Branch Out - A Podcast from Connection Builders

While it is easy to associate leadership with perfection, there is a lot to be said for leaders who show up as authentic human beings that still have a lot to learn. Today's guest is Ben Vance, and he joins us to talk about how this approach to leadership informs his role as Director of Business Valuation and Transaction Advisory with Postlethwaite & Netterville. Our conversation starts on the difference between management and leadership, and Ben makes some critical distinctions. For Ben, management is all about ensuring a project is perfect and delivering it on time. In contrast, leadership is more interpersonal and thus more complex and more challenging to get right. Ben tries to see himself as a constant student in the art of leadership, and he talks about the value of accepting that we won't get things right the first time around when it comes to leading people. This aspect of admitting our shortcomings is a crucial part of being authentic, and it is authenticity that helps us empathize with, connect to, and motivate our staff better at the end of the day. Ben also shares some valuable points about the challenge of knowing when to take command as a leader versus letting staff make mistakes and learn on their own. Another key subject from today is how to stay motivated and keep up a spirit of learning once we master our professional roles' technicalities. We cover a lot more ground on the complex subject of leadership today, so be sure to tune in for the whole conversation!

• The difference between management and leadership.
• Why being a good leader is a continuous learning process.
• The deadlines and deliverables of management versus the people business of leadership.
• Being a manager requires being perfect, while being a leader is about being comfortable with not being perfect.
• The leadership style Ben advocates for of giving his employees agency.
• Knowing when to take control versus give employees the space to fail and learn.
• The value of downtime for leaders and knowing when to give it to employees.
• Learning leadership lessons by going through cycles of stress and recovery.
• How Zoom calls in the pandemic have allowed people to show more authenticity.
• Being a more empathetic leader by remembering people have a lot going on in their lives.
• Knowing when to prioritize family versus work: an essential leadership skill.
• How to overcome decreasing satisfaction and stay energized.
• The mindset piece of good leadership; being mentally prepared for the challenge.
• How much better of a leader one becomes by being authentic.

Ben Vance on LinkedIn
Postlethwaite & Netterville
The Way We Work Isn't Working
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Simon Sinek
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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 Key Points From This Episode: 

• Tom’s thoughts on disruptive leadership and how it applies to the organization he leads.
• Why meaningful change is disruptive by nature. 
• Three components from a cultural perspective that impact disruptive change.
• Common excuses used to not grow during a time of change.
• How Tom has coped with the drastic change caused by COVID.
• How leaders can best address angst.
• Tom shares why he is never unwilling to have conflict and to disagree with his peers.
• Hear how leaders can affect change in organizations to bring about more diversity.
• Tom shares how working with Parity has been a real game-changer.

Creating an inclusive environment is key to a more equal society as well as success in our business and personal lives too. Here on the show today to discuss the important subject of diversity are Christine Nowaczyk,  Arizona Corporate Banking Executive for BOK Financial, and Rich Grant, Director of Business Development at Northlane Capital Partners. Rich and Christine bring their experiences of being minorities in their work environments to bear and share the ways that they are pushing the conversation about diversity and inclusion forward. We talk about the need for everybody in a team to work together to create an inclusive environment, especially the leaders who have the power to make decisions and hires that shape a company. To this end, they both weigh in on the value of simply being excellent as a way of reinforcing their value to their teams every day. We talk about the idea that diversity is achievable by simply being kind to other people and share some ways that can help us learn to listen to perspectives that are not our own. Our conversation also covers the importance of networking in success and the need to offer everybody equal opportunities to networks that can help them grow and flourish. For valuable perspectives on achieving a more diverse workplace and the professional and personal benefits of this, be sure to tune in today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Rich is being intentional about having conversations about diversity in the workplace.
• Christine’s thoughts on the value of treating others kindly toward the project of diversity.
• How Rich sets an example as a Black man in a largely white industry.
• Christine’s approach to conducting herself and staying strong in a male-dominated world.
• The value of being good at what you do for encouraging diversity as a minority.
• Rich’s thoughts on the need for management to be on board with the diversity project.
• Not employing somebody as a token, but to recognize the value they can bring.
• The need for upper management to give everybody in the organization a chance to be heard.
• Different ways of learning how to see things from other people’s perspectives.
• Creating a safe environment that lifts everybody up.
• How Rich got to where he is by putting himself in uncomfortable situations.
• Giving people access to mentors that push them so they can grow.
• What Rich has learned about the willingness people have to work towards diversity.
• Lessons Rich has learned about the value of networking for increasing diversity.
• Normalizing a culture of inclusivity and diversity initiatives.
• Encouraging diversity is about more than just a wish: It’s about having a plan.
• Tackling the things that you can control as a way of encouraging diversity.
• Encouraging diversity through recruitment but also enablement afterward.

