Being a sole business owner can be tough, but finding and building a partnership can be just as challenging. Rob explores his 11-year partnership with Ben at Sparkbox and discusses the impact it has had on the company. Through trust, alignment, complimentary skills, and intentionality, you can create a partnership that lasts.

During this time of social unrest, Traci and Rob explore how being white means being privileged. They discuss how this came to be in America and what it means today as a business leader and as a human. Through education and empathy, we can make not only a difference in our own understanding, but we can also make a difference in the business world.

Leadership comes with a certain perceived power whether you like it or not. Your words, your actions, your emotional reactions have power. A leader must responsibly and intentionally recognize and understand how they affect and influence the day-to-day workings of their team. Traci and Rob discuss the power of leadership and how to teach new leaders on your team about their growing influence.

Do you have a vision for the end? Have you considered the best way and time for your journey within your company to come to a close? Many business owners neglect thinking about an exit plan until they are either exhausted or desperate for an escape. Traci and Rob discuss why planning ahead can help you end on a positive note and build an irresistible company to be desired by all.

COVID-19 caused much of the workforce to shift from working together in an office to working together from their own homes. For some companies, this was nothing new. But for others, it was a major shift. Rob and Traci discuss what it has been like from their perspectives and how to take the good of this situation and apply it to your company for lasting positive effects in the future.

Finding good talent is hard; keeping good talent can be even harder. What should you look for in new team members, and how can you create a culture where high performing talent wants to stay? Traci and Rob answer these questions and discuss the concept of being talent producers versus talent consumers.

Should the weight of leadership for an entire company rest in the hands of just the CEO or Owner? How do we create a rhythm where we can work on the business rather than only working in the business? Leadership teams are a great solution for an owner who feels their company has outdistanced their own capabilities alone. Traci and Rob talk about how a leadership team, when formed properly and given the right purpose, can propel a business toward success.

All humans desire to grow and develop. For this to happen in the workplace, leaders need to provide a structured and regular process. Performance reviews and one-on-one check-ins can seem like an outdated and laborious process to some, but they can fuel your top performers to excel if done right. Traci and Rob discuss the why behind reviews and check-ins, how to structure them, what to communicate in them, and how often to do them.

Now more than ever, our country is a divided place. Differing opinions on the COVID-19 crisis along with what is sure to be a contentious political election can make for an uncomfortable work environment. Traci and Rob discuss why leaders shouldn’t shy away from this challenge. Rather they should intentionally set ground rules to maintain a strong and cohesive culture.

Do you feel exhausted, distracted, disinterested, or even depressed? You may be experiencing burnout. Burnout is common and can happen to leaders at various stages of their career for a multitude of reasons. Traci and Rob discuss what burnout looks like, why it happens, and how to hit the reset button.