If you lead a business, succession is coming, ready or not.

Join Leron Lehman and Josh Keefer as they explore how taking just one small step can open the door to clarity, connection, and a healthier future for your business and your family.

Leaders often default to “trust but verify,” but what if that posture quietly undermines the trust we’re trying to build?

This episode invites a new way of thinking, one grounded in relationship, honesty, and genuine care.

The weight of leadership is appropriate, but the loneliness doesn’t have to be. In this episode, our team explores how leaders can drift into isolation and why vulnerability and connection are essential to thriving at the top.

“If you want something done well, do it yourself.”

In this episode, our team wrestles with this common phrase—is it a call to action, an attempt at efficiency, or a barrier to your team’s growth?

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "They'll never change?"

In Episode 45 of The North Group Podcast, our team explores what happens when leaders live with the assumption that people can't change—and more importantly, what becomes possible when they believe that they can.

If you’ve struggled to see the potential in those you lead, join Gina Breslin, Brian Black, and Nikki Shingle in Episode 45!

Uncertainty is nothing new for leaders—but that doesn’t mean it's easy.

These seasons prompt questions like:

What does my team need from me right now?

When do I stay the course and when do I try something new?

How do I communicate with truth and hope in the midst of chaos?

If you’ve ever found yourself navigating uncertainty, check out Episode 44 of The North Group Podcast where Kent Hartzler, Craig Schloneger, Nikki Shingle and Tim Heist unpack these key questions and more.

Ten years ago, the partners at North Group began asking a critical question: What will leadership and ownership look like beyond our founder?

In this special episode, Brian Black sits down with Founder Roger North and President Jerry Murray to explore the intentional, multi-year leadership and ownership transition at North Group - culminating in Roger’s step out of ownership and leadership in 2025. Together, they offer an inside look at how the process unfolded, what they learned along the way, and how it has shaped the way North Group now serves clients walking through their own transitions.

Roger and Jerry share openly about what felt rewarding, what was most difficult, and how the process required both spiritual and emotional work. They talk about preparing themselves and their team, navigating awkward in-between moments, and the importance of staying connected - especially when perspectives differ.

You’ll hear how they balanced realism and optimism, how their vision for North Group continues with new strategies and leadership, and why succession is never a simple 1-for-1 handoff.

This episode is for leaders, founders, and teams who want to approach leadership transition with purpose, humility, and hope. Most of all, it’s a story of continuing a mission beyond one individual, and into a future that honors both the past and the people who will carry it forward.

In this episode, Roger North and Gina Breslin dive into the complex world of ownership structures for privately-owned companies, including the often-debated 50/50 partnership model. Together, they analyze the pros and cons of different ownership models, highlighting that successful business strategies go beyond numbers. As Roger puts it, "When you're in a privately-owned company, relationships should lead transactions."

Roger and Gina discuss the importance of long-term purpose and vision, noting that in their experience, the most successful organizations focus less on maximizing immediate value, distributions, or salaries. They also explore the unique challenges family-owned companies face, stressing the heightened need for nurturing relationships. Ultimately, they emphasize that there's no one-size-fits-all approach, and each company must find the structure that works best for them.

Join Jerry Murray, Leron Lehman, and Brian Black in this episode of The North Group Podcast as they discuss the outlook on success for family businesses. Statistics claim that less than half of family businesses survive transition from the first to the second generation, and fewer than 5% reach the fourth generation. Is the future truly this grim or is there a hopeful path forward?

At North Group, we believe that family businesses are a gift to their communities, teams, and customers. Their success also requires a great deal of humility and intentionality. Along with these topics, Jerry, Leron, and Brian discuss:

- Challenges families face in transitioning from generation to generation

- Advice for building strong family relationships within and outside the business

- The role of consultants in supporting family businesses through these transitions.

Most importantly, they share how there is hope for each unique family and business navigating these transitions.

In Episode 40 of The North Group Podcast, Roger North is joined by Craig Schloneger and Eugene Hurst, CEO of the newly formed company Agriteer. Agriteer was created from the merger of two leading agricultural equipment dealers in Lancaster County, MM Weaver and Binkley & Hurst, both founded in the 1930s. While they were once respectful competitors, their shared values brought them together in a successful merger. Eugene Hurst reflects on the journey of unifying the companies, sharing how the process taught him valuable lessons about trust, humility, and courage.

The discussion highlights how Agriteer overcame two commonly held beliefs about mergers — that 50/50 partnerships cannot succeed, and that one company must always dominate. Through open conversations and strong governance, they navigated the tough decisions and challenges, ultimately building a unified company. The episode sheds light on everything from how the name "Agriteer" was chosen to how leadership roles were determined and emphasizes the power of trust and vulnerability in achieving a shared vision.

Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 of The Agriteer Merger story to be released on our website in the coming weeks!