Jorge Quezada is the Vice President of Inclusive Diversity at Granite Construction, one of the largest full-service general contractors, construction management firms, and construction materials producers in the U.S.

Previously, Jorge held similar #DEI roles at Allstate Insurance, Kraft Foods Group, and Northwestern Mutual before joining Granite Construction. 

On this episode of the #StrategyandLeadership Podcast, Jorge joins us to discuss developing a beginner's mindset, the paradox's of DEI, how to avoid defensiveness, his big learning moment at Kraft, & more.

To connect with Jorge, find him on LinkedIn by searching Jorge Quezada, MBA. And be sure to checkout his podcast, Construction DEI Talks: https://constructiondeitalks.com/episodes/

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Why a Beginner's Mindset is Key for an Inclusive Workplace w/Jorge Quezada, VP at Granite Ep#136

On the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, we interview CEOs, business leaders, authors and thought leaders to get their perspectives on strategy, leadership, management and other trends to support your career as a leader.  
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 Andy Hilliard, CEO of Accelerance, joins the Strategy and Leadership podcast to delve into the future of competitive business landscapes and the power of dismantling traditional corporate barriers. Hilliard advocates for the synergy of globally distributed teams and the strategic use of software and AI to drive efficiency and maintain a competitive edge. 
 Andy kicks off by encouraging leaders to think without borders, urging companies to scrap outdated silos and embrace a global mindset. He stresses the importance of developing a culture that fosters collaboration and leverages the diversity of global talent—a topic he explores thoroughly in his book "Synergia." By empowering teams and tapping into worldwide expertise, organizations can outpace rivals who fail to adapt to this borderless business paradigm. 
 As the conversation unfolds, Andy provides insights into creating high-performance teams that are not bound by traditional "in-house" definitions but united under a single, thriving culture. He shares successful strategies for building a cohesive, accountable unit capable of swift adaptation and innovation in a fast-paced world. 
 ### Key Takeaways: 
 *   Emphasize the removal of traditional corporate silos to enhance global competitiveness and create a unified, efficient, and synergistic workforce. *   Recognize the vast pool of global talent and the advantages of cultivating specialized, distributed teams to develop proprietary software solutions. *   Focus on building a strong culture and team dynamics, regardless of geographical location, to achieve better efficiency and business outcomes. *   Adopt a mindset of gradual but steadfast progress ("go slow to go fast") to build systems and relationships that last and are more effective in the long term. *   Consider the book "Synergia" as a guide for CEOs and technology leaders looking to navigate the complexities of global team dynamics and cultural integration to achieve business innovation. 
 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:19 Building a Global Workforce 06:09 Creating a Culture of Trust and Accountability 10:21 Thinking Globally for Greater Efficiency and Synergy 15:06 Building a System and Engine for Value Flows 
 "As CEO of Accelerance, Andy leads and advocates for the globalization and collaboration of great software teams with companies in search of talent, innovation and a globally-distributed extension of their engineering function and culture. Andy founded the ground-breaking nearshore software development services company, Isthmus Costa Rica. He began his global software services career as a division manager at Cognizant during their early formative years. 
 Andy is originally from Sonoma, CA and has visited more than 60 countries. His passion for global travel, cultural appreciation and cross-border collaboration stems originally from his experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica in the late 1980’s. Andy holds an MBA in International Business, Finance and Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Epistemology from the University of Denver after attending Phillips Academy in Andover, MA" 
 We do our podcast recording and transcription with Riverside.  Check it out here: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=SMEstrategy(Affiliate link)


Breaking Down Barriers: How to Build a Borderless Global Workforce with Andy Hilliard

