In our latest episode, look at the vital role of identifying our personal 'why' and its impact on our personal and entrepreneurial choices. We look at discovering the relationship between our hobbies and professions as well as finding balance between our passions and profits. We also consider the value of feedback and introduce you to an innovative method, '25 in 25,' to pinpoint your core purpose. Listen in as we underline the importance of staying aligned with our ‘why’ even in the middle of disruption.Topics We Discuss:1. The connection between hobbies and vocation2. Four dimensions to identify your core purpose3. The crucial role of feedback4. The importance of ‘why,’ especially during times of disruption5. The '25 and 25' exercise to help identify your why6. Real-world examples involving Nike and a home renovation businessFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on soundstripe
In today's podcast, our hosts, Chris and Jason, explore the art of dealing with the unexpected curveballs in business and life. They discuss the importance of staying steadfast and visionary amidst challenges, drawing parallels with their experiences as busy parents during summer. The conversation steers toward the cultural shift caused by COVID and how it has impacted businesses. They share personal anecdotes and valuable lessons gained through trials on their journey as entrepreneurs, emphasizing the necessity to adjust goals and expectations in the face of unexpected situations. This episode is a must-listen for everyone looking to navigate their path in these times, ensuring they are grounded in their sense of 'why,' and leaning into their strengths while overcoming obstacles. Listen in for an empowering discussion on bouncing back, adapting and maintaining momentum in the face of curveballs.Topics Discussed: 1. Navigating busy summer schedules2. Dealing with unexpected curveballs in business3. Impact of COVID on businesses 4. Concept of failing forward 5. Re-evaluating your 'why' in challenging times6. Strategies to effectively deal with curveballs7. Importance of seeking guidance from mentorsFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
In this vital episode of "Know Yourself to Lead Yourself," we dive deep into the power of understanding ourselves for better leadership and business growth. Discover strategies to overcome the curveballs of life, harness your tendencies for positive outcomes, and crack the code for managing stress, procrastination, and risk-taking. In a rapidly evolving world, honing self-awareness equips you to be an effective, compassionate leader who inspires others on their growth journey.Topics discussed:- The power of knowing yourself in leadership and business- Facing life's curveballs - Understanding and managing your tendencies- The impact of procrastination on creativity, quality, and teammates' satisfaction- Self-imposed deadlines, accountability, and focus- The role of environments and past decisions in business risk-taking- Constant evolution, growth, and good leadershipFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Not many of us enjoy leading through change. It's part of the journey as a leader to either respond to change guiding our teams and organization or to anticipate and orchestrate change. Change is one of those true tests of leadership. So where do we start? How to we even begin to process the next steps and anticipate any resistance we might encounter. We jump back into the archives today to episodes 20 and 21 where we talk about the process of change and overcoming resistance. Tune in to find some clarity on navigating the messiness of change.Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Ever wondered what it takes to be a great leader? Today, Chris and Jason finish up the series on 4 types of leaders: Liberating, Protecting, Dominating, and Abdicating leaders. We explore how the Liberating Leader is the most effective one, as they support and challenge their team to achieve success. On the other end of the spectrum, an Abdicating Leader creates disengagement in their team and can lead to high turnover rates. Chris and Jason discuss how effective communication is essential for leadership, and how recognizing natural tendencies in communication can help leaders adjust their approach to suit individual team members. Throughout the episode, they offer tips to become liberating leaders that people want to follow, creating a healthy work environment with shared understanding. Tune in now to enhance your leadership skills!Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Are you a leader who struggles with balancing expectations, deadlines, and relationships? Check out this episode of Leading is Serving, where we dive into the four types of leaders - specifically the Dominating leader. Dominating leaders crush their deadlines and expectations, but can fall short when it comes to building a culture of trust and celebrating achievements. We explore different leadership tendencies, from nurturers and connectors to pioneers and guardians. We discuss how too much of one tendency can create problems but leaders can harness their tendencies in a healthy manner. With insights on effective communication, peer-to-peer mentoring, and becoming a liberating leader, this episode is a must-listen for anyone on a leadership journey. Visit leadingandserving.com for more resources and don't forget to leave us a review!Topics Discussed: - 4 Types of leaders - Dominating leadership - Culture of trust - Celebrating achievements - Leadership tendencies - Communication and productivity - Generational working differences - Effective communication - Liberating leadershipFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Today, we introduce a mini-series on the four types of leaders. The four types are abdicating, liberating, protective, and dominating, with this episode focusing on the protective leader. We discuss how protective leaders are supportive and relational, but may struggle with communicating expectations, deadlines, and challenges. We also mention how important finding the balance between support and challenge is for leaders. The next episode will focus on the dominating leader and how finding the balance is a real-world problem and a lot of weight for leaders. Through our conversation, we touch on the importance of effective communication, setting boundaries, expectations, and deadlines. