Lead to Succeed

The importance of connection within the team cannot be overstated. This connection goes beyond mere acquaintance or professional rapport; it encompasses a deeper understanding, trust, and synergy among team members. That’s what our guest Michael Zuercher will be sharing with us.

Michael is CEO and co-founder of Prismatic, a leading embedded integration platform (embedded iPaaS) for B2B SaaS companies. A second-time founder, he previously scaled a software company whose product had hundreds of integrations serving thousands of customers. He passionately believes that B2B SaaS companies need a better way to build and manage integrations.

[01:56] More about Michael’s backup story.

[08:23] Michael’s advice for individuals grappling with uncertainty regarding whether to stay committed to their current path or pursue what they perceive as a potentially superior alternative.

[17:25] Michael’s thoughts on developing real differential marketing skills.

[21:26] Michael’s thoughts on the importance of connection in the workplace.

[26:48] How Michael sees the general direction of AI moving forward and how people can take advantage of it.

[31:20] Michael’s approach to disruption.

[36:14] Michael’s biggest mistake that set him up for future success.

[38:43] Rapid fire questions.

[42:28] Michael’s final life lesson.

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We all have that nagging voice inside our heads—the one that constantly whispers doubts, criticisms, and fears. It's the voice that tells us we're not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough to achieve our goals and dreams. In this episode, our guest Hooman Motevalli will be shining a light on the inner critic, helping us overcome it.

Hooman is a senior business analyst and in-demand consultant for high-level blockchain and AI software teams. He is the director of HSP Holdings, an IT-based company investing in intelligent blockchain and DAO-Metaverse startups. He also works to improve the qualities of tech and business teams through his Converting Confusion to Clarity (CCC) training program.

Hooman is a macroeconomics expert and author of Don’t Be A Crab: A Practical Guide to Building Strong, Joyful Relationships.

[01:47] How Hooman got to where he is today.

[02:50] Why Hooman considered himself as “a confused person”.

[14:04] How Hooman applies what he learned about the inner voice in his day-to-day interactions with himself and his team.

[23:13] How Hooman helps people become more self-aware.

[27:29] Hooman’s biggest mistake and how it set him up for future success.

[29:43] Rapid-fire questions.

[33:48] Hooman’s final life lesson.

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In the complex journey of life, our experiences, choices, and outcomes are intricately woven by a force often underestimated yet profoundly influential: mindset. How we perceive the world, interpret challenges, and approach opportunities shapes not just our daily existence, but the very trajectory of our entire lives. In this episode, our guest Sheldon Gilbert will share how developing the right mindset at a young age changed his life.

Sheldon founded Kura Labs to create new pathways for ensuring employment in the tech economy for people from underserved communities. Kura Labs is a non-profit vocational academy that offers free training and job placement in the high-demand sectors of devops/SRE, cloud infrastructure computing and cybersecurity at Fortune 1000 employer partners.

Sheldon is also the Founder and CEO of Proclivity Systems. Proclivity builds and operates electronic marketplaces for secure trading of digital assets in real-time such as data and media. Beginning first in e-commerce, Proclivity has since developed the largest electronic ad marketplace in the pharmaceutical industry and extended its expertise in autonomous trading systems and secure computation in other industries.

[02:25] How Sheldon got to where he is today.

[08:30] Why Sheldon launched a non-profit vocational academy. 

[19:05] The problem of being underserved, in Sheldon's opinion.   

[24:04] Sheldon's insights on essential qualities beyond industry skills for job seekers.

[29:23] How Sheldon developed the mindset of marrying the future form of employment with purpose and lifestyle at the age of 21.

[36:16] Sheldon’s biggest mistake and how he grew from it.

[38:46] Rapid-fire question

[41:14] Sheldon’s final life lesson.

“No higher is always better than bad higher.”

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In the relentless pursuit of professional success, it's easy to become fixated solely on honing one's technical expertise and career-oriented skills. However, those who prioritize these aspects at the expense of developing interpersonal skills often find themselves encountering unexpected roadblocks on their journey to success. In this episode, our guest Jeff Baldassari will be emphasizing the importance of developing interpersonal skills.

Jeff is a former C Suite Executive and the author of From Associate to Ambassador. It contains the skills and disciplines that are not taught in law school but are needed to build an extraordinary career. This book speaks to law students, summer associates, and young associates who aspire to achieve extraordinary outcomes in their careers.