Summary In this episode, Anthony Taylor interviews Rob Beer, the managing partner at Trellis and author of Smooth Scaling. Rob shares his insights on building great companies and the importance of being all in. He discusses the challenges of managing growth and the need for balance between operational and cultural needs in high-growth companies. Rob also emphasizes the importance of aligning incentives and timelines and shares lessons from his experience at Smart Money Group. He provides advice for CEOs on transitioning from a 'get shit done' mindset to building an organization that gets shit done. Rob concludes by sharing his personal hobbies and where to connect with him. 
 TakeawaysBuilding great companies goes beyond financial success and high growth; it involves how well the company does what it does.The transition from a 'get shit done' CEO to building an organization that gets shit done requires discipline, patience, and the ability to delegate and empower others.Growth should be aligned with the operational complexity of the organization; growing too fast can lead to organizational inefficiencies and breakdowns.Private equity firms prioritize sustainable growth and profitability, while venture capital firms may push for rapid growth to achieve high valuations.Success in scaling organizations requires discipline, alignment of incentives, and a focus on building an efficient and effective organization.Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:08 Interest in Great Companies 04:17 Success and Failure in Organizational Effectiveness 06:15 Balancing Operational and Cultural Needs in High-Growth Companies 09:02 Driving Fast Growth and Managing Complexity 11:38 Aligning Incentives and Timelines 13:13 Transitioning from a 'Get Shit Done' CEO to Building the Organization 19:32 Lessons from Smart Money Group 22:16 Sustainable Growth vs. Capital Markets Game 24:52 Personal Hobbies and Fun Facts 25:50 Smooth Scaling and Where to Connect with Rob Beer 27:13 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Prefer to watch video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. For teams: We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting and strategic plan creation. As well as support your strategic plan implementation. 
For individuals leading strategy: Join our community of strategy leaders who have learned SME Strategy’s approach and tools for aligning teams, and driving strategic plans forward.
For more visit www.smestrategy.net/


Building High Performing, Scalable Organizations: An Interview with Rob Bier

Summary In this episode, Anthony Taylor interviews Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge and author of The Ownership Mindset. Kerry shares her journey of becoming a leader at StoneAge and the importance of trust and empowerment in building a successful company. She emphasizes the need for leaders to have an ownership mindset and to surround themselves with smart people. Kerry also discusses the challenges of aligning a large organization and the importance of defining a clear vision and values. The episode concludes with a discussion about Kerry's book, which provides actionable insights for leaders looking to build a great team and culture. 
 Kerry Siggins is the CEO of StoneAge, a leading manufacturer of industrial cleaning equipment and one of Outside magazine’s top 100 companies to work for. In 2021, she was honored by Industry Era magazine as one of its Top 10 Most Influential CEOs, and in 2017 she was a finalist for Colorado’s CEO of the Year. She sits on the boards of several companies and is member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). She is regularly invited to deliver keynote speeches on several business and leadership topics, including how to create employee-centric cultures in which it’s safe to speak up and show up as your whole self. She is an active blogger and contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Authority magazine, and BIC magazine and hosts several podcasts, including the popular Reflect Forward. 
 TakeawaysTrust and empowerment are essential in building a successful company.Leaders should have an ownership mindset and surround themselves with smart people.Defining a clear vision and values helps align a large organization.Regular check-ins and accountability systems are crucial for ensuring success.Kerry's book, The Ownership Mindset, provides actionable insights for leaders.Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:07 Becoming a Leader at StoneAge 07:43 Empowering Others and Building Trust 12:02 Aligning the Company and Ensuring Accountability 14:08 Creating a Unified Culture 16:28 The Ownership Mindset Book
Prefer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. For teams: We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting and strategic plan creation. As well as support your strategic plan implementation. 
For individuals leading strategy: Join our community of strategy leaders who have learned SME Strategy’s approach and tools for aligning teams, and driving strategic plans forward.


