Time & Energy

What separates good leaders from truly exceptional ones? In my conversation with Sue Hanish-Anderson, a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience guiding teams at Discovery Benefits and WEX, we uncovered the principles that have defined her successful leadership journey.

Sue's leadership philosophy was shaped by growing up as a middle child in a family of five daughters. Even though she was "lost in the shuffle" from time to time, it was in this environment that she developed the consensus-building skills that would later become her professional superpower. Her signature mantra, "raise the bar," borrowed from her husband's strength coaching background, has become more than just a catchphrase—it's a dual-purpose reminder to continuously improve while also supporting others when they need it most.

Perhaps most fascinating is Sue's development of "listening systems," a structured approach to gathering and acting on customer feedback that transformed service delivery. After hearing a consultant observe "an erosion in people listening to customers," Sue made it her mission to be the exception. Her methodical approach to capturing unsolicited praise has provided invaluable insights into what truly matters to customers.

The "same farm" concept Sue introduces offers an awesome visual framework for identifying communication misalignments before they become problematic. Two people might agree they're "on a farm," but one envisions green pastures with animals while another pictures a red barn with hay bales—a simple but powerful metaphor for how easily teams can think they're aligned when they're actually not.

Throughout our conversation, Sue's humanity shines through as she discusses balancing professional excellence with family life as a mother of four. Her advice to give yourself grace and recognize that the balance "looks different for everyone" offers reassurance to anyone struggling with competing priorities.

Whether you're an experienced leader, aspiring to leadership, or simply interested in becoming more effective in your interactions with others, Sue's practical wisdom offers valuable guidance for creating environments where people can truly flourish.

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The magic of Sammy's approach lies in her ability to blur the lines between professional and personal relationships. As she puts it, "There's just so much time that happened, a lot of change that happened throughout the years, and we all were in it together." This philosophy has created teams where people work hard not just for themselves but "for the person sitting next to you too"—a rare quality in today's often transactional workplace environments.

At the heart of Samantha's leadership toolkit is the Enneagram, a personality typing system she uses to promote self-awareness and better communication within her team. Unlike other personality assessments that can feel limiting, the Enneagram encourages growth and adaptability. "The goal is not to be your number," she explains, "but to understand different numbers and pivot based on who you're talking to." This framework has transformed how her team members relate to each other, creating deeper understanding and more effective collaboration.

When it comes to hiring, Samantha looks beyond technical acumen to behaviors. She seeks people who are "humble, hungry, smart" with emotional intelligence and a competitive spirit. This approach has led to an impressive track record of successful hires who've grown within the organization. The few "misses" typically involved candidates showing an "unwillingness" or "huge uncomfortableness of being uncomfortable"—a critical red flag in environments requiring adaptation.

As a mother of two balancing family and career, Samantha shares practical wisdom for prioritization: identify your "three big rocks" each day and recognize that sometimes one might be "my son's doctor appointment." Her journey reminds us that extraordinary leadership isn't about complex systems or rigid hierarchies, but about creating environments where people can thrive by being their authentic selves. When asked about her favorite part of leadership, her answer is immediate: "Working with people and helping them realize their potential."

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A wonderful hour-long conversation with former Baxter CEO Harry Kraemer transforms from a simple blog comment into a profound lesson on leadership and human connection. What began as a discussion about a controversial blog post becomes a masterclass in values-based leadership principles that can transform how we approach personal and professional relationships.

• Finding that top performers share common traits, including competitive spirit and detailed memory recall from formative experiences
• Understanding values-based leadership through four key principles: self-reflection, balance, true self-confidence, and genuine humility
• Learning the power of Harry Kraemer's 40-year daily practice of asking four transformative questions
• Discovering that leadership starts with presence rather than position

Reach out with your thoughts and feedback at [email protected] and visit timeandenergy.co for more insights on maximizing your most important resources.

Keep Grinding,

NJL

https://harrykraemer.org/

https://harrykraemer.org/one-acre-fund/

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Andy Doeden’s remarkable journey from professional golf to corporate leadership shows us how life's transitions shape our perspectives and priorities. With refreshing honesty, Andy reveals the mental and emotional challenges of shifting from an individual contributor role—where success meant topping sales leaderboards—to leading teams at Discovery Benefits (later acquired by WEX)

The conversation delves into leadership philosophy that prioritizes people over metrics. "Lead, love, and serve people towards their full potential," Andy shares as his mission statement, reflecting his belief that true leadership focuses on helping others reach their potential. 

His approach cultivated a unique corporate culture where colleagues genuinely celebrated each other's successes rather than competing against one another—a rarity in sales environments. Particularly compelling is Andy's discussion of identity and worth beyond professional achievements. Having previously tied his identity to golf scores and later to sales numbers, he speaks powerfully about the journey to recognize that "you're more valuable than your results." 

This perspective shift proved crucial during his leadership years and his recent decision to step away from his 18-year career to prioritize family and personal growth. The episode offers practical wisdom on navigating relationships in leadership positions. Andy challenges the notion that "leadership is lonely" and the false dichotomy between friendship and authority, sharing how setting healthy boundaries allowed him to maintain meaningful connections while still leading effectively. 

