Leading Through Crisis with Keith Erwood

Leading Through Crisis with Keith Erwood

When disaster strikes, what separates the leaders who rise from the ones who freeze? In this episode of Unpacked with Ron Harvey, crisis management expert Keith Erwood draws on decades on the front lines of emergencies, from his years as a New York City EMT to advising organizations on business continuity and disaster recovery. Keith makes a sharp case that the plan itself is never the real test of leadership under pressure. The decisions a leader makes in the moment are. He and Ron unpack how any organization can build that capability long before a crisis ever arrives, and why waiting for perfect information is often the costliest mistake of all. In this conversation, you will learn: * Why the people who rise in a crisis often are not the ones you would expect * The trait Keith consistently sees in leaders who stay clear and calm under pressure * How crisis leadership can actually be trained through scenarios, tabletop exercises, and muscle memory * A real pandemic-era example showing how one delayed decision triggered a cascade of new problems * Why your business continuity plan is a "toolbox" and your strategies are the tools inside it * What should happen in the first sixty minutes of any crisis, from activating the team to mitigating damage * The role trust, clear communication, and the courage to course-correct play when everything is on the line * A simple habit any team can adopt to stay crisis-ready in just a few minutes a week Whether you lead a large enterprise or a small team, this episode is a practical, no-nonsense guide to making better decisions when time is your biggest enemy and the information in front of you is incomplete. Connect with Ron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldlharvey/] Just Make A Difference: Leading Under Pressure by Ron Harvey [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692879765/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_VQNsAb89ND7KH] > “If you don’t have something to measure your growth, you won’t be self-aware or intentional about your growth.” Learn more about Global Core Strategies [https://gcs.consulting/services.html] . . . . . Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or entity. The information provided in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own professional advisors before implementing any suggestions or recommendations made in this podcast. The speakers and guests are not responsible for any actions taken by listeners based on the information presented in this podcast. The podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or services. The speakers and guests make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this podc...

Ty Givens: Building a Business That Outlasts You

What does it really take to build a business that outlasts you? In this episode of Unpacked with Ron Harvey, host Ron Harvey sits down with Ty Givens, MBA, a customer experience consultant, operator, and founder with 26 years in the CX space. Ty pulls the curtain back on the unglamorous realities of entrepreneurship and the mindset shifts that kept her in the game when quitting felt like the easier option. From getting stiffed by her first non-paying client to building the systems that freed her from being her company's only source of truth, Ty offers honest, practical lessons for entrepreneurs, support leaders, and anyone navigating growth without a roadmap. She and Ron trade hard-won wisdom on resilience, discipline, and why the success stories you see online rarely tell the whole story. In this conversation, you'll learn: * Why launching a website doesn't make the phone ring, and what actually drives client decisions * The mindset shift that turned "I quit" into "quitting is not an option" * How Ty escaped the solopreneur trap by building processes, GPTs, and a team she trusts * Why she hires for integrity and critical thinking above raw skill, and back-channels every reference * How "coopetition" beats competition in a market big enough for everyone * The truth about goal-setting when your real metric is outperforming yourself * Why she productized her services and got selective about the clients she takes on * A first look at Reality Check, her new app built from 24 CX playbooks for support leaders Whether you're on the fence about going out on your own or scaling a team you can finally step away from, this episode delivers the kind of real talk social media never shows. As Ty puts it: you can do difficult things. Connect with Ron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldlharvey/] Just Make A Difference: Leading Under Pressure by Ron Harvey [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692879765/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_VQNsAb89ND7KH] > “If you don’t have something to measure your growth, you won’t be self-aware or intentional about your growth.” Learn more about Global Core Strategies [https://gcs.consulting/services.html] . . . . . Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or entity. The information provided in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own professional advisors before implementing any suggestions or recommendations made in this podcast. The speakers and guests are not responsible for any actions taken by listeners based on the information presented in this podcast. The podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or services. The speakers and guests make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this podc...

