Executive Evolution

"Leaders are meant to serve. It's not an ego trip. It's how you serve your team."

When Kyle Lacy, now CMO of Jellyfish, took on his first leadership role, it was all about him and his performance. But over time, he's learned to check his ego at the door and focus on pouring into his people instead to achieve more success than he ever thought possible.

In this episode, Kyle shares his insights on investing in team members' career growth, managing stress, and understanding how to effectively lead and motivate people. Listen in for a deeper understanding of what servant leadership looks like and how to put it into practice.

After You Listen:

• Get your copies of Do Better Work by Max Yoder and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig's monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Being a visible leader isn't the same as being an accessible leader, the latter requires you to put in the time and effort to really get to know your people.

In this episode, we're joined by Simon Kardynal, host of the Trench Leadership Podcast and Contract Manager and Squadron Warrant Officer for the Canadian Department of National Defense. The insights Simon has gained through his military experience can be applied to various leadership roles in any industry. Whether you are a seasoned executive or a new team leader, Simon's story offers valuable insights into the key qualities successful leaders need to develop. Listen in to hear about the impact of building authentic relationships with your team, asking open-ended questions, and regularly checking on your mental state.

After You Listen:

• Learn more about Margaret J. Wheatley and her books
• Take a listen to Simon's Podcast
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig's monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Have you ever found yourself at a table wondering why you're there and what you have to add? The path to leadership isn't linear and it looks different for each one of us.

In this episode, Kathy Miller, speaker, coach, and President of OPSisters reminds us our unique contributions are to be highly valued. Great leaders lean into their strengths and build teams that fill their gaps. Listen in as Kathy shares her leadership journey and breaks down why relationships are key and discusses the power of linking each team member's work to a higher purpose.

After You Listen:

• Check out Energize Your Workplace by Jane Dutton
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig's monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Liz Gross, Founder and CEO of Campus Sonar, started her leadership journey very young and was repeatedly reminded of that fact by the people on her team. At the time, her response was to shy away from connecting with her people and take on more work rather than try to teach them how to do it.

In this episode, Liza shares why she does the exact opposite in her current role. Listen in to hear how to inspire and guide the people on your team so you can make significant progress together. Along the way, you'll also learn about how Liz ensures the people she hires have values to align with the companies.

After You Listen:

• Check out Give and Take by Adam Grant
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig's monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

After an unbalanced start to his professional life, Patricio Daneri, Managing Director of Energy Harness Corporation, discovered the power of empathy and discipline, transforming his team and ultimately developing a successful business empire. Now he has a keen eye for unlocking potential in others and helping them surpass their own expectations.

In this episode, Patricio shares his story of moving to the United States from Argentina at 16 and how he brings this unique cultural understanding and dedication to his work now. Listen in to hear how Patricio came to understand the importance of self-awareness and nurturing individual strengths and what you can do to become an advocate for discipline and empathy within your team.

After You Listen:

• Check out "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
• Get your copy of "Rocket Fuel" by Gino Wickman
• Connect with Patricio on LinkedIn
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig's monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Rich Nickel, President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona, is an experienced leader who knows the value of developing and empowering others. His corporate and nonprofit background has taught him that you have to earn the right to lead people, and that starts with setting them up for success and then offering strong support.

In this episode, Rich shares his insights on maintaining a deep understanding of the day-to-day business of your organization, even when your role often has you facing externally. Along the way, you'll hear how to build trusting two-way relationships with your team and learn about the power of getting an outside perspective on your leadership.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
• Learn more about Volodymyr Zelensky
• Connect with Rich on LinkedIn
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Check out Craig's monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

In his first leadership role, Wes Winham Winler, now CEO and Founder of Woven, was the only software engineer at a startup, and it was his job to build a team. He was lucky with his first few hires, but struggled to lead them effectively. Over time and with some well-timed advice, he learned to leverage his team's talents and give equal attention to the feeling side of leadership.

In this episode, Wes shares how he leverages his own strengths and weaknesses to be a better leader and get more done through delegation. Listen in to hear how to find the right tools for the right person and focus on the hard problems facing customers. It's time to get more done and bring the power back to the people.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Check out A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi
• Get your copy of The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro
• Connect with Wes on LinkedIn
• Visit Wes on Twitter
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Download Craig's 10 Rules for Better Meetings

Bryan Brenner, Managing Director of NFP and Founder and Managing Partner of The Performance Lab, was thrust into leadership unexpectedly. After meeting an optimistic sales leader, he found the inspiration he needed to drive transformation and challenge the status quo. Bryan took charge of the situation and eventually began his own business.

In this episode, Bryan shares his journey of being an unlikely hero of his own success story. Now he uses his experience to invest in others in the corporate world. Listen in to hear his story of finding the power of vision and drive and how to balance that with moments of relaxation and recalibration.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
• Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn
• Check out Bryan's website
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Download Craig's 10 Rules for Better Meetings

"Leadership is about empowering others and maintaining focus on the horizon."

Will Milano, the CMO of Integrity Solutions, was thrown into his first leadership role with no training but was lucky enough to have a manager who instilled confidence in him. He understood he needed to do the same for his team if he wanted to excel.

In this episode, Will talks about the mental shift every leader has to undergo, going from tactical work to focusing on developing others. By empowering his people and balancing short and long-term strategies, Will is able to lead his team to success. Listen in to hear how to unlock the potential of those around you and become an inspiring mentor and leader.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of "The Score Takes Care of Itself" by Bill Walsh
• Connect with Will on LinkedIn
• Check out Will's Podcast
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Download Craig's 10 Rules for Better Meetings

When Mike Reynolds, CEO of Innovatemap, faced his first formal leadership role, he learned that leading with a mandate doesn't work. Instead, he discovered the power of equipping others and influencing through example.

In this episode, Mike shares the mental shift he's had to make as his company grows. Listen in to learn what it means to lead with your brain by setting direction, goals, and strategies for your team so they can be successful. Along the way, you'll hear how Mike now derives pride from seeing others be great as he steps away from doing the work himself.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Inspired by Marty Cagan
• Check out The Naval Podcast
• Find out more about Bill Godfrey and Jack Carr
• Follow Innovatemap on Linkedin
• Connect with Craig on Linkedin
• Learn more about ClearPath Consulting and Coaching
• Download Craig's 10 Rules for Better Meetings