In this episode of Gameplan Leadership, Desi Mayner interviews Olivia Sanders, an educator turned entrepreneur, who shares her journey of transitioning from teaching to founding a coffee company that supports special needs students. They discuss the challenges of leadership, the importance of systems and processes, and the value of developing people over merely managing tasks. Olivia emphasizes the need for a supportive community and the significance of having a clear mission in business. The conversation culminates in a lightning round where Olivia shares her insights on leadership traits, lessons learned from students, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways:

• Leadership requires a clear mission and vision.
• Transitioning from education to entrepreneurship can be challenging but rewarding.
• Building relationships is key to effective leadership.
• Creating opportunities for special needs students is essential.
• Systems and processes help reinforce training and accountability.
• Developing people is more important than managing tasks.
• Having a supportive community is crucial for success.
• Embrace the journey and be open to pivoting when necessary.
• Grace and understanding are vital in leadership roles.
• Seek wise counsel and avoid surrounding yourself with 'yes' people.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Personal Journey

04:09 The Challenges of Inclusion in Education

07:06 Transitioning from Teaching to Leadership

10:10 Founding a Coffee Company with a Mission

12:53 Building a Program for Transitional Skills

16:06 Navigating Vision to Execution

18:58 Leadership Lessons from Special Needs Education

24:41 Gentle Bluntness in Communication

27:32 Setting Expectations and Pre-Correcting

28:56 Developing People Over Task Management

31:56 Building Relationships and Respect in Leadership

34:36 The Importance of Systems and Processes

39:26 Lightning Round: Insights and Fun Questions

46:07 Introduction to Leadership Strategies

46:32 Engagement and Community Building

47:02 Call to Action for Leadership Development