Harmonious at Lunch

Beyond Buzzwords: Building Culture Through Action


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Heard the term "servant leadership" thrown around but rarely seen it genuinely practiced? Many companies talk the talk, but few leaders truly embody the principles required to build a thriving, people-first culture. This episode of Harmonious at Lunch features John Makarewicz of Faris Capital Partners, a leader who has built successful companies by putting these ideas into action. Learn from his practical experiences moving beyond buzzwords to create teams that are engaged, productive, and aligned with a meaningful purpose.

Key takeaways:

  • Understand why authentic servant leadership starts at the top, requiring leaders to consistently model the behaviors they expect from their team.
  • Discover the advantage of checking your ego at the door to hire "multipliers"—talented individuals who excel beyond your own expertise in specific areas.
  • Learn a practical method for defining your company culture through specific, observable actions and expectations, not just abstract values on a wall.
  • Recognize the critical importance of connecting each team member's role to the larger company vision and purpose, fostering a sense of contribution.
  • Hear why dedicating significant effort to the hiring process—identifying and attracting the right talent upfront—is a high-leverage leadership activity.
  • Explore how focusing on the experience of your immediate stakeholders (like employees or direct customers) ultimately benefits investors and the bottom line (The "Costco Model").
  • Gain actionable advice for employees currently navigating difficult or toxic leadership situations on how to provide feedback constructively.

Take action:

  • Like this video, Comment with your experience on company culture, and Subscribe to Harmonious at Lunch for more real-world business discussions.
  • Visit the Faris Capital Partners website at https://fariscapitalpartners.com to see how their people-focused approach drives success in real estate investment and explore potential opportunities.
  • Connect with John Makarewicz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37/
  • Reach out directly via email: john at fariscapitalpartners.com
  • Visit host Brandon Gano's website https://humanop.com/ for tools and methods to gain instant clarity in your business operations and team dynamics.

In this episode, you'll also learn:

  • How firsthand experience with poor leadership can become a powerful catalyst for adopting a servant leadership approach.
  • A tangible example of leading by example: demonstrating accountability by picking up trash on a property visit.
  • Why younger generations, shaped by major societal disruptions like 9/11 and recessions, often seek purpose and meaning in their work.
  • How employees transitioning from negative work environments may initially be wary of a positive culture, and the importance of consistency in building trust.
  • The significance of leaders taking ownership of mistakes rather than resorting to blame.
  • A helpful technique for preparing and delivering difficult feedback to a manager by scripting it first to remove excess emotion.
  • How understanding underlying behavioral styles and needs can help navigate and improve challenging workplace relationships.

If you're a leader aiming to build more than just a profitable company—if you want to cultivate a resilient, motivated team and a genuinely positive culture—this conversation offers valuable, experience-based guidance. Tune in to learn how leading through service and action creates lasting success.


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Harmonious at LunchBy HumanOp Technologies