Taking the Leap

In this episode, I give a short recap of the origin story of this podcast and how we have been doing post-COVID. We look at a few of the most recent guests and their insights and discuss some of the latest economic data that is impacting every aspect of the economy which according to Professor Mihir Desai, should cause everyone to rethink mental models and frameworks as we move forward.Show Notes: The origin story of this podcast and the questions we have been asking guests?How I became nicknamed "Q" in college.Review of guests and their content.(20:00) - "The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask...Successful people are looking for new sources of information and data that they can leverage! Who we become and the success we have is downstream of the information we get."(21:00) - HBS Professor Mihir Desai insights on the global economy - Finance For a World Turned Upside Down.We will have to change the frameworks for how we see and operate in the world.(27:00) - Action produces data, and from there, you can PDCA - Plan, Do, Check, and Adjust.(34:00) - 77% of the advertised jobs in the US with a salary over $35,000 require a four-year college degree yet only 1/3 of Americans have a college degree.The cost of a college degree has gone up over 1,482% since 1977!(36:00) - The benefit of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) like EdX.org and Coursera.org(38:00) - How has work changed? The 150-year work model of the 8-hour work day and 5-day work week was blown up during 2020 and COVID.(40:00) - This is the most unaffordable housing market in US history! (42:00) - What is the impact on the tech sector? Why are thousands of employees being laid off? (46:00) - How is this impacting small businesses around the United States?(47:00) - What is the Boskin Commission and how did it impact entitlement programs and US spending by changing inflation numbers?(51:00) - Book Recommendation - The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel(55:00) - The key to have success is to take agency of your life...have personal discipline and realize our success is up to us and our personal decisions.

Sean Murray is the President and CEO of Advocate Printing and Publishing in Nova Scotia, Canada. Established in 1891 Sean highlights his family's journey and how his grandfather and father worked in, bought, and led this iconic Canadian business that has become a family business over time. Sean is in the Atlantic CEO Hall of Fame, was celebrated as one of Canada's 40 under 40 business leaders, and received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. He graduated from Pictou Academy, St. Mary's University, and the Harvard Business School Executive Program. He is the Chair of the Young President's Organization (YPO) Atlantic Canada and is the Director of YPO Canada.Show Notes:The importance of being a lifelong learner in your career.How have print, distribution, fulfillment, and media changed over the years?Advocate was established in 1891 with the oldest company founded in 1865.The importance of succession planning in business but especially family businesses.(24:30) How did Sean pivot his business over time due to changes and technology in the global economy? "We put the client's success before our own success."(33:00) Why data is digital oil for the new economy.Favorite Case at HBS?Francis Frei and focusing on customer delight. What are you choosing to be good at? What are you choosing to be bad at? You can't be everything to everyone!(36:00) What is the art of the possible?Borris Groysberg and building teams and culture.(40:00) "The Great Resignation" moved to "Quit Quitting," and now we are moving to the "Great Re-Imagining" as people rethink how they want to live life going forward."We are moving from work-life balance to life-work balance.""As soon as people start making more we learned they want to work less." People want to be rewarded with free time not more overtime or increased salary. What people want is changing all around us.(45:00) We are seeing on-shoring or re-shoring back to North America. This will have profound changes in our economy.(52:00) "When in doubt, focus on incentives!" - Charlie MungerFlexibility today matters more than financial incentives.(55:00) Ranjay Gulati's book - Deep Purpose - The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies(58:00) "We optimized for efficiency but not purpose and meaning!"(59:00) Is "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" changing today? Do we need to reimagine this for a new global economy of an enlightened and empowered population?"Careers may be in 3-year increments today instead of 20-year increments as in the past!"(1:05:00) Advice for young people. Its all about soft skills and building your network. How are you making sure you are relevant in the conversation? How are you adding value? Don't focus on just doing tasks. Those will be automated away!"Learn how to be an entrepreneur and intrapreneur! If you learn these skill sets, you will be extremely valuable!"(1:09:00) "How do we change a ME economy to a WE economy?"What has Sean learned are key attributes of being a good entrepreneur? You have to have passion, vision, and purpose! What is your risk appetite? Are you willing to be "all in" and risk it all to succeed? "Through failure comes learning." It's not all about you! You have to build a team. You have to have mentors and advisors. This will help you be successful and help you have a work-life balance.Book Recommendations:Deep Purpose - The Heart and Soul of High-Performance CompaniesEverything is Possible - Serhii RudenkoBuild, Borrow, Buy - Laurence CapronZero to One - Peter ThielUncommon Service - Francis Frei(1:24:00) - What would Sean say if he had the opportunity to give a State of the Union address to the Canadian people?

