From Middle School Business Books to Million Dollar Decisions | Kit Huffman and David Burkus

In this engaging episode for 2025, host Matt Zeigler brings together two fascinating minds in the business world: David Burkus, a renowned organizational psychologist and bestselling author, and Kit Huffman, a rising star in executive personal branding. Their conversation weaves through surprising territory, from Kit's unusual start networking with angel investors at age 14 to David's journey from stocking grocery shelves to becoming a leading voice in team dynamics. The discussion explores how leaders find and communicate their mission, why some companies lose their way as they scale, and what it means to build a business that truly reflects your values. David shares insights from his work helping teams rediscover their purpose, while Kit offers a behind-the-scenes look at how executives can authentically connect with their audiences. They challenge conventional wisdom about business growth, with both guests making compelling cases for staying small and focused rather than scaling at all costs. Some highlights include: The worst networking advice everyone gets (and why it fails) How companies lose their story as they grow beyond founder interaction Why some executive LinkedIn posts feel like "stale crackers" and how to fix that The delicate balance between business growth and maintaining personal priorities Why looking "backwards forward" can help clarify your mission The value of finding unoccupied space in your industry This conversation goes beyond typical business advice to explore how both leaders and companies can chart paths that align with their authentic goals rather than conventional expectations. Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, or anyone interested in building meaningful work while staying true to themselves.