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097: How to Use Hospitality as a Leadership Strategy

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
097: How to Use Hospitality as a Leadership Strategy
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Summary:

Many innovators and launchers do not consider themselves leaders, but becoming a leader is inevitable in the process of bringing your idea to life. Most run from the title because it often feels weighty — you have flashbacks to The Office’s Michael Scott or maybe your current leader and think, “That will not be me.”

However, what if leadership could feel a lot more like home? Rooted in the idea of treating your team, collaborators, and future employees like guests, Terry A. Smith shares with host, David Farmer, another perspective of leadership based on the principles of hospitality and how we can create an environment where people and dreams flourish.

Welcome to episode 97 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Enter to win a free copy of Terry A. Smith’s book, The Hospitable Leader, for you and one friend by following Launch Youniversity on Instagram. Locate the post about the book and comment in the caption!

The Hospitable Leader: Create Environments Where People and Dreams Flourish

Live 10

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Frances Hesselbein

The Hospitable Leader online community

Elevator Pitch

Three Takeaways:

1. Hospitality is Crucial for Influence
You cannot lead someone effectively if you don’t have their permission to be led, and you will not get their permission if they don’t feel welcome. From your attitude to your environment, hospitality can make all the difference in how you influence others.

2. Engagement is Essential in Leadership 
Moral leadership is about engaging and influencing someone’s will. It will be easier to mobilize your team around your mission when they feel heard, understood, and invested in as individuals and as a valued contributor.

3. Inclusion Multiplies Influence
Growth happens when we are stretched. One way to be stretched is to surround yourself with people and ideas different from what you’re used to. Celebrate inclusion and diversity.

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!

096: Scott Harrison of charity: water Finds Purpose, Success Through His Non-Profit

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find purpose
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
096: Scott Harrison of charity: water Finds Purpose, Success Through His Non-Profit
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Summary:

In the world of charities, nonprofit organizations, and startups, there are plenty of success stories of someone’s “crazy” idea reaching meteoric success. But some rise to the top and find success according to the world’s standard is quite meaningless. This is the story of Scott Harrison, the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization that brings clean drinking water to developing countries.

Once a successful nightclub promoter, Scott found success driven by financial standards left him feeling unfulfilled, so he set out on a personal mission to find purpose. In today’s episode, he joins hosts, Jeff Henderson and Kevin Jennings, to talk about his transformational experience and how solid, communicated values drive any mission.

Welcome to episode 96 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

charity: water

charity: water spring subscription

Thirst

Three Takeaways:

1. Have a vision for your culture.
Be really clear on the culture you want to create. Then, carefully craft a team of people you not only want to work with, but whom you trust. These people will be on the front lines of your mission and you want to make sure they actually want to be there.

2. Be transparent about your values.
First, document your values immediately. Then, make sure you clearly communicate those values to your employees and potential new hires — this will make all the difference in your team’s investment in your mission.

3. Replicate what you admire.
Scott Harrison shared in today’s podcast how he looked to subscription-based business models such as Netflix, HBO, and Dropbox to model charity:water’s business model after. If you’re looking to make some changes to your business, you don’t always have to look to your competitor for ideas — fresh perspectives can be found anywhere you look.

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!

095: How To Be A Life-Giving Leader — An Interview with Tyler Reagin of Catalyst

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
095: How To Be A Life-Giving Leader — An Interview with Tyler Reagin of Catalyst
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Summary:

According to a Gallup study, only 51 percent of employees say they’re engaged at work. Another 16 percent are considered “actively disengaged,” they’re unhappy, they complain about their work circumstances, and are overall disinterested in the company they work for and the work they do. In a Randstad study, only 53 percent of workers believe their boss values their opinion, and only 35 percent of workers feel inspired by their boss.

As leaders, we often see how much improvement is needed on our teams, but we often don’t look within ourselves for the changes we need to make. In today’s episode, Tyler Reagin, president of leadership conference, Catalyst, shares how leaders and launchers can avoid being a part of the majority of lackluster leaders and transform into leaders who serve their people well.  

Welcome to episode 95 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Tyler Reagin

Catalyst Leader

The Life-Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self

John Maxwell

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t

Taylor Guitars

028: Brad Lomenick on Launching Catalyst, Scaling Success and Being the Right Kind of Leader

Three Takeaways:

1. Take care of your people. Good leaders love well those they lead. When you don’t care for those you lead, turnover rates are higher, thus decreasing productivity and tainting the overall mission. Spend time getting to know those on your team and nurture a culture that will be hard to leave.

2. Be comfortable in who you are. So many people spend their lives feeling a tension between who they want to be and who they are right now. If you want to be an effective leader and overall happier person, you need to operate from your truest self.

3. Have confidence in your calling. Whether you’re launching a book or a new idea, remember your passion and why you’re doing what you’re doing. Outline your boundaries and stick to them, remaining true to your mission the entire time. The result will be an authentic launch you can be proud of.

