Uncommon Leadership

Kevin was surprised when learned he had passed his college accounting exam with flying colors. After all, while he could explain how he would approach the accounting, the bulk of his answer noted that the organizational dynamics of the example's company were so unhealthy that no financial changes would be effective until the culture was changed. Turns out, his professor agreed.   Kevin Wilkins is the Founder and CEO of Trepwise, a strategy consulting firm whose mission is to unlock the potential of purpose-driven organizations by aligning people, process, and vision. And which has been named one of the Best Places to Work by CityBusiness for the last 7 years. With over 35 years of experience in non-profit, corporate and private ventures, Kevin has built a company that teaches to put people at the center of their work.   We discuss the importance of joy and fulfillment at work, clear organizational values and belief systems, and consciously creating workplace culture.   Kevin's Shared Leadership Toolkit is at https://trepwise.com/announcing-our-public-shared-leadership-toolkit/, alongside the other toolkits he mentions. Connect with him via email: info@trepwise.com; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trepwise/; X: https://twitter.com/trepwise, and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/trepwise.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Ron finds that our busy minds are hoarders—and that clearing that out can start as simply as a few deep breaths.   Dr. Ron Stotts is a three-time bestselling author with a PhD in psychology, a Dr. of Chiropractic, and has been teaching mediation for over forty-five years. He's explored the depths of ancient wisdom and the latest in psychological neurological studies, and leadership as he guides entrepreneurs and executives into the highest levels of conscious leadership.   We discuss how critical inner work and self-acceptance are to leading effectively, and how mindful living and simply breathing can help us with that work and ease our way through change.   Find the resources Ron mentions at his website: https://ronstotts.com/. Connect with him there: https://ronstotts.com/a-deeper-look/; on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ron.stotts.50/; on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ron-stotts-14143236/; and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.ronstotts   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Rob says the gift most responsible for his success is his humor.   Rob Beachy started out his career in the military and took those skills and transitioned in the civilian world as a technical support representative, network admin, IT consulting engineer and ultimately to his current role as Chief Information Officer at Sturgis Bank & Trust.   We discuss learning from failures, fostering open communication, the benefits of building an inclusive culture, and never taking himself too seriously.   Contact Rob via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-b-371036b/ or email: rbeachy@sturgis.bank.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Amit and Kumar don't mind being cogs in a machine—because they know they are the perfect cog for their part of the machine.   Dr. Kumar Ramlall is an investor, entrepreneur, medical specialist, and a respected business advisor. He has a distinguished academic background and extensive practical experience.   Amit Chintan Ramlall possesses a unique gift for helping leaders transform their challenges into opportunity. His own journey out of the Autism maze helped him become an expert in the human mind and human achievement. He integrates the vast knowledge he's gained from reading over 14,000 non-fiction books with his unique insights to fulfill his deepest desire of helping individuals discover and manifest their life's purpose.   Together, Kumar and Amit founded the Chintan Project to help clients leverage their unique purpose and unique challenges for greater impact and rewards. They specialize in helping clients, typically business owners, solve their people problems, the ones ‘above’ HR. They help them either love their businesses again – or exit so that they love their lives again.   We chat about overcoming people problems in business, transforming challenges into opportunities, and how to fall in love with your work all over again.   Find Kumar and Amit at https://www.chintanproject.com/. Connect with Kumar on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kumar.ramlall and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumar-ramlall-77930217/, and connect with Amit on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amit.ramlall.98/ and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-ramlall-83b829189/   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

The highlight of Mark's career was his time helping the Victorian government partner with private businesses to react to and recover from the 2009 Australian bushfires.   Mark Fulcher is the managing director of Beacon Consult, a leadership and organisation performance consultancy, based out of Melbourne Australia.  Mark has taken his experience from leadership roles in Big 4 consulting and multinationals to help growing SMEs (small-medium orgs) get set up for future success. Mark believes that business success is so closely tied to leadership effectiveness - and so should stay front and centre for all organisations.   We discuss the intricacies of effective leadership in times of crisis, Mark's experiences driving transformative change in organizations, and the critical importance of empathy, emotional regulation, and personal well-being in leadership.   Mark's Beacon Consult’s Guide to Overcoming Growing Pains and Finding Success: https://beaconconsult.com.au/growing-pains/   Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/fulcherm and email: mark.fulcher@beaconconsult.com.au   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

