Ex-pe-ri-ence.
noun
an event or occurrence that leaves an impression on someone

What kind of experience are you creating for those around you?

How often do we think about this question? It’s so easy to fall into the daily routine of work - every morning we come in, turn on our computers, and start checking tasks off of our to-do lists.

But how often do we step back and think about the experience we’re creating along the way?

“If you don't have great people, you're not going to do great work.” – Mendy Werne

Mendy Werne, CEO of BLASTmedia, shares about her efforts to stay connected with employees and maintain company culture through rapid growth. She and Tim also talk about what makes for a strong leadership team including knowing your roles, holding each other accountable, and a strong level of trust and respect.

“Leadership is about vision and direction. Management is about execution and accountability. A leader should be able to do both.” – Jeff Terrill

Jeff Terrill and host Tim Leman discuss recent trends in healthcare and what Marathon Health is doing to innovate for the industry's future. They dig into what it means to rally a team around a mission and a purpose. Jeff also discusses the difference between leadership and management, as well as what it takes to transform a group of people into a great team.

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.