[02:20] What motivated Jeff to write his book?

[07:12] Jeff’s advice to someone who wants to share their content, such as selling a book or similar endeavor, but lacks the guidance and confidence to proceed?

[11:41] How Jeff effectively presents his argument in a manner that encourages people to not only prioritize career skills but also recognize the importance of developing interpersonal skills?

[16:46] The importance of helping our people develop the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.

[20:05] How Jeff describes his career in retrospect

[22:48] How Jeff assists individuals in transitioning from perceiving nurturing relationships as burdensome to recognizing their significance

[25:36] Jeff’s biggest mistake and how he grew from it.

[27:22] Rapid-fire questions.

[30:31] Jeff’s final life lesson.

“Never think that life is easy until people get involved.”

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Selecting the right role for employees is paramount for effective leadership. Matching individual strengths, skills, and aspirations with suitable positions not only maximizes productivity but also fosters job satisfaction and long-term engagement. That’s exactly what we’ll be talking about in this episode, with our guest John Bennett.

John joined Dashlane as its Chief Executive Officer in February 2023, bringing over 30+ years of experience leading high-growth B2B SaaS and communication companies. Prior to joining Dashlane, John served as the CEO of Cordence and held executive positions in LogMeIn and Citrix. During his tenure at LogMeIn, John successfully oversaw and grew the $450M Identity and Access Management unit.

[02:12] How John got to where he is today.

[05:49] How John transitioned from sales to leadership.

[10:36] Anxiety prevalent among individuals in organizations.

[14:46] As a CEO, what is your strategy for selecting the right people to transition from one role to another?

[20:13] The importance of encouraging employees to search for opportunities.

[23:36] John’s advice for new leaders or career changers on essential factors to ensure a perfect fit.

[27:49] John’s biggest mistake and how he grew from it.

[31:29] Rapid-fire questions.

[34:43] John’s final life lesson.

“Be available for people on your team.”

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As we pass down knowledge from generation to generation, a prevalent regret among our predecessors is often the unfulfilled pursuit of their ideal selves. This failure to realize their true potential serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of striving towards personal fulfillment. In this episode, we will explore with our guest John Mile this vital lesson.

John R. Miles, creator of Passion Struck®, is a renowned authority in behavior change, wellness, and leadership. With a diverse background from the U.S. Navy to Fortune 50 executive roles, his insights are rooted in real-world experience. Through his podcast, Passion Struck, and his latest book, "Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life," he shares science-based principles for personal growth and living with purpose, endorsed by luminaries like Oprah Winfrey. Recognized as a must-read for 2024, it inspires readers to overcome self-doubt and embrace intentional living.

[02:16] What inspired John to transition from the Navy services to become a thought leader.

[09:28] How John addresses the question of life's purpose and what specific actions he takes to help people feel their significance and reach their full potential.

[18:20] Ways leaders can address the dilemma of passion and create solutions to allow those under their guidance to showcase their full potential.

[26:09] People’s wrong definition of purpose and how John utilize the term in a way that helps people to do their jobs better

[28:05] John’s biggest mistake and how he grew from it.

[32:06] Rapid fire questions.

[37:50] John’s final life lesson.

“In order to get to the bottom of what's happening you really need to talk to the people on the front line.”

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Stepping out of one's family business can offer invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. By venturing beyond familiar territories, individuals gain fresh perspectives, encounter diverse perspectives, and cultivate a broader understanding of the world. That’s exactly what our guest Brent Pohlman was advised to do.

Brent is the Owner and CEO of Midwest Laboratories, which performs analytical testing in Human Health, Animal Health, and Agriculture/Environmental. In 2023, Brent released his first book, “Leaders Look Within”. The book is a testimony to Brent owning his heart to live a life of gratitude.

[01:50] More about Brent’s journey.

[03:21] What Brent’s clients are looking for and how his testing helps them.

[04:36] Would Brent advise people to step out of their family business.

[07:14] Lessons that corporations can learn from educators.

[09:34] Lessons to help people develop their people

[11:28] Lesson from Brent to people who are suffering with their emotional intelligence.

[15:38] More about Brent’s book.

