The Edge

Larry Swank is the founder and chairman of Sterling Group, a developer and manager of multi-family housing and self-storage units based in Indiana. Larry joins host Tim Leman on The Edge to share his journey as an entrepreneur. He discusses the importance of intuition, learning from mistakes, and staying focused, while also providing valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of running a family business.

Connect with Larry on LinkedIn. Learn more about Sterling Group.

• What is Sterling Group? (0:55)

• Larry's role as chairman (2:35)

• Larry's early career (4:20)

• Trust your gut instinct (7:25)

• Operating a family business (12:45)

• Staying connected to family (17:10)

• Larry's edge (18:31)

• Advice for success (21:03)

Clint Squadroni, CEO of InXpress, joins co-host Taylor Covey on The Edge to discuss the importance of mentorship, giving back to the community, and how work ethic has given Clint his edge in life. They also dive into the defining qualities of effective leadership and the paths that lead to personal and professional success.

Connect with Clint on LinkedIn. Learn more about InXpress.

Key Takeaways:

• Clint's role at InXpress (4:46)

• Learning from mentors (8:03)

• Clint's favorite suits (12:44)

• Giving back to the community (14:32)

• How Clint's childhood shaped him (17:31)

• The importance of education (20:00)

• Valuable lessons learned from teams (23:00)

• Clint's edge (29:00)

Host Tim Leman introduces the dynamic trio of co-hosts for Season 6: Alex Rodriguez, Courtney Montfort, and Taylor Covey. Together they dive into their motivations for becoming co-hosts and share their passion for connecting with people. Tune in to discover how these hosts find their edge and embrace the thrill of trying new things.

Connect with Alex Rodriguez, Courtney Montfort, and Taylor Covey on LinkedIn. Learn more about Gibson.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Alex, Courtney, and Taylor wanted to be co-hosts (1:11)

• The co-hosts' favorite episodes of The Edge (7:28)

• Tim's inspiration for Season 6 (9:30)

• Alex's edge (11:02)

• Courtney's edge (12:35)

• Taylor's edge (15:00)

• Rapid Fire (17:05)

• What is something about each co-host that not many people know (22:50)

Justin Breen, a self-described "dad who happens to be an entrepreneur," joins host Tim Leman on The Edge Podcast. Justin is hyper-focused on connecting Visionaries – he has made it his life's work. He and Tim also discuss the importance of family and how Justin strives to "win at the right game," to always keep trying to be a better dad.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn. Learn more about his businesses at BrEpicLLC.com.

Key Takeaways:

• An entrepreneur who happened to be a journalist (3:53)
• No what-ifs (7:24)
• Connecting superhero for Visionaries (9:39)
• Marriage lessons from Kolbe (14:45)
• Seeing the world in numbers and keywords (18:06)
• Knowing and leaning into your strengths (19:15)
• Abundance mindset (22:55)
• Keep trying to get better as a dad (35:05)

Grace Grant is Executive Director of Gamma Iota Sigma, a collegiate organization for students interested in insurance & risk management. Grace joins host Tim Leman on The Edge to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the industry and explore what students are looking for from internships & careers, as well as what makes for transformational teams and where she has found her edge.

Connect with Grace on LinkedIn. Learn more about Gamma Iota Sigma.

Key Takeaways:

• What is Gamma Iota Sigma? (1:00)
• State of diversity in insurance industry (3:30)
• Advice to employers (8:42)
• The value of a mentorship program (12:08)
• Evaluate and identify your goal (13:30)
• Being willing to make the investments to see the long-term impact (14:50)
• What drives student interest in the insurance industry (17:57)
• What do people not realize about the insurance industry? (22:18)
• Best team experience (28:40)
• Lessons from family (31:50)
• Grace's edge (34:30)

Stephanie Parra is a trailblazer in Arizona. She joins host Tim Leman on The Edge to discuss the work her organization, ALL In Education, is doing to advocate for equity, opportunity, and justice for all students. Stephanie & Tim talk about the importance of a human-centered design approach, shifting the narrative & perspective, and what makes her team unique & impactful.