Jeff Wayne is the President and CEO of Max ERC Refund and comes from a family of serial entrepreneurs. He is the owner and operator of multiple Cycle Bar franchises, Max ERC Refund while he and his family have owned and operated 23 businesses.  He is the former President of Dynamic Rehabilitation. He graduated from Michigan State University and was a member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) for Greater Detroit. Show Notes:(03:00) - What mountain climbing teaches you about yourself and life. (09:00) - What is the "long gear" in mountain climbing and life? Why is the mental approach so important in life?(17:00) - The start of Durakon and DuraLiner and a family business legacy! Watch the Super Bowl ad here.(22:00) - How to go "All In" with educated and calculated bets in life.(23:00) - Jeff explains why you want your sales team to make a ton of money...its obvious, but many don't understand it.(26:00) - Jeff talks about how he is mentoring his daughter Madison Wayne and her four businesses in Scottsdale, Arizona. Check out Icon Itinerary for your next trip to Scottsdale!(33:00) - Advice to parents raising children. Jeff discovered he did not want to work for someone else in life.(39:00) - John James - Detroit Businessman, Army Veteran, YPO member, and US Congressman.(43:00) - A watching "Top Gun" on Kilimanjaro.  (55:00) - Lia Wayne CEO and Founder of Top Gun Talent and Jeff Wayne CEO and Founder of Max ERC Refund.What is the CARES ACT? (1:03:00) - All of Jeff's businesses are people and service-centric. What has he learned to have success as a business leader?Jeff is building most of his businesses via Zoom and not face-to-face today. This is a big change from the past.You have to find a way to stand out! Make a connection.(1:10:00) - "Business is easy... it's all about relationships. People will do business with people they like, and people like people who are like themselves. The key is finding commonalities and areas of mutual interest to build rapport and trust!" (1:15:00) - Jeff gives insight into the white-collar and tech recession hitting America in early 2023.Working at a large company is not safe. This will lead to more entrepreneurship in America.(1:21:00) - Jeff asks an incredibly important question for entrepreneurs. "What do you find attractive about entrepreneurship? What do you want?" This will change over time based on your goals and experiences. At this stage of life, Jeff wants flexibility!"I want FREEDOM!"(1:25:00) - We are going through a great REIMAGINATION of work in America!(1:29:00) - Don't measure yourself on old metrics of success.(1:31:00 ) - AI & ChatGPT and the changing landscape of work.Why deep domain experience is not as important as breadth/range of experience today.(1:38:00) - "You can't be an entrepreneur and be dystopian. Entrepreneurship requires you to be optimistic!"Book RecommendationGood to Great (1:42:00) - If Jeff was asked to give a State of the Union Address to the American people, what would he say?"On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of decision, sat down to wait, and waiting died!" - George Cecil 

Jason Radisson is the CEO and Founder of ShiftOne. He has a bachelor of arts degree from Holy Cross with honors in Political Science. He was a Fulbright Scholar in economics at the University of Gottingen and started his Ph.D. at Harvard in Economics. Jason worked at McKinsey, Uber, 99 (an Uber competitor in Brazil), with many other stops along the way. Jason is helping lead a work revolution for frontline workers solving employment problems with technology.Show Notes:Jason gives his background and origin story that leads him to become the CEO and Founder of ShiftOne.com and his entrepreneurial insight on "frontline workers" and how technology can help both employees and employers.(16:00) Are terms "gig economy" and "freelancer economy" the same or different?ShiftOne is focusing on full-time jobs not part-time jobs.(21:00) What are the challenges of building a dual sided market place? How good of a manager you are in this type of industry is determined by how well you can grow both sides together. (25:00) What is going on with the worker shortage? H-1b Visa issues and immigation issues impacting the US Economy?(33:00) Why would someone want to look for work through ShiftOne? What are the benefits? The ability to learn, pivot industries, and have access to more opportunities. People want more flexibility and opportunities!The ability to give people "deep skills."(37:00) Why education is important. Why you should always look to "up skill" in your career.Marc Andreessen "Software is eating the world!" Software and automation is changing the economy and will destroy old jobs but also create NEW jobs and industries! If you are doing unskilled tasks they will get automated away. People need to move up the value chain which will require new skills.Machine operation rolesEngineering rolesHealthcareWhere can you go to get more skills for free? Coursera.org and EdX.org are great assets to use. (40:00) Where do you start? Be curious. Ask questions. Become a lifelong learner.(43:00) What is the secret of building and running a unicorn business? Picking the markets, business model, and strategy is critical.Most profits in the ride sharing world where not in the US and China but in Brazil. Why?What is your insight? (53:00) Best practice - The Hill Climbing Practice - the operation must be better this week than last week.Agile and SCRUM processes.(56:00) What does the post COVID work world look like?ChatGPTBook RecommendationsCrossing the Chasm - Geoffery MooreValuation - Tim KollerDecision Making Under Uncertainty - MITThe Passenger - Cormac McCarthy(1:09:00) If Jason could give a State of the Union address to the American people what would he say?

