Surfacing Leaders

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler speaks with Jean-Louis “JL” Jabbour, the youngest General Manager in the College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving franchise network, leading one of its most successful locations. As a standout 27-year old Gen Z leader in an organization with over 200 franchises nationwide, JL offers a unique look into the business strategies and leadership principles that have fueled his impressive rise in the company.   College H.U.N.K.S. is a brand known for its commitment to leadership development, culture, and purpose-driven service, which Marc witnessed ans was impressed with first-hand when his daughter hired College H.U.N.K.S. for her moving needs earlier this year. JL discusses how these core values are integrated into every aspect of their operations, from building a motivated team to delivering exceptional customer experiences. His story also highlights the importance of creating a positive work environment that's both scalable and sustainable—a hallmark of the College H.U.N.K.S approach.   Listeners will gain valuable insights into the culture that sets College Hunks apart as JL breaks down: How empathy, open communication, and continuous growth have been central to his journey as a Gen Z leader. The company's focus on building leaders and fostering teamwork has been pivotal to the success of his location. The company's eco-friendly initiatives, including their commitment to recycling or donating up to 70% of the items they haul, reflecting a broader vision of sustainability and community impact.   The conversation doesn't stop at business operations. JL opens up about his transformation from a “video game kid” into a dynamic leader. He discusses the power of setting clear goals, breaking them down into actionable micro-goals, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. His leadership style is rooted in principles like empathy, effective communication, and the relentless pursuit of both personal and professional development. He shares candid stories of overcoming obstacles, offering practical advice on applying these lessons in your career or entrepreneurial journey.   This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning what it takes to motivate and lead the younger generations, build a high-performing team, or be inspired by a story of transformation and success. Tune in to discover how JL Jabbour is helping College Hunks set new industry standards and how you can apply these same principles to achieve your own leadership goals.   JL’sLinks: LinkedIn CollegeHunks Website

Bita Safari, a remarkable philanthropist and entrepreneur from Iran, shares her journey of resilience and leadership. She opens up about building GiGO Clean amid personal and professional challenges, including her husband’s cancer battle. Bita emphasizes the importance of mental strength, crisis management, and a robust HR strategy in achieving business success. She discusses her commitment to gender equality in the cleaning industry and the vital role of social advocacy in her life. Her insights offer inspiration and valuable lessons for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler engages in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned author and leadership expert Dr. David Burkus.    Together, they delve into the delicate balance between autonomy and accountability in the workplace, exploring strategies for enhancing employee engagement and fostering a culture of recognition and purpose that build the best team ever.   Dr. Burkus draws on his extensive research and experience to discuss the importance of detailed, team-specific engagement metrics over-generalized data. He explains how the unprecedented autonomy granted during the pandemic has reshaped employee expectations and organizational dynamics, emphasizing that organizations mastering this balance will attract high-performing talent.   Throughout the episode, listeners will gain valuable insights from Dr. Burkus's analysis of the post-pandemic workplace and his predictions for the future of work. He highlights the significance of providing impactful feedback and celebrating individual contributions within a team.    Dr. Burkus also offers practical advice on how leaders can navigate remote and hybrid work arrangements while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and accountability.   The episode concludes with actionable takeaways for aspiring leaders: Emphasize the importance of work that matters and let employees know they matter. Use detailed, team-specific metrics to drive meaningful improvements. Balance autonomy with accountability to attract and retain top talent.   Tune in to discover how you can create a workplace where people do work that matters and feel that they matter, setting the stage for exceptional team performance and leadership success.   Contact Links for Dr. David Burkus: Website LinkedIn Twitter Instagram   Join us in this episode to uncover the principles that elevate leadership and performance. These principles are not exclusive but universal, and you can learn how to integrate these timeless values into your own journey.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Laura Bratton to hear her incredible story of grit and gratitude.  After losing her sight as a young child, she became the author of Harnessing Courage and became a top leadership speaker.   Laura brings a unique perspective on these essential qualities. She recounts her story of surfacing as a leader and how she learned that grit goes beyond mere perseverance, emphasizing the importance of balancing determination with moments of vulnerability and intentional gratitude. Laura illustrates that acknowledging challenges and embracing humanity is crucial to sustaining long-term resilience.   Throughout the conversation, Laura and Marc delve into practical strategies for integrating grit and gratitude into leadership. Laura offers valuable insights on how these principles can be fostered within teams and organizations, sharing simple yet effective practices for leaders to introduce. She discusses the impact of these practices on professional success and personal relationships, offering touching examples of how leaders have used gratitude to reconnect with loved ones.   Listeners will gain actionable advice from Laura’s experiences, including: Embrace vulnerability: Recognize and accept when you lack the strength to continue and use it as a stepping stone to future growth. Foster a culture of gratitude: Implement daily practices that encourage appreciation and recognition within your team. Connect on a human level: Use gratitude to build deeper relationships in and out of the workplace.   Join us for this episode to discover how grit and gratitude can transform your leadership journey and personal life. Laura’s insights offer a refreshing perspective on balancing strength and compassion to achieve meaningful success.   Tune in to uncover how embracing these timeless values can elevate your leadership and create lasting positive change.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler sits down with Jason Harris, a former Air Force combat pilot and seasoned leader. Their conversation explores the deep connections between trust, legacy, and resilience in effective leadership. Jason shares powerful insights from his career as a combat pilot and leadership coach, focusing on the importance of creating a culture of trust within teams. He discusses his approach of "hearing, understanding, acknowledging, and taking action," revealing how these simple steps can build a strong, high-performing team. Listeners will discover how Jason drew inspiration from the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of pioneering African American pilots whose courage and perseverance shaped his own leadership philosophy. He reflects on how their example of overcoming adversity and maintaining hope has influenced his approach to facing challenges and leading others. The episode also offers practical advice for aspiring leaders, including: Embracing failures as opportunities for growth. Building trust by genuinely listening to and valuing team members. Defining your leadership legacy by understanding what kind of leader you want to be. Join us for this engaging discussion to learn how Jason Harris's experiences and principles can inspire you to elevate your own leadership journey. Discover actionable strategies for building trust, facing adversity, and creating a lasting impact. Listen to the full episode on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts Connect with Jason Harris: Website LinkedIn Instagram