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership styles and the importance of serving others.Topics Discussed:- Abdicating, liberating, protective, and dominating leadership styles- Characteristics of a protective leader- Importance of balancing encouragement and challenge- Effective communication, setting boundaries, expectations, and deadlines- Insight from parenting into leadership tendenciesFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Today, hosts Chris Wood and Jason Kempf discuss the crucial but challenging transition from working in a business to working on it. They candidly point out the difficulties of embracing this shift and highlight how this journey is often growing slowly rather than just arriving instantly. They delve deeper into important topics such as communication, self-awareness, delegation, and leading oneself before leading others. The hosts also stress the importance of taking baby steps towards personal growth, focusing on the right things, and identifying critical tasks that can foster business growth. If you're a leader determined to succeed in your business, don't miss this insightful episode of Leading and Serving. Topics discussed:- The challenge of transitioning from working in a business to working on a business- Dealing with employee turnover and feeling overwhelmed- The benefits of participating in a mastermind group - Focusing on the right things and making small chunks of progress - Becoming more self-aware and improving communication skills - Developing a common language among team members - Identifying critical tasks for business growth - Letting go of control and delegating tasks - The importance of working hard today for success tomorrowFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
If you're looking for inspiration, motivation, and a fresh perspective on leadership and service, then you don't want to miss this episode. In this podcast, you'll hear from Jeremy Pell, the fire chief of White River Township, as he shares his personal story of finding purpose through a life of service. From his humble beginnings as a volunteer firefighter to his current role as fire chief, Pell has learned valuable lessons about leadership, mentorship, and the power of community. In this episode, Pell offers insightful advice about how to navigate difficult situations, prioritize the needs of others, and build strong relationships. He also shares how his passion for search and rescue dogs has helped him cope with the stresses of his job and find joy in helping others. Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make a positive impact in the world.Topics Discussed:- Jeremy Pell's background and career path in the fire service- The importance of mentorship and seeking guidance- The role of a fire chief in coordinating emergency response and public safety- The benefits of co-locating emergency services with schools- Using specially trained dogs for search and rescue- Leadership and the importance of taking care of others- Showing gratitude and support for emergency respondersFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Hey there leaders! Feeling a little overwhelmed trying to juggle the ins-and-outs of your biz? Ever feel bombarded by advice from gurus, books, and coaches? Chris and Jason got you covered with a discussion on how to navigate it all. Tune in to our latest episode where we talk about our own experiences and explore changing our mindsets in order to build a thriving business.They dive into what it means to be a strategic hustler, lay the groundwork for success, and choose the right people for your team. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and your business won't be either! So give yourself some grace, focus on your strengths, and let others lend a helping hand—your business can prosper without your constant attention.Also check out the peer-to-peer mentoring and mastermind groups as sources of pro-level growth through the Uncommons Network. Go to uncommonsnetwork.com to join a group today!Topics chatted about: Uncommons Network, Juggling work, Escaping the self-employment trap, Building a solid biz, Mastering the strategic hustle, Growth journey, Finding the dream team, Real-talk about success, Advice overload, Coaches/books/mentors, Turning accidental busyness into intentional growth, Playing to your strengths, Embracing the next best move, Unlocking the power of peer mentoring, Mastermind group magic,Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Feeling stuck in your career and not sure where to go from here? Then this episode of the Leading is Serving Podcast is perfect for you! Join Jason and Chris as they chat with Dave Maurer, a successful businessman who's discovered his true passion. Dave shares his story of moving to Indianapolis, going to college, and how following his passion and faith over the years has led him through aviation, insurance, Franklin College, and the local Chamber of Commerce. In this episode, he talks about the three stages of a career, why investing in yourself is super important, and how to leave a lasting legacy.Dave's now working for Aspire, a great resource for business owners, entrepreneurs, and folks wanting to connect with their community in Johnson County. Listen in as he gets real about his passion for helping others and his dreams for the growth on the south-side of Indianapolis. We bet you'll leave feeling inspired and ready to make the most of every opportunity and invest in yourself.Here's what we're chattin' about:- Switching up careers and making the most of opportunities- The