Christine Nowaczyk
BOK Financial
Rich Grant
Northlane Capital Partners
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

Have thoughts or comments? We want to hear from you. [email protected]

Today we welcome back returning guest Jamil Sanders, Vice President and Relationship Manager of Key Private Bank in Cleveland, Ohio. In this episode, we shine a light on how accepting ourselves is the first step to accepting others. Jamil offers a wealth of wisdom and helps kick off our conversation by defining the importance of accepting yourself. He touches on the interconnectedness of acceptance and self-love, as well as why we should try not to take on the role of being our own harshest critic. Jamil then takes a moment to explain how he balances the dichotomy of being the best version of himself and forgiving of his flaws. By understanding that success and doubt come with ebbs and flows, he notes that keeping a constant balance of humility is one of the best ways to cope with unexpected adversity. For added perspective, Jamil references his wrestling experiences in high school. Later on in the show, we tuck into the importance of not just hearing those around us but listening to them on much deeper levels. To conclude, Jamil shares advice to those who want to want to make an active change to accept others and improve the lives of those around them. He suggests focusing on what people are and what they are not, as well as how we can have a more productive dialogue to encourage change. To hear more on why self-acceptance is one solution to many business problems, be sure to join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Jamil defines the importance of accepting yourself.
• Jamil balances the dichotomy of being the best version of himself and forgiving of his flaws.
• Jamil shares how he copes with success being met with sudden adversity.
• Hear Jamil's definition of success.
• Jamil touches on the virtues of using grace instead of blame.
• We talk about what it means to truly listen to someone and process how they're feeling.
• Jamil's advice to those who want to make an active effort to accept yourself and others.
• Why dialogue should be centered around finding likeness and not differences.
• A call to action for you to commit to over the next week.

Jamil Sanders on LinkedIn
Past Jamil Sanders Episode
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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Today we open a multi-episode conversation into what diversity means in our personal and professional lives. For this episode, we welcome back Key Bank VP and Relationship Manager Jamil Sanders to hear his insights on authenticity and diversity. Early in the show, we chat about authentically presenting yourself within public and private spaces. We then dive into the challenges faced by minorities in predominantly white industries. As Jamil answers our questions, he highlights the importance of mental coaching, knowing your value, and learning from failure as key in helping minorities to navigate the workplace. After opening up about his own experiences as a black professional, we take a look at what we can all be doing to promote equal work environments. We wrap up the episode with a call to action that will help listeners understand diversity issues. Join us to learn more about authenticity and diversity from our illustrious guest.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Acting authentically in both public and private spaces. 
• Challenges faced by minorities in predominantly white industries.
• Tips on how we overcome our limiting beliefs.
• Insights into showing your value without seeming arrogant. 
• Why listening is key to building connections. 
• Jamil’s process in dissecting and learning from his failure.
• Jamil shares some of his experiences of being a black financial advisor. 
• How Jamil helps others to overcome the challenges of being in a white-dominated industry. 
• Hear how recent news events and racial tensions have impacted Jamil’s life. 
• What you can do to help resolve workplace inequity.
• We share this episode’s call to action on understanding diversity.

Jamil Sanders on LinkedIn
Past Jamil Sanders Episode
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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For years, Dan Lee (Partner with Comvest Partners) was striving for results and results only. On every call, he was looking to make a quick win to add to his tally of success. Yet, Dan realized he was chasing success in the wrong ways. In this vulnerable and honest episode, Dan shares his biggest lessons in business so far and tells us the major mindset shifts he’s made in an effort to gain knowledge and provide more value. We begin our conversation with Dan by hearing about how the COVID pandemic was an ‘aha’ moment that lit a fire under him to make a change. He touches on how the bulk of his career was transaction-focused and why a pivot into business development changed all that for him. Delving deeper, Dan describes his shift in focus toward being a truer, more authentic version of himself. His notes capture what authenticity means to him, as we learn why the ‘all or nothing’ ethos isn’t practical, as well as Dan’s reasons for wanting to be good at several things instead of being great at just one thing. Dan is especially candid in this episode but in an inspiring and magnetic fashion. He shares the advice he’d give his 30-year self and why balance should’ve been his north star. To hear more on Dan’s impressive and evolutionary story, be sure to join us today!

