Timeout With Leaders

Join Timeout with Leaders, with Kevyn and Tyler as they delve into an inspiring conversation with Sam Leone, President at Conifer Realty. In this episode, Sam shares insights from his rural upbringing in NJ to his leadership philosophy today. Discover how Sam's emphasis on authenticity, trust, compassion, and listening fosters meaningful connections and drives success in business and LIFE. Learn about the power of grit, self-awareness, and embracing failure as essential components of leadership in today's world. Tune in for valuable lessons from Sam on fostering teamwork, navigating adversity, and striving for continuous improvement.

Timeout with Leaders kicks off Season 3 with a BANG sitting down with Chelsea Conway, CEO at Conway Beam Truck Group in Rochester.  We talk about leadership and racewalking in the Olympic trials. In case you were wondering Chelsea has a 7:14 average mile time but this wasn't her biggest challenge. Chelsea stepped in as CEO of the family-owned business which started in 1951, but she was the daughter of the owner and a woman in a male-dominated industry.  What stood out most was her humility to ask questions and surround herself with great people willing to give her honest feedback. Reminding us as leaders today that we cannot let out fear stand in the way of our progress.  We must understand that what drives others may be different than what motivates you, but is it not WRONG. 

TIMEOUT with Job Creator John Love, President and Owner of Bob Johnson which is made up of 23 dealerships with over 1,400 employees today, or as John puts it 1,400 home payments, 1,400 car payments and 1,400 families. John Love would be the first to tell you his life has certainly been a journey one that most would never write a book about, but John did titled "You Failed Me." He learned through the pain you can find purpose, his being the creation of jobs while lifting others up but despite all his success he stays grounded. As he puts it "I survived my success" not falling out of touch with the reality of the real world most people have to live with daily.  John shared he learns most about his company, their culture, and what they could be doing better by talking directly to the front line staff himself, albeit making managers uncomfortable. He is so in touch with his team that he topped off his employee's gas tanks to reduce their financial stress. Leaning from loss John shared that LIFE IS SHORT, so make the most of TODAY, because today is a gift. Ask yourself what you ARE going to do with it.   "Control what you can control but what you can't pray hard."

Take a TIMEOUT with Bob Bailey, the Chief Everyone Office (CEO) and Founder of the Truth Collective and throw on a little Rock n Roll.  How do you become the best version of yourself as a person but also as a business AFTER the global pandemic? Focus on people and team preservation, giving free ideas and free advice to help as many people as you can while keeping the band together. In a world where change is happening faster than before, Bob has found 30-day business plans to be effective. He mentioned that we need to get more granular with our goals in business and leadership to make success more obtainable.  Bob's advice is to flip the hierarchy pyramid on its head, become the Chief Listening Officer, get 100% comfortable with who you are so you can be vulnerable with your people and be OK with telling the truth!     

One word "Transparent" which would describe this interview with Kevin Schulte, CEO for Greenspark Energy focus on bringing economical and sustainable ways to push us away from the use of fossil fuels. The one thing that you will hear is that Kevin Schulte never wanted to be a different person at home, at the office and even out with friends, because that is acting. He has found it to be most effective in leadership to be the SAME person who is open, honest and transparent. Kevin is an employee-first leader who understands the importance of his people while also understanding there is no purpose without profits. Requiring him and his team to make some tough decisions in 2018, (Greensparks D-Day) which oddly had them properly prepared to take on the COVID pandemic through transparency, grit, grace and some great communication across all teams. Let's work to build those social, individualized relationships with our people, get personal and build the social fabric that will ready your team for the next adversity they will face.

For episode 11 we play a little 2 v 2 on Timeout with Leaders. We got to talk with Kim Allen, CEO and Jessica Savage, President of Dixon Schwabl Advertising! They are most commonly confused for "Thelma and Louise" , this dynamic duo not only finishes each other's sentences but they also lead one of the most well known companies in Rochester. They discuss how they clear the path for their people to succeed, "we will lead you through the fire to make sure it is safe," but it is so much more than work sometimes you just gotta turn up some 80's hits or grab the microphone to have fun. Holding each other accountable by leading their company’s core purpose to "provoke progress.”

Uncover the journey of Richard Hernandez, a technology performance and benchmarking manager at Chevron Phillips. Trace his inspiring path, fueled by a deep commitment to connection, mentorship, and community. Discover powerful insights on the importance of building authentic relationships in a global work culture and the transformative power of storytelling. Learn the essential lessons of leadership gained from a career of learning, evolving, and giving back. Hernandez shares a blueprint for success built on the pillars of curiosity, the value of feedback, and the courage to transform failures into opportunities. This episode is essential listening for anyone ready to embrace lifelong learning, find their leadership voice, and build a career that truly makes a difference.