EY Entrepreneur of the Year Kerry Siggins on her Ownership Mindset


 Dr. Andrew Temte, CFA, is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional, author of two books: Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire, and The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows, and host of The Balancing Act podcast. 
A thought leader on issues related to organizational health, continuous improvement, and workforce reskilling, his articles have appeared in a number of media outlets. A blend of higher education and professional education experience gives Dr. Temte a unique perspective over the issues surrounding the future of employment and workplace relevance.
About the Guest(s):Andrew Temte is an accomplished professional with an intriguing background that belies conventional career trajectories. Having left high school in the 11th grade, he serves as a testament to the belief that one's early missteps do not define their future success. Pursuing a passion for music and education, Andrew went on to earn a PhD in finance from the University of Iowa. He's a musician, a former CEO at Kaplan Professional, a frontrunner in alternative educational pathways, and the founder of Skills Owl LLC. Andrew is also the author of "Balancing Act" and "The Balanced Business," and leads a musical life as the frontman of the band The Remainders.Episode Summary:In this enlightening episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor engages in a deep dive with Andrew Temte, exploring the intersections of education, skills development, and leadership. Offering a quick snapshot of Andrew's unique journey from high school dropout to a PhD-educated professional, this episode delves into the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape. Andrew discusses the critical shift in skill demand from technical to more human-centric, emphasizing the imperative for leaders and workers alike to embrace and refine their emotional intelligence. As companies face a global reskilling challenge, bolstering human skills, which Andrew refers to as compassionate leadership, has become more vital than ever. He also sheds light on organizational responsibilities, advocating for a dynamic approach to performance reviews, which should pivot to skill mapping and strategizing learning paths for employees.Key Takeaways:Lifelong learning and persistent curiosity are essential for thriving in the future of work.Organizations need to transition from traditional performance reviews to continuous skill evaluations tied to strategic goals.Developing human skills, or "human skill" as Andrew prefers to call them, is paramount in an AI-driven workplace.Certification and credentials remain important for career mobility, but learning on the job should be acknowledged and transferable.Balancing professional growth with personal passions, such as music, can lead to a more fulfilled and successful life.Notable Quotes:"Your failures do not define you. As long as we're learning from them and continuing to move forward.""The future of work will require much less technical training… we have to bring to the world of work but our human selves.""Once you start to coast, the world is going to plow you over.""Leaders and managers should be sitting down with their people and saying… 'Here's the gap between your current skill set and what you are going to need…'""If you're a leader…and you gave up music 15 years ago to be a leader, please pick it back up… You'll just be amazed at the doors of your mind that open up."Resources:Andrew Temte's website: andrewtemte.comBooks: "Balancing Act" and "The Balanced Business" available on Amazon and other booksellers.Band: The Remainders (no specific reference link provided)Engage with the full discussion for a treasure trove of insights on how to navigate the changing tides of work, leadership, and learning. Stay tuned for more episodes that promise to enlighten and inspire your leadership journey.


The Re-skilling Revolution: Preparing for the Future of Work with Andrew Temte

Alan Stein Jr. is an acclaimed keynote speaker, author, performance coach, and consultant with a formidable track record in working with elite NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo. As a former basketball performance coach, Stein Jr. has pivoted his focus to the corporate realm, where he leverages his sports insights to elevate individual and organizational performance. His deep love for basketball and expertise in performance training make him a noteworthy authority in applying sports principles to business leadership and team development. He is also the author of books like "Raise Your Game" and "Sustain Your Game," which explore the parallels between athletic and business excellence.
Key Takeaways:Transformational Leadership: Embrace a leadership that focuses on what you want for people, rather than what you want from them, to enhance personal influence and impact.Core Values in Decision Making: Use your personal values as a guide to make consistent and aligned decisions that reflect your true self and bolster leadership effectiveness.Unseen Hours: Invest in habits and activities during the "unseen hours" — those moments away from the public eye — to become the best version of yourself and set the foundation for success.Youth Sports and Leadership: Alan passionately highlights the need to improve the landscape of youth sports, teaching parents and coaches to prioritize process over outcomes and constructively contribute to a child's growth.Elevate by Caring: One's dedication to genuinely caring for their work and relationships is the differentiator in achieving professional and personal success.
Notable Quotes:"Every single decision you make, you need to ask yourself and run through the filter of, is this in alignment with my personal core values or not?""As a manager, if you show up as less than your best self, mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, you give your team and the people that report to you less of a chance to be successful.""Stop badgering and berating the officials. Let the officials officiate. Just sit there and enjoy watching your child do something that they love...encourage them, support them, but don’t coach from the sideline.""I am a huge advocate of improving parental behavior and decorum on the sideline, teaching coaches how to have a better impact and influence.""The more you invest in caring about others, then the more that will be reciprocated and you'll be rewarded with some phenomenal opportunities and some incredibly fulfilling relationships."


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Why a Beginner's Mindset is Key for an Inclusive Workplace w/Jorge Quezada, VP at Granite Ep#136

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