Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue discuss how strong client relationships are formed, the role internal culture plays in external trust, and why consistency and follow-through are essential for building credibility over the long term.

Episode 173 — The 7% Problem: Why Communication Breaks Down

Most communication breakdowns don’t come from bad intent — they come from missing context.

In this episode of Grow With Purpose, Joey Brannon sits down with communication and executive presence expert Mitch Lomazov to explore why leaders are often misunderstood, even when they believe they’re being clear.

They unpack how meaning is shaped by more than words alone, why email and text frequently create friction, and how leaders can reduce miscommunication by treating communication as a system — not a personality trait.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Why written communication often removes critical context

How to match the right communication medium to the message

What high-functioning teams do differently with silence

How executive presence is built through technique, not charisma

This conversation offers practical insight for leaders who want their messages to land with clarity and alignment.

Leadership breakdowns rarely come from a lack of effort or care. More often, they happen quietly — through drift.

In this final episode of the From Laborer to Leader series, Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue explore why leadership growth cannot sustain itself on mindset alone. Even the most capable leaders will default back to familiar behaviors when structure disappears.

This conversation focuses on the disciplines that protect leadership over time — especially as pressure, growth, and urgency increase.

You’ll learn:

Why leadership drift is usually a discipline problem, not a motivation problem

How lack of structure pulls leaders back into technical work

Why owners unintentionally slow leadership growth by failing to protect leadership time

The role of consistent check-ins, clear expectations, and feedback rhythms

How systems reduce exhaustion and make leadership sustainable

Why leadership development must be intentional — not assumed

This episode provides practical insight for business owners, executives, and leadership teams who want to develop leaders that can carry responsibility without burning out or drifting backward.

Leadership doesn’t grow by accident.
It grows when mindset, structure, and support work together.

Download the Episode 172 Leadership Guide to turn these disciplines into practical tools you can implement immediately.

Promoting your best worker is often the right move — but leadership struggles usually don’t come from a lack of skill. They come from a lack of identity.

In From Laborer to Leader — Part 2, Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue unpack why leadership development must begin with mindset before tactics ever work. New leaders often struggle not because they lack effort or ability, but because they still see themselves as technicians instead of leaders.

This episode explores how identity, self-talk, and coachability shape a leader’s confidence and behavior. You’ll learn why mindset work feels uncomfortable but is essential, how leaders act in alignment with how they see themselves, and what owners can do to help leaders fully step into their role.

If you want leadership development that actually sticks — not just promotions that create frustration — this episode provides the foundation for sustainable growth.

When your best worker becomes a new leader, the transition isn’t always smooth. In Part 1 of the From Laborer to Leader series, Joey and Mike break down the leadership paradox facing small businesses today—why technical excellence doesn’t automatically translate into leadership success, and what it truly costs when that gap goes unaddressed. Drawing from real client stories and years of field experience, they unpack the hidden impact on production, team morale, the business owner’s bandwidth, and the individual who suddenly feels in over their head. This episode highlights the critical need for intentional equipping, clear expectations, and leadership development if you want your people—and your company—to grow with purpose.

In this episode of Grow With Purpose, Joey Brannon talks with Skip Stanton, CEO and co-owner of Aqua Plumbing & Air, about leading with faith, integrity, and character. Skip shares his journey from a truck and $5,000 to leading over 180 employees, and the lessons he’s learned about building people first, mentoring leaders, choosing kindness without lowering expectations, and creating a legacy rooted in faith rather than private equity offers. A must-listen for business owners and leaders who want to build a company that lasts and reflects values beyond the bottom line.

Joey revisits OG Mandino’s timeless books The Greatest Salesman in the World and Part II: The End of the Story to explore how leadership evolves from chasing success to living with significance. Discover what it means to lead with purpose, faith, and service — and finish the race well.

In Part 3 of our Axis Series, Joey Brannon and JoAnna Kelso dig into what clean financials actually unlock for business leaders—real insights that inform better decisions. From understanding the balance sheet, to managing depreciation and taxes, to shifting from reactive bookkeeping to proactive financial strategy, this episode reveals why outsourced accounting with Axis isn’t just about numbers—it’s about confidence, clarity, and growth. Plus, learn how Axis and Axiom work hand-in-hand to help business owners not only survive, but thrive with purpose.

In Part 2 of the Axis Series, Joey Brannon sits down with JoAnna Kelso, President of Axis Outsourced Accounting, to explore why outsourcing your accounting department delivers more than bookkeeping. From reducing the mental load of hiring and turnover, to leveraging weekly dashboards and cutting-edge tools, JoAnna explains how outsourcing transforms accounting into a strategic advantage. Learn how vendor and customer management, consistent categorization, and real-time clarity give business owners confidence and space to focus on growth.