Encouraging Leaders
by Marc D Braun
Welcome to Encouraging Leaders: a podcast that exists to remind CEOs and Aspiring CEOs that they are not alone.Each episode features world-class CEOs who've walked your current path and shares practical tools/insights to help you become a better leader in every area of your life.To find out how we can support your leadership journey, book a free, 15-minute call here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/marc15minvirtual
Episodes
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The Ego Evolution: When Leadership Goes from Recognition to Responsibility - Bassel Hamwi
Bassel Hamwi helped launch the Damascus Stock Exchange and discovered that true leadership begins when your ego disappears. In this powerful conversation, Bassel shares the mindset shift that transforms leaders from asking "Can I do this?" to declaring "I'm here, so I have to give back" - and why...
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From CFO to Coach: The Most Important Leadership Transition - Kevin Thompson
Kevin Thompson, leadership coach and former CFO at Cambridge Air Solutions, shares his journey through the most important leadership transition—moving from financial executive to leadership coach. In this episode, we discuss: - How fear and insecurity disguise themselves as self-reliant…
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Silent Resistance: Why your AI initiatives are failing and how to fix it - Karin Volo
Karin Volo, CEO and founder of Evoloshen, shares her transformation from culture expert to AI leadership guide. She reveals why AI initiatives fail through "silent resistance" - when teams listen but fail to execute due to lack of trust. In this episode, we discuss: - The AI Leadership Triangle:...
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Commitment-Driven Leadership: Meeting Promises Builds Unshakable Trust - Bob Hendriksen
Bob Hendriksen, Director of Operations at Steelcase, shares how he learned that effective leadership starts with understanding it's "all about the people." Bob discovered that building trust through consistent commitment-keeping and creating space for others to grow transforms both individuals…
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Firing Yourself: How to Grow Leaders Who Replace You - Eric Gilbert
Eric Gilbert, CEO of Innova Furnishings and second-generation owner, shares his journey of learning that effective leadership means getting out of your own way. Through losing major customers, promoting team members into his roles, and navigating family business transitions, Eric discovered that...
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It's Not About Me: The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything - Mark Lee
Mark Lee, a seasoned construction industry leader, shares his journey from self-focused to servant leadership through powerful stories of transformation. With decades of experience turning around company cultures, Mark demonstrates how authentic leadership starts with caring for "the as is"…
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From 300% Turnover to Team Excellence: Building Culture That Attracts Talent - Cory Jensen
Cory Jensen, President of Continental Manufacturing, shares how he transformed a struggling Iowa plant from 300% turnover to an award-winning team in just two years. Through daily team meetings, peer recognition systems, and unwavering commitment to three core values, they eliminated temp workers...
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The Power of an Abundant Mindset - Ryan Tierney
Ryan Tierney, co-founder of Seating Matters, credits his success to a culture of humility, simplicity, and lifelong learning. From a young age, he and his brothers sought mentorship from top leaders — including Ireland’s richest businessman — instilling a habit of boldly asking for help and...
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The ROI of Culture: 2X Margins and 18% Growth - Steve Gund
Steve Gund, third-generation CEO of The Gund Company, shares his leadership journey shaped by family legacy, humility, and a deep commitment to people-centric culture. With a focus on servant leadership, Steve highlights how trust, intentionality, and developmental systems drive remarkable…
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Leading with Faith, Fortitude, and Generosity: Nolan Ruiz on Values-Driven Growth
Nolan Ruiz, CEO of FF&G McDonald’s franchises, joins the show to share how leading with values like faith, fortitude, and generosity fueled his growth from a handful of restaurants to 33 thriving locations. His story highlights how personal faith, a focus on team empowerment, and a commitment to...
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Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It: Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO - Garry Ridge
Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, believes leadership is about trust, learning, and helping people grow. In his new book, Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, he shares real stories—some funny, some profound—about building a culture where people love what they do and feel safe being themselves. In this…
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Winning Through Curiosity: The Leadership Lessons from Baseball and Beyond - Joel Goldberg
Joel Goldberg, Emmy-winning broadcaster and author, shares his journey from aspiring sports reporter to a storyteller dedicated to uncovering the human side of leadership, resilience, and dreams. With a deep-rooted curiosity and passion for people, he emphasizes the power of relationships, trust,...
