In this episode, host Justin McMenemy is joined by Caleb Schleder to discuss the framework of Situational Leadership. They delve into the importance of tailoring leadership styles to specific situations and the pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all approach. Justin emphasizes the significance of avoiding the 'because I said so' attitude and introduces Situational Leadership as his go-to advice for new leaders. Caleb shares personal experiences with different leadership styles and highlights the value of empowering employees while avoiding micromanagement.

The discussion covers various leadership stages, from Directing (S1) to Delegating (S4), explaining the importance of adjusting strategies based on an employee’s competence and confidence. They also touch on the challenges faced by leaders of leaders and the necessity of maintaining good relationships with employees through these transitions.

The episode concludes with preparation for a follow-up episode to continue the discussion, in which Justin and Caleb will spend time discussing edge cases and real-world examples of utilizing the Situational Leadership framework.

In this episode, host Justin McMenamy interviews John Seabrook, an author and journalist, about his recent book 'The Spinach King.' The discussion centers on the dual legacies of John’s grandfather, Charles F. Seabrook, a pioneering yet controversial figure in agriculture. Known for his innovative work in industrializing vegetable farming and his collaboration with Clarence Birdseye, Charles is described as both a visionary and a ruthless leader.  

The interview delves into the complex family dynamics, including the strained and ultimately destructive relationship between Charles and his sons, particularly John’s father. John shares insights into the personal and professional challenges his family faced, and how writing the book offered him therapeutic closure. The episode also touches on the broader impact of Seabrook Farms on its employees, including Japanese Americans employed after World War II. John reflects on the mixed legacy and the lasting emotional impacts of his family's business saga.

In this episode host Justin McMenamy and guest Bryce Baker discuss the evolution of sales strategies, homing in on the Challenger Sale method. With nearly 15 years of experience in sales at Precision Planting, Bryce shares the transition from Solutions-based selling to the more effective Challenger approach. They outline how this method disrupts traditional practices by emphasizing commercial teaching, tailoring, and taking control of conversations. The discussion includes real-world examples, customer loyalty insights, and the role of cross-departmental integration in effective sales strategies. The episode concludes by highlighting the lasting impact of providing value beyond the product and fostering strong customer experience.

In this episode Justin and guest Jeff Snowden discuss a variety of topics ranging from leadership lessons, marketing strategies, and personal struggles, both personal and professional.  They delve into Jeff’s background, his career transitions from photography to marketing, and his foundational marketing philosophies. Jeff emphasizes the importance of making differentiated and believable promises to build trust in marketing.

They also discuss the inherent challenges of managing corporate roles and maintaining personal integrity and family priorities. Jeff shares his experience of having a nervous breakdown in 2021, discussing the pressures of the pandemic and career turmoil, and offers advice on mental health management. Throughout, Jeff provides earnest insights into maintaining balance, the importance of supportive relationships, and finding fulfillment in both professional and personal life.

In this episode, Justin McMenamy converses with Jason Stoller about their joint experiences at Precision Planting. The discussion focuses on the distinguishing factors between large corporations and smaller startups in terms of product development processes vs. recipes. They delve into the importance of proximity to customers, iterative development, and the freedom to take risks and even fail with the product development environment. By highlighting the benefits of rapid iteration, intrinsic motivation of engineers, and the elimination of bureaucratic handoffs, they underscore the vital role of agility and ownership in successful product development.

In this episode, Justin McMenamy concludes his examination of Kelly Johnson's 14 Rules of Management with a focus on Johnson's unwritten 15th rule. He explains the intricacies of creating and maintaining a 'Skunk Works' organization within a larger corporate entity, noting the challenges that come with resource and business model acquisitions. He highlights the importance of aligning with like-minded customers and suppliers and shares anecdotes from his time at Precision Planting, emphasizing an approach that prioritized autonomy and direct customer engagement. Justin's insights reveal the delicate balance required to sustain innovation while navigating corporate bureaucracy.

In this episode, host Justin McMenamy interviews Steve Pierz, a friend and fellow corporate misfit, who shares his unconventional strategies and experiences from a long, innovative career. Steve recounts his daring approach in large meetings, his early passion for mechanical engineering inspired by his creative upbringing, and his impactful yet rebellious career at Caterpillar where he frequently clashed with rigid corporate processes.  

Both Justin and Steve delve into the importance of mindset in leadership and innovation, emphasizing that success in business relies heavily on the creative, risk-taking individuals. The conversation evolves into mentorship, highlighting how young innovators should seek their ‘tribe’ and persist through setbacks.  

Steve, now retired, focuses on inspiring, motivating, and supporting the next generation of innovators. The discussion captures lessons learned, insights on navigating corporate America, and advice for future leaders.

In this episode of Grody & UnPrOfEsSiOnAL, host Justin McMenamy & Brad Stoller explore the concepts of asymmetric warfare and the infinite games, focusing on how small organizations like Precision Planting can compete against much larger competitors. 

The conversation delves into the importance of selecting the right leaders with characteristics such as mission-driven mindset, independence of thought, and adaptability. They discuss how speed and agility are crucial for smaller organizations to succeed, contrasting their approach with larger entities that often rely on rigid processes and alignment.

They highlight historical examples like Stonewall Jackson and David Sterling to illustrate effective strategies for insurgent organizations. Stoller emphasizes that success is measured not by traditional metrics but by the mission's impact, advocating for a customer-centric approach over merely trying to outdo competitors.

In this episode, host Justin McMenamy and guest Brad Stoller delve into the history and strategic growth of Precision Planting, an innovative agricultural company from Central Illinois. Founded by a resourceful farmer in 1993, the company prioritized improving planting equipment through unique solutions, fostering a loyal customer base and rapid technological advancements.  

The episode highlights key influences like Simon Sinek's 'Infinite Game' and Malcolm Gladwell's 'David and Goliath' as part of their strategic thinking to combat much larger competitors. The conversation transitions to the importance of a distinct, adaptable strategy and concludes by emphasizing the need for both strategic thinking and tactical execution in maintaining market relevance.

In this episode, host Justin McMenamy and guest Caleb Schleder share critical insights into team building and leadership, drawing from their extensive corporate experience. They discuss the importance of trust, psychological safety, and culture curation in building effective teams.  

Strategies for hiring, including prioritizing the right fit over filling positions quickly, and innovative approaches to onboarding and development programs are explored. They also cover the importance of managing team dynamics, including handling underperforming members to maintain a healthy organizational culture.  

The conversation offers practical advice and personal anecdotes with the aim of helping leaders at all levels improve their team-building efforts.