#5 Muddy Boots, A Broom Closet, & Broken Expectations: The Grit Behind Great Leadership with Robert Owens Part 1

#5 Muddy Boots, A Broom Closet, & Broken Expectations: The Grit Behind Great Leadership with Robert Owens Part 1In this episode of The Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff interviews long-time friend and leader Robert Owens. Robert shares his fascinating career and leadership journey, which began with his work at Lowe's and culminated in owning his own construction business. He offers raw insights into the challenges he faced, including the 2008 economic downturn, and how he navigated them with resilience and servant leadership. From being unexpectedly handed a company to overcoming personal and professional trials, Robert's story is a testament to the power of humility, dedication, and the importance of investing in people. Tune in to hear valuable lessons on leading with integrity and purpose.Download This Episode's LeaderNotes Here: LeaderNotesEpisode Timeline00:00 Introduction and Sweetest Memory00:22 Welcome to the Learning to Lead Show00:32 Meet Robert Owens: A Dedicated Leader02:17 Robert's Career Journey Begins04:41 Leadership Lessons from Lowe's07:52 Thrown into the Fire: Early Challenges15:25 Servant Leadership in Action17:59 Navigating Economic Downturns22:56 From Business Owner to Employee24:37 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysFree Learning To Lead ResourcesFree Book: The Trust GapThe Learning To Lead NewsletterLeaderNotes🔎 About LeaderNotesLeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.Contact Mark at: [email protected]