How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange

In this episode of "How Leaders Think," host Kenny Lange is joined by guest Tom Richard, a former corporate worker turned founder and CEO. Tom shares their journey of transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship and the challenges they faced along the way. They discuss the importance of being outcome-focused, building a strong foundation for success, and the value of doing good work. Tom also emphasizes the role of consistency, authenticity, and service in effective leadership. Listeners gain valuable insights into the mindset of a founder and the key elements that contribute to their success.For more inspiring and insightful content, don't forget to subscribe to the How Leaders Think Podcast.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcasts* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!Resources:Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrichard/Tom’s Website: https://unlimitedtechsolutions.comTimeline:[00:02:12] Too much focus on creative guruism. Do good work.[00:04:43] Authenticity and serving others lead to success.[00:07:49] Focus on customers, product, and team building.[00:10:57] Money is part of a stable, peaceful life. Build on a foundation of service.[00:15:52] Leadership is more than inspiration, it's service.[00:20:24] Entrepreneurship: challenging, rewarding, different from expectations.[00:24:09] Took responsibility, got help, no longer imprisoned.[00:26:26] Take ownership, think beyond yourself and company.[00:30:24] Book or hire? Cheaper to read.[00:33:03] Success is measured by results, not knowledge.[00:39:05] Why can't leaders focus on outcomes?[00:41:30] Reinventing oneself: cycle of creating, maintaining, destroying.[00:44:37] Agree with you, precious about my business.[00:49:23] Be curious about yourself, observe and grow.

In this episode of "How Leaders Think," host Kenny Lange welcomes guest Tim Spiker to discuss overcoming insecurity and embracing courage in leadership. The conversation delves into the lack of awareness among leaders regarding security and humility, and the negative impact of insecurity on oneself and others. Tim shares personal anecdotes and insights, highlighting the importance of self-talk, reframing negative narratives, and developing humility. They also explore the role of traveling buddies in leadership development and the significance of transparency and courage in fostering successful leaders. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own leadership journey and embrace a mindset of growth and courage.For more inspiring and insightful content, don't forget to subscribe to the How Leaders Think Podcast.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcasts* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!Resources:Tim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timspiker/Tim’s Website: https://beworthfollowing.com Tim’s Book, “The Only Leaders Worth Following”: https://www.amazon.com/Only-Leaders-Worth-Following-Succeed/dp/1950867048/Timeline:[00:00:24] Transform, renew, think with insightful leadership podcast.[00:03:22] Three key aspects of leadership: courage, humility, security.[00:07:10] Lack of security and humility in leaders.[00:12:28] Childhood trauma can impact adult behavior significantly.[00:16:19] Courage more conscious than insecurity or humility.[00:19:04] Transparency and vulnerability are essential for leadership.[00:24:20] Leaders need to relate to their followers.[00:27:24] Courage: Small steps count, gain momentum. Insecurity: Negative self-talk breeds insecurity. Humility: True humility is thinking of others.[00:34:36] Importance of accountability and learning from others.[00:37:44] Start writing potential candidates, offer and receive.

In this episode of the How Leaders Think podcast, host Kenny Lange sits down with special guest Ryan Watson, an experienced former agency owner and founder of Upsourced, to delve into the fascinating topic of the life cycle of agencies.As a renowned expert in the industry, Ryan shares his unique insights on how agency owners can navigate the various stages of growth and effectively manage their finances.Ryan discusses the common challenges faced by agency owners when it comes to measuring and managing multiple metrics simultaneously. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on one specific problem at a time, such as improving gross margin, to build momentum and drive meaningful progress.Drawing from his own experiences as an agency owner, Ryan provides valuable advice on when to seek the right kind of help and how to overcome the restricting nature of traditional financial advisors. He highlights the different stages of an agency's life cycle, from the creation phase to the scaling phase, and explains the key priorities and challenges that arise at each stage. Throughout the episode, Ryan shares practical tips and strategies for agencies to achieve profitability, sustainable growth, and efficient operations. He emphasizes the need to identify and prioritize the "one thing" that truly matters for an agency's success, rather than getting overwhelmed by multiple key performance indicators.Join Kenny Lange and Ryan Watson in this insightful episode of the How Leaders Think podcast, where they navigate the intricacies of agency growth and provide expert guidance on how to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape.For more inspiring and insightful content, don't forget to subscribe to the How Leaders Think Podcast.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:* Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh* Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=* Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcasts* Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!Resources:Ryans’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankeithwatson/Upsourced: https://upsourcedaccounting.com Create Mode YouTube video: https://youtu.be/DFccD669A5ABuild Mode YouTube video: https://youtu.be/C4NqX5ON9RIGrow Mode YouTube video: https://youtu.be/G4x0ozOboXMScale Mode YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ASODk8jE44ATimeline:[00:01:34] Pregnancy, business focus, KPIs, agency growth.[00:03:53] Focus on one thing, avoid overwhelming complexity.[00:08:26] Build mode: Solvency, project profit, cash reserves, operating profit margin, repeatable revenue generation.[00:13:44] Two scenarios: grow or remain unprofitable.[00:18:18] Stages of agency growth bring unique challenges.[00:21:35] Phases need different financial expertise, stay lean. Inflection points: $1M, $3M agency. CFO at $3M helps, don't overspend.[00:25:43] Accountants help businesses make informed decisions.[00:29:30] Figure out your agency's one thing.

