Leadership Lessons in Gratitude, Change, and Team Building with Michael Gordy
Turtle on a Fencepost – Show Notes
EP 03 — Michael Gordy: Embracing Change, Learning from Mistakes, and Leading with Purpose
Summary: In this episode of Turtle on a Fencepost, host Richard Kenny sits down with Michael “Gordy” Gordy, entrepreneur, sales leader, and golf enthusiast, to talk about the transformative power of change—both the kind you seek and the kind you didn’t expect.
They explore Gordy’s winding career path—from insurance, to owning a vending machine business, to launching a new regional sales division in pest control—and the lessons he’s learned about failure, resilience, and leading authentically. Along the way, they reflect on mentors who made a difference, pivotal mistakes, building strong teams, faith as an anchor, and why “action beats perfection.” This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating uncertainty or seeking practical leadership wisdom.
Because as Richard Kenny reminds us, if you ever see a turtle on a fencepost, you know it didn’t get there by itself.
🧭 Key Takeaways
* Don’t Fear Change:
* Michael Gordy
* shares how embracing (and sometimes quickly reversing) major life and career changes helped him discover what truly matters—and why “failing fast” is often better than not moving at all.
* The Power of Genuine Leadership: The best leaders care about people, not just results. Motivating teams means understanding each person’s version of success and supporting their growth from a place of care, not self-interest.
* Lessons from Failure & Success: There is value in both critiquing your wins and learning from your losses. Quick, decisive action—plus the humility to own mistakes and pivot—sets great leaders apart.
* Faith, Family & Giving Back: Staying grounded comes from service, community, and a routine rooted in faith—whether it’s reading the Bible every day or giving freely of your time and knowledge.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 — Intro: Meeting Michael “Gordy” Gordy, a journey of nearly a decade in friendship and leadership 03:00 — Big Moves: Leaving and returning to Alpharetta, discovering what “community” really means 10:00 — Leaning into Change: From insurance to vending, logistics, and pest control sales 16:00 — Mistakes as Lessons: Making (and undoing) bad decisions, growth vs. comfort, and learning on the fly 23:00 — Leading Teams: Motivation that matters, the importance of caring, and building buy-in 30:00 — Faith & Foundations: How daily practices, church, and service keep Gordy grounded 32:00 — Most Influential Leaders: Lessons from a college golf coach, mentors, and the ripple effect of giving 36:00 — You’re Never Too Late: Stories of late-in-life pivots, starting before you’re ready, and what comes next 38:00 — Where to Connect & Wrap-up
📚 Resources Mentioned
* Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink — Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6452796-drive]
* Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee) — YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/GaryVaynerchuk], Instagram [https://instagram.com/garyvee]
* Rotary International — rotary.org [https://www.rotary.org/]
* Michael Gordy’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gordy-12934648]
* Michael Gordy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/michaelgordy]
👤 About the Guest
Michael Gordy is a dynamic entrepreneur, sales leader, and former college golfer with a passion for problem-solving, people development, and community service. From insurance and vending to pest control sales, Gordy’s career is a masterclass in embracing change, learning from failure, and building strong teams wherever he goes.
💬 Connect with Richard & the Show
🌐 Website: https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com [https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/]
📱 Follow Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kenny-mai/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kenny-mai/]
🎧 Listen & Share: https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/1?order=newest [https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/1?order=newest]
🐢 About the Podcast
Turtle on a Fencepost is a podcast about leadership, business, and the lessons we learn from the people who help us along the way. Because just like a turtle on a fencepost—you don’t get there by yourself. Host Richard Kenny talks with successful leaders about the pivotal moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped their journeys, all with the goal of equipping the next generation to lead with more wisdom and less trial and error.
🪶 Credits
Host — Richard Kenny
