Launch Youniversity

Turning Good Intentions into Reality in Your Career, Business and Life

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108: The Year in Review

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
108: The Year in Review
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Summary:

Join David, Jeff, Kevin, and Shane as they sit down and answer questions, talk about what went well, what didn’t go so well, and what they learned over the course of 2018.

Remember: it’s always important to look where you’ve been to improve where you want to go.

Welcome to episode 108 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

The Hype Men

Seth Godin Akimbo

Measure What Matters

Launch Youniversity Podcast Episode 100: 100th Episode Celebration Part 1 — Making The Leap

Launch Youniversity Podcast Episode 101: 100th Episode Celebration Part 2 — Building On Your Idea

Launch Youniversity Podcast Episode 102: 100th Episode Celebration Part 3 — How to Start Small

Four Takeaways:

1. Stretch More

This may sound a little silly, but it’s important to focus on your physical health. When you feel well, you perform well.

2. Envision a Triangle

Each point of the triangle has an important aspect to evaluate. The top of the pyramid: Identify the purpose. What is guiding and driving you? The bottom points of the pyramid ask yourself 2 questions: Where do we play (marketplace)? How do we win?

3. Ask Yourself Questions

Do I need to stop something? What do I need to stop? What do I need to keep doing?
How far did I get? What emotion am I currently feeling and is it holding me back? What is a regret that I can resolve? What can I celebrate this week? What is it only I can do?

Asking these questions can allow you and your organization to grow as you focus on top priorities.

4. Recognize the Little Things

This is known as the power of compounding. When you recognize the little things and do them with intentionality, it can lead to big results.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

 

107: 7 Greatest Character Threats of a Leader with Carey Nieuwhof

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
107: 7 Greatest Character Threats of a Leader with Carey Nieuwhof
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Summary:

Companies invest time and money into growing a team member’s competency. However, most organizations will not invest in building your character. Most would argue, character is more important (and harder to improve) than competency.

Whether you are a team member at an organization or have your own startup, you must invest the time and work hard on your character. So, what are the biggest character threats and how do you improve?

Today, host Kevin Jennings is joined by Carey Nieuwhof — author, pastor, and speaker. Carey shares his personal experience towards self-improvement and about the 7 character challenges that no one expects, yet everyone experiences.

Welcome to episode 107 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Carey Nieuwhof Website

Didn’t See It Coming Book

Didn’t See It Coming Burnout Quiz

Didn’t See It Coming Cynicism Quiz

Three Takeaways:

1. Cynicism Roots Itself in Knowledge

Think back to when you were a child, or imagine a child you know. Children have this amazing ability to see the joy in everything. Why is it that all kids seem to be so optimistic? They lack life experience and knowledge. When we gain more knowledge, we begin to think we know everything. We shoot holes in plans, look at the negative, and predict how something in our life will turn out. When nothing satisfies, it leads to burnout.

2. Burnout is an Epidemic

Burnout has become an epidemic in our world today. People are discontent with their job, with their financial status, and the list can go on. When you simply live out the day-to-day functions but don’t experience joy, you have hit burnout. If this is your reality, it’s time to find a new normal. Like Carey shares in the podcast, you should live in a way today that will help you thrive tomorrow. Look at the 5 areas of your life (spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, financial) and see how you can become more optimistic in each area.

3. Leadership is Inherently Lonely

You can easily fall into loneliness when you are leading a team or launching a business. However, isolation is a tool of the enemy. You cannot stay isolated. Read more about startups failing due to isolation. Connect with leaders or peers you admire, and lean on other people for questions or advice. Sometimes you even need to disconnect to reconnect. Put down your phone, ipad, or tv remote and spend quality time with the people in your life.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

Why StartUps Fail in Isolation

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We’ve all heard about billion dollar corporations that got started in a garage: Two Stanford graduates rented a garage as they developed a little internet search engine known as Google; Walt Disney’s first film was born in his uncle’s garage; Amazon was developed as an online bookstore right in the creator’s garage in Washington.

