In this episode of The Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss Josh's recent Arizona trip and the frustrations of travel, using these experiences to highlight the importance of intentional daily reflection. They introduce practical leadership habits like setting three daily goals, journaling, and reviewing what went well or poorly. The hosts encourage listeners to adopt a 15-minute end-of-day reflection routine, supported by technology, to boost productivity, maintain perspective, and foster personal and professional growth—emphasizing that small, consistent habits can lead to significant improvements in business and life.

Podcast Introduction (00:00:08) Hosts introduce themselves and the podcast, "The Lucky 13 Podcast," focused on people, profit, and business.

Josh's Arizona Trip & Family Logistics (00:00:20) Josh discusses his daughter's volleyball tournament in Arizona, family travel logistics, and the sports facility.

Parking & Venue Experience (00:00:49) Details about the parking system at the sports complex and thoughts on monetizing local parks.

Airplane Boarding & Passenger Frustrations (00:01:42) Josh vents about airplane boarding confusion, passenger behavior, and inefficiencies during deplaning.

Travel Gripe: Walking Path Etiquette (00:03:59) Discussion about people blocking walking paths, comparing it to poor driving and sidewalk etiquette.

Transition: Leadership & Business Reflection (00:05:19) Josh pivots from travel frustrations to a leadership lesson about daily reflection and checklists.

Daily Reflection Checklist: Three Goals (00:07:06) Introduction to the daily reflection checklist, focusing on setting and reviewing three main goals each day.

Choosing the Right Goals (00:08:03) Emphasis on selecting the most important goals that drive business and personal progress.

Reflection: What Went Well or Poorly (00:09:54) Discussion on auditing the day, learning from successes and failures, and improving daily habits.

Reflection: One Story from Yesterday (00:11:17) Importance of recalling a memorable story from the previous day to maintain perspective and motivation.

Using Technology for Reflection (00:13:36) Ideas for using AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude to automate and store daily reflections.

Rating the Day & Weekly Review (00:15:09) Encouragement to rate each day, track progress, and use weekly averages to measure growth.

The Value of Daily Reflection (00:16:44) Reflection as a tool to slow down, stay present, and avoid losing track of time and achievements.

Assignment: Implementing the Reflection Routine (00:18:15) Challenge to listeners: spend 15 minutes daily answering four reflection questions, using tech if desired.

Episode Wrap-Up (00:19:10) Closing remarks, encouragement, and a final joke about sidewalk etiquette.

In this podcast episode, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the vital role of company culture and employee engagement in business success, using Indiana University football's championship win as a metaphor. They explore how building a strong employer brand attracts top talent, boosts engagement, and drives discretionary effort. Backed by Gallup research, they highlight the measurable benefits of an engaged workforce, such as higher profitability and lower turnover. The conversation emphasizes that culture is not just part of strategy—it is the strategy, serving as the operating system that powers organizational growth and sustained performance.

Football Championship & IU Pride (00:00:07) Celebrating Indiana University's football national championship win and the emotional aftermath.

Family Updates & Personal Catch-Up (00:01:53) Speakers discuss family news, kids, grandkids, and humorous stories about remembering names.

Travel Plans & Weather Chat (00:03:56) Conversation about vacation plans, weather disappointments, and lighthearted banter about swimwear.

Introduction to Business Culture Discussion (00:04:47) Speaker 1 shares insights from a recent meeting with business owners about people as a strategic advantage.

Consumer Brand vs. Employer Brand (00:05:21) Explains the dual roles of business owners: building consumer and employer brands.

Culture as Strategy & The Talent Flywheel (00:07:19) Debates Peter Drucker's "culture eats strategy" and introduces the concept of the talent/culture flywheel.

Employee Experience & Attracting A Players (00:08:52) Discusses the importance of employee experience in attracting and retaining top talent.

Engagement, Discretionary Effort, and Business Results (00:11:21) Explains how great culture leads to engagement, discretionary effort, and improved business outcomes.