AI and innovation expert Dan Chuparkoff shares insights on transforming leadership through AI, discussing AI tools for language barriers, fostering experimentation and autonomy in teams, integrating AI into operations, and practical ways to advance today. Explore the impact of AI on team dynamics, communication, and future possibilities in this engaging podcast.

In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has an insightful conversation with Dr. Fergus Connolly, an expert in high performance and leadership. They discuss the essential qualities of authentic leadership and high-performing teams.   Fergus shares his experiences from his diverse career in sports, business, and military environments. He emphasizes the human element in leadership, focusing on three core principles: honesty, humility, and hard work. These attributes, he argues, are the foundation for sustained success and continuous improvement, going beyond conventional metrics and technology.   Listeners will find valuable lessons in Fergus's anecdotes, such as his experiences with elite sports teams and the military, where calm and calculated responses to crises are crucial. He also shares insights on the role of technology in enhancing performance, noting that while it can provide valuable data and raise standards, the nuanced understanding and application of this information are where true leaders excel.   The episode concludes with actionable advice for aspiring leaders: - Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. - Remain humble. - Commit to hard, meaningful work.   Join us in this episode to uncover the principles that elevate leadership and performance. These principles are not exclusive but universal, and you can learn how to integrate these timeless values into your own journey.

In the latest episode of Surfacing Leaders, host Marc has an in-depth and insightful conversation with best-selling author and caring leadership expert Heather Younger. Heather, an expert in workplace dynamics and leadership development, shares her journey and experiences promoting empathetic leadership within organizations. The discussion starts with Heather reflecting on her early career and the pivotal moments that shaped her perspective as she surfaced as a leader. Heather emphasizes the importance of listening and empathy in leadership and how genuine care for employees enhances organizational culture and drives tangible improvements in employee satisfaction and performance. She also underscores the role of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership, encouraging leaders to embrace these qualities as they navigate challenges and foster trust among their teams. From addressing diversity and inclusion to navigating difficult conversations, Heather offers strategies that resonate with seasoned leaders and emerging professionals. As the conversation concludes, Heather leaves listeners with a call to action: cultivating a workplace culture where caring leadership is not just a philosophy but a guiding principle. She emphasizes that leaders can transform organizational dynamics and pave the way for sustainable success by prioritizing empathy, understanding, and genuine concern for their teams. "The Transformative Power of Caring Leadership with Heather Younger" is a must-listen for anyone aspiring to lead with empathy and positively impact their professional sphere.

In one of our most inspiring episodes of the Servicing Leaders podcast yet, Marc interviews Robert Paylor, an exceptional individual who has transformed tragedy into triumph. Rob shares his journey from being a promising athlete to facing a life-altering spinal cord injury that left him quadriplegic, with doctors saying he would never walk or use his arms again. Despite his immense challenges, Rob's resilience, optimism, and unwavering faith have propelled him on a path of purpose and enormous impact.   Rather than let this tragedy define him, Rob used it as a catalyst for an extraordinary journey of redefining what is possible. Through an unbreakable vision and years of relentless determination, Rob can now walk 400 yards, stand to receive his diploma from UC Berkeley's top-ranked Haas School of Business, and share the mental tools that have helped him persevere through paralysis as an inspirational speaker.    Throughout the podcast, you'll hear about Rob's daily routines and habits that help him maintain a positive mindset and focus on his goals. From waking up to his daily workouts and meaningful interactions with his wife, Rob exemplifies the power of discipline and gratitude in overcoming adversity. Rob's transition from a collegiate athlete to a motivational speaker is a testament to his personal growth and resilience. As he shares his story and empowers others to overcome their own challenges, he discovers a deeper purpose. His journey, from shedding old identities to embracing new roles, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for listeners facing their own obstacles.   Listeners will walk away from this episode with a renewed sense of purpose and a reminder that despite adversity, there is always room for growth, resilience, and finding one's true calling. Join Marc Koehler and Rob Paylor on this transformative journey from paralyzed to powerful, where hope, optimism, and the human spirit shine brightest.

Guest James Hewitt, an expert in cognitive performance and Formula One, talks about mastering effort and recovery in leadership. He emphasizes intentional practices, cognitive endurance optimization, and the importance of failure for growth. Hewitt shares strategies for accountability, problem-solving, and fostering psychological safety within teams.