Tag: Leadership

Leadership Lessons with Coach Matthew Mitchell (Ep. 89)

Leadership Lessons with Coach Matthew Mitchell (Ep. 89)

Leadership isn’t just about giving orders. It’s about inspiring, guiding, and sometimes, learning from everyone around you. 

Are you ready to elevate your leadership game and drive your team to new heights? 

This week on Smart. Money. Simplified, Brent Mekosh welcomes Matthew Mitchell, the winningest coach in the history of the University of Kentucky Women’s Basketball Program. Matthew shares his incredible journey from high school coaching to becoming a top college coach, his principles of leadership, and how he applies these lessons to the corporate world today. 

Episode talking points include: 

  • His transition from high school to college coaching
  • What role did the ‘winning tools’ – honesty, hard work, and discipline – play in the team’s development and success
  • How was a bottom-ranked team transformed into champions through process-driven leadership
  • What challenges arose when transitioning from sports coaching to corporate leadership consulting
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Matthew Mitchell:

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About Our Guest:

Matthew Mitchell is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, speaker, three-time SEC Coach of the Year, and the winningest head coach in the history of the University of Kentucky women’s basketball program. The foundation for his teams’ achievements is the Winning Tools principles – honesty, hard work, and discipline. Through Mitchell’s focus on the fundamentals, he led the program to new heights―seven 25-plus winning seasons and the UK’s first SEC Championship in 30 years. Mitchell now leads the Winning Tools leadership platform, sharing the proven value of these principles with executive teams across the country.

From Seminary to Success: David Yep on Faith, Freedom, and Leading with Purpose (Ep. 86)

From Seminary to Success: David Yep on Faith, Freedom, and Leading with Purpose (Ep. 86)

Are you part of the 70% of business owners who struggle with ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of their company?

This week, Brent Mekosh and David Yap explore David’s transformative journey from almost becoming a Catholic priest to leading as the Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at TRIUNE Health Group.  

Tune in as David shares his 13-year stint in the seminary, his thoughts on true freedom and spirituality, and how these experiences shape his approach to business and life.

Talking points include: 

  • The challenges and revelations of embracing celibacy and spirituality
  • The transition from religious life to thriving in the business world
  • Insights into fostering a strong company culture and effective leadership
  • The role of authentic living in achieving success and fulfillment
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with David Yep:

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About Our Guest:

David Yep earned an associate’s degree in classical humanities in Salamanca, Spain, completing his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and liberal arts from Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy. Living in Europe for 10 years, he became fluent in Spanish, Italian, and German. He completed his education with a Master’s in Business Administration from the Acton School of Business in Austin, Texas. 

His determination to gain outside perspective from the family business and healthcare brought him to leadership roles in both the non-profit and manufacturing sectors, always tasked with and successfully executing company growth strategies. David rejoined TRIUNE with the task of continuing and accelerating their growth trajectory, assuming responsibility for all business development initiatives and the company’s financial success. In 2019, with his parents’ blessing, David led TRIUNE as Vice-President and Chief Revenue Officer.

Rethinking What Leadership Means with Geoff Hudson-Searle and Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch (Ep. 71)

Rethinking What Leadership Means with Geoff Hudson-Searle and Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch (Ep. 71)

What is good leadership? 

Do you have someone in your company whom you admire and believe embodies the qualities of a great leader?

Dive into all things leadership and trust across various sectors, including the military, government, and business areas, with Brent Mekosh, Geoff Hudson-Searle, and Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch. 

Tune in as Oak recounts his observations of self-serving leaders during his military deployment while Geoff reveals the need for integrity and accountability in leadership. 

Brent, Geoff, and Oak discuss:

  • Reasons leadership, accountability, and trust are important in organizations
  • What professions are experiencing a lack of leadership and trust
  • The impact of social media on leadership
  • How does the silent majority hold power, and why there’s a need for unity
  • Steps to create a positive work environment and foster innovation
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Connect with Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Geoff Hudson-Searle is an independent non-executive director across regulation, technology, and internet security, a C-Suite executive on private and listed companies, and a serial business advisor for growth-phase tech companies.

With more than 30 years of experience in international business and management, he is the author of five books and lectures at business forums, conferences, and universities. He has been the focus of TEDx and RT Europe’s business documentaries across various thought leadership topics and his authorisms.

About Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch:

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch is the author of the 2021 release, “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be.”

Based on 40+ years of leadership in the U.S. Army and subsequent civilian positions, Oak highlights principles that will benefit today’s leaders and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

Debt Dilemmas, Pandemic Policies, and the Future of Money with Carol Roth (Ep. 64)

Debt Dilemmas, Pandemic Policies, and the Future of Money with Carol Roth (Ep. 64)

Curious about how the government’s pandemic response impacted small businesses? What are the lasting impacts of the Federal Reserve’s market interventions and mounting debts?

Join Brent Mekosh and his guest Carol Roth, a Recovering Investment Banker as well as an author and media figure, as they dive into the government’s response to the pandemic and how it has affected small businesses.

Carol explores the unequal treatment of small businesses compared to big corporations while also giving some insights into her latest book, “You’ll Own Nothing.” 