Gallup Data & The ROI of Engagement (00:13:37) Shares Gallup research on profitability, productivity, turnover, and safety linked to employee engagement.

Flywheel Effect & Reinforcing Culture (00:15:01) Describes how business results feed back into improving employee experience, using IU football as an example.

Challenges in Implementing Culture (00:16:03) Explores why some organizations struggle to adopt a strong culture and the need for an "operating system."

Role of HR & Making Culture Simple (00:18:17) Discusses the evolving role of HR, the importance of compliance, and the need for a simple, effective playbook.

Hard Work of Building Culture (00:20:02) Contrasts easy but ineffective culture efforts with the hard, worthwhile work of building a strong employee experience.

Defender Story & Culture as The Strategy (00:20:29) Shares a case study of company growth driven by culture, concluding that culture is the core business strategy.

Episode Wrap-Up & Go Hoosiers (00:21:19) Final thoughts, agreement on culture as strategy, and a closing cheer for IU.

In this Lucky 13 Podcast episode, Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser discuss the importance of "core focus" in business and personal development. They explore how a company's origin story shapes its purpose, passion, and niche, emphasizing the need to revisit and clarify these elements regularly. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, they highlight how a clear core focus guides decision-making, prevents distractions, and energizes teams. The conversation also touches on the value of discipline in saying no to misaligned opportunities and the role of both founders and employees in living out a shared purpose.

Podcast Introduction and Banter (00:00:08) Hosts introduce themselves, joke about swag, and discuss the sponsor and event planning.

Personal Update: Josh's Daughter at Liberty University (00:01:16) Josh shares about his daughter's hip surgery recovery and her experience at Liberty University.

Holiday and New Year Reflections (00:02:34) Discussion about Christmas, the episode's release timing, and looking ahead to 2026.

Introducing Core Focus Topic (00:03:25) Mike introduces the concept of "core focus" and its challenges in business.

Origin Story and Core Focus Questions (00:03:50) Josh explains the importance of a company's origin story and three core questions to clarify core focus.

Core Focus vs. Business Plan (00:04:49) Distinguishing between a company's core focus and its business plan, using Mary Kay as an example.

In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Josh Hauser and Mike Lantz share personal holiday traditions before diving into business insights. They discuss Parkinson's Law, emphasizing how work expands to fill available time, and warn against unnecessary hiring and bureaucratic growth. The conversation highlights the pitfalls of focusing on trivial issues, accumulating organizational "junk," and prioritizing appearances over substance. The hosts encourage leaders to set tighter deadlines, regularly eliminate inefficiencies, and foster honest self-reflection to build resilient, purpose-driven organizations. The episode closes with reflections on company culture, humility, and a lighthearted chat about classic sports movies.

Holiday Anecdotes and Family Traditions (00:00:08) Hosts Josh and Mike share Christmas plans, themed dinners, and family stories, setting a festive, personal tone.

Client Culture and Organizational Foundations (00:02:23) Discussion about a client's strong company culture, family-like environment, and building organizational foundations.

Sports, Leadership, and Culture Lessons (00:03:42) Reflections on a recent football game, leadership lessons, and the impact of culture and coaching on team success.

Introduction to Parkinson's Law (00:05:33) Explanation of Parkinson's Law—work expands to fill the time allotted—and its relevance to meetings and deadlines.

Capacity, Efficiency, and Bureaucratic Growth (00:06:38) How companies operate below capacity, risk of unnecessary hiring, and the tendency toward bureaucratic growth.

Inverse Importance in Meetings (00:09:42) The concept that minor issues get more attention than major ones; illustrated with personal and business examples.

Junk Expansion and Organizational Clutter (00:12:49) How physical and procedural clutter grows with organizations, and the importance of regular elimination and discipline.

Organizational Decline and Return on Attention (00:15:35) How unchecked growth and misplaced focus lead to decline; the need for honest reflection and prioritizing substance over image.

