Would you like to discover the secrets behind fostering a thriving & engaged workplace culture?

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Waldron, President & CEO of Dort Financial Credit Union, to discuss how leadership actions directly impact employee engagement, culture, and organizational performance.

Brian shares his leadership journey - from starting as a teller in college to leading a $2.3 billion credit union - and his lessons on building a culture of empowerment, fostering leadership development, and aligning people, processes, and profits to drive long-term success.

Tune in to hear actionable insights on:
*The role of leadership in shaping employee engagement & retention
*How cultural alignment impacts financial performance & customer experience
*Strategies for empowering employees & creating internal growth opportunities

With over two decades of experience in the credit union industry, Brian discusses the importance of understanding diverse employee backgrounds to cultivate an inclusive culture. He also emphasizes the need to anticipate financial trends to safeguard a positive work environment, offering actionable strategies for leaders at any stage.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to create a values-driven workplace where open dialogue, employee satisfaction, and cultural alignment drive performance and success.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Curious how fostering trust, alignment, and growth opportunities can help leaders tackle talent challenges in high-growth organizations?

In this Leadership Levers Podcast episode, Jim Tolbert, CEO of Adelante Education Group, Chancellor of Universidad Santander USA & the Managing Director at PL3, shares his journey from investment banking to leading education-focused organizations.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Jim emphasizes the critical role of culture in driving organizational performance and aligning teams around shared values.

Jim highlights the challenges of attracting, retaining, and developing talent in high-growth environments, particularly in PortCo & people-centric industries. He explains how leaders must assess whether team members can grow alongside the organization and make tough decisions when they cannot.

One of Jim's key strategies is fostering a visible and transparent leadership style. By regularly visiting locations, communicating directly with teams, and sharing clear organizational priorities, he continues to grow a culture of trust and alignment that boosts performance and morale.

The conversation concludes with insights into PL3’s work, which brings analytics and data-driven approaches to evaluating leadership teams in private equity-backed companies.

Jim shares how this innovative focus is addressing a critical gap in leadership selection and development, driving success in high-performing organizations.

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Learn more about the Performance Leadership Learning Lab - PL3

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

How do you create a culture that attracts top talent and inspires them to stay and thrive?

In this Leadership Levers Podcast episode, Stephen Wills, CEO of Knoxville Pediatric Associates, explores the pivotal role of culture in overcoming organizational challenges and enhancing performance.

Stephen shares his unique journey from journalism major to healthcare management, emphasizing how networking and adaptability shaped his career path. His leadership philosophy centers on learning from others, as demonstrated by his approach to transitioning into a role previously held for three decades by a predecessor.

Stephen discusses challenges in recruiting and retaining talent in healthcare - particularly in the post-pandemic era. He shares how non-monetary incentives, like enhanced PTO and a strong 401(k) plan, help attract and retain staff, with word-of-mouth referrals playing a key role.

As a relatively new CEO at KPA, Stephen highlights that he focused on listening to long-tenured employees to understand what works and what needs improvement - a collaborative approach that helped build trust and align leadership and teams with his vision.

This episode highlights leadership adaptability, employee connectivity, and using culture as a strategic advantage - offering practical insights for addressing workforce challenges.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Can being a 'business artist' spark improvisation and creativity to ignite innovation and transform how you lead and cultivate culture?

In this episode of the Leadership Levers, we are joined by Adam Boggs, CEO of Meahana.io and author of The Business Artist, to discuss the intersection of culture, creativity, and organizational growth.

Adam shares insights from his extensive experience consulting for major corporations like SAP, Google, and Salesforce - highlighting that people-related issues often account for 90% of organizational friction.

He emphasizes that misalignments in values, communication breakdowns, and lack of trust can derail even the most well-conceived strategies.

Transitioning to his role as a startup CEO, Adam discusses the necessity of redefining decision-making processes and workflows to foster agility and innovation - moving away from traditional corporate methodologies.