three stages of a career journey- Why it's crucial to invest in yourself- How to leave a legacy that counts- What Aspire's all about and the awesome services they offer- Connecting with your community and making real changeFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Welcome to this week's episode of Leading As Serving. In today's conversation, Jason & Chris centered on a popular phrase that's often tossed around as a mantra for success: 'Fake it till you make it'. While we've used the phrase before, we realize that it could be misapplied and potentially harmful in some situations. The conversation is centered on the advice that sounds good on the surface but may not be appropriate in reality.Don't miss critical aspects such as the strong code of ethics, knowing your limitations and boundaries, building step-by-step, being methodical, and cultivating authenticity, transparency, and integrity in relationships.Sign up for an Uncommons Network Group here! uncommonsentwork.comFind out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Today on the Leading is Serving podcast, you'll hear from Aimee Kandrac, the CEO of What Friends Do, a business that she started in 2007/08 to help a loved one with brain cancer. Aimee takes you on her journey of building her company, providing caregiving services outside of hospital walls, integrating Amazon wishlists, and expanding globally. Learn about the ups and downs of starting a business and hurdling through obtaining venture funding. Aimee also talks about her latest project, the Kitchen Chats podcast that aimed to show people that there's no shame in asking for help. Don't miss this episode filled with business insights, caregiving services, and tips for forming connections with others.Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Today, Cris and Jason talked through the hard to embrace aspect of word-of-mouth marketing. How do we affect the results there? We can’t control what others say about our brand, but we sure can influence it through our teams. Tune in to find out more about how we can build our teams and coach them toward greater word of mouth results.Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Jason and Chris talk with Melahni Ake who is a fellow podcaster, leadership coach, and motivational speaker. She shares her journey to follow her calling, and the role her faith played in guiding her to founding Everyday Leaders. Melahni also discusses the power of showing up for others and encourages people to forget about their own agenda and serve others instead. Join Melahni as she shares her insights and experiences to help people achieve their potential. You can find her at www.everydayleaders.com.Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
We (Jason & Chris) have grown so much over the past couple of years being a part of peer-to-peer mentoring groups. We meet twice a month with like minded professionals and entrepreneurs to discuss the ins, outs, ups, and downs of business leadership. The Uncommons is launching a network of groups this Spring to help you experience the same encouragement and camaraderie in your leadership journey. Go to www.uncommonsnetwork.com to sign up today! Memberships start at an introductory price of $50/month. You'll receive resources for growth, connection with others in the trenches, and the opportunity to draw out the best in one another. Let's link together to fight for the highest good of one another and the community!Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Today, Chris and Jason talk with Erin Smith of Spotlight Strategies and Rock The Block. We talk about her journey from starting her business in her dining room to merging with a good friend, and growing the premier promotional products solution on the south-side of Indianapolis. She’s also the cofounder of one of Greenwood/center grove’s biggest spring events called Rock the Block. Runners from all over come to complete a 5K, while representing and raising funds for nonprofits here in the area. Tune in today to hear the inspiration and drive behind Erin Smith!You can find Erin online through Spotlight Strategies (spotlight-strategies.com) and Rock the Block (rocktheblockrun.com).Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
We’ve asked the question of what is like to be on the other side of you. You know, what’s it like to experience your own leadership? So, we take it a step further and ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the people you serve. What are the core values that you try to emulate through your work and do people actually experience your work in the way you desire? It’s a hard look, but well work the effort to evaluate just where we’re at.Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Today, Chris and Jason reflect on the journey of leadership. We’d like to belive that growth is just a steady motion upward. But the reality is often so much different (and actually like real life). The journey is more like a roller coaster with all kinds of unexpected thrills, fears, twists, and turns. To see our growth, we have to back up and look at the bigger picture where we see our highs getting higher and our lows not being quite as low as before. It’s easy to hate on the lows. But having a sense of gratiutde for all of the journey and the lessons learned along the way is critical to our success as leaders. Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe
Jason & Chris talk about how the disruption of the past few years has really uncovered the true health of our teams. How do we build teams that will be resilient in the face of disruption? Where do we need to start in order to get our teams aligned, executing, and growing their capacity?Find out more on our website: leadingisserving.comLeading is Serving podcast is hosted by: Chris Wood & Jason KempfIf you have any questions, suggested topics, potential interviews, or just want to know more, contact us at on our website!Music is Disarray by Bobo Renthlei on Soundstripe