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Dan shares some of his ‘aha’ moments brought about since the start of the pandemic.
• What led to Dan’s fundamental mind shift.
• The importance of looking at business development as itself, and not sales.
• How Dan’s core focus has changed in recent times.
• Dan touches on focussing on things as they are, and not how they seem to be.
• Hear about the advice Dan would give his 30 year-old-version of himself.
• Dan talks about why he’d rather be good at several things than great at one thing.
• Why it is important to consistently try to improve yourself.
• Dan fills us in on how his view on competition was an unhealthy one.
• Host Alex Drost leaves listeners with a challenge for the week.

Dan Lee on LinkedIn
Comvest Partners
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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Being true to our authentic selves is no easy task. However, we can use simple strategies to overcome the fears and barriers that hinder our ability to find our own voices and align our actions with those voices. Stephanie Gaffin, Co-Founder & Managing Partner with SLS Capital Advisors and The Gaffin Group joins us on the show today to discuss the power of meditation and journaling with regard to reaching a state of authenticity in the way we live our lives, the problem with social media and why it degrades authenticity, and the fact that our thoughts cannot always be trusted and we should not let them define us. Stephanie is no stranger to challenging situations, and she shares with us a story of how she turned one of her darkest moments into something much lighter and found herself in the process. In every single situation we find ourselves in, we have a choice as to how we respond. By becoming more mindful and more in touch with who we really are, we are far more likely to make better choices, leading to better outcomes. It's always daunting starting something new, but once you start, the hardest part is already over, and the benefits you experience from journaling and meditation will have you wishing you started sooner.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Stephanie shares her definition of authenticity: Being true to who you really are.  
• The importance of human connection and why authenticity and vulnerability create better relationships. 
• Aligning your thoughts and actions is key to authenticity. 
• Stephanie shares a story about how a funny sticker helped her feel like herself again, in the midst of a challenging experience.
• Social media degrades authenticity because the audience only sees the "highlight reel, not the behind-the-scenes takes."
• Fear of judgment on social media prevents people from engaging and connecting in the virtual world.
• It's impossible to do things perfectly, and nobody expects that of us, so we shouldn't put so much pressure on ourselves. 
• Learning to live in the present moment can help us manage our anxiety about the future. 
• Stephanie's meditation journey and how this practice can help us overcome our fears and find our own authentic voices.
• Our thoughts are not necessarily true, and we should not let them control or define us.
• An experience that Stephanie had while skiing where she saw the benefits of her meditation practice.
• We can only be our true, authentic selves when we remove fear and anxiety from our thoughts and actions.
• Getting into the habit of doing something like journaling or meditating can be daunting, but you just have to start. 
• Stephanie's call to action: Think about a situation that you have coming up and how you can show up to that as your most authentic self, and then do that. 

Stephanie Gaffin on LinkedIn
Stephanie Gaffin email address
SLS Capital Advisors
Right in the Middle Market
Brené Brown
Headspace
Calm
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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Passion fuels authenticity, and authenticity drives change for the better. Everybody can find their passion, but sometimes it just takes a little fuel to ignite this process. As the Director of Business Development for BDO and the co-founder of 503(c)s 100 Women Who Care and 100 Businesses Who Care, Amy Whipple has made caring for others as well as connecting people her passion. She joins us today to weigh in on how to find this powerful emotion, the effects it can have, and a whole lot more. We kick things off by hearing about what passion means to Amy, and she talks about how passionate her aunt was, how it drew people toward her as well as helped her fight Lou Gehrig's disease. The key takeaways here are that good energy is infectious, and that passion can be a driving force to get you through hard times. From there, we dive into the question of how to find your passion, and Amy talks about how helpful it can be to keep doing new things because our passion could be lying on the other side of those experiences. We then get into the idea that challenges drive growth and fuel passion before wrapping up our conversation with a meditation on Bob Burg's notion of the 'go-giver'. By coming into any situation with an authentic will to help others, we will spread positivity, build community, and experience a life of abundance too.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The meaning of passion for Amy and the role her aunt played in her idea of this quality.
• How living passionately drew people to Amy's aunt and helped her fight ALS.
• The responsibility of leaders to show passion in hard times and set an example.
• Amy's true passion for making connections; her excitement about learning from others.
• The contagiousness of good energy; the effects of bringing good energy to situations.
• Passion as the core driving energy that gets people through hard times.
• How masks are stunting connection, but technology can help open it up again.
• Finding the silver linings in our COVID world through passion.
• The work Amy does with her non-profits and how they help people discover their passions.
• How looking back at past overcome hurdles can drive passion and authenticity.
• The need for challenges because they drive growth – dig deeper if everything in your life feels easy.
• How valuable it is to try new things because new passions could lie in those experiences.
• The idea that 'finding your passion' is not a lightbulb moment; we can have many passions.
• Anchoring things you don't enjoy but are good for you in things you are passionate about.
• Rewards to be reaped by coming into every situation with a mentality of 'what can I give?'
• Perspectives on being a 'go-giver' when you have too much on your plate already.
• A suggestion to find time to give to others and make that a passion of yours.