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From Control to Trust: Building Leaders Who Lead Without You
Brian Osborne, CEO of Christy Industrial Holdings, shares how he transitioned from a control-driven leader to one who empowers others to succeed beyond him. He discusses pivotal moments that reshaped his leadership, the power of feedback, and why alignment with ownership is key to long-term...
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Don't Be the Best in the World - Be the Best for the World - Tom LaMantia
Tom LaMantia, former CEO and current Chairman of the Board at Clemco Holdings, explores the transformative power of humility, the bravery required to accept and act on feedback, and the profound impact of leadership that values people over personal accolades. By shifting his mindset from personal...
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Innovation Unleashed: The Power of Breaking the Rules in Leadership - Chris Kerckhoff
Chris Kerckhoff, President and CEO of Plancorp, joins the show to share how breaking conventional leadership norms and embracing innovation have fueled his company’s success. By challenging traditional thinking, fostering a culture of accountability, and continuously improving processes, Chris…
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From 28 Days to 20 Minutes: How to Transform Culture and Workflows - Gary Peterson
Gary Peterson, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at OC Tanner, joins the show to share how reimagining workflows and empowering employees transformed his organization. Gary and his team reduced lead times from 28 days to just 20 minutes—while fostering a culture of...
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What I Wish I Knew: Advice from Leaders Who’ve Been There
What would you tell your younger self if you could go back in time? In this special episode, we’ve compiled wisdom from past guests who share the lessons they wish they had known earlier. From trusting your gut to embracing failure and leading with confidence, these insights will make you rethink...
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Building Culture: Inviting Leaders to Step Up without Judgement - Susan Conrad
Susan Conrad, founder of Eicon Partners, is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur. She shares her leadership journey and insights into building thriving organizational cultures. With a focus on intentionality and authenticity, she emphasizes how culture is shaped through daily actions and...
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Be Authentic: Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin - Orvin Kimbrough
Orvin Kimbrough, CEO of Midwest BankCentre, shares his remarkable journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a transformative leader. Through vulnerability and authenticity, Orvin emphasizes the importance of building community, embracing life’s challenges as “gold,” and confidently owning...
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Coaching Leaders: The Gift that Keeps on Giving Back - Jon Spiesman
Jon Spiesman is the CEO and founder of 1% Better Leader. With over 30 years of leadership experience at Monsanto and other agricultural industries and over three years as an executive coach, Jon emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, coaching, and respect in leadership. He shares personal…
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Feedback is a Gift: Building Growth, Connection, and Leadership Through Honest Conversations
John Jennings is the President and Chief Strategist of the St. Louis Trust & Family Office. In this episode, he shares his journey from technical expert to leader, emphasizing how a focus on others and embracing feedback transformed his approach. He also discusses insights from his book 'The...
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Aim for a Great Day: Embracing Impact, Humility, and Learning in Leadership - Todd Brand
Todd Brand is the President and CEO of Brand Asset Management Group in St. Louis. He is dedicated to community engagement, serving on nonprofit boards that impact families, marriages, and the broader community. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of aiming for impact each day over…
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Beyond Politics: How Leaders Can Unite for Systemic Change - Eric Bronner
Eric Bronner is the co-founder and COO of Veterans for All Voters, a nonpartisan organization focused on empowering voters and reducing political polarization. He shares his experiences leading a national nonprofit and emphasizes the crucial role leaders play in driving meaningful change. In this...
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Turning Challenges into Opportunities: How Adversity Fuels Leadership Growth - Joe McKee
Joe McKee is the visionary owner of the Paric Corporation and Holdings Company, a leading firm renowned for its exponential growth. He also serves as the chapter chair of the St. Louis Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) Gold and has been deeply involved in the YPO community for decades.In this...
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The Innovator’s Dilemma: Navigating the Next Step in Growth - Alaina Macia
Alaina Macia is the president and CEO of MTM, a company that has grown from $30 million to over $1 billion in revenue under her leadership. Alaina shares how she navigates the complexities of leadership and growth in a fast-scaling company. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of taking...
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Embracing Learning Over Winning - Chris Wallbank
Chris Wallbank is the CEO of PJ Wallbank Springs, a world-class manufacturing organization. He is known for his commitment to fostering a culture of employee engagement. In this episode: Embracing learning over winning by viewing failures as opportunities for growth and adaptation. Aligning...
