What It Takes To Lead

In this episode of What It Takes to Lead, Mike Sterling dives into the core leadership value of open and honest dialogue. Reflecting on his decades of experience in business and life, Mike shares the transformative power of authentic communication in building trust, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative team environment. From navigating tough decisions to balancing personal and professional challenges, this episode provides actionable insights for leaders at every stage.This episode concludes this season of the podcast, but stay tuned. This wont be the last time you hear from the cast.If you have a topic idea or questions, please reach out using the email below, and we will see you next time.About the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Today’s episode is a lightening round for Mike Sterlacci. Listen in and Leir and Charlie ask Mike questions about Life, Love, Leadership, and what his remaining years hold. The conversations ranges from building a marriage around a shared faith, to facing death in your later years, to the highly controversial topics like pineapple on pizza.About the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Ever wondered how top entrepreneurs differentiate between good and great business ideas? Join the cast for a discussion on balancing faith, family, and business in the modern world. Mike and the crew discuss knowing what opportunities to pursue, leveraging your strengths in leading the charge on a new idea, and when your passion is worth pursuing.Shares:Leif: Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie JacobsenTony: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Paul Brand and Philip YanceyIsaac: The Wheel of Time on audibleMike: Amazing Grace by Eric MetaxasAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Our latest episode offers fascinating insights from our special guest, Tony Smith, CPO of Ansel, who unveils the innovative vision behind Ansel and Coverica. The whole crew sits down to discuss where the fast paced technology world meets the slow to adopt insurance world and how listening and understanding user needs can lead to impactful problem solving for insurance agents and providers. Shares:Leif: A Practitioner's Guide to Business Analytics, The Allman Brothers BandTony: Blake MillsCharlie: Life is not a hero's journeyGarrett: “Farewell, My Lovely” by Philip MarloweMike: “Kings and Priests” by David HighAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Get a behind the scenes look at the long talked about succession plan for Coverica. Today you’ll hear firsthand why Mike chose to transfer 30% of his company to its employees and how this move aligns with his core values, avoiding nepotism and boosting staff engagement. Mike’s thoughtful approach to succession planning and legacy building offers invaluable insights for any business owner contemplating their company's future.Succession planning isn't just about handing over the reins; it's about nurturing future leaders and ensuring business continuity.  With insights from Rhonda Cox (Acting CEO of Coverica) and John Sutter (Senior VP of Risk Management), we explore Coverica's unique culture and the strategic implementation of a stock-based compensation model. This approach not only invigorates mature producers but also aligns with the company's long-term vision of fostering an ownership mentality among staff.Shares:John: IRMI’s Energy Risk and Insurance Specialist curriculum Leif: The Social Network, “Measure What Matters” by John DoerrRhonda: “The Dream Manager” by Matthew KellyMike: Human Zoos, Israel’s Place in the WorldAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Eric Hurt returns to the podcast for a discussion about Mike’s 4 precepts and how they are used in CoVerica for conflict resolution, effective communication, and the nexus of faith and decision-making. The whole cast weighs in with personal anecdotes and professional insights that have shaped their journey after learning and adopting the CoVerica Ethos.Erik Hurt has 15 years of industry experience and takes pride in helping people protect the things that are important to them through a no-surprises approach to insurance. He’s a trusted advisor to his clients—from first-time home buyers to high-net-worth individuals—who appreciate his dependability and dedication to doing what’s right, no matter what. Shares:Leif: “Meditations” by Marcus AureliusCharlie: Dune Part IIGarrett: System Sunday Newsletter by Ben MeerErik: Good to Great by Jim Collins, Learn an instrumentMike: “Dream Town” by David BaldacciAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Mark Conley, takes us through his transformative journey, sharing the pivotal moments and hard-earned wisdom from transitioning out of General Mills to guiding a church and creating a flourishing consulting practice. It's a tale of aligning career with purpose, navigating family dynamics, and the introspective understanding of one's personality that can dictate both professional and personal success.Unravel the complexities of team dynamics with us as we examine the revolutionary Culture Index and its profound effects on organizations such as Coverica.We discuss real-life applications, from how we've used behavioral assessments to transform communication within teams, to the surprising way such insights can enhance our personal relationships as well.Shares:Leif: “The Outsider”Charlie: Sales Force Trail HeadGarrett: “The Lean Startup” by Eric RiesMark: “The 4 Disciplines of Self Execution” by Chris McChesney and Open To Debate PodcastMike: Quotes from SocratesAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Ever wondered how teamwork can elevate your sales game? Alison Nielson and Eric Hurt unveil the secret sauce: a blend of empowerment and collaboration that's turning Coverica into a sales powerhouse. We talk candidly about the transformative shift from solo competition to nurturing collective triumphs. Discover how fostering a culture of creativity and proactive problem-solving can not only electrify a workplace but also drive innovation and growth. Plus, you'll get a glimpse into how our new producer stock plan is changing the game for our team members.Alison Nielson joined the CoVerica team in 2018 where she demonstrated that she’s a knowledgeable advisor and highly capable agent. She specializes in insurance plans for small businesses, including gyms and yoga studios, salons, barber shops and artisan contractors, as well as first-time home buyers, new homes and investment properties.Erik Hurt has 15 years of industry experience and takes pride in helping people protect the things that are important to them through a no-surprises approach to insurance. He’s a trusted advisor to his clients—from first-time home buyers to high-net-worth individuals—who appreciate his dependability and dedication to doing what’s right, no matter what.Shares:Leif: $100 Million Leads by Alex HormoziAlison: Robyn Garrett on IG (@realcourageousleadership)Eric: Band Of Brothers by Stephen AmbroseGarrett: 7 Principles To Making Marriage Work by John GottmanMike: Bad Childhood, Good Life by Dr. Laura SchlessingerAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