Rod Arnold graduated from Texas A&M University and was a member of the famed Corps of Cadets. He is the Chairman of the Board of The Delta Chi Educational Foundation, CEO of All Pro Rush, and the CEO of the Bourbon Whisperer. Follow him on Instagram at the Show Notes:Rod starts by sharing his origin story and what motivated him to leave a 30-year career as a healthcare executive to become the "Bourbon Whisperer." How did he discover this opportunity? Why did he make the leap?(15:00) - Rod discusses how his wife was an essential part of starting the company and helping him craft the business plan. He recognizes how this pivot will be better for him and his career. Having situational awareness of what is going on in the world around you is important to see opportunities.(20:00) - Rod discusses how sales classes and learnings from his career helped him during the transition and manage the tensions and stress of making a dramatic career shift. How do you break out of patterns and habits to do something new?"The chains of our habits are unnoticeable until they are too strong to be broken!"(27:00) - Rod started his business by finding a place to serve others! Start by serving others and you will find a way to grow.(30:00) - The first crisis for the industry was Prohibition from 1920 to 1933. The second crisis in American bourbon history came during the 1960s as the younger generations turned away from their parent's whiskey and turned to clear liquors. When Sean Connery as James Bond asks for a martini "shaken not stirred," this marks the cultural shift.(33:00) - The Heaven Hill Distillery fire shows how this industry, with many generations of family-owned businesses, are connected, and help each other in good times and bad.(39:00) - What is the right way to drink bourbon?(41:00) - Women have three times the taste and olfactory senses men have. They are much better at picking up the tastes and smells in food, wine, and alcohol. (44:00) - Frank Sinatra always drank Jack Daniels. He was the first celebrity endorser of a product and never got paid for it. He had a favorite drink and a secret way to drink it. Rod gives the story of Frank Sinatra.Book Recommendation - "The Way You Wear Your Hat: Frank Sinatra and The Lost Art of Livin"(50:00) - Bourbon does not need to be made in Kentucky but must be made in the United States to be called a Bourbon.The weather, water, and barrel, all impact the bourbon as much as the ingredients.Bottle and Bond - passed in 1897 was the first consumer protection act in America to protect citizens from the "snake oil salesmen" in the old west selling poor-grade alcohols, tonics, and elixirs that were killing people. (1:07:00) - What has happened to give the industry a resurgence today? American Whiskey is booming today.Old Rip Van Winkle DistilleryWeller, Old Fitzgerald, and Makers Mark were brands sold off to other distillers. The family held on to one brand "Old Rip Van Winkle."The Japanese market and investment also helped save the American bourbon market."Wheated Bourbons" are softer and smoother. A few examples are Larceny, Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Old Rip Van Winkle, and Makers Mark.Follow Rod Arnold at The Bourbon Whisperer and on InstagramNo matter what you do in life have enthusiasm. If you don't have it in your current job it might be time to start looking around for something else to do.Book RecommendationsBourbon Curious by Fred MinnickBourbon Justice by Brian HaaraPappland by Wright ThompsonFour Roses - The Return of a Whiskey Legend by Al Young

