brokers International. Joe discusses the importance of company culture in the workplace, emphasizing the need for alignment with employee values and work ethics from the top down. He shares his insights into building a supportive and positive work environment in an industry often lacking in trust and collaboration. He highlights the importance of active hiring practices, employee appreciation, and continuous training. The conversation also delves into how Joe has actively sought to fix broken aspects of the commercial real estate industry to create a thriving, collaborative culture at his company.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Culture: The significance of establishing and living a genuine company culture that reflects in day-to-day operations.
• Top-Down Approach: The creation and enforcement of culture should come from the top of the organization.
• Collaboration and Trust: Building trust and collaboration among employees and even with competitors can be a major differentiator.
• Investing in Employees: Ongoing training, support, and genuine investment in employee growth can create a highly motivated workforce.
• Recognition and Rewards: Regular acknowledgment and rewarding of employees for their contributions fosters a supportive work environment.
• Adaptive Leadership: Being open to changing industry norms and continually seeking better ways to operate.

QUOTES

• "Alignment. It's hiring alignment. It's like, Hey, here's the culture. Here's the culture we've developed inside this company. It's either going to align to your values and your work ethic, or it's not, but y'all are going to sniff this out pretty fast."
• "It's about recognizing that somebody in your company is doing something for somebody else and then rewarding it."
• "Just because things are the way they are doesn't mean that's the way they're going to be forever. And it's up to leaders to search out and look for better ways to do things."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Joe Killinger.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-killingerrealestate/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Kevin Hambrice, CEO of TerraSource Global. Kevin shares his experiences and strategies in creating a thoughtful, sincere, and genuine workplace culture. He emphasizes the importance of meeting employees where they are, engaging in meaningful conversations, and focusing on employee development and well-being. Kevin highlights various practices such as personal orientation sessions, sending welcome cards, and introducing a future leaders program to foster innovation and empowerment within his organization. The conversation underscores the belief that culture is not a project but an ongoing journey that requires daily commitment and genuine care for the people. This episode offers valuable insights for leaders looking to build authentic and successful company cultures.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Meeting Employees Where They Are: Emphasizing the significance of understanding and connecting with employees at their current stage of development.
• Continuous Cultural Development: Culture isn’t a one-time project; it's an ongoing process that requires daily attention and nurturing.
• Innovation as a Broader Concept: Innovation extends beyond R&D to include processes, analytics, and everyday business practices.
• Leadership as Influence: Effective leadership is rooted in influence, personal engagement, and fostering trust among employees.
• Employee Engagement and Empowerment: Engaging employees through surveys, orientation, and personalized communication fosters a culture of trust and ownership.

QUOTES

• "Culture from the heart is thoughtful, sincere, and genuine."
• "It's pretty hard to make a plan unless you have a firm understanding of where your people are right now."
• "Changing culture is not just happening; culture is the people that you have."
• "Leadership is not a position or a title; it is influence."
• "Stay the course of leadership and influence and know that your people are wanting you to do this."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Kevin Hambrice and his company.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhambrice/

https://terrasource.com/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Steve Preston, the president of Performance Food Service, Fairfield, Ohio. Steve discusses his leadership philosophy focused on genuine engagement and care for employees. He emphasizes the importance of eye contact, listening, and leading by example. Steve explains the acronym 'CARE,' standing for Communicate, Awareness, Responsibility, and Energy, and how it serves as a guiding principle for creating a positive and engaged company culture. The conversation covers practical strategies for implementing and maintaining a caring culture, including the role of leadership, the significance of communication, and recognizing and celebrating employee contributions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Leadership by Walking Around: Engaging directly with team members shows genuine care.
• Role of Care in Culture: The acronym CARE (Communicate, Awareness, Responsibility, Energy) is central to the company’s values.
• Building Authentic Relationships: Regularly engaging, listening, and showing empathy to employees creates stronger bonds and trust.
• Recognizing Positive Behaviors: Celebrating small wins and positive behaviors reinforces the desired culture.
• Consistency and Visibility: Leaders must consistently embody and communicate core values to instill them in the organization.