Carol discusses:

  • Her background and career experiences
  • The government’s response to the pandemic and the ways it impacted small businesses
  • Potential setbacks the government may face in financing debt and some of the implications for the economy
  • Ways the end of private property affects wealth creation and individual rights
  • What you should know about digital currencies
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Carol Roth:

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About Our Guest:

Carol Roth is the Creator of the Future File® legacy planning system, a national media personality, a billion-dollar dealmaker, a brand spokesperson, an investor, a board member, and a bestselling author.

Her legacy planning product, Future File, helps people organize their wishes and information and then creates a roadmap for their loved ones to follow in the case of incapacitation (dementia, Alzheimer’s, medical issue) and/or death to save grief, money and time in their loved ones’ biggest time of need.

Carol also has experience in every type of on-camera format imaginable, including hosting (Microsoft’s Office Small Business Academy Series) reality competition/judge (Mark Burnett & Intel’s America’s Greatest Makers show) & live multimedia commentary, which includes business, finance, the economy, current events, politics & pop culture.

The Road to Rebuilding Institutional Trust: Lessons from the Frontline with Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones (Ep. 54)

The Road to Rebuilding Institutional Trust: Lessons from the Frontline with Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones (Ep. 54)

With trust declining in existing institutions, what can corporations do better? 

At the end of the day, it’s all about slowing down to speed up.

Would you agree?

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Geoff Hudson-Searle, Douglas Lines, and Karen Jones to talk about the lack of trust in institutions. Join in as they cover the role of politics and the media and ways we can work together as a society to rebuild trust within corporations. 

Brent, Geoff, Douglas, and Karen discuss:

  • Reasons trust has declined in larger institutions
  • Toxic leadership and how it impacts different organizations 
  • The value of embracing long-term strategies, feedback, and new perspectives as a team leader
  • How to incorporate self-awareness, empowerment, and purpose to achieve company success
  • And more! 

Connect with Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Connect with Karen Jones:

Connect with Douglas Lines:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Geoff Hudson-Searle is an independent non-executive director across regulation, technology, and internet security, a C-Suite executive on private and listed companies, and a serial business advisor for growth-phase tech companies.

With more than 30 years of experience in international business and management, he is the author of five books and lectures at business forums, conferences, and universities. He has been the focus of TEDx and RT Europe’s business documentaries across various thought leadership topics and his authorisms.

About Karen Jones:

Using data that indicates where to focus attention, Karen Jones specializes in high-impact development programs for teams and one-to-one coaching that operate at the deep level of attitudes and habits. This work leads to effective management and leadership styles that drive compassionate accountability and progress.

About Douglas Lines:

Douglas Lines is a digital-first leader with a successful track record of growing and transforming businesses as well as innovating and commercializing new digital business models, including successfully launching a global EdTech start-up, amongst others. Douglas has been enabled by building a design thinking school in collaboration with Duke and Stanford Universities, appreciating the application of new technologies and having mastered business model innovation and cultural transformation practices.

Mastery in the Air, Leadership on the Ground: Ron Higgs Takes Flight (Ep. 42)

Mastery in the Air, Leadership on the Ground: Ron Higgs Takes Flight (Ep. 42)

Changing careers after years of hard work can feel like walking away from what you have built. 

But those experiences can help build a foundation for the next phase of your career.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Ron Higgs, the founder and owner of Wolf Management Solutions, about his journey from being in the US Navy (as a naval flight officer, aerospace engineer, and technical program manager) to now being a business consultant. 

Listen in as Ron uncovers the experiences he gained along the way and the strategies he uses to share them with CEOs and business owners.

Ron discusses:

  • Why he joined the Naval Academy
  • How his graduation transformed the next phase of his life
  • The priorities of pilots and how they help maintain focus when experiencing fear or loss of control
  • How he shifted away from flying planes to becoming a leadership and business consultant
  • Valuable lessons he has learned from working in startup environments 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ron Higgs:

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About Our Guest:

Ron Higgs is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served in the US Navy as a Naval Flight Officer, Aerospace Engineer, and Technical Program Manager. There are four primary skills, along with many others, that were forged and refined while he served our country that he now uses to help business owners and CEOs seeking to scale their businesses:

  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability

As a veteran, engineer, business executive, and published author, Ron has more than 25 years of experience in leadership, operations, engineering management, and program management. He has worked in several industries and held leadership positions in startups, small companies, and large corporations.

The Leadership Advantage: Proven Techniques for Creating a Culture of Success with Mark Herbert (Ep. 41)

The Leadership Advantage: Proven Techniques for Creating a Culture of Success with Mark Herbert (Ep. 41)

You are only one part of your business and its growth.

Growth starts from the talent you acquire and your employee’s contributions to building and moving your business forward.

How to encourage growth within the workplace while balancing professional and personal lives inside and outside the office? Do you know?

In this episode, Mark Herbert from New Paradigms, LLC joins Brent Mekosh to talk about tangible leadership skills business leaders can start applying to take their workforce to the next level. Listen in as Mark covers the value of creating a company environment that promotes growth opportunities through effective management and a comprehensive leadership style.