On this episode of the How Leaders Think podcast, I interview entrepreneur Chris White about his approach to leadership and supporting small business owners.Chris discusses the value of the MBA program, which provides participants with a framework and support system through a cohort of like-minded individuals. He emphasizes the importance of executive coaching and the negative consequences of not pursuing these opportunities.Chris also shares his inspiration behind the Micro Business Academy (MBA) and highlights its focus on mindset and providing affordable resources. As an expert in business operations and strategy, Chris describes himself as a visionary and operator. He introduces tools such as the S2 (System & Soul) Roadmap, a one-page business plan, and the use of organizational charts and scorecards with key performance indicators (KPIs).He stresses the significance of effective communication and the importance of setting quarterly objectives. Chris also discusses the cohort that focuses on creating a roadmap for entrepreneurs and the value of collaboration and AI tools. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by small business owners, including financial pressure and the potential for isolation and loneliness. Chris emphasizes the importance of seeking help and offers a diagnostic tool to measure the health of businesses. He challenges the notion of measuring success solely through finances and encourages listeners to find a deeper sense of purpose.Chris reflects on his journey as an entrepreneur and the motivations behind his work with stage one and stage two companies. He highlights the importance of self-care and preventing burnout. As a believer in serving God, family, and clients, Chris aims to help as many small businesses as possible.Join me and guest Chris White on this episode of How Leaders Think as we explore the mindset and strategies behind successful leadership in the business world.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!Resources:Chris’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-chris-white/Micro Business Academy: https://microbusinessacademy.ioSystem & Soul: https://systemandsoul.comTimeline:[00:02:05] Helping small business owners succeed and thrive.[00:06:12] MBA mindset, belief, action, affordable coaching for small businesses.[00:11:48] Visionaries and operators need structure, communication, and clarity.[00:17:17] Guide important, wearing all hats difficult. Cohort model valuable to expert's reputation.[00:19:31] Helping small businesses through coaching and cohorts.[00:23:45] Entrepreneurship is isolating but companionship helps.[00:28:10] Success shouldn't be measured solely by finances.[00:31:37] Cohort helps entrepreneurs craft unique value propositions.[00:36:07] Evaluate pain, take diagnostic for business health.

On this episode of the How Leaders Think podcast, our special guest, Bill Green, dives deep into the importance of leading with values in the workplace.Drawing on insights from the US Surgeon General's report on workplace well-being and mental health issues, Bill highlights the need to prioritize people and their values over desired outcomes. He offers a free culture checkup that provides an assessment of an organization's core values and suggests sharing it with senior leadership and the entire organization to gather feedback.Bill emphasizes the significance of understanding how employees see and feel about working in the organization and recommends useful tools and websites for exploring values. He urges leaders to have conversations with employees about the alignment between values and experiences and discusses the equation of culture, where values plus organizational habits determine the culture one deserves.Bill emphasizes the importance of creating connection and engagement in the workplace and shares strategies for maintaining connections in the remote work era. He encourages leaders to gather input from everyone in the organization, foster day-to-day engagement with company values, and align the company's culture with its business goals.🎧 Join us as we explore the transformative power of leading with values and discover how it can positively impact workplace well-being and profitability.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!Resources:Bill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-green-detroit/FREE Culture Check-up: https://affectadvisors.com/culturecheckup/System & Soul: https://systemandsoul.comTimeline:[00:02:42] Leadership must bridge the strategy-execution gap.[00:04:34] Leadership values should be meaningful and actionable.[00:09:04] US Surgeon General highlights workplace mental health.[00:12:14] Creating connection as leaders is essential; it leads to better outcomes.[00:16:16] Three steps to create a thriving culture.[00:21:20] Disruption creates opportunity to reimagine work.[00:24:31] "Lead with values for a better culture."[00:30:24] Values matter at any stage of leadership.[00:32:39] Free culture checkup: assess values in 6 minutes