Earned Authority: Why New Leaders Are Observed, Not Given Time

We break down why the first 90 days in a new executive role matter more than most leaders expect, and how earned authority is built through visible, consistent behavior. We share practical ways to start strong, win trust fast, and avoid misreading the moment when everyone is watching.  • why getting the right leader hired is only half the battle  • using intentionality to set tone and expectations early  • “be quick but don’t hurry” as a first-90-days mindset  • symbolic acts that signal values, humility, and respect  • examples like walking to meet leaders, removing executive parking, and leading without announcing a title  • the 25-50-25 rule and how to win the middle 50% early  • managing ego by keeping truth-tellers close and staying open to feedback  • why boards face a leadership pipeline gap and what demographics change in recruiting  • what executive search looks for beyond a resume, including executive presence  • why you cannot change culture in 90 days, but you can earn the right to influence it  Share this with someone, let people know we are business owners. Continue to follow us on LinkedIn. And if you know someone that you think would be a great guest for the podcast to share with the audience that we are catering to, please feel free to reach out to us. Connect with Ron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldlharvey/] Just Make A Difference: Leading Under Pressure by Ron Harvey [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692879765/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_VQNsAb89ND7KH] > “If you don’t have something to measure your growth, you won’t be self-aware or intentional about your growth.” Learn more about Global Core Strategies [https://gcs.consulting/services.html] . . . . . Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or entity. The information provided in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own professional advisors before implementing any suggestions or recommendations made in this podcast. The speakers and guests are not responsible for any actions taken by listeners based on the information presented in this podcast. The podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or services. The speakers and guests make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this podc...

Chip Higgins on Servant Leadership, Momentum, and Leading Through Change

We break down why leadership is the real growth engine in business and why results only scale when trust does too. Chip Higgins shares a momentum model for small business owners and the people-first habits that keep culture strong under pressure. • Chip’s path from banking to small business coaching and consulting • Business momentum as mass times velocity and how leaders influence both • The leadership test that comes with bigger scope and culture responsibility • Avoiding manipulation by leading with authenticity and emotional intelligence • Handling poor performance with honesty, dignity, and clear standards • What to do when a leader does not enjoy people • Repairing leadership mistakes through apology, accountability, and composure • Closing the gap between client-facing excellence and internal team care • Incentives and culture design that prevent diva behavior • Moving from peer to supervisor using trust, coaching, and clear reality • Leading through rapid change by studying deeply and evaluating AI wisely Tag someone, share this link, tell them about Unpack with Ron Harvey. Connect with Ron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldlharvey/] Just Make A Difference: Leading Under Pressure by Ron Harvey [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692879765/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_VQNsAb89ND7KH] > “If you don’t have something to measure your growth, you won’t be self-aware or intentional about your growth.” Learn more about Global Core Strategies [https://gcs.consulting/services.html] . . . . . Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or entity. The information provided in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own professional advisors before implementing any suggestions or recommendations made in this podcast. The speakers and guests are not responsible for any actions taken by listeners based on the information presented in this podcast. The podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or services. The speakers and guests make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this podc...

Stephanie Vera on Building Homegrown Impact at BMW Manufacturing

In this episode of Unpacked with Ron Harvey, host Ron Harvey sits down with Stephanie Vera, Supplier Development and Engagement Operational Lead at BMW Manufacturing, to talk about the leadership it takes to build something authentic from the ground up. Stephanie owns the concept, approvals, and execution of the BMW Supplier Exchange, and she pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to bring a 2,500-person event to life while keeping it genuine and homegrown. The conversation moves from Stephanie's start in logistics to leading a team and a flagship community event, and it lands on practical wisdom any business owner or emerging leader can use. In this episode, Ron and Stephanie discuss: * Why leadership starts, runs, and ends with people * How BMW weaves small businesses into a large-scale event so it stays authentic * The economic impact mindset behind BMW's investment in the Greenville-Spartanburg community * The high standards and ethics suppliers must meet to grow with a major manufacturer * How to actually work a conference room without burning out or chasing only the "big" contract * Pro tips for refining your pitch and knowing exactly where you fit before you walk in * Why the road less traveled and an optimistic mindset can become your next big opportunity The BMW Supplier Exchange takes place May 13 at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Registration is open at BMWSupplierExchange.com and closes in mid-April. For buyer pro tips, follow BMW Supplier Network Purchasing Americas on LinkedIn. Connect with Stephanie Vera on LinkedIn. This episode is brought to you by Global Core Strategies and Consulting, a professional leadership firm based in Columbia, South Carolina, where Ron Harvey serves as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Connect with Ron on LinkedIn, and if you know someone who would add value to the audience, reach out about being a guest. Connect with Ron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldlharvey/] Just Make A Difference: Leading Under Pressure by Ron Harvey [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692879765/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_VQNsAb89ND7KH] > “If you don’t have something to measure your growth, you won’t be self-aware or intentional about your growth.” Learn more about Global Core Strategies [https://gcs.consulting/services.html] . . . . . Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or entity. The information provided in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own professional advisors before implementing any suggestions or recommendations made in this podcast. The speakers and guests are not responsible for any actions taken by listeners based on the information presented in this podcast. The podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or services. The speakers and guests make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this podc...