Reflection, Learning, and Movie Analogies (00:19:12) Encouragement to reflect, learn from experience, and apply lessons, with references to movies and Indiana sports films.

In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser dive into people management, work-life alignment, and employee evaluation, using the holiday season as a backdrop. They discuss how aligning personal and professional lives brings clarity, then explore evaluating employees through "will sets" (motivation) and "skill sets" (ability). The conversation covers managing low performers, re-engaging disengaged experts, developing high potentials, and coaching top talent. Sports analogies and real-life examples illustrate strategies for feedback, ownership, and recognition. Sponsored by Santa Claus and Twisted Sisters, the episode offers practical leadership insights for building high-performing teams.

Holiday Traditions and Work-Life Alignment (00:00:08) Hosts Mike and Josh discuss Christmas traditions, family alignment, and parallels between personal and professional life during holidays.

Fiddle Fart Fridays and Family Connection (00:02:12) Weekly tradition of matching outfits and spending quality time together during the holiday season.

Core Values and Alignment in Family and Work (00:03:01) How clarity and alignment in family traditions can translate to business and work life.

Sponsor Shoutout and Holiday Retail Life (00:03:28) Mention of Twisted Sisters retail store and the impact of holiday season on retail business.

Employee Evaluation: Will Sets and Skill Sets (00:04:19) Introduction to evaluating employees based on motivation (will sets) and abilities (skill sets).

Defining Will Sets and Skill Sets (00:05:32) Clarifying what "will sets" and "skill sets" mean in the context of employee performance.

Quadrant Chart for Employee Evaluation (00:06:34) Explanation of using a quadrant chart to categorize employees by will and skill.

Low Performers: Setting Standards and Limits (00:07:08) How to handle employees with low will and low skill, including setting clear standards and exit strategies.

Disengaged Experts: High Skill, Low Will (00:10:17) Addressing employees with high skill but low motivation, and strategies to re-engage or exit them.

Impact of Tolerating Low Performance (00:12:39) Consequences of keeping low performers and disengaged experts on the team.

High Potentials: High Will, Low Skill (00:14:22) Approaches for developing eager employees who lack some skills, including coaching and small wins.

Coaching and Permission to Develop (00:17:06) Importance of asking for permission to coach and providing consistent feedback to high potentials.

Top Performers: High Will, High Skill (00:18:39) Strategies for managing top performers, including raising standards, stewardship, and two-way feedback.

Recognizing and Rewarding Top Performers (00:22:11) The importance of recognition, incentives, and involving top performers in goal setting.

Year-End Evaluation and Team Strategy (00:22:36) Encouragement to use the matrix for year-end evaluations and to strategize for team development.

Closing Remarks and Sports Analogy (00:23:35) Final thoughts, sports analogies, and a lighthearted sign-off.

In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser reconnect, sharing lighthearted banter about local food favorites before diving into a reflective business discussion. They emphasize the importance of honest year-end reviews, hiring the right people, and upholding core company values. The conversation explores balancing accountability and friendship, demanding excellence with compassion, and avoiding fear-based retention. Using personal stories and practical tools, Mike and Josh encourage leaders to foster team alignment, address issues early, and make data-driven decisions to drive organizational success in the coming year.

Podcast Introduction & Wawa Memories (00:00:08) Mike and Josh reconnect, discuss Wawa, the Gobbler sandwich, and share local food stories.

Sponsorship Jokes & Fitness Anecdotes (00:02:00) Hosts joke about potential sponsors, sauna suits, speaking gigs, and introversion after public speaking.

Thorntons Pizza & Local Food Chat (00:03:45) Discussion about Thorntons gas station pizza, local food favorites, and brief Costco pizza mention.

Transition to Business Reflection (00:04:30) Shifting from casual chat to business topics, reflecting on the fast year and personal growth.

Guest Speaker & The Bravery Effect (00:04:57) Announcement of Jill Schulman as a future guest, her book, and the concept of taking a leap.