Mark discusses:

  • What’s an executive privilege, and how it impacts employee communication
  • What you should know about the Management by Wandering Around (MBWA) leadership style 
  • The value of boundaries and balance between your employee’s personal and professional lives
  • The importance of maintaining employee happiness and its role in creating a positive work environment
  • His experience in blending cultures after a merger or acquisition without losing profit or talent
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mark Herbert:

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About Our Guest:

Mark F. Herbert has over 30 years of combined corporate management and consulting experience in industries ranging from high technology and financial services to healthcare and ecotourism. His most recent corporate role was as Chief Operating/Relationship Officer for one of Oregon’s largest credit unions.

Mark is a Principal for New Paradigms, LLC, a management consultancy specializing in helping organizations effectively and successfully embrace change and engage their workforces.

Turning Business Owners Into Firefighters of Burnout with Becky Wolfe (Ep. 35)

Turning Business Owners Into Firefighters of Burnout with Becky Wolfe (Ep. 35)

Over 65% of physicians have experienced burnout. The percentage for businesses, leaders, and their teams is likely higher.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Becky Wolfe, the founder of BW Consulting Solutions. Becky unveils the impact of burnout within the workforce while revealing how the pandemic has changed the way we think about mental health and how burnout relates to the current turnover rate in businesses.

Becky discusses:

  • Why she changed careers to focus on mental health
  • Strategies for business leaders to identify burnout and provide support 
  • Reasons mental health has become so important and its impact on business planning
  • Proactive steps to addressing burnout and stopping it from growing
  • Burnout from a family and work-from-home perspective
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Becky Wolfe:

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About Our Guest:

Becky Wolfe is a Leadership Development Specialist focusing on organizational change, specifically within teams experiencing burnout. She is a certified Coach/Consultant with GiANT Worldwide and has a background in healthcare.

Becky started her career as a Physician Assistant in 2006, initially working in the ER. She then transitioned to Cardiology, where she spent the bulk of her career. Becky started working with a health coaching company in 2020 and started her leadership development company later that year. Becky now is a full-time entrepreneur focusing on helping teams move forward from burnout.

The Mindset Behind Successful Selling with Ian Mills (Ep. 34)

The Mindset Behind Successful Selling with Ian Mills (Ep. 34)

At some point, we are all salespeople constantly looking to prove our ability to reinvent our wheel, depending on our industry. 

So, how to change our mindset to celebrate every win? 

In this episode, Brent Mekosh speaks with Ian Mills, the CEO and Founding Director of Transform Performance International. Ian unveils the psychology behind a successful salesperson, what you should know about influencing versus selling, and strategies to develop a successful mindset. 

Ian discusses:

  • The belief system that separates top performers from the rest
  • Why your starting point doesn’t matter in your development toward success
  • How introspection can increase self-esteem and increase the possibility of success
  • How to build a repertoire of coping mechanisms and techniques to overcome obstacles
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ian Mills:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Ian Mills is the CEO and Founding Director of Transform Performance International, a global advisory firm offering solutions to our client’s business performance challenges. This means helping them achieve more, more quickly, and with more certainty. His clients have included world-renowned brands such as Virgin Media, HP, and American Express. 

Ian has also co-authored three books. ‘100 Big Ideas to Help You Succeed’ is designed to prompt readers to consider what to say, how to act, and challenge what they believe. ‘The Salesperson’s Secret Code’ has analyzed over 1,000 of the world’s top-performing salespeople to identify five core components that combine to form a belief system that distinguishes winners in sales and business. The most recent book is ‘The Leader’s Secret Code’ – based on global research, the findings share the belief systems that set top-performing leaders apart.

The Future of Human Interaction will be Based on Trust with Geoff Hudson-Searle (Ep.26)

The Future of Human Interaction will be Based on Trust with Geoff Hudson-Searle (Ep.26)

Technology has advanced almost to the point of doing our jobs for us. What will happen to human interaction without the human part?

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Geoff Hudson-Searle, Independent Digital Non-Executive Director, C-Suite Executive, Serial Business Advisor for Growth-Phase Tech Companies, and best-selling author. Together, they unpack the value of using technology to connect and not separate while detailing technology’s impact on human interaction and communication from a personal and professional perspective. 

Geoff discusses:

  • How technology impacts trust within the workplace
  • Ways the pandemic advanced the use of technology
  • Why going fully digital isn’t a great idea
  • What does Gen Z look for in a business after growing up with technology
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Geoff Hudson-Searle:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Geoff Hudson-Searle is an independent non-executive director across regulation, technology, and internet security, a C-Suite executive on private and listed companies, and a serial business advisor for growth-phase tech companies.

With more than 30 years of experience in international business and management, he is the author of five books and lectures at business forums, conferences, and universities. He has been the focus of TEDx and RT Europe’s business documentaries across various thought leadership topics and his authorisms.

Geoff is a member and fellow of the Institute of Directors, an associate of The International Business Institute of Management,  a co-founder and board member of the Neustar International Security Council (NISC), and a distinguished member of the Advisory Council for The Global Cyber Academy. He holds a master’s degree in business administration.