#10: EP57: Lessons from a SEAL – Culture Improvement with Culture Fit to Build Your Elite Team

Deborah Fell welcomes Kyle Buckett, a former Navy SEAL and author of “Leadership is Overrated.” Buckett shares lessons from his military career and consulting work, emphasizing the importance of trust, delegating authority, and developing leaders at all levels. “Great people working together really makes elite teams. And when you have elite teams, you have organizations that become elite,” Buckett notes. Listen to this episode, “Lessons from a SEAL: Culture Improvement with Culture Fit to Build Your Elite Team,” to discover insights that can help transform your organization’s culture and performance.

#9: EP54: Inspire Unity and Focus Through Simplifying Complexity

Deborah Fell spoke with Torey Carter Conneen, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects. One key theme was simplifying complexity. As the leader of a trade association with diverse constituents, Torey sees his role as uniting everyone around a shared mission. Deborah reflects that whether in complex organizations like Torey’s or simpler ones, complexity can quickly arise from a lack of listening and leadership. Without the air of inspiration, problem-solving focus, and commitment to achieving better outcomes together, complexity takes over.

#8: EP74 Exterminating Distrust: M&A Successfully Merging Business Cultures

Clay Spitz’s journey from his family’s pest control business to merging multi-million dollar companies offers a unique perspective on leadership. In this episode, Clay shares how he turned a struggling branch into a success, only to find himself navigating the complexities of corporate acquisitions. His experience integrating 100 companies in just two years provides invaluable insights into the challenges of merging diverse business cultures. Clay’s straightforward account of the mistakes made and lessons learned during major transitions will resonate with leaders at any stage of their careers. Join us as we explore the human side of M&As and discover why exterminating distrust is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in pest control.

#7: EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire

From delivery truck driver at 18 to CEO of an $80M company – Jeff Ostenso shares how he transformed his father’s printing business into a modern marketing powerhouse. After 38 years and 16 acquisitions, he reveals the unconventional leadership approach that helped him retain employees and acquire company owners. Learn how sharing P&Ls with every employee and treating the CEO title as secondary to teamwork created a culture of growth and innovation that turned a $700K printing shop into a digital marketing leader.

#6: EP70: The Intentional Leader – Creating Generational Wealth and Opportunity

Deborah sits down with William Bowie, President and CEO of Empower Construction, a utility construction contractor making waves in the greater Philadelphia area. William’s story is one of grit, determination, and purposeful living. William’s path to success has been inspiring and instructive from his early days when he was inspired by a strong mother and navigated a 20-year journey in the utility construction industry. Get ready for a masterclass in leadership. William’s up at 4 AM, not just working on his business, but on himself. He’s intentional about everything – from the boards he sits on to the culture he’s creating at Empower Construction.

#5: EP52: Humble Beginnings to Global Success – The DataArt Story

Step into the world of Alexei Miller, managing director at DataArt, as he engages in a captivating discussion with host, Deborah Fell on Success Beneath the Surface. Alexei’s story is one of curiosity, adaptability, and the power of a strong company culture, from his humble beginnings in a little town in the north of Russia, beyond the polar circle, to his 27-year journey to being part of a team leading DataArt, a global software engineering firm. He shares his insights on fostering employee loyalty, navigating the ever-changing landscape of AI, and creating an environment where people can thrive. Alexei’s passion for his work and people shines through in this thought-provoking conversation, leaving listeners with valuable lessons on leadership and success in the tech industry. Tune in for an engaging exploration of what it takes to build a company that stands the test of time.

#4: EP72 Building a Culture of Urgency 20 Seconds at a Time

Today’s conversation takes us into staffing and leadership with Ryan Clark, co-founder and CEO of PeopleShare. Since 2005, Ryan has been on a mission to revolutionize the staffing industry, growing PeopleShare into a powerhouse with 40 locations across eight states. Ryan’s approach to business is as refreshing as it is effective. He says, “We’re helping the people that need the most help.” His commitment to creating opportunities for entry-level workers and fostering a culture of urgency and teamwork has set PeopleShare apart in a competitive industry.
In our conversation, Ryan shares invaluable insights on building a purpose-driven company, the importance of company culture, and how a healthy dose of “paranoia” keeps him motivated. Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or an aspiring entrepreneur, you won’t want to miss Ryan’s unique perspective on leadership and success.

#3: EP64: Leading Leaders – Balancing Accountability and Empowerment

Deborah Fell reflects on her recent conversation with James Hyman, a seasoned turnaround CEO and board member. Deborah discusses the key insights from their full episode, focusing on themes of leadership, accountability, and empowering teams. She shares her experience leading a diverse and accomplished team of sales and marketing executives from various industries, highlighting the challenges and rewards of being a “leader of leaders.” Deborah emphasizes the importance of inspiring confidence, showing compassion, and knowing when to compromise.

#2: EP65: Balancing the Blood Ledger – HemoSonics CEO on Innovation and Patient Care

In this episode, Deborah welcomes Bob Roda, President and CEO of HemoSonics, about purpose-driven leadership in healthcare. Bob shares his journey from an economics major to a passionate advocate for improving patient care. He offers candid insights from his career at Johnson & Johnson to his current role in medical technology innovation. Bob’s story emphasizes continuous learning and embracing both successes and failures. He provides a fresh take on leadership, stressing the importance of the journey as much as the destination. Bob’s commitment to making a meaningful impact in healthcare is evident throughout the conversation.

#1: EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge – Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds

In this episode of Success Beneath the Surface, James Hyman, a seasoned CEO and board member, shares his methodology for helping companies navigate complex restructuring processes. With a background spanning diverse industries and a track record of successful transformations, James offers invaluable insights for CEOs and business transformation leaders facing the daunting task of overhauling large to enterprise-sized organizations. James emphasizes the importance of broadening one’s skill set, knowing what “good” looks like in various business functions, and leveraging the expertise of others to drive change. He also touches on the evolving role of AI in business and how leaders can prepare to harness its potential.