The Growth Project

Most leaders know that a strong team culture leads to positive results across the board, including higher satisfaction and retention among team members, increased innovation, and higher performance. Developing a great culture is crucial for a team or organization to perform at its best, but defining and embedding culture is often more elusive and difficult to put into practice. To help with this process, Drs. Cory Shaffer and Katie Nichols break down Edgar Schein's six cultural embedding mechanisms.

"Fully realized" people radiate confidence, have a deep understanding of who they are and what they stand for, and possess a strong sense of contentment and balance in life. A prime example of a fully realized person is entrepreneur and business pioneer, Velda Hughes, who exemplifies what it looks like to truly live life to the fullest. Dr. Milt Lowder and Velda discuss her journey to start her own business, the Hughes Agency, her passion for work, carrying on the legacy of her father in the crusade for social equality, and the importance of giving yourself permission to have fun and enjoy life.

It's a risk to start a business and if it's going to be successful, it's crucial to invest maximum effort and truly give it your all. Dr. Drew Brannon talks with entrepreneurs Stuart Wyeth, Ross Kester, and Tyson Smoak, the founders of commercial real estate company, Pintail, about their experiences building their company, how their different skills complement one another, and key lessons learned along the way.

What does effective leadership look like over many decades? Dr. Katie Nichols and Sarah Reesman, current Director of Public Interest and JD Advantage Careers at the University of Missouri Law School and previous senior executive staff member with Mizzou Athletics for over 28 years, discuss effective leadership strategies to build and manage a successful organization. Additionally, they discuss the evolution and expansion of college athletics and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

Typically people seek out change and pursue growth when facing a challenge, but you don't have to be sick or facing hardship to get better. Drs. Cory Shaffer and Drew Brannon make the case for change and share actionable steps to establish and sustain a mindset that pursues growth independent of external triggers.

The Law of Value, a concept coined in The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John D. Mann, states that your true value is determined by how much you give back to others and it has been a guiding force for Carl Sobocinski, visionary founder of Table 301 Restauarant Group in Greenville, SC. Dr. Milt Lowder and Carl talk about his path to becoming a successful entrepreneur and discuss putting the Law of Value into practice by paying it forward and giving back to the community.

Dropping off your children for their first year of college often fills parents with a bittersweet combination of pride, excitement, and sadness. This week, Dr. Milt Lowder will experience this rite of passage as his son, Jay Lowder, leaves the nest to start his freshman year at Clemson University. As part of a tradition Milt has done for each of his children, Milt picked "Something to Be Proud Of" by Montgomery Gentry as Jay's song when he was a toddler - one that captures the powerful connection between a father and son. So it's no surprise that the message of this song perfectly captures the theme of this conversation as Milt and Jay look back over the last eighteen years and look forward to the future.

Culture is the life force of an organization, so clearly defining, communicating, and cultivating a strong culture is critical in developing a successful company and team. Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Brett Putter, Founder of CultureGene and CEO of Hybryd, about the lightbulb moment when Putter fully realized the importance of culture, how leaders can embed cultures within their teams, and the importance of establishing a culture in the world of hybrid work.

Regardless of whether or not you run your own business, adapting an entrepreneurial mindset is advantageous for your professional and personal growth; among its many benefits, thinking like an entrepreneur opens up opportunities by strengthening your ability to overcome obstacles and enhancing your capacity to grow from failure. Dr. Drew Brannon talks with Ryan Johnston and Ryan Heafy, entrepreneurs and founders of 6AM City, a rapidly growing media company focused on activating communities through daily email newsletters in 25 cities across the United States, about their leadership philosophies, entrepreneurial experiences, and key lessons learned along the way.

Annual goals are typically set with gusto and good intentions at the beginning of the year, but they are often forgotten or pushed to the side as life's inevitable curveballs pop up. It's easy to get off course, so to help bring your goals back on track, it's useful to have regular checkpoints to take inventory of your progress. Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Cory Shaffer, and Katie Nichols share their progress on personal annual goals and provide suggestions to help you reach yours.