This week on Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy sits down with Chase Alford, Lead Pastor of Teaching at Dayspring Baptist Church, and Austin Lovette, Teaching Pastor at Wilmer Baptist Church, to unpack the unique dynamics of leadership in ministry. They talk about balancing the practical aspects of running a church while staying rooted in its spiritual mission.

The conversation dives into the challenges and rewards of mentorship, the value of leaning on seasoned leaders, and the power of leading from your individual strengths—whether it’s teaching, guiding, or inspiring through action. Chase and Austin share why having a plurality of leadership helps prevent burnout and fosters a supportive, collaborative team. They also offer practical advice on managing time wisely, breaking down complex theological ideas into relatable messages, and maintaining authenticity in communication.

Tune in for insights on how tools like church apps are enhancing member engagement and why gratitude is a cornerstone for leadership in ministry. Packed with lessons on faith, connection, and leading with purpose, this episode is a must-listen for ministry leaders, and anyone striving to inspire and grow their teams!

In this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, Billy and Hali are joined by Stephen Armstrong, Interim President & CEO of O’Neal Steel and Executive Vice President of O’Neal Industries. Together, they dive into what it means to lead a 100-year-old company like O’Neal Steel while simultaneously committing to adaptability and forward-thinking.

 Stephen shares insights into the leadership values that have shaped O’Neal Steel, emphasizing the importance of consistent communication, accountability, and integrity across all levels. He highlights the company’s dedication to foundational leadership programs, including the EPIC program for management development, supervisor training initiatives, and the Thayer Leadership Program through West Point—all aimed at cultivating the next generation of industry leaders.

 They also cover how O’Neal Steel approaches innovation, with Stephen emphasizing that their focus on technology and adaptation isn’t change for change’s sake, but a commitment to staying relevant. He encourages young leaders to “own their careers” by making informed decisions and not fearing failure. Stephen also shares his philosophy on service, explaining that if they excel at meeting customer needs, sales will naturally follow.

 This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in making a meaningful impact and preparing for the future with authenticity and purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging leader, tune in for advice and inspiration.

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets? 

Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet

This week on Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy and Hali wrap up ESOP Month with an inspiring conversation featuring Chris Adams, President and CEO of Nobis Group. Chris dives into the core values of the "Nobis Bond," showcasing Nobis Group's commitment to continuous investing in its team. Together, they explore how today’s leadership is evolving beyond traditional, heads-down work to emphasize team-building, forward-thinking, and active listening.

Chris highlights the importance of cross-training to develop a flexible, big-picture team. He also challenges his team to stretch beyond their limits while recognizing the need to respect individual boundaries. For emerging leaders, Chris offers insights on embracing strengths, not letting fear take over, and understanding that effective leadership doesn’t mean knowing everything—it’s about knowing what you do best. He also shares a story on integrity, emphasizing the importance of doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.

Tune in to hear more on resilience, authenticity, and purposeful leadership. This episode is full of practical wisdom and inspiration for your leadership journey.

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets? 

Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode: The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham

Join us on Nuts and Bolts of Leadership as we continue our ESOP Month celebrations with a conversation that dives deep into the heart of employee ownership. Billy and Hali are joined by Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership, who shares his insights on the benefits, challenges, and impact of ESOPs.

Corey takes us through the history, creation, and future of ESOPs and discusses the benefits and hurdles involved in setting up new ESOPs. He explains how ESOPs can help employees build lasting wealth while also benefiting former owners and supporting the long-term health of the company. We also discuss the NCEO’s work in continuous education, research, and community investment within the ESOP space.

Discover how employee ownership affects workplace culture, impacting everything from employee behavior and attitudes to fostering a spirit of collaboration across teams. Corey also shares three essential tools for cultivating a successful ESOP culture and highlights the importance of involving employees in meaningful ways.