Year-End Autopsy & Old vs. New Thinking (00:06:11) Encouragement to do a thorough year-end review, start/stop analysis, and old vs. new business mindsets.

Hiring: Warm Bodies vs. Right People (00:07:28) Contrast between filling seats with anyone versus focusing on right people, right seats, and hiring discipline.

Managing Around Weaknesses (00:09:17) Discussing the tendency to manage around personal and team weaknesses, and the need to delegate and elevate.

Politics Over Performance (00:11:22) Exploring how loyalty and politics can overshadow performance, and the importance of core values in hiring and promotion.

Friendship vs. Accountability (00:14:24) How personal relationships can hinder accountability, and why radical candor and truth-telling matter in leadership.

Accepting "Good Enough" vs. Demanding Excellence (00:17:07) The dangers of settling for mediocrity and the need to set and uphold higher standards for performance.

Building Roles to Fit Talent vs. Organizational Needs (00:19:07) Pitfalls of creating roles around existing people instead of organizational needs, and the importance of clear accountability.

Fear-Based Retention & Single Points of Failure (00:20:47) Keeping employees out of fear of losing unique skills, and the risks of single points of failure in organizations.

Subjective vs. Objective Evaluations (00:22:19) Moving from subjective, fear-based evaluations to data-driven, objective performance reviews.

Compromising Culture for Performance (00:23:20) The cost of tolerating high performers who damage culture, and the need to prioritize values over numbers.

Indefinite Patience vs. Timely Action (00:24:18) The problem of waiting too long to address issues, and the importance of prompt, disciplined feedback.

Conclusion & Tools for Year-End Reflection (00:25:35) Encouragement to use structured tools for year-end reviews, emphasizing clarity, discipline, and continuous improvement.

In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Josh Hauser and Mike Lantz explore the foundations of effective business leadership, using sports analogies from Indiana University athletics. They discuss building success through consistent effort, the importance of decisive commitment, and rapidly transforming organizational culture. The conversation highlights the need for clear vision, aligning the right people in the right roles, and mastering both leadership and management. Practical strategies like measurable KPIs and 90-day priorities are shared, emphasizing intentional teamwork and accountability as keys to long-term business success.

Introduction & Brick by Brick Analogy (00:00:08) Hosts Josh and Mike introduce the podcast and discuss the "brick by brick" approach to building success.

Sports Analogies & Changing Culture Quickly (00:01:34) Using IU sports, they discuss rapid organizational culture change and leadership impact.

Decision-Making in Leadership (00:04:39) Emphasizes the importance of decisive leadership and committing fully to decisions.

Clarifying and Casting Vision (00:06:59) Discusses the necessity of a clear, shared vision and aligning the team around it.

Who Sets the Vision? (00:09:57) Explores whether founders or leadership teams should set organizational vision.

Mastering Leadership, Management, and Accountability (00:10:39) Covers the need to master both leadership and management to hold people accountable.

Right People, Right Seats (00:13:52) Stresses evaluating roles and ensuring people are in positions that fit their strengths.

Building a Great Team & Culture (00:15:32) Focuses on intentional team-building, loyalty, and establishing a strong organizational culture.

Knowing Your Numbers (00:17:58) Highlights the importance of tracking key metrics and ensuring everyone knows their numbers.

Committing to 90-Day Priorities (00:19:50) Discusses breaking down goals into 90-day priorities and daily actions for long-term success.

In this Lucky 13 Podcast episode, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser interview Jason Beutler, CEO of Robosource. Jason shares his journey from studying computer science and AI to founding Robosource, which helps small and mid-sized businesses integrate AI into daily operations. They discuss Robosource's Process Coach, a virtual AI assistant that streamlines tasks like sales proposals and sourcing, and emphasize AI as a supportive tool, not a job replacer. The conversation also covers challenges businesses face in adopting AI, the importance of business-driven strategies, and Robosource's recent partnership with The Tebow Group.

Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:00:08) Hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser introduce the Lucky 13 Podcast, welcome guest Jason Beutler, CEO of Robosource, and set the stage for an AI discussion.

Personal Banter and Family Updates (00:00:26) Hosts share personal stories about their families, children's achievements, and local sports teams.

Jason Butler's Background and Education (00:02:23) Jason discusses his education at Taylor University, early interest in animation, and transition to computer science and AI.

Jason's Family and Early Career (00:04:21) Jason shares about his family, his children's education, and his initial career path after college.

Founding and Evolution of Robo Sauce (00:05:42) Jason recounts starting his first company, lessons learned, getting an MBA, and founding Robosource.

Transition from Custom Software to Product Focus (00:08:00) Jason explains the shift from custom software development to creating a scalable AI product for businesses.

Identifying Business Process Patterns and Pivot (00:08:19) Jason describes recognizing common business process issues and the pivotal moment leading to a product-based approach.

Product Vision: Process Coach Overview (00:10:19) Jason introduces Process Coach, an AI assistant designed to integrate with business tools and streamline daily operations.

Use Cases: Private Jet Sourcing and Sales Automation (00:12:02) Jason provides real-world examples of Process Coach in action, including private jet sourcing and automating sales proposals.

AI as a Thought Partner, Not a Job Replacer (00:15:03) Discussion on AI's role in supporting, not replacing, human workers, and enhancing strategic work.

Integration with Existing Business Tools (00:16:10) Jason explains how Process Coach connects with platforms like HubSpot, allowing seamless workflow integration.

Barriers to AI Adoption for SMBs (00:18:15) Exploration of fears and challenges small and mid-sized businesses face when considering AI adoption.

Overcoming Fear and Taking Action with AI (00:20:40) Jason shares strategies for helping businesses move past fear, focusing on solving real pain points with the right tools.

Affordability and Accessibility of Process Coach (00:22:20) Hosts emphasize the product's affordability and suitability for small to medium-sized businesses.

Investment and Partnership with Tim Tebow Group (00:22:54) Jason tells the story of receiving investment from Tim Tebow's group and the impact on Robosource's growth.

How to Learn More and Connect (00:27:04) Jason provides information on how listeners can contact Robosource or learn more about Process Coach.

Closing Thoughts and Takeaways (00:28:00) Hosts summarize key insights, encourage curiosity over fear, and thank Jason for joining the podcast.

In this episode of the Lucky 13 Podcast, hosts Mike Lantz and Josh Hauser explore how leadership and organizational clarity can be improved using the math concept of order of operations (PEMDAS). Through relatable analogies and real-world examples, they discuss the importance of clear rules, tools, and disciplines in business, effective communication, and hiring practices. The hosts share personal stories and practical frameworks, emphasizing that consistent standards and cultural fit are key to building strong, aligned teams and achieving business success.

Podcast Introduction (00:00:07) Mike and Josh introduce themselves, joke about new listeners, and set up the episode's math and leadership theme.

Math as a Leadership Analogy (00:00:45) Discusses using math rules, tools, and disciplines as a metaphor for business processes and leadership.

Setting Up the Math Problem (00:01:26) Introduces a complex math problem to illustrate communication and clarity in leadership.

Clarifying Instructions and Communication (00:02:09) Explains the importance of clear instructions and alignment when delegating tasks in business.

Order of Operations in Math and Business (00:03:00) Describes how following the order of operations (PEMDAS) in math parallels business processes.

PEMDAS Explained and Applied (00:04:43) Breaks down PEMDAS, prioritization, and how to apply it to business and leadership.

Solving the Math Problem Step-by-Step (00:05:33) Walks through the math problem, step by step, showing the importance of process and order.

Multiplication, Division, and Final Steps (00:07:05) Completes the math problem, emphasizing clarity, alignment, and the value of following rules.

Translating Order of Operations to Business (00:08:43) Discusses how to identify and prioritize key operations and processes within an organization.

