S.3 Ep. 14: Leading Leaders: The Hard Choices That Define Growth

S.3 Ep. 15: Trust At A Distance, Leading in Remote Work

In this episode of Build Your Culture Brand, Jay Raines sits down with Dr. Peggy Kendall to unpack what it really takes to lead and build trust in virtual and hybrid environments. Peggy shares why remote work cannot be managed like the office, missing nonverbals and fewer informal touch points change how people connect, give feedback, and feel known, and leaders have to recreate those interactions on purpose.  The conversation hits practical ground fast, weekly quick connects with predictable questions, intentional office hours, structured icebreakers that are not awkward, and simple tech habits that reduce Zoom fatigue and Slack overload. Jay and Peggy also dig into proximity bias, why remote contributors get overlooked for visible work and promotions, and how mentors, clear outcomes, and role modeled boundaries protect both teams and leaders from burnout.  If you are leading from a distance, this playbook will help you humanize the work, make trust measurable, and leave meetings with more energy, not less. For more information about brand creation and culture, visit http://www.buildyourculturebrand.comwww.buildyourculturebrand.com [http://www.buildyourculturebrand.com]  Connect with Dr. Peggy Kendall at https://www.peggykendall.com [https://www.peggykendall.com] or at peggy@peggykendall.com Host: Dr. Jay Raines Guests: Dr. Peggy Kendall, Author and Keynote Speaker Time stamps: (00:00 - 01:04) Welcome, trust basics (01:05 - 03:14) Tech shifts communication (03:15 - 05:29) Missing remote signals (05:30 - 07:03) Name relational needs (07:04 - 09:03) Recreate hallway moments (09:04 - 12:07) Shared responsibility basics (12:08 - 16:25) Zoom fatigue explained (16:26 - 18:13) Calendar and Slack (18:14 - 21:52) Span of control (21:53 - 24:12) Prevent leader burnout (24:13 - 27:31) Boundaries that stick (27:32 - 31:18) Proximity bias fixes (31:19 - 34:37) Onboarding for culture

S.3 Ep. 14: Leading Leaders: The Hard Choices That Define Growth

In this episode of Build Your Culture Brand, host Jay Raines sits down once again with Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator Jon Morris for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, growth, and the lessons that come from leading leaders. Jon opens up about one of the most pivotal moments in his career: the opportunity to operate multiple locations, and the difficult decision to turn it down. Through that choice, he reveals what truly drives him: staying deeply connected to his team, his community, and the culture he’s built. Together, Jay and Jon unpack what it really means to grow as a leader, both personally and professionally. They dive into the mindset shift behind the phrase “Have, Do, Be” and how reordering it can transform how we approach leadership, success, and fulfillment. Whether you’re leading a team or just starting your leadership journey, this episode reminds us that the foundation of great culture - and great business - starts with who you choose to be. For more information about brand creation and culture, visit http://www.buildyourculturebrand.comwww.buildyourculturebrand.com [http://www.buildyourculturebrand.com]  Connect with Jon Morris on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-morris-82b898211/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-morris-82b898211/] Host: Dr. Jay Raines Guests: Jon Morris (Chick-Fil-A Operator)  Time stamps: (00:00 - 01:07) Introduction (01:08 - 03:26) Operators Leading Themselves (03:27 - 07:52) Leadership Development (07:53 - 09:44) The Library Method (09:45 - 12:44) Character to Content (12:45 - 16:05) If it is to be, it’s up to me (16:06 - 17:34) Be, Have, Do (17:35 - 24:08) Going Mutli; Maybe (24:09 - 28:00) The Gaps (28:01 - 30:42) Operator Encouragement  (30:43 - 32:43) The Power of Purpose (32:44 - 34:14) The Next Steps of Advice (34:15 - 35:03) Closing

S.3 Ep. 13: Every Level Ownership: How a Retired Fire Chief Found His Calling with Chick-Fil-A

Build Your Culture Brand returns with a powerful episode featuring Larry Everett, retired Fire Battalion Chief turned Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Reston, Virginia. Dr. Jay Raines sits down with Larry for an unforgettable conversation about leadership forged in crisis, the transition from public service to business ownership, and the art of developing people through everyday moments. Larry opens up about his firsthand experience during 9/11, fighting fires inside the Pentagon's third floor, and how those life-and-death decisions shaped his leadership philosophy. From the "slide carousel" method of developing leaders through simple scenarios, to his belief that "if you shut down their voice, you've lost their eyes," Larry shares practical wisdom gained from 35 years in the fire service and nearly a decade running one of the top-performing Chick-fil-A locations in the chain. This episode explores the reality of leading through hard times, the importance of being present in your team's lives beyond work, and how Larry has created what he calls "one of the greatest youth ministries" he could want - mentoring young employees while serving his community. Whether you're leading a team of four into a burning building or managing 65 employees in a fast-paced restaurant, this conversation offers timeless insights on courage, humility, and the transformative power of investing in others during both their toughest and brightest moments. For more information about brand creation and culture, visit www.buildyourculturebrand.com Connect with Larry on Linkedin: Larry Everett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-everett-15a962ba/ Host: Dr. Jay Raines Guests: Larry Everett, Owner/Operator Chick-fil-A North Point Village, Reston, VA Time stamps: (00:00 - 1:47) Intro (1:48 - 9:29) Larry’s experience as a firefighter during 9/11 (9:30 - 11:32) Protective gear and injuries sustained (11:33 - 15:22) Lessons learned to help him become a better leader (15:23 - 17:11) Pausing at decision points (17:12 - 19:48) Resetting the mindset (19:49 - 22:41) Understanding good leadership (22:42 - 24:32) A “good job” vs a “great calling” (24:33 - 27:46) Helping employees with their life, as well as their job (27:47 - 30:44) Working with Larry’s local emergency services (30:45 - 34:11) Larry’s special dinner (34:12 - 40:36) Working with employees to help them grow (40:37 - 44:49) What to do if your team brings bad ideas to the table (44:50 - 46:23) Every level ownership (46:24 - 48:08) Larry’s advice (48:09 - 48:48) Outro #BuildYourCultureBrand, #LeadershipPodcast, #LarryEverett, #ChickFilAOperator, #FireBattalionChief, #911Pentagon, #FirstResponder, #LeadershipDevelopment, #TeamBuilding, #CultureBuilding, #ServantLeadership, #LeadershipLessons, #CrisisLeadership, #FirefighterLeadership, #RestaurantLeadership, #EmployeeDevelopment, #TeamRetention, #WorkplaceLeadership, #LeadershipMindset, #LeadershipWisdom, #BusinessLeadership, #PurposeDrivenLeadership, #AuthenticLeadership, #LeadershipStories, #LeadershipTransition, #MentoringLeaders, #YouthDevelopment, #CommunityLeadership, #DrJayRaines, #LeadershipCoaching, #SlideCarouselMethod, #EveryLevelOwnership, #LeadershipImpact