[19:26] The benefits of journaling for Brent.

[21:14] An example of leading from the heart vs not.

[23:18] How does it manifest to Brent to be a firm believer in spirituality?

[25:43] Brent’s comfort level about bringing god to the office.

[27:51] Brent’s advice for someone who’s just starting out as a leader.

[30:15] Brent’s biggest mistake that set him up for success.

[33:25] Brent’s life lesson.

Standout Quote from the Episode:

“Get to know yourself first.”

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It's important to see constraints not as obstacles that limit us, but rather as opportunities for innovation and creativity. By reframing our perspective, we can harness the power of constraints to drive progress and achieve remarkable outcomes. And this is exactly what Lead to Succeed guest Gary Harpst will demonstrate through his insightful experiences and practical wisdom.

Gary Harpst, CEO of LeadFirst, is known for his fusion of faith and work, fostering agile organizations. With four decades of experience, he founded three successful businesses, one of which merged and was sold to Microsoft. He has authored three books. His latest book, "Built to Beat Chaos," makes the biblical case that we are all created to overcome chaos.

[01:58] More about Gary’s journey.

[05:17] What Lead First does and who it serves.

[06:57] What does Lead First provide for people besides awareness.

[10:23] How to get into the mindset of the people we want to serve.

[12:18] Gary’s definition of chaos and its primary causes for people he serves.

[15:30] Gary’s definition of purpose and how he helps people in a day to day business element and their faith integration.

[18:12] How Gary applies the bible to managing stressing cases.

[22:33] Gary’s biggest mistake and how he grew from it.

[26:00] Rapid-fire questions.

[29:14] Gary’s life lesson.

Standout Quotes from the Episode:

“If you can sharpen your purpose, everything gets clearer.”

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In today's competitive business landscape, where efficiency and systems often take precedence, some leaders stand out for prioritizing people above all else. Brian, our guest, epitomizes this ethos. 

Brian worked in retail for 35 years, from the stockroom to the corner office. He was a VP of stores for PacSun and Urban Outfitters and most recently ran Old Navy stores in Canada. His new book helps people write or rewrite their career outcomes.

[02:02] How Brian got into retail.

[04:06] How Brian describes his own leadership style and how it was affected by the early parts of his career.

[05:48] Brian’s path to the servant leaders’ thinking. 

[07:17] Brian’s definition of success and his approaches to help maximize people’ potential.

[11:18] How do you balance driving towards goals while avoiding the perception of being overly demanding or authoritarian?

[12:33] More about Brian’s book.

[15:27] What stuckness looks like for leaders.

[17:03] Brian’s practical advice for people to enhance their relationships and make them more influential.

[18:24] What it looks like to develop people before systems and why it is so important.

[28:29] Bryan’s biggest mistake and what he learned from it.

[31:21] Rapid-fire questions.

[34:10] Brian’s life lesson.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI), the emulation of human intelligence by machines, and Behavioral Science, the study of human behavior and decision-making, converge to create innovative approaches that optimize team dynamics. In this episode, James Lawrence will teach us how AI and Behavioral Science team up to improve how groups work.

James is the co-founder of Happy, which enables organizations to enhance organizational culture, communication, and manager effectiveness at scale. Its Happy coaching platform uses behavioral science and AI to build a user manual for your entire team in less than 10 minutes.

James previously served as chairman of the board for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. He also served as CEO and founder of Power Automedia and CEO of Speedvideo. Throughout his career, James strongly emphasized nurturing talent and fostering the next generation of leaders, always with an eye toward meaningful work.

[02:02] James’ journey.

[03:58] How James got into coaching and team development.

[09:16] How James got aware of his blind spots and how he knew that coaching would be the solution.

[11:55] How James utilizes AI and other tools at scale to support coaching and team development, and an elaboration on the process.

[17:51] The process of feeding AI with a framework that captures an individual's workstyle, intelligently balancing it against your own, and providing bespoke guidance on interaction strategies, pinpointing areas for improvement in the most effective manner…

[24:18] A fearless AI prediction coming from James.

[26:06] The main ingredients of an effective coherent team.

[28:51] James’ biggest mistake and what he learned from it.

[30:03] Rapid-fire questions.

[31:56] James’ final life lesson.

• “Whatever you do in life, do it with love.”

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