Join us as we sit down with Chris Sterlacci, Air Force veteran and Managing Partner at Covarrica Agency Alliance. He is also the son of our show’s host, Mike Sterlacci.Navigating the professional terrain with kin often means crossing a minefield of expectations. This episode doesn't shy away from the hard truths about the perils of nepotism and the importance of cultivating a culture where respect trumps popularity. Mike Sterlacy's mentorship philosophy within the family is a masterclass in balancing the fine line between offering guidance and allowing room for growth. His candid storytelling, combined with Chris's firsthand experiences, provides a raw look at what it takes to prepare the next generation for the mantle of leadership.Shares:Leif: Funny quotes from history of older generations talking bad about younger generationsGarrett: 7 Principles To Making Marriage Work by John GottmanChris: Leading With A Limp by Dan allender Mike: Socrates in the Studio; Heroic Fraternities by Anthony BradleyAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

In this episode you will meet John Sutter (EVP of Risk Management) and Andy Bracken (CRO) of CoVericaImagine navigating the tumultuous waters of agency mergers and acquisitions, where every decision can either forge a lasting legacy or signal the end of an era. Today, we dissect the complex dance between maintaining a company's culture and achieving top-line growth. This episode peels back the curtain on the personal factors that drive business decisions and the vital role of community service in our corporate identity.The heart of our conversation beats to the rhythm of Coverica's M&A philosophy, where the well-being of people is as crucial as the numbers on a balance sheet. We scrutinize the fine line between nurturing a flourishing workforce and capitalizing on immediate revenue spikes post-acquisition. Stories of agency transitions reveal the emotional and financial intricacies only known to those at the helm. Shares:Leif: Robert Oppenheimer: The Man and His Theories by Michel Rouze; Music on VinylGarrett: Stonebriar Community Church “When God Gives You A Wake Up Call”John: Staying up to date with the latest news from insurance carriers.Andy: “Start With Why” by Simon SinekMike: “Becoming the G. O. A. T.” Movie; All In Podcast ep 165About the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