When Adrian watches a TV show or movie, he always understands the villain.   Adrian Koehler is a leadership engagement expert and senior partner at the executive coaching firm, Take New Ground.   We discuss using authenticity and conversation to build meaningful connections, and the profound significance of our personal gifts and the impact they can have on those around us.   Adrian's free e-book The Change Imperative is at https://change.takenewground.com/.   Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriankoehler and Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/adrian.k/?hl=en   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Michael finds that dealing with actors is perfect preparation for being a software program manager.   Michael Bolton is a consulting software tester and testing teacher who helps people to solve testing problems that they didn't realize they could solve. Michael has over 30 years of experience testing, developing, managing, and writing about software, and has traveled to six continents to help people learn about testing.   We discuss the importance of diverse talents and perspectives in software development and testing, the power of metaphor, and how useful embracing failure can be.   Contact Michael at michael@developsense.com, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bolton-08847/, on Twitter @michaelbolton, or through his website, http://www.developsense.com.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Brad has been road tripping to Up North Michigan with his best buddies for twenty-four years.   Brad Voorhees is the cornerstone of ScaleTx, bringing a wealth of experience with over 15 years in leadership roles and a track record of building and scaling HR departments from the ground up. His expertise lies in providing strategic guidance, hands-on leadership, and mentorship, driving HR departments to become instrumental in organizational growth.   We discuss recognizing leadership potential, assessing communication skills, being a net positive influence, and effective learning journeys.   Connect with Brad via his website: scaletx.io, email: brad@scaletx.io, or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyvoorhees/.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Chandler believes conflict is necessary for building strong teams.   Chandler Cutler embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at just 21. In the two decades since, he has mastered the art of leadership, communication, and resilience, facing real-world business challenges head-on, culminating in the founding of CorEthos.   Chandler and CorEthos emphasize the humanity behind every business operation. They help you transform your business with a people-first approach that keeps humanity at the core while ensuring long-term commitment and transparent communication as they collaborate on your path to elevate and scale your business.   We chat about creating a space for vulnerability while maintaining professionalism, leveraging team members' expertise for continuous learning, simple ways to resolve even the most challenging communication issues.   The downloads Chandler mentions are here: https://corethos.com/agenda-architect-of-productive-meetings/https://corethos.com/time_management_checklist/   Connect with Chandler at https://corethos.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandler-cutler-54b33844/, and @CorEthos on all the socials.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Jay used to think that managing was all about coaching.   Jay Floyd is a data engineering leader, life coach, and podcaster. He is also the curator of the 'What's Good' brand, dedicated to finding the good in all of life's scenarios, or as he calls it, 'feeding our good wolf.'   We discuss leading with a personal touch, the power of positive growth, fostering rich team environments, and the wolves we carry inside us.   Connect with Jay via his website: www.whatsgood.work and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjayfloyd/.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Colleen's family helps her remember that we never know what's going on for anyone else.   Colleen Johnson has been working in the technology space for over 20 years, with half of that focused on improving the way we deliver value. She has taught and presented agile concepts to audiences around the world but is happiest in the Colorado mountains with her husband and three kids.   We discuss the most useful metric for team progress, the benefits of nurturing creativity in retaining talent, and how diversity impacts learning opportunities.   Join the ProKanban.org slack community at prokanban.org > About Us > Slack Community   Find the Kanban for Everyone videos at https://www.youtube.com/@prokanban   Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-johnson/ and Twitter: @scrumhive   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