On this episode of How Leaders Think, I sit down with business coach Scott Ritzheimer to discuss the evolution of founders and CEOs.  He cautions against the danger of over-applying advice and lessons from experienced individuals, emphasizing the importance of recognizing moments of transition and approaching them with intention.  The conversation covers the progression of leadership roles in business and the importance of considering whether leadership advice is applicable to one's current situation.  🎧Tune in to learn how to be a self-aware leader and build a scalable company with the right people in the right seats at the right time.Other places to find the “How Leaders Think” podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kennylange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss an episode!Resources:Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottritzheimer/The Founder’s Evolution ebook (free): https://www.scalearchitects.com/founders/Scale Architects: https://www.scalearchitects.comSecrets of The High Demand Coach podcast: https://www.scalearchitects.com/secrets/System & Soul: https://systemandsoul.com[00:01:20] "Importance of timing in business decision-making and contradicting advice."[00:05:04] Leadership advice varies for different stages of business ownership and should be taken with caution, considering the context.[00:07:58] Reading/listening to too much advice can lead to overapplying future lessons today, adding pressure. Leaders don't need to be all things, prioritize what's needed today for disproportionate ROI.[00:09:58] Sports analogy: Skills that were essential on the field don't matter when coaching. The coach makes a spectacular catch, but there is a penalty. This is like how we sometimes rely on skills that are no longer relevant in our businesses.[00:16:02] Leadership goes through stages: dissatisfied employee, startup entrepreneur, reluctant manager, building a team of leaders, and stepping into a visionary/coach role. System and Soul is a helpful structure for speeding up the process and removing trial and error. The growth of a leader also requires a change in mindset and a recognition of moving off the field to focus on coaching and vision.[00:21:48] Leaders become disillusioned on the sidelines, need to lead full-time, and build a scalable company with an executive team.[00:29:27] Different executives have different strengths. Visionaries and executives are not the same. Having too many visionaries can be detrimental. It's important to have the right people at the right time.[00:31:43] Get control of your time, identify your stage as a founder or leader with The Founders Evolution ebook from Scalearchitects.com. Free assessments also available.

On this episode of How Leaders Think, host Kenny Lange speaks with guest McKenzie Reeves Decker about the importance of self-care, defining leadership, transcending past mistakes, and thriving in an entrepreneurial environment. McKenzie talked about how taking breaks and engaging in non-work activities can help refresh the mind, improve productivity, and creativity.McKenzie also shared her experience of working with charismatic leaders who could inspire and bring people together, while she was more focused on execution and rising into leadership through her skills. She also discussed her definitions of leadership and entrepreneurship, which they see as related but not the same thing. McKenzie also talked about the System and Soul business framework she's been working on with the founders.Tune in to this insightful episode and find out how to arrive at your own conclusions about leadership and entrepreneurship.ResourcesSystem and Soul website: https://systemandsoul.comMcKenzie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenzie-reeves-decker-67a1b262/[00:02:34] Definition of leadership and entrepreneurship shaped by nature and nurture, influenced by Southern Baptist culture and parent's business ownership. Sacrifice and hard work are assumed essential for success, but myths are being challenged.[00:06:10] Take breaks to refresh your thinking, have a life outside work, and prioritize health for yourself and your team. Benj's leadership helped the realization.[00:12:04] Person leads the team with challenges of age and cultural differences, strives to make own mark with caring leadership style, and learns to turn personal doubts into assets.[00:16:11] Soul and System is a framework for integrating business systems and unique value propositions. The speaker is a team member responsible for executing and guiding the company's objectives as a startup, which is both exciting and daunting.[00:19:01] Speaker worked for the John Maxwell Company (now Maxwell Leadership) and learned about leadership and self-management. She was an individual contributor but rose into leadership through execution. The current work environment requires self-direction and has greater consequences and returns.[00:23:17] Learned principles from books, felt like an imposter, leadership defined by the environment, John Maxwell's leadership communication style, and felt uncomfortable with public speaking.[00:25:42] Push through mental blockades with a success-only mindset; take care of oneself like a professional athlete; challenge perceptions of leadership styles.[00:31:50] Reflect on old beliefs, identify goals and doubts, and seek help from loved ones for mental clarity.[00:35:38] Efficiency and productivity require soft skills in addition to hard skills. It's not just about getting the job done.