Amy Whipple on LinkedIn
Amy Whipple Email
BDO
100 Women Who Care
100 Businesses Who Care
ALS Therapy Development Institute
The Go-Giver
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

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Today we introduce Branch Out's new mini-series theme: the power of authenticity. As one of the most essential success skills in business, its value should never be underestimated. We also welcome today's special guests, Jeremy Holland and Grant Marcks, who speak to us about how authenticity has impacted their careers and personal lives. The show kicks off with Jeremy defining authenticity, as listeners discover how this trait is defined by consistency of behavior and transparency. After hearing about the difference between consistency and frequency, we talk to Grant about the challenges associated with authenticity, especially when you're involved in a business that oftentimes spins on an axis of bad news. Adding positive notes to this, we find out how you can cultivate better relationships with clients and colleagues. Jeremy then tells us what gets in the way of authenticity and shares some personal anecdotes about insecurity and how he used it to launch himself forward in life. He talks about how a family health crisis affected his career and that by revealing his more vulnerable side to his inner circle, he was able to conquer some of the challenges which lay ahead. We then continue by practicing what we preach and find out how Grant has been doing as a young father, having taken on a new role during the pandemic. To find out more about authenticity and the power it has, be sure to join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Jeremy tells us about the consistency of behavior and why it's not about frequency.
• Grant talks about how you can face up to your challenges with clients and colleagues.
• Why perfection is worth giving up on.
• The value of creating relationships and rapport with colleagues and clients.
• Why cultivating relationships is like a gardener planting mystery seeds.
• Grant fills us in on his new role at Riverside.
• Jeremy shares what gets in the way of authenticity and how you overcome it.
• We touch on the effects of Zoom fatigue.
• Jeremy tells us about how embracing his insecurities has launched him forward in life.
• Grant's journey as a young father and starting a new business role during the pandemic.

Jeremy Holland on LinkedIn
Jeremy Holland Email
Grant Marcks on LinkedIn
Grant Marcks Email
Riverside
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

Have thoughts or comments? We want to hear from you. [email protected]

In today's episode, we sit with Rob Meyers, President and Managing Member of Republic Business Credit, to discuss key factors that drive business development success. We cover topics including clear communication, setting expectations, and following tried and tested processes. Rob kicks off the episode by guiding listeners through the steps of a qualification call before talking in detail about how you can develop trust with clients. Listeners will learn that simple strategies like setting realistic expectations and consistent updates can benefit even the laziest salespeople, provided they follow the correct steps. Rob then takes a closer look at how to set expectations, especially when the goalposts are changing shape and are constantly on the move. The bottom line, says Rob, is that you're the janitor of your business, and you need to take ownership over issues, whether it's your fault or the clients. We then shift the spotlight onto the client, as Rob tells us about which clients are worth saving and why it's best to let others go. Rob shares valuable insight in the latter minutes of the show and provides insider tips for young professionals looking to make a break in the business development space. Perhaps his biggest piece of advice is elaborating on the preparation and reflection phases. To hear more about these phases and much, much more, be sure to join us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hear about a qualification call and its components.
• Why building trust with clients is so important, especially in the virtual world.
• How to ensure effective communication with clients.
• Ways expectations can be managed between clients and buyers.
• The importance of being the "janitor" in your business.
• How giving your potential clients guidance upfront can bolster the relationship.
• How to handle angry clients, despite your own performance.
• Rob's advice for young professionals in the sales industry.
• Hear about email etiquette — how to send and receive with a good mindset.
• Why it is good to prepare and to reflect on calls and sales.
• What makes sales fun, and how to make it more fun.

Rob Meyers on LinkedIn
Republic Business Credit
Alex Drost LinkedIn
Branch Out Podcast LinkedIn
Connection Builders LinkedIn

Have thoughts or comments? We want to hear from you. [email protected]