Brett M. Johnson graduated from Brown University, where he was a member of the rowing team and received his Bachelor of Arts in History. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and graduated from the Harvard Business School Executive Program. He is a member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) and is the CEO and Founder of Benevolent Capital and Founder of Fortuitous Partners.Brett is the Chairman of Rhode Island FC, Director and Shareholder of Ipswich Town FC in England and Phoniex Rising FC in Phoneix, Arizona.Show Notes:How Brett fell in love with soccer (Football) and the insight that led him to get involved in professional soccer (football) in the United States and England.Phoenix Rising FC, Rhode Island FC, Ipswich Town FC (8:00) What were the problems and challenges that Brett found with traditional private equity firms?(11:00) Brett discovered the incentives were misaligned. When he and Grant founded Benevolent Capital they decided to focus on creating the right incentive structure, which is very different from traditional private equity firms.(13:00) - What did Brett learn as a "Wartime CEO"...a leader navigating challenging times."The challenges I faced made me a good CEO and leader...I love being an entrepreneur!" "As an entrepreneur, the universe will test you!"(24:00) - What was Brett's thesis for Professional Soccer in the United States?What are the similarities and differences between traditional business and professional sports?(29:00) - What is the impact of Ted Lasso on the game of soccer in the United States?(33:00) - What other business insights is Brett having after being in professional sports?(40:00) - The World Cup truly is an event that brings the world together unlike anything else.(45:00) - Brett advises young people.(49:00) - Brett's top three skills everyone needs to be successful in life."I know I am doing exactly what I should be doing and that is a great feeling!" Brett had to "take the leap" to get there and he went all in!You get rewarded when you go "all in" and people and the world see that you mean business.Learning how to "manage up" in your career is as important as how you "manage down" in your career.Book RecommendationsNever Split the Difference - Chris VossShoe Dog - Phil KnightAmerican Lion - Jon MeachamThe Last Hill - Bob Drury and Tom ClavinAgainst All Odds - Alex Kershaw(1:00:00) Why is outside motivation so important for an entrepreneur and their journey?(1:03:00)If Brett could give a State of the Union Address to the American people what would he say?Connect with Brett M. Johnson on Linkedin. 

Dr. Sajjan Gohel has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics with Honors from Queen Mary University in London. He earned his Master's in Comparative Politics and Ph.D. in International History both from the London School of Economics. International Security Director for the London-based Asia Pacific FoundationEditor of NATO's Counter Terrorism Reference CurriculumHost of NATO's first-ever podcast series, "Deep Dive"Author "Doctor, Teacher, Terrorist" the story of Dr. Ayman Al-ZawahariShow Notes:Dr. Gohel gives a succinct overview of Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahari and conflicts in the middle east.What are the ideological doctrines that radicalize? What did the fall of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan mean for the middle east? The near enemy vs. the far enemy.The 9-11 attack was less about an attack on America and more of an attack on a value system. It was part of an ideological war.What is the Haqqani Network?What is the Quad in the Indo-Pacfic? What you need to know?What is the difference between ISIS and Al-Qaeda? Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahari's last strategy was the "safe base" concept being built in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.The difference between Osama Bin Laden and Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahari?Why is it important to know history and learn from history...it is the foundation of understanding our world today.Why and how did Dr. Sajjan Gohel choose his career path? Why people should be proud historians.What is Dr. Gohel's advice to young people starting their career?Dr. Gohel discusses his love of football, the Celtic Club in Scotland, and his prediction for the World Cup final.Book Recommendation - for Soccer (Football) fans - Martin O'Neill - BiographyIf Dr. Gohel could give a State of the Union address to the American people what would he say?

Show Notes:Kelly Fletcher is the founder and CEO of Fletcher Marketing & PR. She is a graduate of Meredith College with a degree in communications. She is the host of Ms. InterPReted Podcast: Public Relations Demystified.(2:00) How is the marketing, PR, media, and crisis communications industry changing today?The how and why of reaching the female audience.(14:30) You can't fix communications problems unless you fix operational issues first.(21:00) Why Kelly "the expert" hired an expert to help her with her personal "rebranding."Dr. Trillion Small - Business/Mindset Coach(24:00) What I appreciate about Kelly...her leadership, humility, and experience.(27:00) How Kelly continues to grow and navigate through difficult times.(30:00) Kelly hires a mindset coach to help her go to the next level. Why do high performers have a coach and why does it matter?(40:00) Why Kelly is hiring business coaching for her son for Christmas.(46:00) How to build your culture in a remote environment and why it is so important for a business and relationships with your team.(51:00) What is the biggest challenge of the remote workplace environment?Book RecommendationsThe Secret Life of the Savoy Hotel - Olivia Williams(57:00) If Kelly could give a State of the Union Address to the American people this is what she would say."Sphere of Influence vs. Sphere of Control" "We all need to do the hard work of becoming a good person!"As we are about to land the plane Kelly decides to tell a story about her "blanky!" :) Go Kelly!!!