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn. Learn more about ALL In Education.

Key Takeaways:

• About ALL In Education (1:33)
• Human-centered design approach (7:30)
• Shifting the narrative and perspective (10:07)
• Stephanie's journey in education (13:15)
• You can be part of the change (18:20)
• The experience working and leading at a nonprofit (23:57)
• Best team experience and what makes it special (26:28)
• Stephanie's edge (30:04)

Cina Welch, President & CEO of FCCI Insurance Group, joins host Tim Leman to share lessons and perspectives from her leadership journey. Together they discuss the important role mentorship plays, how work ethic has given Cina an edge, her commitment to authenticity, as well as her love of travel & adventure.

Connect with Cina on LinkedIn. Learn more about FCCI Insurance Group.

Key Takeaways:

• What is a mutual insurance holding company? (1:00)
• What is FCCI's secret sauce? (2:00)
• Cina's leadership journey (3:23)
• Developing a training program (5:32)
• In rare company (7:58)
• Importance of mentorship (9:45)
• Lessons from observing board of directors (11:51)
• How a love of travel and adventure have shaped her leadership (13:05)
• Most memorable travel experience + true teamwork (14:56)
• What makes for a special team (16:16)
• Influence of GW Jacobs (18:36)
• Cina's edge (21:18)

Juliana Lindsay, a Professional EOS Implementer from Utah, joins host Tim Leman to discuss the lessons she's learned as a mom and entrepreneur. They explore the impact EOS has had on her life – personally, family, and professionally, especially the importance of letting go of the vine. Juliana & Tim also talk about the importance of peer groups, getting the right people in the right seats, casting a clear vision, and more.

Connect with Juliana on LinkedIn. Learn more about EOS Worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

• How does EOS give entrepreneurs an edge? (0:51)
• Juliana's entrepreneurial journey (2:25)
• Introduction to RocketFuel and Traction (4:30)
• Letting go of the vine (5:58)
• Right person in the right seat (9:15)
• Importance of peer groups (10:40)
• Unique challenges franchises face (19:00)
• Employees desire a clear vision (23:37)
• Characteristics of the best leadership teams (26:36)
• The team at home (34:10)

Pedro Cons, CEO of Adelante Healthcare, joins host Tim Leman to discuss how he and his organization strive to close the gaps in care for their patients. They talk about the critical role collaboration and partnership play in achieving that vision. Pedro also shares about the importance of mentorship, emotional intelligence, and embracing situational leadership.

Connect with Pedro on LinkedIn. Learn more about Adelante Healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

• The story of Adelante Healthcare (1:12)
• Misconceptions about federally qualified healthcare clinics (2:43)
• Supporting mental health needs (3:42)
• Collaborating with other organizations and leaders (5:15)
• Pedro's story (7:33)
• Mentorship – paying it forward (10:29)
• Pedro's edge in life (15:30)
• Leadership style (17:14)
• What makes for a great team? (21:26)
• Different languages of business (26:15)
• Staying close to family (27:00)

Adam Kronk, Chief Culture & Leadership Development Officer at Lippert, shares lessons from his unique career journey. Adam & Tim also discuss his intentionality around creating genuine encounters with team members and family.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn. Learn more about Lippert.

Key Takeaways:

• What is a Chief Culture Officer? (1:30)
• Separating culture from traditional HR (4:35)
• Commitment to serving others (6:10)
• Employee experience across offices, states, countries (6:55)
• Passionate about winning (10:15)
• Adam's unique background (12:50)
• Experiences working for a nonprofit & with a charismatic leader (16:25)
• Adam's edge (25:50)
• Helping team members find their edge (31:10)
• Best team and what made it special (33:15)
• The team at home – staying close and keeping family culture intact (35:24)