This week we sat down for a chat with Steve Hedrick, Chairman, President, and CEO of AVN Corporation, right in the heart of South Charleston, West Virginia. Now, Steve's not your average CEO. He's got this cool mix of petrochemical savvy and military know-how from his West Point days. And boy, does he have some stories to share! From the importance of being understanding as a leader to the magic that happens when teamwork kicks in, Steve spills the beans on how he's been steering the AVN ship through some tough times. He's all about creating a workplace where everyone feels like they belong, where growth isn't just a buzzword, but a real, tangible thing. And let me tell you, we’ve got him talking about everything, from how AVN went from non-profit to for-profit, and the challenges of managing a distributed team. Plus, Steve's not shy about sharing some heartfelt tales from his own journey, giving us all a peek behind the curtain of leadership, shedding light on the tough decisions leaders often face and offering advice on building resilient, empathy-driven amazing teams.

Key Takeaways:

• What is the importance of empathy in leadership roles, and how does it contribute to overcoming challenges with resilience and adaptability while leading through change?
• How can leaders manage a transition and sustain motivation while cultivating a culture of continuous improvement?
• What role does discipline play in Steve Hedrick's motivation and leadership approach?
• How does Steve Hedrick cultivate unity in diversity and collaboration within a geographically dispersed team?

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:37) The Essence of Building Amazing Teams: Empathy and Leadership

(05:53) Empathy in Leadership: A Military Perspective

(09:57) The Evolution of AVN Corporation: From Nonprofit to Industry Leader

(13:52) The Challenges of Managing a Distributed Team

(24:06) Leading Through Hard Times

(27:39) Discipline Over Motivation

(29:12) Steve's Five Tacos of Appreciation

(32:34) Closing Thoughts

Connect with Steve:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-hedrick-b5398313/

Website: https://avncorp.com/

Build Stronger, Connected, More Engaged Teams:

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About the Amazing Teams Podcast

We started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about!

Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.

The Amazing Teams Podcast is produced by HeyTaco. Please share your feedback with us here: https://amazingteams.com/feedback.