Whether you are part of the ESOP community, considering creating an ESOP, or simply interested in the power of employee ownership, this episode is full of leadership insights and ESOP nuggets. Tune in for inspiration, advice, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to invest in employee ownership.

 Don't miss out—listen now and celebrate ESOP Month with us!

Books mentioned: Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What by Corey Rosen and John Case

To kick off ESOP Month, we are hosting a special episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast. Billy and Hali are joined by Ashley Bryan, CFO of Threaded Fasteners and the TFI “ESOP Guru,” as they discuss all things ESOP.

Ashley dives into the nitty-gritty of what an ESOP is and how it works at Threaded Fasteners. They explore the advantages of being employee-owned, from receiving real financial benefits to building a true ownership culture. Ashley breaks down the complexities of ESOPs and the steps they take to communicate these complex ideas to employee-owners. From understanding the difference between an ESOP and a 401(k) to grasping the financial impact of ownership, Ashley works to communicate the key concepts. Ashley shares Threaded Fasteners' strategy for ESOP communications, including their ESOP Advocate Program, ESOP Touchpoints, and ESOP Month activities. She also emphasizes the importance of connecting with employees at every level to help them fully understand ESOP’s lasting impact. Billy and Ashley discuss how being an employee-owned company can help with both hiring and retention. They also talk about the benefits of selling a business to an ESOP, not just for the company owner but for their employees as well.

It's ESOP Month, so stay tuned for more leaders who own it!

In this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, hosts Billy and Hali are joined by Kim Garrett, Director of Victory Health Partners, for a conversation centered on mission-driven leadership in providing healthcare to those in need. Kim highlights the importance of focusing on the mission both inside and outside of the clinic, sharing how her team remains dedicated to their vision while avoiding mission drift.

Throughout the episode, Kim shares the intentional practices that guide Victory Health Partners, emphasizing the value of caring for every patient, every time. She discusses the need to slow down and spend meaningful time with patients, while also highlighting the role of outside partners and volunteers in maintaining the clinic’s impact. As Kim explains, healthcare is the avenue through which they fulfill their larger mission—serving the medically underserved both spiritually and physically.

Kim also touches on the balance between grace and expectations when leading a team, speaking about how to care for staff while being good stewards of their patients and partners. She offers insights into the value of community partnerships and how to align resources with needs. Later, she discusses the value of starting small, reminding us that consistency is key.

Tune in to learn more about leading with intention, leveraging partnerships, and aligning mission with gifts that creates a lasting impact beyond the walls of the clinic!

If you are interested in donating your time, talent, or resources to Victory Health or you are interested in learning more about their services please visit victoryhealth.org. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast, Billy and Hali sit down with Kathy Mazzarella, CEO of Graybar, to explore what it takes to reach the top and how young leaders can achieve success in leadership. Kathy emphasizes the importance of facing your fears and setting ambitious goals within realistic timeframes. She also shares insights on how no career path is a straight line to the top and the critical role leaders play in bringing others along on their journey.

Kathy discusses her philosophy of “gentle pressure relentlessly applied” and what it takes to balance the heart of humanity with the science of technology. She emphasizes that leadership isn’t just about achieving results, but about how those results are obtained, often requiring difficult decisions that may have short-term costs but are best for the team in the long run.

We also discuss the necessity of continuously evolving your team to avoid falling behind, the long-term investments in infrastructure, technology, and people that Graybar is making to ensure future success, and why true leadership is about focusing on everyone except yourself. Kathy also offers advice to emerging leaders: don’t give up when things get tough, and never let failure define you.

Tune in to gain insights on leadership, growth, and resilience from one of the industry’s top leaders.

Enjoy!

Billy and Hali are joined by Paul Decker, CEO of Mathematica, as he emphasizes the importance of proactive focus, objectivity, and consistency in both research and leadership.

Paul discusses the challenges and benefits of leading a largely remote organization, highlighting the intentional efforts made to connect with remote employees across the U.S. As a lifelong learner, Paul shares the significance of learning from peers and colleagues and the value he has found in having an executive leadership coach.