Although these stories are inspiring and encouraging, they are often the exception and only part of the story. The exception because most startups fail when built in isolation, and part of the story because the connections made after the ideation phase aren’t glamorous details in the story. [Read more…] about Why StartUps Fail in Isolation

105: How to Build a Great Team and Develop Leaders

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
105: How to Build a Great Team and Develop Leaders
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Summary:

Anything worth accomplishing will take time, and the seasoned entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs know nothing can be accomplished without the right team around you to help lead the charge of your vision. But for many of us, whether newly inducted into a leadership role or a person who has been used to working alone, growing a team and investing in others to grow their leadership is somewhat of a challenge.

Today, we are honored to have Heather Zempel on the podcast. Once a biological engineer on Capitol Hill, the now-discipleship pastor and campus ministries director at Mark Batterson’s National Community Church talks to us about the importance of team building, what to look for when adding someone to your team, and the right ingredients to developing leadership on your team.

Welcome to episode 105 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Heather Zempel: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

Carey Nieuwhof

Jon Gordon

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

Big Change, Small Groups: Four Ideas to Help You Lead Adult Small Groups

Three Takeaways:

1. Build the Best Team
Make sure these three types of people are sitting around your table: Someone who can bring something to the table through experience and expertise; someone who can bring someone else to the table (think brand evangelist); and someone who can learn something through this process. These three types of people bring experience, more voices, and innovation to any process.

2. Remember Alignment is Key
Clearly communicate your vision, expectations, and be intentional about creating the culture you want on your team. When you’re communicating well and growing together, your team will be one that lasts through the ups and downs of anything you face.

3. Develop Other Leaders
When trying to cultivate leadership in those on your team, make sure you maximize your time by continuing your own growth, whether through reading or listening to podcasts; follow another leader you admire and ask how you can help them promote their vision; focus on your own growth through accountability and intentionality.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!

 

10 Things Seasoned Entrepreneurs Know

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We’ve gotten to interview some incredible guests on this podcast. A top clothing designer, a best-selling author and Justin Beiber’s vocal coach… to name a few. While every entrepreneur has a unique perspective, there are a few common denominators that most everyone has learned along the way. [Read more…] about 10 Things Seasoned Entrepreneurs Know

104: How to Fail Well and Fail Fast with Dan Duncan of Oust Lab

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
104: How to Fail Well and Fail Fast with Dan Duncan of Oust Lab
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Summary:

In theory, launchers know they will fail — nothing is ever perfectly successful the first go ‘round. And while most of us know that to be true, we still struggle when the inevitable happens, often leaving us shaken and wondering if we were cut out to launch in the first place.

Meet Dan Duncan, creative director and co-founder of Oust, an Atlanta-based creative studio that helps startups get their footing, whether through creativity or investment. Dan says the key for any entrepreneur or intrapreneur’s success? Failing fast and failing well. Join us on today’s episode to learn what it means to fail successfully, why perfectionism is the enemy to success, and the tools you need to be confident in your idea or product.

Welcome to episode 104 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Oust Brand + Film Studio

Simon Sinek’s WHY discovery workshop

091: Creating the Culture You Want

Red Antler

069: When Passion and Heart Lead the Way: Dana Spinola of fab’rik

The 5 Elements of the Launch Loop

Elevator Pitch

The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses

Personal Brand Assessment

Four Takeaways:

1. Avoid the pitfall of appearing successful.
The quickest way to fail? Focus more on looking like a success story instead of operating from a place of creative efficiency. The most logical path to success is having a product or service that meets a need and one you’re willing to change should the need arise. Don’t let your image and pride get in the way of the big picture.

2. Be confident.
No one else will believe in your idea unless you do. People will doubt your idea and ask questions — that’s their job. It’s your job to answer those questions with boldness and belief that you’re doing what you’re meant to do. If your idea is good, after a while, others will buy into it, too.

3. Don’t be afraid to fail.
Failure isn’t optional in launching. The key is to fail fast. Remember: Your first version will likely not be your last version, so create the first version, get feedback, create version two and repeat as often as necessary.

4. Surround yourself with peers six to 12 months ahead of you.
It’s easy to feel comfortable around a group of people who are in the same stage you’re in, but Dan encourages launchers to surround themselves with people who are just one step ahead — people who have been exactly where you are and have made it through. They can offer sound advice and the encouragement you need to persevere through the rough times.

Thank you for listening to the Launch Youniversity Podcast! If you have a question that you want to be answered on the podcast… ask us here!