In this episode of How Leaders Think, we explore the importance of autonomy and accountability for employees to feel motivated. We also delve into the hiring and retention crises facing many companies and how investing in employees can make a significant difference in the workplace. My guest, Andy Christiansen, emphasizes that being interested in others is crucial to good leadership and the importance of listening and being other-centered. We also touch on the false stories that leaders may believe about the world and the power of recognition and valuing employees. Join us as we discuss strategies for building relationships in the workplace and improving team morale.Resources:Andy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andychristiansenpcc/Andy's Book "The 40:40 Principle: Your Road Map to Finding Life-Changing Mentors": https://www.amazon.com/40-Principle-Finding-Life-Changing-Mentors/dp/1449700713/Peter Drucker books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter-F.-Drucker/author/B000AP61TE[00:01:14] "Leadership Crisis: Are We Failing?"[00:09:00] "Unlocking the Power of Listening: One Cup at a Time"[00:12:00] Investing in People: The Solution to Hiring and Retention Crisis?[00:19:00] "Back to Basics: The Simple Secret to Employee Engagement"[00:25:56] "People Want to Win": The Importance of Leadership[00:30:56] "Make Meaningful Connections: Hear Their Stories Today"[00:35:44] "Prioritizing One-on-Ones Leads to Business Success"

On this episode of the How Leaders Think podcast, John Grubbs shares his experience of quickly being promoted to a management position and leading a team with a diverse range of ages. He discusses the challenges he faced, including how to address sanctioned incompetence in a demoralizing workplace.The conversation then shifts to Johns’s new book, “The Wolf Sales Model: Non-Relationship Selling," which focuses on the mindset, skills, and daily habits of a successful sales hunter. He also discusses the misconception that a client will buy from a salesperson if they become their friend first, and how the focus should be on offering value rather than creating a fake relationship.John also shares practical advice for sales reps, including how to ask the right questions and avoid falling into the trap of doing the bare minimum in the workplace. Tune in to learn more about the Wolf Sales Model and how to become a successful sales hunter.Resources:The Wolf Sales Model book: https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sales-Model-Non-Relationship-Selling/dp/B0BCD4ZLWQ/r[00:03:22] Carrot and stick management is outdated. Toxic workplace: lack of accountability. Coworkers cause disengagement.[00:05:21] Lack of employee engagement and accountability causing disengagement in workplaces.[00:07:13] Early promotion taught leader respect over being liked.[00:10:05] Build value before friendship in sales. Don't be disingenuous. Relationship comes after the sale.[00:11:32] Non-salespeople often have sales titles and are difficult to vet, leading to poor training outcomes.[00:13:37] Sales teams struggle to stay in discovery mode and uncover buyer emotions, leading to a lack of hunting skills in sales.[00:17:21] To effectively sell, ask open-ended questions and use calibrated language, such as "it seems like."[00:18:48] The article discusses how sales reps can dig deeper by asking the right questions and using labels. They are also advised to ask permission to take notes and clarify any misunderstandings. A false label may be used to re-engage an uninterested customer.[00:21:24] Creating a powerful sales statement with a focus on differentiation.[00:25:08] Find John Grubbs at JohnGrubbs.com or by searching for The Wolf Sales Model/ training. Focus on improving mindset, skills, and habits to be successful in sales. Try staying in question mode during meetings to improve discovery skills.

On this episode of How Leaders Think, my guest emphasizes the importance of celebrating goals and milestones. They suggest looking at the entire calendar year to identify points to celebrate and acknowledge that there will be multiple false summits along the way to a goal.The guest is Jonathan D. Reynolds, a CEO and best-selling author, who shares his perspective on celebrating accomplishments and navigating the tension between celebrating the present and painting a desirable future.Jonathan explores practical ways to incorporate celebrations into daily life and suggests starting with small steps like celebrating someone who has made an impact. High-drive leaders often struggle to take a break or celebrate because it seems like a lack of commitment to growth, but self-awareness is crucial for preventing exhaustion and demotivation among team members.Resources:Jonathan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanreynolds/Jonathan's Book, "Right Seats, Right People: A Leader's Guide to Hiring and Developing Top Performers": https://a.co/d/0RXmbh3[00:01:35] "Renew your mind to fight the trash"[00:05:49] "Balancing Future Vision with Present Gratitude"[00:08:53] "Discover Your Unique Personality Profile Statistic"[00:12:33] Budgeting for Celebration: Importance of Pausing to Celebrate[00:18:44] "Intrinsic Motivation: Emphasizing the Importance of Celebration"[00:22:14] "Uncomfortable growth: Celebrating success along the way"[00:26:25] "Small Gestures of Gratitude: Superpowers in Action"[00:30:41] "A Visionary Editor's Bold Hiring Mistake"