Adam emphasizes that culture exists in every organization - whether intentional or not - and underscores the importance of inclusivity, shared values and resilience in building healthy workplaces.

Reflecting on his book - The Business Artist - he advocates for embracing one's unique style and creativity in the business realm. He critiques the tendency to create "avatars of human beings and human performance," urging leaders to allow individual expression rather than enforcing rigid corporate scripts.

He advocates for leaders to foster a balance between structure and improvisation, likening culture to jazz - dynamic, collaborative, and constantly evolving. He challenges leaders to focus on cultivating environments where creativity thrives, encouraging employees to adapt and contribute authentically.

Adam closes by reminding leaders that culture is not static, but ever-changing, shaped by the people and ideas within an organization.

By nurturing a culture of trust, adaptability and shared purpose - leaders can create workplaces that drive performance and innovation while celebrating the unique contributions of every team member.

This episode explores how intentional culture-building, creative leadership, innovation, and dynamic collaboration can drive performance, align teams, and empower organizations to thrive when addressing rapid change.

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Get Adam's Book - The Business Artist: A Human Approach to Sales, Storytelling, and Creativity in a Data-Driven World

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Is your organization prepared to turn a crisis into an opportunity while protecting its reputation and driving performance?

In this episode of the Leadership Levers, we sit down with Stephanie Craig, President of Kith.co, to explore the critical importance of crisis preparation and reputation management for organizations.

Stephanie shares her unique background, from growing up in Canada’s Arctic to working in both US and Canadian politics - how these experiences shaped her ability to navigate high-pressure situations and help leaders do the same! 

Stephanie emphasizes that a strong organizational culture and open communication are key to mitigating crises. She shares how leadership teams that prioritize collaboration, avoid information silos, and align on shared values are better equipped to respond to challenges swiftly and strategically.

She highlights the direct link between crisis preparation and organizational reputation - noting that reputation often accounts for a significant portion of a company’s value.

Through real-world examples, Stephanie illustrates how clear communication and proactive planning can turn a potential crisis into a positive outcome, as seen with a government contractor’s payroll issue. 

Conversely, she shares how miscommunication between departments, such as in the Disney arbitration case, can lead to reputational damage.

Stephanie concludes with actionable advice for corporate leaders and private equity professionals - treat crisis preparation as a necessity, not an option. She encourages leaders to invest in processes and protections that safeguard their organization’s reputation, fostering resilience and long-term success.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Want to strengthen workplace culture and organizational performance by developing active listening skills, building shared intelligence, and improving intentional communication?

In this episode of the Leadership Levers, we are joined by Brant Lingle, Process and Strategic Consultant at Scott Hackman Ventures, to explore the intersection of leadership, culture, and performance.

Brant shares his passion for simplifying leaders’ lives by focusing on people-centric strategies, leadership development, and fostering emotional intelligence within organizations.

Brant emphasizes the critical role of a healthy workplace culture in retaining top talent, enhancing productivity, and driving profitability. Drawing from his experiences as a consultant and leader, he highlights how addressing process and communication gaps can significantly improve organizational outcomes. 

By practicing what they preach, his team uses tools and assessments to identify and address internal gaps, showcasing how thoughtful strategies can transform workplace dynamics.

A key takeaway from Brant’s interview is the power of active listening as a leadership skill. He illustrates how active listening fosters trust, collaboration, and engagement within teams - turning toxic environments into productive and supportive spaces. 

By valuing shared intelligence and creating a culture of inclusivity, leaders can build environments where employees thrive and contribute meaningfully to organizational goals.

Brant concludes with a powerful reminder that leaders’ words and actions shape culture. He urges leaders to be mindful of the messages they convey through their communication and behaviors, reinforcing the importance of intentionality in cultivating a thriving workplace.

This episode offers actionable insights for leaders seeking to strengthen culture, improve performance, and drive sustainable growth.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

What if nonprofits could break free from traditional constraints to achieve greater impact through visionary leadership and a strong performance-driven culture?

