[Bonus] Renegades Book Launch with Benj Miller and McKenzie Decker
Oct 17, 2023
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Benj Miller is the CEO of System and Soul, dedicated to helping teams grow with purpose, while McKenzie Decker manages daily operations, unlocking team potential. In this discussion, they dive into the journey from renegade founder to effective leader, emphasizing the balance between visionaries and operators. They explore mindset shifts essential for business growth and navigating leadership identity. The duo also shares insights on embracing change, maintaining authenticity, and fostering collaborative workplace cultures.
The transition from founder to leader requires a mindset shift that embraces collaboration and values the contributions of team members.
Maintaining a renegade spirit while understanding organizational metrics is crucial for informed decision-making and achieving ambitious goals.
Deep dives
The Impact of Identity on Leadership
Individuals often face challenges when their identities are closely tied to titles such as 'successful' or 'leader.' This can lead to a crisis when circumstances change, making these labels seem no longer applicable. The concept of the 'founder gap' is introduced, highlighting how founders must transition from relying on their previous identities to embracing a new perspective as leaders. It is essential to shift focus from the past accomplishments to redefine one’s role and identity within the organization to maintain effectiveness.
Navigating the Renegade Founder to Leader Shift
The journey from being a renegade founder to a renegade leader involves making critical shifts in mindset and operations. Founders are encouraged to maintain their innovative spirit while also adapting to new leadership responsibilities. The importance of collaboration with a strong second-in-command is emphasized, as they can provide essential support and balance, allowing founders to focus on visionary tasks. Recognizing and valuing the contributions of team members fosters a healthier work environment and supports the overall growth of the business.
Assessing Growth Through Key Metrics
Success requires not only personal growth but also an understanding of organizational metrics to gauge performance effectively. The shift from relying on gut instincts to knowing key performance indicators ensures that leaders can track progress and make informed decisions. Establishing a scoreboard allows teams to acknowledge wins, facilitating adjustments when necessary. This proactive approach to measuring success helps maintain focus and direction, inspiring the team to collectively strive towards ambitious goals.
Building a Collaborative Company Culture
Creating a strong organizational culture is critical for engaging all team members and ensuring alignment towards shared goals. Emphasizing values, identities, and a clear ethos provides the framework for collaborative relationships within the team. The recognition that self-sufficiency has limits helps foster a mindset of teamwork, where everyone contributes to shared outcomes. By prioritizing the dignity of each team member and understanding their unique contributions, organizations can achieve sustainable growth and innovation.
In this episode of "How Leaders Think," Kenny Lange interviews McKenzie Reeves Decker and Benj Miller in honor of their new book release, "Renegades Break Rules Find Freedom: A Book for Founders." They discuss the transition from renegade founder to renegade leader and the importance of maintaining the renegade spirit in an organization. They explore the dynamic relationship between visionaries and operators, the psychological shift required to become a renegade leader, and the need for building the right team. The episode delves into personal experiences, insights, and practical exercises to help leaders embrace change and achieve their goals.
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Resources:
Benj Miller LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benj-miller-business-growth-impact-framework-coach/ The 261 newsletter: www.the261.com System and Soul Website: https://www.systemandsoul.com Renegades Book: https://amzn.to/3FqusNL