When Gerardo's soul takes flight, it lands on top of a mountain covered in snow. Because he loves helicopter skiing.   Gerardo Segat is an international leadership coach whose purpose and legacy is to humanize leadership. Following a wealth of experiences as entrepreneur, chairman and CEO, Gerardo has used his leadership background to create Preludes: a coaching program created to humanize leaders, organizations, and their stakeholders through creative and powerful original experiences (such as decision-making debates, client interaction models, and emotions-focused team meetings).   Currently, Gerardo is working on Out As Humans, a performing arts show designed to humanize authentic leaders. Out as Humans is an individual and group immersive performance that creates a space for leaders to be open, trusting, empathetic, and feel a sense of belonging.   We discuss the radical effects of vulnerability, creating cultures of openness, integrating open hearts into the workplace, and the importance of self-awareness.   Connect with Gerardo via email: you@gerardosegat.com; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardosegat/; and his website: www.gerardosegat.com.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Nevin believes that success is directly related to discomfort.   With decades of experience as a facilitator, coach, and trainer, Nevin Danielson helps leaders and their teams ignite purpose, possibility, and partnerships to sustain an energized workforce amidst evolving trends like turnover and remote work.   After a quarter-life crisis showed him the value of serving others, Nevin founded Induction Consulting to uncover practical steps that tap teams' untapped potential.   His skills cut through outdated expectations and elevate processes and interactions to be fresh, meaningful, and authentic.   We discuss shifting culture through embracing discomfort, the transformative approach Nevin developed for empowering his team, and giving feedback to power.   Download Nevin's Trailblazer cheat sheet at https://inductionconsulting.ca/uncommon-leadership/   Connect with Nevin at nevin@inductionconsulting.ca, www.inductionconsulting.ca, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevindanielson/. "Please mention that they found me through Uncommon Leadership!"   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Pawel approaches leadership as a series of experiments and iterations.   Pawel Brodzinski is a seasoned leader, manager, and coach. He's done pretty much every aspect of building software, both as the person doing the work and as the leader helping that person.   Pawel also writes, speaks, and lectures in service of helping organizational cultures to create exceptional workplaces. Because that's what brings him the most fun.   I ran across Pawel on LinkedIn, where I am consistently impressed with his light, yet forthright, take on thorny topics like the right way to give kudos and salary transparency.   We discuss aligning vision, fostering radical autonomy, making decisions without traditional hierarchy, and creating environments where leadership is not a title but an action.   Connect with Pawel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawelbrodzinski/ and pawel.brodzinski@gmail.com.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Jardena believes even corporate budgeting can be soulful.   Jardena London is an author, speaker, community leader, and Business Transformation Consultant who helps businesses thrive by using a soulful lens.   We discuss the value of humanity over systems, learning from failure, and redefining conflict and resilience.   Join the Transformational Leadership Community at learning.cultivatingtransformations.com   Find Jardena's book Cultivating Transformations:  A Leader’s Guide to Connecting the Soulful and the Practical at Amazon and other booksellers   Connect with Jardena: jardena@rosettaagile.com linkedin.com/in/jardena rosettaagile.com jardenalondon.com cultivatingtransformations.com For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Dave wants to know things. He doesn't so much enjoy the learning part of that.   Dave Rodabaugh has 23 years of experience making analytical data products by turning THIS data into THAT model.  He also has a track record of teaching others to do it, and helping them turn into data leaders.  Data products are built by teams of people, not by technology, Dave holds.   We discuss the frameworks that help Dave navigate life, improving team cohesion through understanding how we work best, and the wisdom in the counsel of the many.   Contact Dave at drodabaugh@gmail.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-rodabaugh/.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Zach believes dissent and debate are critical to understanding each other.   Zach Bonaker proudly describes himself as a "Benevolent Troublemaker," by which he means a catalyst for positive disruption. He applies his wealth of experience steering both Fortune 500 companies and startups and his deep expertise in systems thinking and fostering team-centric approaches to work to skillfully advance organizations that prioritize humanity. His intent is always to combine the competitive advantage of business agility, cutting-edge organization design techniques, and the transformative force of "flow" science to cultivate vibrant and human-centric environments and a deep passion for work that empowers individuals to unleash their full potential.   We discuss the (in)humanity of recruiting and hiring, the benefits of bills of rights in organizations, and how biological selection theory applies to the workplace.   Zach's blog The Benevolent Troublemaker: https://benevolenttroublemaker.wordpress.com/author/zbonaker/.   Connect with Zach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbonaker/ or Email: zbonaker@gmail.com   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Kimberly teaches her people to be selfish.   Kimberly Lowe-Williams is a Black female Director of Infrastructure and Site Reliability, with over 10 years of experience as a leader and people manager. She prides herself on being a leader who empowers her team, promotes diversity, and values everyone's opinion. She's broken down barriers and challenged stereotypes, inspiring others to do the same. She is also the founder of a non-profit that for many years provided opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the tech industry before it closed its doors following the pandemic.   We discuss succeeding even as we feel uncomfortable, leading with empathy, humane collaboration, and motivating during tough times.   Kimberly's newsletter, Unsolicited Career Advice, is at https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7047750440200896512. Contact her at heykim@klowewilliams.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/klowewilliams/, and https://www.instagram.com/k.lowewilliams/.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Raphael customizes his Zoom background to be what he wants to see on video calls.   Raphael helps founders scale their businesses by enhancing their customers' experiences.  He's taking his nearly-two-decades of experience building relationships with customers and leading international teams at B2B SaaS and tech companies into a thriving solo practice. He has a talent for bringing a company together across and beyond departmental borders, showing his clients how to build great customer experiences by having them experience one of their own. Plus, he's fun, warm, and puts people before everything else.   We chat about the one thing every leader should prioritize, building bridges quickly and effectively, and the power of being vulnerable.   Connect with Raphael at https://triemer.consulting/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaeltriemer/, and https://calendly.com/triemerconsulting/get-in-touch.   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.

Muness shows people he hears them. "That is so unusual, it disarms them."   Muness Castle is a data and engineering leader with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in data engineering, strategy, management, organizational design, and architecture. Muness has led or consulted with teams at Shopify, Zapier, JPMC, LivingSocial, Staples and many more.   We discuss the importance of clear communication, trust, and humility in leadership and fostering healthy, supportive work environments.   Connect with Muness: Website: https://muness.com/ Email: hi@muness.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muness/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/muness Book time with Muness: https://cal.com/muness   For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for my newsletter at  https://uncommonteams.com. And follow Uncommon Leadership wherever you get your podcasts.