In this episode, Nicole Lawson, CEO and President of Orchards Children's Services, shares her journey of leading an organization that serves over 8,500 children with the support of a dedicated 350-member team. 

With a background in behavioral healthcare, Nicole brings a unique perspective to nonprofit leadership - challenging outdated norms and redefining what success looks like in this sector.

Nicole dives into the importance of fostering a resilient organizational culture, emphasizing the connection between internal dynamics, external perceptions, and mission fulfillment. 

She candidly discusses the need for competitive wages in nonprofits and highlights how balancing people, processes, and profit can sustain long-term success. 

Her innovative strategies show how reinvesting in staff and building a culture of positivity and accountability can drive meaningful change.

Tune in to learn how Nicole's visionary approach is reshaping the nonprofit narrative and inspiring leaders across sectors to rethink what’s possible.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Can lessons from a family business and EOS principles transform your leadership and drive organizational performance?

In this episode of Leadership Levers, Kyle Danner, CEO of Kyle Danner Consulting and a Professional EOS Implementer, shares his journey from managing the complexities of a family business to guiding organizations in building thriving cultures. 

Drawing from his personal experience in the family business & succession planning sector, Kyle explores how family business dynamics shape leadership strategies and organizational success.

Kyle highlights the importance of aligning leadership teams with a clear vision and fostering open communication to overcome challenges and drive success. His practical advice, rooted in real-world examples, is valuable for leaders across multiple industries.

This episode reveals how intentional culture-building lays the foundation for sustained growth. Kyle’s insights offer actionable lessons for creating cohesive, high-performing teams.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Can a strongly aligned culture and focused financial performance drive sustainable growth at your organization?

In this episode of Leadership Levers, we explore this with Lindsay Guzowski, CEO and founder of The Crucible.

Lindsay highlights her journey from private equity deal-making to developing a leadership assessment tool tailored for the Private Equity (PE) sector, drawing on her background in quantitative sociology.

Her data-driven approach clarifies leadership strengths and gaps, meeting a crucial need in performance evaluation for PE-backed companies.

Lindsay shares the challenges of balancing cultural values with financial and performance goals at her company - where fostering curiosity, precision, and innovation can sometimes compete with the demands of a growing business. 

She spotlights how her team navigates a 'double-edged sword' of prioritizing culture and research initiatives without sacrificing financial results by aligning their values with strategic objectives.

With practical advice and real-world examples, Lindsay emphasizes the power of intentional culture-building as a foundation for profitable, high-performing businesses.

Tune in to learn how proactive, balanced culture-building can drive organizational performance and financial success in a competitive landscape.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.

Curious how a +25-year banking veteran turned personal homeowner frustrations into a thriving business —  and why she believes a strong company culture is the key to success?

Discover the remarkable journey of Diane Carney, Founder & CEO of FI Home Services Inc - who transitioned from a 25-year banking career to the role of successful entrepreneur & leader! 

You'll hear how her struggles with home maintenance inspired her to build a company dedicated to helping others maintain their homes efficiently - so they could enjoy their home.

Diane shares invaluable insights on creating a healthy organizational culture, explaining how happy employees lead to greater productivity and enhanced client engagement & satisfaction.

Through an engaging anecdote about hiring a salesperson, Diane highlights the necessity of aligning job roles with the company's mission, ensuring that processes serve the organization's vision rather than becoming task-oriented routines.

As we converse, Diane offers crucial advice for aspiring C-suite leaders and CEOs, emphasizing the power of seeking collaboration and support.

By involving others and fostering a sense of ownership, leaders can drive their business toward success and profitability. Diane passionately argues that overcoming the fear of not having all the answers and embracing teamwork can lead to more effective leadership.

Tune in to uncover Diane's roadmap for building a thriving company culture and effective leadership strategies that promise growth and success.

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Seeking to align your culture, boost performance & impact your bottom line? Let’s chat - no sales, just real talk about your challenges.