Ready for more of The Edge Podcast? 

We have 3 more episodes to share with you! In these episodes, host Tim Leman continues to talk with leaders about what it’s like to ride the edge and own it. He also digs into what makes for a truly special team.

Tune in as we discuss leading on the edge!

Even if you are not located in the Midwest, you are likely aware of the recent change in the coaching staff for the University of Notre Dame football program. If not, after 11 seasons under the Golden Dome, Brian Kelly left for a new opportunity at LSU. This prompted the Irish to name Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman as the 31st head coach in school history.

Shortly after the news broke, Freeman was repeatedly referred to as a "player's coach” by the media and fans alike.

At his introductory press conference, Coach Freeman addressed this description directly. He stated the following:

“Accountability breeds response-ability.” – Stephen Covey

What is accountability? The dictionary defines it as the state or quality of being accountable. It is the decision to be responsible for your actions and your work within your team and company.

Let’s break this down in real terms...
Accountability means you follow through and do what you say you are going to do. You don’t make excuses or blame others.

As a leader, I lean heavily on Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions Of A Team. He describes how many teams avoid accountability. It creates a ripple effect. They don’t trust each other and as a result won’t discuss matters honestly. They fail to hold each other to a standard of accountability. In this environment, the team’s work becomes unfocused, their energy dissipates, and things fall apart.

“I think good leaders are good simplifiers.” – Larry Weigand

Larry Weigand discusses being the fourth generation of a family business and his role as CEO of the company started by his great grandfather. Together he and host Tim Leman talk about grit, tenacity, and hard work. Larry also explains the importance of simplifying business and doing what you say you're going to do. 

Check out this episode of The Edge Podcast:

“You never want to stifle people trying to make a play because that’s how you get great outcomes.” – Quentin Messer

Quentin Messer is the CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). He discusses with host Tim Leman how the pandemic has brought a greater focus on place and what that means for not only economic development organizations like MEDC, but for all businesses and each of us personally. They talk about the unique perspectives women bring to his leadership team and how he's worked to create trust on a team of forceful personalities, as well the importance of keeping family at the forefront.

Check out this episode of The Edge Podcast:

“Being a CEO made me a better basketball coach and being a girls JV basketball coach made me a better CEO.” – Don Cates

Don Cates and host Tim Leman explore lessons learned from Don's childhood on a farm and his leadership journey in the financial industry. Don talks about how the pandemic has challenged his organization, and all of us, to become adaptable and flexible. The two also discuss how Don coaching women's basketball has translated to professional insights and a philosophy that embraces diversity of thought. Additionally, the conversation includes how being intentional about time, choice, and scheduling encourages productivity.

Check out this episode of The Edge Podcast:

Initiative: taking ownership of your decision-making process, acting without being told, pressing on when things get tough, and taking advantage of opportunities that others pass by.

I was a freshman on my college volleyball team and had been recruited to be either a setter or a defensive specialist. I had always been a setter, and I loved that position. The setter on a volleyball team is often attributed to being the quarterback of the court. We get to make the play calls, decide who gets the ball, be involved in every play, and make changes to the play design as we see fit. I love the strategy involved in being the setter.

“It's interesting that COVID has absolutely changed the landscape for employee benefits in that it's not about cost, it's actually about the employees.” – Dr. Eric Bricker

Together with host Tim Leman, Dr. Eric Bricker talks about his journey, which has included hospital finance, M.D., healthcare navigation, telehealth, and more. They discuss entrepreneurship in the healthcare industry, leadership, and the role of virtual care in a world stricken with the pandemic.

Check out this episode of The Edge Podcast:

We’re excited to introduce a third season of The Edge Podcast!

In this season, host Tim Leman continues to talk with leaders about what it’s like to ride the edge and own it. He also digs into what makes for a truly special team.

Tune in as we discuss leading on the edge!

Flashback Friday: Originally published in 2013, this blog is crowd favorite and one of my personal favorites - lessons from my now 98 year old grandma. Next month she'll celebrate her 99th birthday!

With Grandparent’s Day on Sunday, I want to honor my last living grandparent, ninety year old Dorothy Gerber. Not only is Grandma Dorothy an amazing woman, she also is officially the biggest and most devoted fan of my blog.

She devotedly commented on my first ever stab at blogging. It was entitled “Defining and Living Core Beliefs” from January 30, 2013. Using her original free Juno email handle from the early 1990s, she found her way to my site and then posted this: “Good job Tim. I am proud of you and Gibson.”