His candid reflections on using outside perspectives—from his wife Katie, business coaches, and friends—demonstrate the importance of vulnerability in leadership. Whether you're contemplating a career transition, stepping into leadership, or seeking a healthier relationship with work and achievement, 

Andy's story provides both inspiration and practical guidance. His willingness to discuss personal struggles with anxiety and the mental toll of leadership creates space for honest conversations about the human side of professional success.

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Part 1 of 2 

What makes some people able to rise from obscurity to achievement while others with similar talent fall short? In this candid conversation with Andy Doeden, we delve into how a small-town golfer from Fargo, North Dakota, developed the mindset that propelled him from public courses to professional competition.

Andy shares vivid memories from his early days—collecting golf balls at age 7 to sell from a roadside stand, delivering papers in -30° weather, and practicing bunker shots when everyone else took shelter from the rain. These formative experiences weren't just about golf; they were building the character foundation that would define his approach to challenges throughout life.

The conversation takes us through Andy's journey competing with childhood rival Shane McMenamy, his collegiate career at TCU under the street-smart Coach Monigill, and his pursuit of professional golf. Throughout these stories emerges a philosophy that transcends sports: excellence doesn't come from talent alone, but from preparation that nobody witnesses, embracing difficult conditions that others avoid, and developing what Andy calls "quiet confidence."

Perhaps most compelling are Andy's insights about competition—how he could be fiercely determined to win while maintaining genuine kindness toward opponents. His encounters with future PGA stars, such as Charles Howell III and Camilo Villegas, reveal how closely he observed excellence around him, absorbing lessons that would shape his own development.

Whether you're interested in golf, leadership, or personal growth, Andy's journey offers valuable wisdom about finding your edge and making the most of the opportunities life presents. What's your equivalent of "practicing in the rain" when everyone else is seeking shelter?

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Dave Schultz's remarkable journey from professional golfer to family man and General Manager of Fargo Country Club offers profound insights on finding purpose beyond our initial dreams. Growing up as the son of well-known TV personalities Ed Schultz and Maureen Hintz, Dave's path was shaped by a unique childhood where the game of golf entered his life through his father's negotiated country club membership.

After choosing golf over promising football opportunities, Dave's professional career took him around the world—from New Zealand to Panama to the UK. But despite playing in two PGA Tour events and spending years on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour, he found himself questioning the nomadic lifestyle as he watched friends settle down and start families.

"I had an entire identity in this game of golf, and it wasn't happening," Dave reflects, describing the slow-burning realization that perhaps his future lay elsewhere. Meeting his wife Kelsey, became a turning point, prompting him to find "something more important than myself." This led to a career pivot into hotel management, where he discovered transferable skills and a new passion for improvement and leadership.

Today, Dave has masterfully blended his golf expertise with business acumen as GM and Head Golf Professional at Fargo Country Club, while simultaneously reviving and expanding the beloved "Hole-in-One Show" television program. His leadership philosophy centers on empowering team members with autonomy while providing necessary support—a perspective shaped by his own experiences as both athlete and businessman.

Perhaps most powerfully, Dave's definition of success has evolved to focus on family: "Raising three girls who are confident, happy, and are really good people." This north star guides his decisions, from his sleep schedule to his daily mantra with his daughters: "What are we going to be? Mentally tough. What are we going to have? Positive energy."

Whether you're facing a career transition, questioning your path, or seeking to balance professional ambitions with family priorities, Dave's story offers valuable wisdom about persistence, adaptation, and finding fulfillment by living according to your deepest values.

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What truly separates extraordinary performers from everyone else? In this profound conversation with former professional golfer Josh Persons, we peel back the psychological layers that define elite achievement across sports, business, and personal development.

Drawing from their 30-year friendship, host Nick Lakoduk and Persons explore the mindset that propelled athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods to legendary status – not just exceptional talent, but an unwavering, almost ruthless focus on winning at all costs. "They are literally going for one thing and they'll do anything to get there," Persons explains, highlighting how truly exceptional performers prioritize results over relationships or public perception.

The discussion takes fascinating turns as they examine whether hating to lose is more powerful than loving to win, with Persons candidly sharing how childhood experiences shaped his competitive fire. "It's got to be fun for kids and something that they want to do," he reflects, noting how early successes create essential momentum like "watering a plant" that fuels continued growth.

Perhaps most surprising is their exploration of the fear of success that haunts even elite performers. "If somebody said they were not afraid to succeed, I'd tell them they're a liar" Persons states, challenging conventional wisdom about fearlessness. This vulnerability creates a refreshing counternarrative to typical success stories.

As the conversation shifts to Persons' transition from professional golf to business, listeners gain invaluable insights into transferable skills and how to recognize when priorities have evolved. His perspective on regret – that the most troubling failures are those we can't understand, not those where we clearly fell short – offers a powerful framework for processing setbacks in any field.

Whether you're an athlete, business professional, or simply someone striving for excellence, this episode delivers profound wisdom about maintaining focus, handling adversity, and defining success on your own terms. The conversation ultimately circles back to Earl Nightingale's timeless definition: "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

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