The Edge

Quentin Messer is the CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). He discusses with host Tim Leman how the pandemic has brought a greater focus on place and what that means for not only economic development organizations like MEDC, but for all businesses and each of us personally. They talk about the unique perspectives women bring to his leadership team and how he's worked to create trust on a team of forceful personalities, as well the importance of keeping family at the forefront.

Connect with Quentin on LinkedIn. Learn more about MEDC.

Key Takeaways:

• What is MEDC? (0:52)
• The notion of place has become much more powerful (2:40)
• Comparing Michigan & the Great Lakes to other regions (5:12)
• Building a diverse leadership team (9:14)
• Creating trust on a team (12:08)
• Staying close with family despite business obligations (16:42)
• Surrendering to purpose and embracing sources of strength (20:57)
• Energy and accessibility (24:45)

Don Cates and host Tim Leman explore lessons learned from Don's childhood on a farm and his leadership journey in the financial industry. Don talks about how the pandemic has challenged his organization, and all of us, to become adaptable and flexible. The two also discuss how Don coaching women's basketball has translated to professional insights and a philosophy that embraces diversity of thought. Additionally, the conversation includes how being intentional about time, choice, and scheduling encourages productivity.

Connect with Don on LinkedIn. Learn more about 3Rivers Federal Credit Union.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons learned from farm life (1:45)
• Risks banks are facing and a mindset of flexibility (2:39)
• Thriving versus surviving (5:00)
• Don's transition through sales, lending, and leadership (5:57)
• Early leadership lessons (8:54)
• The evolution of a leadership team (10:37)
• Great teams and work ethic (11:36)
• The diversity of thought and experience that women bring (13:57)
• Being intentional about time, choice, and scheduling to encourage productivity (16:45)
• Don's edge in life (18:50)

Together with host Tim Leman, Dr. Eric Bricker talks about his journey, which has included hospital finance, M.D., healthcare navigation, telehealth, and more. They discuss entrepreneurship in the healthcare industry, leadership, and the role of virtual care in a world stricken with the pandemic.

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn. Learn more about First Stop Health.

Key Takeaways:

• Eric's background as an entrepreneur and doctor (1:17)
• The experience of being a founder and decicing to sell the organization (6:18)
• "In order to have a good idea, you have to have a lot of ideas" (9:33)
• How Eric landed at First Stop Health (11:19)
• Is a hybrid of virtual care and in-person visit the future? (15:05)
• Virtual care and the potential to make being a doctor a more appealing job (19:01)
• Advice to leadership on making a difference to their own employees and healthcare costs (22:03)
• Doing something you love with the people you love (28:18)
• Ingredients of a great team (29:39)
• Eric's edge in life (32:13)

In this episode of The Edge, Tim talks with Andrew Berlin about building a great team by recruiting for character. Andrew keeps busy by being the Chairman and Owner of South Bend Cubs, partner and shareholder of the Chicago Cubs, and the Managing Director of Shield AI. Today, he highlights the importance of character and integrity. Andrew shares with us some of the great teams he's been on, and what about that team made it so great. Hint: hiring for a person's character can be more important than what you see on a person's resume. Listen now!

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or via his website.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the needs of your customers (7:41)
• Bias for character (11:19)
• Recruiting for character and traits (13:31)
• Sustaining a great team when leadership changes (15:46)
• Andrew's edge in life (17:28)

Tune in to hear Cindy Salas Murphy, CEO of WithHealth, discuss why you need to surround yourself with the right people and how culture drives an organization. She and Tim also discuss the importance of embracing transparency, curiosity, and positivity.

Connect with Cindy on LinkedIn. Learn more about WithHealth.

Key Takeaways:

• Responding to the pandemic by bringing our capabilities together (5:16)
• What makes precision telehealth different (7:17)
• Surround yourself with people that complement you, not compliment you (9:20)
• Culture drives your organization (14:28)
• Embrace transparency and curiostiy (15:56)
• Cindy's edge in life (25:10)

Chris Fredericks, of Empowered Ventures and TVF, joins Tim to discuss what it's like leading an employee-owned company. He shares what it means to be an ESOP, how he strives to foster strong employee-owned cultures, and what it takes to build a strong leadership team.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn. Learn more Empowered Ventures and TVF.

Key Takeaways:

• What it means to be an ESOP (2:12)
• The right fit for an ESOP (10:15)
• Investment and hard work to build a great team (14:49)
• Building a strong leadership team (15:32)
• Chris' edge in life (17:05)

Dr. Deborah Curtis, President of Indiana State University, joins Tim to discuss her leadership experiences, the secret sauce to a strong & cohesive team, and the role gratitude plays in her life. You'll also hear stories of how leadership, diversity, and empowerment are making an impact at Indiana State.

Key Takeaways:

• Seeing the broader horizon (4:11)
• A diverse and cohesive leadership team (6:57)
• The "secret sauce" to a great team (8:09)
• Becoming more a part of the community (9:44)
• The role of Chief of Staff at the University (11:54)
• Advice to employers on how to better support women and minorities (18:20)
• Dr. Curtis' edge in life (23:02)

Scott Lewis, President and CEO at YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, joins Tim for this episode. Growing up in the Y family since age 6, Scott shares his unique perspective on the YMCA, nonprofits, and his leadership roles. He also talks to us about building a great team and the importance of open communication. Listen now!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn. Learn more about the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

Key Takeaways:

• The YMCA as a social enterprise (3:22)
• Focus on the front line (7:49)
• Build a team who sees things differently but can work together (8:52)
• Handling misalignment on a team (11:30)
• Misconceptions about nonprofit organizations (15:22)
• Balancing time between work and family (17:22)
• Scott's edge in life (19:50)

Tiffany Sauder, CEO of Element Three, joins Tim to discuss her leadership journey. She shares how she's had to make the shift from ambition to leadership, her role in training decision-making, the importance of leading through the lens of your values, and more.

Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn. Learn more about Element Three.

Key Takeaways:

• Leading through the lens of your values (3:43)
• Train decision making (6:48)
• Moving from abition to leadership (8:00)
• Speaking our full truth (10:40)
• Results are personal, feedback is not (12:55)
• Transparency and vulnerability (22:35)

In this episode, Tim talks with Tony Hutti about the power of peer groups. Tony is the CEO of Renaissance Executive Forums has almost 50 years of leadership and management experience. He shares how being vulnerable is crucial to being a good leader and why we should have the mindset of taking everything as a learning experience.

Connect with Tony on LinkedIn. Learn more about Renaissance Executive Forums.

Key Takeaways:

• Vulnerability is a key ingredient (3:56)
• What leaders struggle with most (6:23)
• Every decision is a learning experience (7:45)
• The impact of peer groups (10:59)
• Put your oxygen mask on first (14:24)
• Tony's edge (19:21)