Show Notes:Mark Ferrier is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and Harvard Business School. He is a serial entrepreneur, having started seven companies with his newest venture AndCapital.ca. He is also a Young President's Organization (YPO) member. Mark discusses his career, multiple pivots, and his latest leap. (07:00) - Mark starts his first business at twenty-six and "tripped into being an entrepreneur" out of college."Urgency creates opportunities!"(16:00) - Surround yourself with smart people and keep your emotions in check at all times."You don't want to be a dinosaur in a young person's game." "If you are going to sell your business, you are better off selling it for less earlier and have time with your children and family."(27:00) - Mark discovers a way to pivot his company. Instead of trying to stop turnover, they decided to be the agency known for the best people and training, and thus they have the most recruited staff. It changed everything.(34:00) - Mark takes a year off to spend time with family and started studying other industries. What challenges are they facing? He has an entrepreneurial insight that is the birth of his next venture.(39:00) - Mark reflects on his COVID experience and what he and his family learned and how it lead to a new chapter in his life.Advice to young peopleThere is power in authenticity and transparency"Sometimes the paragraph is better than sentences...because it contains all the emotion."(50:00) - Mark has an insight and pulls all his career insights and experience together to start www.AndCapital.ca"We are super founder friendly. We tell founders that we will help you grow and scale your business, help your customers and culture and give you a clear picture of that AND then tell you what to do with capital."What are the problems and challenges founders face in growing their businesses?(1:05:00) - The differences between private equity firms.(1:12:00) - Advice to his children and young people.Creativity, curiosity, and resiliency, are superpowers in life.Understand your life is a series of chapters...enjoy and maximize each one without worrying about the next.Ask questions and listen!The process of helping companies start with alignment, empowerment, culture, value creation, then execution!(1:18:00) How do you build resilient people and cultures?Lean into discomfort! This is where we grow."Sometimes to be your happiest you need to be at your most uncomfortable first!""At the moments of your greatest defeats are also the times where the seeds of your greatest victories are being planted!"Learn the power of reframing the situations you are going through in life.Advice to children = "Positive thoughts before actions."Learn the power of self-advocacy.(1:37:00) - It's okay to move on to the next chapter! Advice from HBS professor Arthur C. Brooks. (1:40:00) - Changes in the work environment.(1:48:00) - The difference between alignment and agreement.Follow Mark Ferrier at www.AndCapital.ca and Linkedin.Books recommendationsRange: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World - David Epstein."And yet a tech founder who is fifty years of age is nearly twice as likely to start a blockbuster company as one who is thirty, and the thirty-year-old has a better shot than a twenty-year-old. Research at Northwestern, MIT and the US Census Bureau studied new tech companies and showed that among the fastest growing start-ups, the average age of a founder was forty-five when the company was started." Outliers: The Story of Success - Malcolm Gladwell.(1:57:30) - If Mark could give a State of the Union Address to the American and Canadian people this is what he would say...Follow Robert Dickie III on Twitter @RobertDickieFollow "Taking the Leap Podcast" on Youtube.com 

Show Notes:Special thanks to the guests of Pensacola Naval Air Station class 1958 (28-58) for their time and insight.Captain Walter "Dub" Fields aka "Fireball"Captain Bill Solms Captain Rodney Neibauer aka "Rocket Rod"Commander Bob Vollaire LT Floyd Joramo (13:15) What was America like in 1958 when you were entering the military? What was the world like?(18:27) Dub recalls meeting and hanging out with Elvis Presley in Kilgore, Texas.(23:00) Advice and words of encouragement to young people and to the country during a time of division.Capitalism vs. SocialismProblems with the mediaAmerica needs energy independence(35:00) Dub recalls classmate Bob Flynn who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam war and his "six principles" that helped him survive 5.5 years in prison all of which were in solitary confinement.#1 God#2 Duty#3 Honor#4 Country#5 Family#6 Self(37:00) How to make decisions in life.(42:00) Capt Bill Solms gives a warning about China, debt, and a divided America."You can't be afraid to fail." - Rodney Neibauer(47:00) Capt Bill Solms decides to do a loop - "The smartest thing I did was start that at 20,000 feet!"An old aviator saying, "Three things a pilot does not need; Altitude above you, runway behind you, and fuel left in the truck!"Advice for parents raising kids.(56:00) If you could give a state of the union address to the American people what would say?Why optimism is a difference maker!(1:02:45) - Bob Dickie's "call to action" for the men and women who are enjoying freedom today!