#227: Ken Bacon, Cofounder and Managing Partner at RailField Partners – Trust is a form of currency
Feb 20, 2025
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Ken Bacon, Cofounder and Managing Partner at RailField Partners and former Executive VP at Fannie Mae, highlights how trust functions as a crucial currency in business. He shares an unconventional negotiation strategy and reveals essential leadership qualities that drive effective decision-making. Reflecting on his upbringing, he discusses resilience and community impact, while also recounting a charming dinner with jazz legend Count Basie. Ultimately, Bacon emphasizes the need for authenticity and strong relationships in entrepreneurship and leadership.
Trust is essential in leadership, acting as a currency that builds genuine partnerships and fosters long-term success.
Navigating crises requires honesty and transparency from leaders to unify teams and motivate them toward a shared mission.
Ken Bacon's leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by his upbringing and experiences, emphasizing integrity and assertiveness in overcoming challenges.
Deep dives
The Value of Trust in Leadership
Trust is presented as a fundamental element of successful leadership and business relationships. It is emphasized that trust is not merely a feel-good concept but acts as a form of currency that must be both earned and reciprocated. Leaders must understand that just like financial capital, trust compounds and builds over time, leading to greater returns as one invests in it throughout their career. Therefore, fostering genuine relationships where trust flourishes is crucial for lasting success.
The Importance of Genuine Relationships
The distinction between transactional relationships and genuine partnerships is highlighted as vital in the business world. Transactional relationships are characterized as simply exchanges, lacking depth and understanding, while true partnerships involve mutual trust, knowledge of each other, and working towards shared goals. An example shared involves the importance of knowing business partners on a personal level, as this lays a foundation for more cooperative and trustworthy dealings. In this perspective, the strength of partnerships can significantly impact overall success.
Navigating Challenges Through Transparency
When leading through crises, honesty and transparency are identified as essential strategies to motivate a team. It’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges and pain that people feel during tough times while also presenting a path forward. By candidly addressing fears and uncertainties, leaders can unify their teams and refocus their energy on their mission. This approach not only fosters a sense of security but also instills confidence that the organization can overcome obstacles together.
Lessons from Legacy and Experience
Ken Bacon's upbringing and the diverse influences from his parents shaped his leadership philosophy significantly. He reflects on the value of integrity and assertiveness learned from his mother, emphasizing the need to face challenges head-on rather than dwelling on injustices. Moreover, his experiences with prominent figures and the importance of observing and learning from their leadership styles have provided him invaluable insights. These reflections demonstrate that personal history and the ethical frameworks instilled in early years can profoundly influence one's approach to leadership.
The Entrepreneurial Journey and Its Rewards
Starting Railfield Partners marked a significant transition for Ken Bacon, allowing him to embrace entrepreneurship while navigating the complexities of the real estate market. He shares that the experience of building his firm brought a sense of freedom and the opportunity to apply a more personal touch to business decisions. This entrepreneurial journey highlights the idea that while the risks are substantial, so too are the rewards of creating a business aligned with one's values. Through this lens, Bacon emphasizes the importance of being intentional in building relationships and successfully negotiating within a competitive industry.
One of your most valuable currencies isn’t money, talent, or even time.
It’s trust.
See how it can power better partnerships and more opportunities in this episode with Ken Bacon, Cofounder and Managing Partner at Railfield Partners and former Executive VP at Fannie Mae.
If you want to see how to build trust, extend it wisely, and see it return to you, then hit play now!
You’ll also learn:
A negotiation strategy you probably haven’t heard before
Two qualities of leaders who make good decisions
Why your assumptions might be endangering your business
The one thing no one tells you about success
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go
Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day
Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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