We discuss the impact of AI on Mathematica and how evolving technology has influenced the company's approach to integrating new methodologies. Paul highlights the importance of blending AI with existing skill sets, using it as a tool to support employees while maintaining a focus on differentiating yourself from competition.

Later, Paul talks about the necessity of work-life balance, acknowledging that work is a part of life. He stresses the importance of being realistic about balance and effectively communicating your process with your team.

He also offers advice to emerging leaders: explore what’s available, and as you grow within your organization, propose ways to add value and make a meaningful impact.

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets? 

Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode: The Power Broker by Robert Caro

Tighten up those laces and get ready for a powerful episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast, hosted by Billy Duren and Hali Gibson, as they are joined by Mike Mortensen, President and CEO of ARG Industrial.

Mike shares his story of growing within the ARG Industrial team, learning from the ground up, and developing into the leader he is today. The bootstrapping culture at ARG Industrial fosters a fast-paced, growth-oriented mindset that utilizes internal and industry resources effectively. Mike discusses how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) has helped him, as the visionary, to develop a plan and guide his team in their leadership development throughout the company. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a focus on team goals and using them as a roadmap for development.

Mike highlights the value of safety and support in the face of mistakes, which he believes are vital to a leader’s development. He and Billy also discuss the importance of psychological safety and support when communicating about the influence and development of AI in the workforce. Speaking directly to developed leaders, Mike underscores the importance of believing in yourself and becoming a lifelong learner. These boots were made for leading, get ready for another nugget packed episode, until next time, tighten up!

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets? Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode:

What The Heck is EOS by Gino Wickman

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet 

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

Learn More About Threaded Fasteners Learn More About Billy Duren  

In this fan-favorite rebroadcast of Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy Duren and Hali Gibson are joined by Jerrad Douberly, COO; David Spurlock, EVP; and Ashley Bryan, CFO of Threaded Fasteners, Inc. The episode dives deep into the importance of balancing passion with discipline within leadership, and what it means to be humble, hungry, and aware. Ashley Bryan shares her journey through TFI’s growth and the importance of teaching awareness. David Spurlock discusses the value of being "hungry" and how it drives organizational mission. Jerrad Douberly highlights the importance of embedding core values into company culture. Tune in as these Threaded Fasteners thought leaders provide actionable insights and specific guidance to help aspiring leaders on their leadership journey. 

3 Key Episode Takeaways

1. Hire for traits, not just skills: We discuss the difficulty of finding a CFO who fits in with the Company's culture and how cultural fit is just as important as technical expertise.

2. Teach and promote humility, hunger, and awareness within your team: We suggest identifying individuals who possess these traits and providing specific guidance to help them improve.

3. Balance passion with discipline: We emphasize the need to be hungry for learning and growth while being aware of the people around you and not letting hunger make you shortsighted.

Show Overview

01:39 Company clarifying and communicating core values today. 04:36 Simplified core values for company strategy. 07:49 Humility: Lead by example, collaborate, tell stories. 11:48 Book about Army Rangers teaches leadership skills. 14:49 Mission unchanged, focus on communication clarified. 18:52 Sales assistant's coaching approach: learning to listen. 20:52 Passion needs discipline for balanced hunger. 26:36 "Company growth brings needed sophistication. Finding culturally-fit CFOs is hard." 29:06 Awareness of team, responsibility, and surroundings. 33:39 Teaching awareness to hire great people. 36:53 Praise for Ashley and introduction to podcast. 40:40 Awareness of team, responsibilities, strengths and weaknesses. 45:13 Teaching awareness through hiring and mechanisms. 49:42 Podcasting teaches humble, hungry, and awareness. 51:02 11 guests provided leadership wisdom nuggets. 54:51 Podcast by Threaded Fasteners creating value.