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Walking the Talk: Ensuring Your Video Matches Your Audio - Lisa Nichols
Lisa Nichols is the CEO and co-founder of Technology Partners, a company recognized for its incredible culture and innovative work. With over 30 years of experience, Lisa brings a unique blend of faith, innovation, and transparency to the CEO title. In this episode, we discuss: Integrity in...
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It’s Not About Me: Leadership Through Collective Success – Marc Reifenrath
Marc Reifenrath is the CEO and co-founder of Spinutech, a full-service digital agency. He has intentionally invested in building a world-class culture within the company. Marc's leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and collaborative environment. In this…
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CEOs – The Last Trusted Leaders - Steve Shifman
Steve Shifman is the chairman of Michelman, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer, where he served as president and CEO from 2003 to 2021. In today's episode, we talk about: CEOs as trusted leaders and their responsibility to lead with integrity Strategies for boosting employee engagement...
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Courageous Coaching Cultures: Growing Your Business in Purpose & Profit - Marc D Braun & Garry Ridge
Garry Ridge, past CEO of WD-40, and Marc D Braun, co-founder and CEO of Encouraging Leaders, talk on the transformative power of coaching in organizational culture. They discuss the direct correlation between leadership behavior and business performance, emphasizing the necessity of employee...
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Scaling Success: Why Micromanagement Holds Your Business Back - Stan Sewitch
Stan Sewitch is the previous Vice President ofOrganizational Development for WD-40, a seasoned consultant, and author. In this episode, we discuss: • The importance of avoiding micromanagement fororganizational growth • The value of CEO circles and peer groups for leadershipdevelopment •…
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Why transparency is essential for effective leadership — Marc & Garry
In this episode, Marc D Braun and Garry Ridge discuss Jana De Anda’s interview on transparency. Along the way, they talk about: The four needs every team member has Creating psychological safety across your organization How transparency can improve performance And why vulnerability leads to...
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Leading With Transparency — Jana De Anda
Jana De Anda is the president and co-founder of Excelerate. In today's episode, we talk about: Lessons from growing up in Beirut during the war Choosing the path of resilience over a victimhood mindset The superhuman power of working with a world-class team Learning painful but important lessons...
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How To Use Humor As A Leader — Christine O’Leary
Christine O'Leary is a comedian who helps leaders tap into the power of humor to boost intimacy, engagement and buy-in from their team. In today's episode, we talk about: Why every CEO should consider doing stand-up comedy 1 simple trick to win the audience in your first 10 seconds on stage How…
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Making Better Decisions — Justin Woodard
Justin Woodard is a third-generation visionary at Woodard Cleaning Restoration who champions purposeful leadership and transformative team culture. In this episode, we talk about: What he learned growing up watching his father run the business Why firing problematic customers is sometimes the…
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Why Leaders Must Become Better Storytellers — Mark Thom
Mark Thom is the CEO & Chairman of construction technology leader Mitek. In this episode, we talk about: How the job of every senior leader is to tell a "continuous story” Seeing others' stories as wellsprings of creative genius. Rhythms as the heartbeat of leadership Why only 2% of adults…
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Leading In PURPOSE & PROFIT — Bill George
Bill George is the former CEO of Medtronic, an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School and the author of True North. In this episode, we talk about: The connection between purpose and profit when it comes to growth Why so many CEOs today lack courage Johnson & Johnson's blueprint for...
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Why Leaders MUST Ask For Help — Chester Elton
Chester Elton is a best-selling author, international keynote speaker and the "guru of gratitude." In this episode, we talk about: How gratitude destroys anxiety. Why asking for help isn't a sign of weakness Daily habits Chester uses to win the day (Even when it's tough) How to always stay…
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Build A World-Changing Company Culture — Garry Ridge
Garry Ridge is the former CEO of WD-40 who scaled the company to 176 countries around the world. In this episode, we talk about: His shift from manager to coach The power of leaders admitting "I don't know" Why it's crucial to arrange your values in a hierarchy How to turn failure into "learning...
About this show
Welcome to Encouraging Leaders: a podcast that exists to remind CEOs and Aspiring CEOs that they are not alone.Each episode features world-class CEOs who've walked your current path and shares practical tools/insights to help you become a better leader in every area of your life.To find out how we can support your leadership journey, book a free, 15-minute call here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/marc15minvirtual
Hosted by
Marc D Braun
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