Rules, Tools, and Disciplines in Organizations (00:09:46) Explores how to define, communicate, and measure standards and expectations for team members.

Customizing Rules for Each Organization (00:11:14) Highlights that each company's rules, tools, and disciplines are unique and must be clarified.

Codifying Organizational Principles (00:12:37) Stresses the importance of documenting and sharing company principles and beliefs.

Real-World Example: Guiding Principles in Action (00:12:58) Shares a story about using written principles to guide business decisions and avoid wasted effort.

Personal and Professional Hard Rules (00:15:12) Hosts discuss personal and professional "hard yes" and "hard no" rules they use for decision-making.

The Airport 24-Hour Rule for Hiring (00:16:24) Introduces the "airport rule" for hiring: could you spend 24 hours stuck with this person?

Learning from Interview Candidates (00:17:44) Emphasizes the value of learning something new from every interview candidate.

Judging by Personal Habits (00:18:24) Discusses using personal habits (like yard or car cleanliness) as indicators of professional behavior.

Episode Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways (00:19:57) Reflects on the episode's lessons, the importance of rules, tools, and disciplines, and encourages clarity in business.

In this episode, Mike and Josh discuss Indiana University football's strong season and the excitement around the return of the bison mascot. The conversation then shifts to leadership, drawing on John Maxwell's "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership." They explore principles like servant leadership, the importance of connection, and the Law of Buy-In, sharing personal stories and practical advice. The episode emphasizes that effective leadership is built on daily growth, genuine relationships, and helping others achieve their dreams, offering actionable insights for both sports fans and aspiring leaders.

IU Football's Hot Streak and Season Highlights (00:00:08) Discussion of IU football's 5-0 record, recent games, and excitement about the team's performance.

Oregon Football Update & Local Player Shoutout (00:01:43) Brief update on Oregon's win, local player Dylan Peterman, and community pride.

The Return of the Bison Mascot (00:01:52) Story about IU bringing back the bison mascot, its history, and campus culture.

Catching Up and Podcast Return (00:03:11) Hosts Mike and Josh reconnect after a break, mention missed episodes, and set the stage for leadership discussion.

Leadership Event with Jet Access (00:03:45) Recap of a leadership speaking engagement with Jet Access, company culture, and growth.

Epiphany on Leadership as a Learned Trait (00:05:10) Reflection on leadership being learned, not inherited, and book recommendations for new leaders.

Introduction to John Maxwell's Leadership Laws (00:05:57) Overview of John Maxwell's "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" and personal experiences with Maxwell.

Selecting and Discussing Key Leadership Laws (00:06:55) Explanation of the format: each host picks key leadership laws to discuss for new leaders.

Law of Addition: Serving Others (00:07:11) Leaders add value by serving others; discussion on inverting the org chart and stewardship.

Law of the Lid: Raising Potential (00:09:01) Leaders help others reach their potential; analogy of personal growth and not being the smartest in the room.

Law of Process: Leadership Develops Daily (00:10:56) Leadership is built brick by brick over time; stories of gradual success and daily improvement.

Law of Influence: The Power and Responsibility (00:13:01) True leadership is measured by influence, which can be positive or negative; examples from history.

Law of Magnetism: Who You Are is Who You Attract (00:15:12) Leaders attract people like themselves; benefits and pitfalls of hiring similar personalities.

Law of Connection: Leading with Heart (00:17:08) Importance of connecting with people's hearts and understanding their dreams and motivations.

Practical Connection: FORM and Bucket Lists (00:17:59) Using FORM (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Motivation) to connect with employees and support their dreams.

Dream Manager Concept at Wildman Business Group (00:19:34) Example of a company using dream managers to help employees achieve personal goals and build loyalty.

Law of Buy-In: People Follow the Leader First (00:20:55) People buy into the leader before the vision; importance of leaders walking the talk and NCAA coaching analogy.

Recap of Leadership Laws and Takeaways (00:23:19) Summary of discussed leadership laws and actionable advice for leaders to implement.