Designing Leaders

32: Employee 99

The world is full of opportunities, pick a thing and go after it. In this episode Desi is joined by Aaron Whitener, CEO and Founder of ACE Outdoors. Together they discuss Aaron's journey from starting a business at 15 to where he is now with over 100 employees. This episode is packed with helpful tips on drive, initiative, mission and management. You're not going to want to miss it! Show Links Learn more about Desi & his work: Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/ [https://www.maynerleadership.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/] Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders [https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr [https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/ [https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/] Guest Links: Aaron's Email: awhitener@aceoutdoorservices.com [awhitener@aceoutdoorservices.com] Office Email: aceoutdoorservices@gmail.com [aceoutdoorservices@gmail.com] Website https://aceoutdoorservices.com [https://aceoutdoorservices.com] Office number: 810-820-8313

31: Show Them the Ladder

Kristin Howard did not see herself as an outgoing leader... until she realized she had become one. Kristin's self-awareness and grit took her from a W2 job to becoming the Multiple Center Owner of The UPS Stores in Fenton, Monroe, and Ypsilanti. Along the way, she survived a harrowing accident, had twins, and experienced the kind of personal and professional growth we love to celebrate on this podcast. So today, we hear Kristin's story, and dig deep into the why behind this unstoppable leader. Enjoy! Show Links Learn more about Desi & his work: Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/ [https://www.maynerleadership.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/] Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders [https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr [https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/ [https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/] Guest Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-kelley-howard-45113b11/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-kelley-howard-45113b11/] Fenton: https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/fenton/17195-silver-parkway [https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/fenton/17195-silver-parkway] Monroe: https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/monroe/1285-n-telegraph-rd [https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/monroe/1285-n-telegraph-rd]   Ypsilanti: https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/ypsilanti/4007-carpenter-rd [https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/ypsilanti/4007-carpenter-rd]

30: A Mayner Mashup: Successes, Failures, & Lessons Learned

Welcome back! This week, we loosen the format to dive into a discussion with Mayner Leadership's own Jeremy Kline. Jeremy shares his story, his why, and how being a leadership coach has affected his own life, as a professional and as a family man. He and Desi work with business leaders of all stripes and, today, they slow down to share some of the lessons their own journeys have taught them, and how they've overcome obstacles on the way. Show Links Learn more about Desi & his work: Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/ [https://www.maynerleadership.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/] Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders [https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr [https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/ [https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/]

29: The Leadership Drill - 5 Steps to Solve Any Problem

How do leaders get better at solving problems? Practice. Welcome back! This week, we are here with The Leadership Drill: a five-step process to solving any problems you face in business (or outside of it!). In this episode, Desi teaches you the steps of leading with Absolute Accountability and provides an example of the drill so you can see it in action. All this and more in one powerful episode. Thank you for listening. Show Links Learn more about Desi & his work: Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/ [https://www.maynerleadership.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/] Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders [https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr [https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/ [https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/] The Leadership Drill Step 1: Identify the Problem What is the real problem I am trying to solve? How am I part of the problem? Step 2: Run the Leadership Drill 1. Capacity 1. What is the time deadline for this task/project/assignment? 2. How much time do I have? 2. Unite & Support 1. What are the key relationships involved in getting this completed/moved forward? 2. Are we united and supporting each other? 3. Keep it Simple 1. In its simplest form, what is the goal? 2. Is it simple enough to understand & execute? 4. Prioritize & Execute (Rank & Run) 1. Does this have the highest impact on the organization? 2. What assets and resources do I need to put towards this task/project/assignment? 5. Inform, Update & Clarify 1. Does my team know what to do, how we are doing it and why we are doing it? 2. Have I provided regular updates and clarifications on the task/project/assignment? 6. Distribute & Empower 1. Am I able to distribute some decision making down the chain of command? 2. How can I give the team more ownership of this task/project/assignment? 7. Be Humble 1. Check the ego: Is my ego affecting my ability to look at this objectively? 2. Am I imposing my plan on the team?  8. Awareness (Emotional Self) 1. Are my emotions involved and impeding my ability to make good decisions? 2. Have I detached to get a more objective look at the situation? 9. Zoom Out (Perspective) 1. Have I sought out other perspectives? 2. Do I understand this from different angles? 10. Alignment 1. Does this align with the overall mission? Does it support the strategic goal? 2. What can be done to keep the mission moving forward? 11. Leadership Capitol 1. Is this spend or earn my leadership capital? 2. Is it worth it? Step 3: Take Action What is the highest priority action I should take based on this iteration of the drill? Step 4: After Action Debrief & Feedback What feedback am I getting after taking action? What is the feedback telling me? What were the outcomes (successes & failures)? What did I learn? What will I do differently? Step 5: Rinse & Repeat the Drill Prior to each iteration of the drill, ask yourself - Am I stuck in the drill? Has the problem changed?

28: What NOT to Say as a Leader

Are you pointing the finger, or the thumb? Welcome back! This week, Desi is back with 15 things you SHOULD NOT SAY as a leader. As we've discussed, leadership is largely communication, and the words you choose as a leader matter. So, Desi brings you some of his favorite turns of phrase that bosses often lapse into ("That's not my job," "I'm not on the team that failed," etc.) and how we can all better avoid them. Check out our 6 Rules of the Game, 6 Winning Mindsets, and more: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/sites/95139/themes/2151502226/downloads/1065ddd-d787-f72-5c18-0e3dab4d87_ML_Services_Guide_5_.pdf [https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/sites/95139/themes/2151502226/downloads/1065ddd-d787-f72-5c18-0e3dab4d87_ML_Services_Guide_5_.pdf] Today's 15 phrases to avoid: 1. "I sent everyone an email about it." 2. "It is what it is." 3. "They never got back to me." 4. "You can't fix stupid." 5. "Do it because I said so." 6. "I don't have time for this." 7. "That's not my job." 8. "That's impossible." 9. "My co-worker does not pull their weight." 10. "The quality of your work is terrible" 11. "That was a stupid decision." 12. "My co-worker is lazy and failing to finish their work." 13. "They should have figured out what they were going to need." 14. "I'm not on the team that failed." 15. "I don't need to help. Other people will take care of it." Show Links Learn more about Desi & his work: Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/ [https://www.maynerleadership.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/] Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders [https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr [https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/ [https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/]