From farm to future: Gary Dunbar's journey of overcoming adversity and leading a massive team at NG North America. Trace his inspiring path from humble beginnings to a leadership role, fueled by resilience, curiosity, and the power of strategic questions. Gain powerful insights on the importance of personal growth, adapting to change, and building a team culture that thrives. Learn the importance of curiosity, asking the right questions, and transforming challenges into opportunities. Essential listening for anyone ready to embrace resilience, find their inner leader, and create a career that's built to last.

From IT to authentic impact: Tiffany Benitez shares her journey of breaking free from societal norms to build a career on her own terms. Trace her path from a successful IT career to discovering her true self and leaving a lasting legacy. Gain powerful insights on embracing authenticity, balancing passion with responsibility, and navigating the challenges women face in tech. Learn the importance of self-discovery, community support, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Essential listening for anyone ready to find their voice, own their worth, and create a career that's true to them.

Midland grit, tech leadership, and a dash of fun: How did Dusti Wofford become Global Head of Digital Strategy and Technology at CBRE? Trace her path from a strict upbringing to mastering a fast-paced, tech-driven world. Gain sharp insights on building resilient teams, leading with empathy and high expectations, and navigating generational shifts. Learn the power of mentorship, community, and balancing work identity with personal life. Essential listening for leaders cultivating growth, collaboration, and a champion's spirit.

New Orleans resilience, Jiu-Jitsu mindset: How did Renard Henry become a top IT leader? Follow his journey through Katrina's aftermath to Toyota Connected, shaped by mentorship and the mat. Gain sharp insights on inspiring teams, leading with presence, and spotting potential. Learn the power of genuine connection, career reflection, and evolving beyond management. Essential listening for leaders cultivating growth, collaboration, and a champion's spirit.

From the Bronx to tech leader: How did Fern Johnson forge her path? Hear her journey, driven by family work ethic and a passion for tech. Get vital lessons on empathetic leadership, two-way mentorship, and adapting in a changing world. Discover the power of diversity, resilience, and building your personal 'board of directors'. A must-listen for aspiring leaders, especially women in tech, navigating growth and connection.

How does a music lover conquer cybersecurity? JJ Widener shares his unexpected path, fueled by learning and mentorship, to a career protecting what matters. Get real insights on leadership, AI's impact, and the daily grind of well-being and presence. Discover the power of your community and rethink what you see. A must-hear for anyone forging their own way.

Micro-episode: John Crighton emphasizes that strong leadership fosters collaboration and healthy debate, not just consensus. He argues that conflict can lead to the best solutions, and that good leaders encourage diverse perspectives. Learn how to navigate disagreements and move forward with informed decisions.

Micro-episode: Team-Driven Decisions. John Crighton shares insights on empowering teams to make decisions, highlighting the importance of process and information. Discover how to shift from individual responsibility to collaborative outcomes.

Micro-episode: John Crighton shares a two-part insight: first, his simple yet powerful catchphrase, "Keep Up," reflecting a fast-paced leadership mindset. Then, a journey to the Prior Mountain Mustangs, illustrating how community action preserves a wild legacy. Discover how staying ahead and leading with dedication, whether on the highway or in the wilderness, defines impactful leadership.

Micro-episode: John Crighton discusses the importance of timely communication, balancing immediate responses with thoughtful engagement. He emphasizes setting clear expectations and acknowledging requests, even when immediate action isn't possible. Learn how to manage response times effectively and communicate urgency, adapting to evolving expectations in today's fast-paced environment.

Micro-episode: John Crighton discusses navigating a new CTO role, emphasizing understanding team needs and prioritizing change. Learn to build trust through measured adjustments, not "draconian changes." He highlights the importance of clear messaging and iterative processes for lasting impact.

Discover the power of everyday leadership. Drew Dudley shares his insights on public speaking, personal growth, and the journey of writing "This Is Day One." This episode explores the role of emotions in communication, navigating personal challenges including addiction recovery and post-COVID adaptation, and the significance of individual moments of impact. Drew discusses self-awareness, decision-making in uncertainty, and the transformative power of forgiveness. Tune in for insights on embracing uncertainty, fostering empathy, and the ongoing work of self-improvement.

Discover the power of inclusive leadership. North Texas Disability Chamber CEO, Dylan M. Rafaty, shares his vision for 2025, focusing on disability inclusion and community building. This episode explores his personal journey of overcoming challenges, the importance of relationship building, and the concept of '100 buckets' to achieve multifaceted goals. Dylan discusses the need for a world that adapts to everyone, the significance of workplace flexibility, and the power of passion in driving success. Tune in for insights on personal growth and creating a more inclusive future.