S.3 Ep. 12: Growing U&I: The Power of Mentorship and Mission

Build Your Culture Brand is back, this time with our very first international episode! Dr. Jay Raines welcomes Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti, Co-Founders of U&I, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about the realities of co-founding an organization, leading with friendship, and creating long-term impact in communities across India. Ajit and Satish are not only co-leaders but longtime friends who have built a movement centered on education, mentorship, and dignity. Through U&I, they’re working to expand opportunity and break generational barriers in India, starting with English language education, cultivating passion in young learners, and helping students imagine futures they never thought possible. From powerful success stories of kids who’ve gone on to earn multiple degrees, to the quiet, consistent work of community-building, this episode is full of insight, reflection, and encouragement. Together, they open up about how they met, how U&I came to life, the wins and setbacks along the way, and what’s still to come. If you care about purpose-driven leadership, storytelling, and the transformative power of relationships, you won’t want to miss this conversation. For more information about brand creation and culture, visit www.buildyourculturebrand.com [http://www.buildyourculturebrand.com]  Connect with Ajit and Satish on Linkedin: Ajit Sivaram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajit4949/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajit4949/] Satish Manchikanti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-manchikanti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-manchikanti/]  Check out Ajit and Satish’s Podcast “Two Founders Walk Into” wherever you get your podcasts! Host: Dr. Jay Raines Guests: Ajit Sivaram (Co-Founder of U&I), Satish Manchikanti (Co-Founder of U&I) Time stamps: (00:00 - 00:43) Introduction (00:44 - 02:19) Episode Overview (02:20 - 05:44) Ken Blanchard (05:45 - 12:32) How Ajit & Satish Started (12:33 - 14:17) U&I’s Mission (14:18 - 15:57) The Obstacles (15:58 - 19:29) The Vision (19:30 - 23:14) Mona (23:15 - 27:12) Deepon (27:13 - 35:16) Leadership Learning (35:17 - 40:18) The Three Values (40:19 - 46:14) Co-Leadership (46:15 - 50:10) Communicating Unity (50:11 - 52:00) Compounding Trust (52:01 - 53:38) Crystalizing Culture (53:39 - 56:01) Closing

S.3 Ep. 11: Available Leadership: What Happens When Owners Show Up

Welcome back to Build Your Culture Brand! In today’s episode, Dr. Jay Raines is joined by Eddie Brown, Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A Rialto, California, for a candid conversation on what it takes to lead through a major transition. Eddie shares his journey into ownership and the unique challenges of merging two leadership teams into one cohesive culture. From creating buy-in to implementing fast changes, he opens up about the decisions that shaped the store’s direction—and what he might have done differently. Eddie also unpacks the practical strategies he used to reset store culture, drive accountability through leader involvement, and empower team members by living out shared values. Whether you’re an aspiring operator or a business leader navigating change, this episode is full of tactical insight on how to build trust, lead with visibility, and fuel momentum from the inside out. For more information about brand creation and culture, visit http://www.buildyourculturebrand.comwww.buildyourculturebrand.com [http://www.buildyourculturebrand.com]  Connect with Eddie on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-brown-6a75732b9/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-brown-6a75732b9/] Guest: Eddie Brown (Owner/Operator, Chick-fil-A Rialto, California) Time stamps: (00:00 - 01:12) Intro (01:13 - 05:22) Eddie’s Journey with Chick-fil-A (05:23 - 09:03) Merging Two Leadership Teams Together (09:04 - 11:57) If Things Could Have Been Done Differently (11:58 - 14:06) Making Changes Fast (14:07 - 22:04) Instilling Buy-In in the Team (22:05 - 29:56) Strategies for Revamping Store Culture (29:57 - 32:19) Stepping on the Gas (32:20 - 35:36) Leader Involvement with Metrics (35:37 - 37:51) Impact of Values on the Restaurant (37:52 - 43:40) Investing in Leaders (43:41 - 45:39) Closing