QUOTES

• "Leading by example, showing up means a lot more to people than dictating to them what you want them to do."
• "It's all about giving a rip about your people."
• "Feedback is a blessing."
• "Do the right thing when nobody else is watching."
• "Energy is very contagious, positively and negatively."
• "If your employees are happy at what they do, that's going to spill over to the customers."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Steve Preston and his works.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-preston-45194494/

https://www.performancefoodservice.com/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by David Hancock, founder of Morgan James Publishing, to discuss the development of an innovative and unconventional culture in the publishing industry. David shares his intentional approach to building a remote work environment, emphasizing love, authenticity, and purpose in leadership. He details challenges overcome, such as industry acceptance, and highlights the importance of maintaining strong relationships and communication among remote teams. The episode includes practical advice for CEOs on fostering a people-first culture and underscores the power of staying true to core values to achieve success and transformation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Intentional Culture: David Hancock emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining an intentional culture that aligns with the company's mission.
• Innovation in Leadership: Bringing in people with diverse backgrounds and unconventional approaches can lead to significant innovations.
• Financial Efficiency: Transitioning to a remote work environment can save substantial costs and help sustain the business.
• Employee Empowerment: Treating employees as entrepreneurs and making them feel part of the larger mission fosters dedication and innovation.
• Persistence: Staying true to your vision and mission, even when facing industry resistance, is crucial for long-term success.

QUOTES

• “Are you staying on purpose?” – An essential question for leaders about maintaining intentionality.
• “It's about fostering resilience, connection, and growth.” – Emphasizing the importance of a supportive learning culture.
• “You've got to keep focused on your original goal, and that's serving your client base.” – On overcoming challenges and staying true to your mission.
• “If you can get past that imposter syndrome, that's when the magic happens.” – On the importance of perseverance in the face of doubt.
• “Love on your people and watch what starts to happen.” – Highlighting the impact of caring for employees on company success.

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about David Hancock and his works.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlhancock/

https://www.morgan-james-publishing.com/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Damon Lembi, CEO of LearnIt. The discussion centers around building a heart-centered culture within organizations, emphasizing the importance of leading with integrity, practicing transparency, and setting a clear vision. Damon shares his experiences and strategies for handling tough conversations, fostering emotional maturity, and maintaining a practice mindset. He also delves into the significance of a learning culture, highlighting the need for continual personal and professional development, and the role of management in driving this culture. The episode concludes with actionable advice for CEOs on cultivating a learning environment and leading with empathy and purpose.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lead with Integrity: Always be transparent, set clear visions, and assist your team in achieving goals.

• Importance of Difficult Conversations: Address tough issues promptly to avoid a toxic culture.

• Practicing Tough Conversations: Rehearse difficult conversations to handle them effectively.

• Transparency with Boundaries: Share relevant and important information but with measured boundaries.

• Living the Values: Leaders must model the behaviors and values they expect from their team.

• Learning Culture: Encourage continuous learning to adapt to rapid changes and foster personal and professional growth.

• Emotional Intelligence: Essential for effective leadership and building a supportive, transparent culture.

QUOTES

• "Your culture is going to erode if you don't address and have these hard conversations."

• "Lead with integrity, be transparent, and set a clear vision."

• "Transparency with a little bit of boundaries is critical."
• "You have to be adaptable and you have to be willing to grow to go and move forward."
• "The more you invest, the more you collect as a CEO, as a leader."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Damon Lembi and his works.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi/

https://www.learnit.com/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In the inaugural episode of the Culture From The Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Tod Bierling, President and CEO of EnviroMaster Services, to discuss building a people-centric corporate culture. Tod emphasizes the importance of active listening, empathy, and humility in leadership. He shares how EnviroMaster has established strong core values such as teamwork, continuous improvement, and celebrating wins. Tod outlines the significant role of culture in driving the company's success and growth, and provides insights into maintaining and nurturing a positive and effective organizational culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Key Leadership Traits: Emphasizing the importance of active listening, empathy, emotional intelligence, humility, and vulnerability in leadership.
• Core Values: Reinforcing the significance of core values like "We win and work together," continuous improvement (Kaizen), urgency versus hustle, and enjoying the journey.
• Culture-Building: Highlighting the necessity of creating and maintaining a healthy culture through core values and team alignment.
• Celebration of Success: Stressing the importance of recognizing and celebrating wins to foster a positive work environment.
• People-Centric Approach: Understanding that the right people and a strong culture can drive a company's success.

QUOTES

• "If the answer to the question doesn't involve people, then I question why you asked."
• "We win and work together."
• "Always Kaizen – continuous improvement."
• "Actions speak louder than words."
• "We drive through the windshield and not the rearview mirror."
• "Having a healthy culture is where a successful company starts."
• "Everything is people and everything is the right people."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about Tod Bierling and his works.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tod-bierling-60840617/

https://enviro-master.com/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture