How do leaders navigate crucial inflection points?

That’s what hosts Joe and Reid set out to find out on this season of 1,000 Stories. There are so many inflection points in the course of building, scaling, and sustaining a business–so what are the tools and tactics that today’s best leaders have in their back pocket in order to navigate those inflection points in a way that is not only sustainable for the business, but also sustainable for them as people?

Throughout the season, we’ve spoken to multiple business leaders to gain their perspectives on the matter. Join hosts Joe Mills and Reid Morris on this final episode of this season of 1,000 Stories as they synthesize what they’ve learned about identity and leadership from the past interviews.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Understanding their identity is critical to a leader’s success.

2. Filtering relevant and irrelevant information and advice is a skill leaders must hone.

3. Holding the future less tightly allows leaders and businesses to change must easier.

Jump into the Conversation:

[00:36] Returning to the Season’s Question

[02:41] Building Identity with Mark Caswell

[05:02] Preventing Roles from Defining Our Identity

[07:28] Holding the Future Less Tightly

[10:15] Uncovering Identity with Wes Cate

[13:24] Evaluating Leadership Identities with Adam Ringo

[15:38] Entering New Markets with Tim Leman 

[17:25] Ad Break

[18:30] Leading Brand Strategies to New Markets

[21:12] Following What’s Right for Your Business with Kelley Stacy

[24:51] Filtering Advice with Tiffany Sauder

[27:18] Following the Outcome You Want

[29:33] Zooming Out and Seeing the Overarching Theme

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Leave us a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-000-stories/id1642511925

Follow E3 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/element-three-marketing-consultancy/ 

Follow Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemillse3/ 

Follow Reid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidmorris/ 

There’s never been more expert advice accessible to leaders than there is today. A quick search online and you’ll find tips from countless resources on how you can navigate your particular leadership or business problem. Everyone has something to say. 

But the catch is: Who should you follow?

Tiffany Sauder, CEO of Element Three, sits down with Joe Mills on this episode of 1,000 Stories to share her perspectives on how she’s able to openly receive feedback and advice, and confidently discern whether or not to follow it. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How looking at whether or not the outcomes someone achieved aligns with what you want is a great indicator of whether you should follow their advice or not.

2. How achieving small wins is a clue you’re heading in the right direction.

3. What you believe is what you create.

Jump into the Conversation:

[05:25] Introducing Tiffany Sauder

[07:00] Wisdom Exposure in Your Early 20s

[09:46] Dealing with Long-Term Feedback Loops

[11:50] Standing Behind Open-Book Financials

[14:52] Committing to Big Changes

[17:21] Considering Who’s Giving Advice

[20:39] Doing the Best You Can

[23:36] Reid Insert: Listen to Brian Kavicky 

[24:07] Separating Your Business and Personal Identity

[25:28] Short-Term Bets for Long-Term Goals

[29:48] Ad break

[30:54] Following What Speaks to Your Soul

[33:56] Choosing Your Reality

[37:16] Deciding to Be Excellent

[38:42] Being the Best

[39:46] Reid Insert: What is DISC?

[40:22] Being Yourself to Help Others Better

[43:33] Comfort in Being Wrong

[46:24] Post-show Debriefing

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Tiffany: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanysauder/

Listen to [Fear Journey] I am pursuing truth with Brian Kavicky on the Scared Confident podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-pursuing-truth-with-brian-kavicky/id1555762235?i=1000522488004

Check out The Great Game of Business: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Game-Business-Expanded-Updated/dp/0385348339 

Ever found yourself wondering if leaders should stick to the norm or do what's best for their own company? It's like wading through a jungle of "best practices" for leadership – a real head-scratcher.

Especially when we're all bombarded with advice on how to be a top-notch leader, figuring out what clicks with you can be a real puzzle. And, let's be real, in times like the crazy rollercoaster of the pandemic, it's not about doing what everyone else says; it's about doing what actually works for your unique business (and the people who make it up). Kelley Stacy, President and CEO of SMC Corporation of America, embodies this mindset completely. 

She joins host Joe Mills on this episode of the 1,000 Stories podcast to talk about the unrelenting work ethic behind her 29-year career. Listen to learn why a deep understanding of your business and holding strong to your beliefs is critical for your growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Filtering information is critical to choosing what’s best for your business.

2. If you aren’t willing to put in the hours you’re delegating to others, don’t be a manager.

3. You’re only as good at the people you manage.

Jump into the Conversation:

[04:34] Coming to Understand the Purpose of a CEO 

[06:14] Making Unpopular Decisions 

[08:22] Navigating Cultural Differences 

[11:30] Managing When the Role Feels Like an Error

[12:40] Balancing Determination to Learn and Leave 

[14:44] Proving the Grass Isn’t Always Greener

[15:40] The Difference Between Culture and People

[17:03] Kelley’s Growth in the Company

[18:30] Working in an International, Male-Dominated Space

[20:25] Understanding Acquisition with Adam Ringo

[20:55] Growing Organically

[21:42] Balancing a Hectic Schedule

[23:03] Learning to Delegate

[24:42] Ad Break

[25:48] Treating People Fairly

[26:42] Strict Streamlining

[28:50] Filtering Out the Noise

[31:52] Managing Your Inputs

[32:26] What People Miss When Working Remotely

[35:02] Post-show Debriefing 

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kstacy/

Listen to 1,000 Stories with Adam Ringo: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_60aIbTxsM

Challenges and opportunities. It’s the inherent balance that comes with entering new markets. You’ll overcome one and encounter the other. 

But what is most important is how you navigate through both.

Tim Leman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gibson Insurance, joins Reid and Joe to share the key to entering, navigating, and growing within new markets.

With Gibson Insurance going from a regional to a national firm, Tim talks about the importance of focusing on navigating leadership transitions, building a supportive culture and community, and how to balance performance and avoid burnout.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Leadership is one of the most important factors to nail when entering a new market. 

2. Being aligned with your team is just as important as being aligned with the market needs. 

3. Entering into a new market takes time. Patience is critical to your long-term success.

Jump into the Conversation:

[04:02] How Gibson Insurance Works

[05:05] Introducing Tim Leman

[06:41] How Do Businesses Consider Hiring New Talent in New Markets? 

[08:25] Hiring Up and Coming Talent

[13:56] Lessons from Past Market Entry Failures

[16:43] Encouraging Honesty in Work 

[18:06] Creating a New Team Selling Model

[20:42] Assessing New Market Data

[24:54] Ad Break

[26:00] Matching Ideal Customers with Ideal Producers

[29:20] Balancing Replication and Individualization 

[31:16] Bridging Belief Gaps in New Hires

[34:15] Tim’s Early-Career Changes

[36:16] The Challenges of Balancing Burnout

[38:43] Leading by Example

[40:41] Calculating the Cost of Perfection

[43:00] How Greg Downs Helped Tim 

[44:12] Synthesizing Themes 

[45:36] The Value of Patience for Leaders

[48:04] Post-show Debriefing 

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timleman/

Listen to 1,000 Stories with John Gough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdT9lhy2MpA

Business acquisition isn’t just about considering the assets you’ll gain but also the leader you’ll work with.

Can you work with them long-term? Are your values aligned?

A leader’s identity and personality can often complicate your plans, whether you’re looking to buy a business or even partner with one. Understanding and respecting the different types of leaders will help you navigate these scenarios more productively. 

In this episode, Adam Ringo, Managing Partner at Watercourse Investments, shares valuable insights about identity, leadership, and more.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Impact can’t happen without sustainable growth.

2. Leadership buckets to understand different leaders.

3. Relationships are your most important currency.

Jump into the Conversation:

[04:15] Introducing Adam Ringo

[05:51] Understanding Radical Simplification

[07:58] Is Making Money a Bad Goal?

[08:56] Ownership and Stewardship

[10:48] What Makes a Good Leader to Invest In?

[12:49] Why Leaders Sell Their Business

[14:08] Dealing with Leaders Who Want to Stay

[15:14] How Identity Complicates Acquisitions 

[16:31] Finding Chemistry, Capacity, and Calling

[18:33] Managing Leaders Shifting Identities 

[20:04] Why It’s “Lonely at the Top”

[21:09] Feedback Loops for Leaders

[22:35] Ad Break

[23:41] Visionary and Integrator Leaders

[24:13] What is an EOS?

[25:31] Frameworks for Bucketing Leaders

[26:42] What is Chemistry, Capacity, and Calling?

[27:22] Frameworks for Bucketing Leaders (Con’t)

[28:23] Understanding Leaders’ Strengths

[31:08] Traits of an Entrepreneur 

[35:14] The Reality of Loving the Process

[37:11] Tips for Letting Go of the Outcome

[40:26] Relationships are Your Currency

[42:30] Post-show Debriefing 

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ringo-955b0820/

Listen to 1,000 Stories with Johnathan Gough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdT9lhy2MpA

“Who am I?”

It’s a lifelong question many of us ask ourselves.

We all have many roles and responsibilities, yet those are not the answer to the age-old question. Where do you go to unpack this question and unlock the answer to help you grow?  Wes Cate, Founder of Creatio, a company that helps senior executives lead through complexity with clarity, courage, and compassion, shares in-depth insights to help us tackle this topic, illuminating the differences between identity and purpose. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• How your identity is made up (and it might not be what you think) 

• What you can do to expand your self-perception 

• Why you should remove the pressure of trying to ‘find’ an answer 

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Jump into the conversation:

[04:42] Introducing Wes Cate

[06:51] Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Friendship

[11:09] Over-identifying with Our Roles

[11:40] Investigating the Question “Who do you want to be?”

[14:32] Identity-Based on Love vs. Hate

[15:31] Diminishing Returns of High Performance

[16:00] Exploring the Other Sides of You

[17:41] The Value of Non-Performative Hobbies

[18:56] Finding Things to Be Bad At

[22:25] Realizing Your Resilient Identity 

[26:36] Drawing a Map of Your Identity 

[28:13] Using Personality Tests

[29:30] Continuously Realizing Your Identity 

[31:45] Practical Identity Discovery Tips 

[34:39] Writing Multiple Futures for Yourself

[39:01] Accepting vs. Building Your Identity 

There’s no question what you do affects how you think about yourself. What happens when you realize your role for years no longer fits? For Mark Caswell, that means stepping down as CEO of Resultant and discovering he’s more than a title.

Mark Caswell is now a board member at Resultant but is still learning more about his identity. He joins host Joe Mills on 1,000 Stories to talk about transitioning and bringing in a new CEO, how it impacts his identity, and where he goes next.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How your role doesn’t have to define you. 

2. People rely on you as a leader, so taking care of yourself is essential. 

3. Understanding how to grow a business sustainably includes your mental and physical health. 

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

• Follow Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markocaswell/
• I Am a 10 Regardless of What Happens with Brian Kavicky by the Scared Confident podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/56bREzreM0u3ov0IHTA8lC

A business’ inflection point is a critical moment that determines its future. Whether it’s taking on more capital or getting acquired, leaders are bound to have stories of how they navigated through these difficult circumstances—and that’s what hosts @Reid Morris and @Joe Mills intend to find out in the newest season of 1,000 Stories.

Listen for a discussion about what you can learn from the episodes to come, how the show’s format will change, and what effects inflection points could have on a leaders’ personal life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why you should listen to the third season of 1,000 Stories

2. How hosts Reid Morris and Joe Mills intend to investigate company inflection points 

3. What makes the stories behind inflection points so valuable

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mills-0ba62b42/

Follow Reid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reidmorris/

Knowing and seeing what’s possible is the first step to making it come true. 

For Rachel Downey, Founder and CEO of Share Your Genius, it was discovering that it was possible to run a business at make time for her daughter simultaneously. 

Rachel sits down with Joe and Reid on this episode of the 1,000 Stories podcast to tell the story of how the idea of Share Your Genius came to her on her hospital bed, just after having her daughter, and how her vision for the company played a role in its growth. 

She also talks more about her non-linear career path, deciding what to be great at, learning how to dream, and more. 

Her experiences as a mother and a founder can help you realize that it’s possible to build a reality that matches what you want once you’ve committed to making it happen.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. You can love the process of seeing your visions come true but don’t let it obscure the reason why you’re doing it in the first place.

2. Strengthening your dreaming muscle is essential to lead your business successfully. 

3. Thinking you're good enough and deciding you can be great at something are two different things; you need the latter to really make a difference in your life.

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelstsdowney/

1,000 Stories episode starring Cornelius George: https://elementthree.com/resources/you-can-only-control-you-with-cornelius-george/

1,000 Stories episode starring Tiffany Sauder: https://elementthree.com/resources/leadership-and-the-value-of-vulnerability/

What are you fighting for? 

Most fighters might think that it’s all about their record and having more wins than losses. But in Muay Thai, it’s often about fighting to become a better version of yourself. 

Jamie Bradley, Muay Thai instructor and Gym Owner of KruFit, joined the 1,000 Stories podcast to talk about the beauty of Muay Thai, its impact on her life, the transition from being an athlete to a business owner, and more.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. You improve more from your losses than from your wins.

2. Process over product. It’s better to lose from performing at your highest level than to win fighting dirty.

3. Learning martial arts and prioritizing your fitness benefits all areas of your life, not just your physical well-being.

To claim 10% off of your first month of BetterHelp, use the code 1000STORIES here: https://betterhelp.com/1000stories

Resources:

Follow Jamie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bradley-61b55826/

KruFit website: https://krufit.com/