In this episode you will meet Rhonda Cox, the Interim CEO of CoVerica. Her story is a testament to the enduring power of mentorship, resilience, and the foundational pillars of faith, family, and friends. This episode peels back the layers of leadership, examining the symbiotic dynamic between a visionary and an integrator—a relationship that is the lifeblood of innovation and operational excellence in any successful business. In this episode we engage in a raw dialogue about the internal and external struggles that leaders face—from navigating staff management to overcoming legal and financial obstacles.As part of the CoVerica leadership team, Rhonda is focused on developing talent and building a culture of customer service excellence. She takes pride in her team’s reputation for dependable, hassle-free service to each and every CoVerica client and is passionate about helping employees become experts in their fields.Shares:Leif: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber; The President’s Daily Brief PodcastGarrett: The Agile ManifestoCharlie: The Midnight GospelRhonda: The Servant Leader by Ken Blanchard & Phil HodgesMike:The Board of Directors for a Private Enterprise by Dennis Cagan; Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson; Rules of Prey by John SandfordAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, we open a treasure trove of leadership lessons and growth strategies, drawing from both personal transformation and the enduring wisdom of biblical figures like Moses. Today, you will meet Paul Keisling and hear about his experiences in behavioral science and empathy-driven mental healthcare to further color our conversation; thus, providing a rich backdrop for understanding the human dimension of business growth and succession planning.Paul Keisling is a senior consultant with The Center Consulting Group. Paul has over 40 years experience leading, building, and operating businesses, both for- and nonprofit. His areas of expertise include leadership coaching, team development, organizational assessment, conflict/crisis management, board/owner advising, succession planning, and he has been helping Mike with his succession plan for Coverica.Shares:Leif: Trust Me I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday; Lake Point Church Garrett: Pawel HurynCharlie: The Creative Act by Rick RubbenPaul: The Center Consulting Group and their videos Mike: Proverbs 26:20 and 27:21; Terry Jordan’s supplement to the ConstitutionAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, we wade through the fascinating journey of Coverica's transition to employee ownership. Mike's candid revelations illuminate how core company values and the power of patience are crucial when guiding a team through mental hurdles and fostering a culture of authentic accountability. Listen in as he addresses the importance of giving and community, the relationship between increasing your income and increasing your responsibilities, and how to figure out what motivates top performers with large egos.Shares:Leif: The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton ChristensenGarrett: Running Lean by Ash MauyraCharlie: MeditationMike: Ben Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson; Peter Santenello   YouTube ChannelAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, Mike’s wife, Heidi Sterlaccie, joins the podcast to talk about how they built their company around giving. Heidi has been with Mike for over 30 years. During that time she saw the ups and downs of the building of Coverica and today she shares what she and Mike did to keep their faith and relationship strong, as well as the role giving has played in their lives (both personally and professionally)Shares:Leif: NYT’s DealBooks Summit Garrett: The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes GreenHeidi: Books based around WWIIMike: “Caddyshack” Directed by Harold Ramins About the ShowWhat It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large.  New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.About the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, Eric Hurt joins the podcast to talk shop and sales with Mike and the crew. Eric Hurt is the Vice President of Personal Lines and has worked for CoVerica for over 15 years. Together, Eric and Mike share their insights on how sales has (and hasn’t) changed over the years, what it takes to be successful in sales, and also what it looks like to practice the four precepts to do the right things for the right reasons as a salesman.Shares:Leif: Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk Eric: EntreLeadership by Dave RamseyCharlie: Untethered Soul by Michael SingerMike: Popsicle Toes by Michael FranksAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, Mike invites Ralph Heffelman onto the show to talk about their friendship of virtue and history together in business. Ralph and Mike share how they met and continued their relationship professionally and personally throughout the years, and what it meant to their development and growth. Mike also takes a moment to share his definition of the three (3) types of friendships, and how to go about identifying them.The Three Types of Friendships:Friendships of UseFriendships of Pleasure Friendships of VirtueShares:Leif: Breaking Points Podcast, and “Hate Ink” by Matt TaibbiRalph: Ray Dalio YouTube ChannelGarrett: The Bear ShowMike: Doc Martin ShowAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of What It Takes To Lead, Mike shares how he intends to leave a legacy that takes care of his employees even after he is gone. The crew talk about the problems that come up when a company sells and what Mike would like to do differently to stay in line with his faith, his principles, and the culture he has helped build at CoVerica.Shares:Charlie: The Waking Up meditation appGarrett: Sermons by Chuck Swindoll of the Stonebriar Community ChurchMike: Reframe Your Brain by Scott AdamsLeif: The Marcus King Band and their album Carolina Confessions About the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of What It Takes To Lead, Mike digs deeper into his 3 ways of dealing with employees. The crew also talk about company culture and building community, the importance of having employee roles fit personalities, and when to let someone go.The three ways to engage your employees:Help them find contentment in their work, Help them to understand and achieve the KPIs to reach their career goals, orHelp them build their resume so they can go somewhere else.Shares:Isaac: Sell Naked On The Phone by Joe PiciLeif: Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder by Nicholas TalebGarrett: Hidden Brain Podcast Shankar Vedantam Mike: Taking Clarity BreaksAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, our hosts talk about leadership and doing the right things for the right reasons in business. You will hear from Mike on thinking long-term as a business, and why finding your “North Star” is so important for effective business leaders. Also, Mike shares the three (3) ways CoVerica treats its employees and the impacts of servant leadership.The three ways to engage your employees:Help them find contentment in their work, Help them to understand and achieve the KPIs to reach their career goals, orHelp them build their resume so they can go somewhere else.Shares:Isaac: Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor FranklLeif: The Coddling of The American Mind by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan HaidtGarrett: Against the Rules podcast by Michael Lewis - season 2, ep 2Mike: GoodFellows podcast by the Hoover InstituteAbout the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.

On this episode of the podcast, hosts Garrett Cooper and Leif Hurst, producer Charlie Hooper, and CoVerica Founder and Chairman Mike Sterlacci discuss the importance of faith, family, friendships, and business lessons. Mike shares his insights from the CoVerica Agency Alliance dinner and emphasizes the need to transition to a concierge-style business model. The hosts then discuss Mike’s “Four Precepts” and the future vision for CoVerica.The Four Precepts:Die to self (i.e., set aside your pride, biases, prejudices, and personal history)Actions sought to support the best interests of all involved Do the right things for the right reasons (a Judeo-Christian business ethic)Conduct open and honest dialogueShares:Charlie: Oppenheimer movie - Example of reaching for too muchLeif: Lex Freedman’s Podcast - Recent episode about AI and its impact on workGarrett: James Clear 3-2-1 Thursday News LetterMike: “Why Business Matters to God: (And What Still Needs to Be Fixed)”Mike Sterlacci began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to the company and society. About the Show What It Takes to Lead is a podcast about Mike Sterlacci’s faith, family, friendships, and business lessons learned over 40-plus years of selling insurance and building a rapid-growth multi-million dollar insurance agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Mike began his insurance career in 1979 as a captive agent at a major carrier. As CEO of CoVerica, Mike directed the company’s long-term vision. His focus on constant improvement has fueled the agency’s profit and revenue growth. Mike is passionate about making a difference and helping employees find fulfillment through their careers. As a mentor, he helps up-and-coming agents discover and apply their strengths to add real value to CoVerica and society at-large. New episodes drop every-other-Thursday. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at [email protected] or via Twitter/X at @wittlpod. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review.