Counter Service Podcast with Brett Jacobsen

Have you ever thought about retaining and recruiting employees based on cultivating social capital throughout your company or organization? With remote, hybrid, and in-person work in flux compounded by the great resignation, quiet quitting, and inflationary economy, it might be a good time to consider it. Might even differentiate your organization in a great way. 

Have you read McKinsey’s article, "Network Effects: How to rebuild social capital and improve corporate performance?" The article challenges you to assess your social capital along three dimensions:

1. Motivation
2. Access
3. Ability

Check your index and start from where you are.

During this latest podcast series we are listening to the stories and experiences of others in order to make our own leadership story more complete. It is through their story that we gain insight to deepen our leadership capacity to empathize, to become more self-aware, to empower others, to find meaning in the messiness, and ultimately to make an impact.

Across the counter today, I am honored to welcome Lawrence Gellerstedt. As the founder and President of Southsource, LG leads by example. He has been fairly open in sharing about confronting mental health issues head on and also has been a strong advocate for mental health in the marketplace as he has lost people close to him.

LG's story is inspiring, challenging, and insightful. Enjoy!

The last four episodes were focused on your personal leadership approach to 2023. In age of uncertainty, this month, I want to pivot to connecting with those you work alongside each and every day. And it is through their story, that your own leadership story might be more complete.

Across the counter today, I have the incredible opportunity to learn from Charisse Williams as we discuss her story through her book, The Joy of Thriving While Black. 

Charisse is a bright light...a leadership coach...a yoga instructor...an impact player.

Enjoy!

So the past few episodes we have been exploring this idea of uncertainty through the research of experts. In this episode, I want to look at uncertainty through the lens of legacy.

Have you read Longpath by Ari Wallach. This book has changed my mind about legacy.

Ari’s work reminds us that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and that while our time is finite, we need to become the great ancestors our descendants need us to be.

Legacy is less about your name to be remembered but for your character to regenerate for generations to come.

Listen or watch the podcast to answer some important questions of empathy to consider about your legacy. 

Start a habit today that will scale into an incredible legacy tomorrow.

Have you read McKinsey’s discussion paper entitled, “On the cusp of a new era?” The authors are challenging us to imagine the new era, drawn from a historical context of structural tectonics and how they might play out in the future. 

In 2023...Maybe you are on the cusp of a new era…a purpose-driven adventure filled with creative possibilities and exciting opportunities. Instead of allowing the future to define you, define your future. 

As a way to think about this, listen or watch the latest episode of the Counter Service Leadership Podcast.

In Episode 032 of the Counter Service Leadership Podcast, I shared that “uncertainty” is my word for 2023. 

I realize it might be a strange word to choose especially over the last couple of years, but Let me explain.

From skills gaps to decentralization of brands to political polarization to fluctuating markets…the disruptive forces and headlines of the last several years are not going away. The less linear, more ambiguous pathways of life are going to be more prevalent for us and future generations.

We can look at this type of uncertainty with fear and trepidation or embrace the messiness of uncertainty as the doorway to possibility. 

Have you read The Upside of Uncertainty by Nathan and Susannah Fur: A Guide to Finding the Possibility in the Unknown? 

Dealing with Uncertainty effectively can be one of the most important leadership competencies, both now and in the future. 

Listen to the latest episode to discover how you can look at the upside of uncertainty.

Here we come 2023. Welcome to a new season of the Counter Service Leadership Podcast.

Once again, I am participating in a “one word” challenge for the new year. A one word goal that keeps life simple, keeps life relevant, and keeps life accountable. 

What is your one word for 2023? If you need some help to get started, listen or watch the pod on YouTube or your preferred platform.

Oh, find out my “one word” for 2023 towards the end of the pod. 

Reflecting on the most recent tragedy in Buffalo, it has been impressed upon me to reshare an earlier podcast episode (015) about being a bridge. Bridges have defined the modern world. And, bridges are a powerful reminder of how they connect people, communities, cities, and even nations. In this episode of the Counter Service Leadership Podcast, I challenge us to take on the characteristics of bridges. They connect us. They bring us together. They provide passage over an obstacle. They remove the space between us. Bridges are designed to be strong, carrying the most weight. They have guardrails, providing protection and direction. They allow us to design a better world...together. We need more bridges today.

Reflecting on the most recent tragedy in Buffalo, it has been impressed upon me to reshare an earlier podcast episode (015) about being a bridge. Bridges have defined the modern world. And, bridges are a powerful reminder of how they connect people, communities, cities, and even nations. In this episode of the Counter Service Leadership Podcast, I challenge us to take on the characteristics of bridges. They connect us. They bring us together. They provide passage over an obstacle. They remove the space between us. Bridges are designed to be strong, carrying the most weight. They have guardrails, providing protection and direction. They allow us to design a better world...together. We need more bridges today.

Across the counter, we will discuss the final three challenges leaders are facing across the world according to the Center for Creative Leadership -- leading a team, guiding change, and managing stakeholders. I contend that leaders should focus on 3 key areas in cultivating growth and progress on these important leadership challenges...
1. ask some key questions to clarify direction
2. develop some key habits to create consistency
3. establish some key agreements to cultivate transformation

Music  by Ahoami