Building Great Leaders

What does leadership mean? How can I lead within my role? What are the lessons APi Group leaders have learned throughout their careers? The Building Great Leaders podcast aims to answer these questions and more! Leaders will share their personal stories, the mindsets that helped them excel, and the behaviors they use to positively influence others. We hope to inspire listeners to be better leaders at work, in their communities, and in their homes.

Episode 117: A Conversation on Career Risks, Personal Growth, and the Power of Self-Reflection

In this episode, Sarah O'Donnell, Director of Recurring Revenue at Davis-Ulmer, discusses the importance of curiosity, building relationships to overcome imposter syndrome, and the power of self-reflection. She also explores the value of good feedback as a gift for both the giver and the receiver, and the immense benefits of taking calculated risks in your career.  

09-30
42:55

Episode 116: Don't Close the Door on Yourself

In this episode, Steve Arsenault, Chief Information Officer of APi Group, shares his unconventional career journey and how it shaped his unique perspective on leadership and technology. He reveals how change-ready mindset is the most crucial skill to have in today's fast-paced corporate world, the importance of leveraging data, and the way we can foster innovation from the ground up in order to navigate the challenges of a modernizing business.  

09-03
35:27

Episode 115: Lessons in Grit and Growth

In this episode, Pam Presthus, Vice President and CFO at LeJeune Steel Company, shares what it means to embody grit, embrace change and consistently challenge the status quo in business.   

08-05
41:11

Episode 114: Leaders Develop Leaders: The Core of Our Success

In this episode, Russ Becker, CEO at APi Group, returns to share what has happened since he last appeared on the podcast. He discusses the importance of being willing to change and adapt, how leaders need to be focused on developing other leaders within the organization, and so much more.  The APi Care Factor is designed to support all APi team members and their children and legal dependents during unexpected challenges related to mental health or substance abuse.If you have a family member that needs help, resources are available and you can learn more now at https://www.thecarefactor.com/.   

07-15
39:51

Episode 113: Why Storytelling is a Powerful Leadership Skill

In this episode, Bob Randall, VP Learning and Development with APi Group, shares his own vulnerable story and reveals how storytelling can differentiate leaders, while helping to motivate and inspire those around them.   

06-24
33:34

Episode 112: Why Principles Matter

In this episode, David Jackola, the newly-appointed Chief Financial Officer of APi Group, discusses his leadership journey from growing up on the Iron Range in MN, to leading teams in Europe, to becoming the CFO of a global organization.  He shares what he's learned about the importance of reflection, asking questions, listening, developing relationships, and why principles matters.   

06-03
29:15

Episode 111: Evolving as a Leader

In this episode, Angie Langlie, Vice President of Operations for APi Garage Door, shares about her personal journey, embracing vulnerability as a leader, and how leaders can build trust and connection by using the "G.I.F.T" philosophy.   

05-13
42:05

Episode 110: Trust Yourself and Lean Into the Uncomfortable

In this episode, Dan Fowler, Vice President of Corporate Services and Special Projects at J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. shares his journey to J. Fletcher Creamer and what he's learned through APi's Accelerated Readiness Program. He explains how being uncomfortable is an opportunity for him to lean in, trust himself, and adopt a coaching mindset.   

04-22
27:04

Episode 109: Driving Progress and Momentum

In this episode, Mike Shibrowski, President of Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection, shares his journey with the company and what he's learned about the progress and momentum, the art of empowering teams, and the impact of personal loss on professional growth.   

04-01
32:41

Episode 108: Leadership Lessons from the Gridiron to the Boardroom

In this episode, Adam Fee, VP of Investor Relations for APi Group, shares how being a collegiate athlete prepared him for his current role and how the culture at APi Group has made such a significant impact on him, as well as company investors.

03-12
21:27

Episode 107: The Art of the Negotiation Process

What makes a negotiation successful? In this episode, Steve Ulmer, Senior Vice-President of Safety Services, shares some of the amazing amount of institutional knowledge he's gained during his many years in the industry, including the key to the negotiation process. He also weighs in on what makes someone a great fit for the many opportunities at APi Group and in the industry as a whole.   

02-18
23:27

Episode 106: Building Trust: How Leaders Can Remove Obstacles & Empower Teams

In this episode, Pat Kes, Superintendent at Viking Sprinkler, shares the lessons he's learned from over 30 years experience in the industry, including how to navigate the challenges of leading large-scale construction projects, the importance of communication and trust on the job site, and how leaders can remove obstacles and barriers so that everyone on the team is put in the best position to succeed.   

01-28
37:09

Episode 105: Converting Obstacles to Opportunities

In our final episode of 2024, Rasheed Harris, Vice President of Global IT Infrastructure for APi Group, shares the most impactful lessons he's learned on his personal and professional journey, including how he's learned to convert obstacles to opportunities.   

12-24
29:49

Episode 104: The Power of Connection and How to Build More of It

In this episode, Laurent Matthys, VP, People Leadership for APi International, shares about his fascinating life and career journey as he reveals the magic that happens when we start connecting with people and truly developing as a team

12-03
29:07

Episode 103: Accountability, Mentorship, and a Leadership Mindset

In this episode, Pat Bougourd. Service Superintendent for Reliance Fire Protection shares the lessons he's learned on his journey about accountability, mentorship and the importance of involving others as he continues to develop a leadership mindset.

11-12
28:18

Episode 102: Adopting a Growth Mindset while Navigating Change

In this episode, Pat deGrood, Mechanical Segment Leader for The Jamar Company discusses the changes he's seen over the years since starting out as an intern with the company, and the difference that approaching change with a growth mindset has made during his career.   

10-22
19:09

Episode 101: You're Where You're Supposed to Be, Every Step of the Way

In this episode, Jenni Cerrito, Inspections Account Manager at International Fire Protection reveals how getting out of her comfort zone has led her to a fulfilling career with APi Group, and the key lessons she has learned along the way that has allowed her to build trust in relationships with clients, and with herself.

10-01
24:21

Episode 100: Celebrating Resilience, Learning, and Co-conspirators

In this episode, Stacy Nealy, Business Architect and the Co-Chair of APi's Network of Women, shares the path she took from a career in teaching music to her  APi Group, how she's now helping to bring stories to life in her current position, and the important role that APi Group's Network of Women is playing in engaging, educating and mentoring women in our organization.

09-10
38:01

Episode 99: How True Leadership Makes All The Difference

In this episode, Mike Landes, President of Classic Industrial Services, shares his journey and how mentorship helped him from a young age, how he's come to see that true leadership makes all the difference, and the ways that he's developed as a leader and allowed him to overcome the challenges he's faced.   

08-20
30:43

Episode 98: AWARE

In this episode, Velma Korbel, VP and Chief DEI/Sustainability Officer for APi Group returns to the podcast to talk about global events and how each one of us can support our fellow team members through potential disruptions.

07-30
20:31

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