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!

093: The X-Factor In Your Professional Development

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
093: The X-Factor In Your Professional Development
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Summary:

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur, you’ve likely placed a lot of emphasis on the hard skills — those concrete, measurable skills — to get your business or team on the path they’re on today. But as automation continues to be a personal favorite from an efficiency standpoint, neglecting the soft skills — the ones that make you human — can have a negative impact on your personal brand and ultimately, your business. In today’s episode, mentors Jeff Henderson, Shane Benson, and David Farmer discuss how to balance the two essential skills with practical tips you can start doing today.

Welcome to episode 93 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Danny Meyer

Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People

Simon Sinek’s TED Talks

The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter

Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business

Three Takeaways:

1. Don’t neglect the personal touches. Yes, technology is faster and more efficient, but it’s more meaningful when you take time to send a handwritten letter or some other personalized gesture. These personalized actions say a lot more about your personal brand than you may realize.

2. Be sure to balance both soft skills and hard skills. The leader who can effectively manage both hard skills (these are the skills that are learned) and soft skills (intangible, interpersonal skills) will be the one who has a stronger team and lasting legacy. People crave human interaction, and too much automation can be a downfall to your business if it’s not paired with solid interpersonal skills.

3. Remember the 10 Foot Rule. Here’s something small you can do every day to leave a lasting impact on those you come in contact with: If a person is within 10 feet of you, acknowledge them with eye contact, a smile, and even a handshake. It may seem small, but these gestures mean a lot to people and often go undone.

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!

092: 5 Ways to Overcome Your Blind Spots as a Leader

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
092: 5 Ways to Overcome Your Blind Spots as a Leader
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Summary:

Leadership doesn’t come without its share of missteps, that’s for sure. But approached the correct way, those mistakes you make — whether as a business owner or someone who works inside an organization — can lead to opportunities for growth. Today, mentors Jeff Henderson, Shane Benson, and David Farmer share what they’ve learned about leadership through years of setbacks, triumphs, and having the right people around them who offered candid feedback. In this episode, you’ll learn five ways to overcome the common roadblocks that might be a barrier to successful leadership.

Welcome to episode 92 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Personal Brand Assessment

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

Dr. Henry Cloud

Five Takeaways:

1. Embrace self awareness. It’s impossible to keep up a constantly fast pace. If you try, you’re well on your way to burnout. Take some time to pause and reflect about where you are and where you’re headed. Whether you journal or take personal assessments, your growth depends on your ability to rest and reflect.

2. Seek feedback immediately. A lack of feedback on your performance is a breeding ground for blind spots in your leadership. Sure, some feedback will feel critical and tough to hear, but the only way you can improve your work and relationships is when you stop and listen to what others have to say about them.

3. Acknowledge your struggles. No one is perfect and no rational person expects you to be. Find some people you can be honest with about the challenges you’re experiencing. If you don’t acknowledge your struggles, your self awareness will most definitely take a hit.

4. Invite accountability. It’s one thing to ask for advice, but it’s a totally different thing when you trust the advice you’ve been given and act on it appropriately. Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth and who want to see you succeed no matter how tough the feedback.

5. Don’t hide behind your brand. Transparency builds trust. When you show people who you really are and what values you stand by, your product or business will reap the benefits.

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!

091: Creating the Culture You Want

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The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
091: Creating the Culture You Want
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Summary:

Sixteen years ago, Chris Carneal saw a need — elementary schools were spending valuable time fundraising to support their schools when they should’ve been spending that time focusing on their students. What started as an idea during his junior year of college blossomed into a business, called Booster, that’s now on track to provide $60 million in fundraising for schools nationwide.

But he didn’t get there alone. He credits a healthy mix of innovation, flexibility, and the right culture to his company’s success. He joins Booster’s Executive Vice President of Business Development, Matthew Keller, and podcast host, Shane Benson, on today’s episode.

Welcome to episode 91 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

The Launch Loop ebook

Boosterthon | Booster Spirit Wear | Giving Market

Three Takeaways:

1. Culture matters
Create a culture you enjoy working in. If you don’t take care in cultivating the right team, you’ll have a bunch of people around you who aren’t too sold on the mission, which will eventually get noticed by your consumers. You can start creating a culture you love by genuinely caring about the people you work with and celebrating them often.

2. Know when it’s time to delegate
Delegation requires the right timing — there’s such a thing as delegating too early and delegating too late. When someone on your team is 75 percent competent in the task that needs delegating, Chris says, send it their way. Your business won’t grow if you don’t have a team that’s capable to do the work, so make sure you’re surrounded by the right people. 

3. Ask yourself, “Will they buy it?”
Sometimes, startups have the bad habit of latching onto an idea before researching whether or not there’s a need for it in the marketplace. Before launching, ask yourself if there’s a need for this product or service, and if there is, move forward.

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!