This week’s episode is titled Leadership Common Fears.

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of fear, exploring its impact on leadership and personal growth. Our guest, Steve Black, a partner and senior human resources manager at Brixey & Meyer, shares his insights on how fear can be unmasked and overcome to unlock potential and ignite passion.

In this episode, Steve discusses the common fears that leaders face, such as people-pleasing, losing security, and losing comfort. He shares his personal experience with fear, including a diagnosis of a chronic illness that led him to confront limitations and make fear-based decisions. Steve emphasizes the importance of recognizing patterns of fear-based thinking and decision-making to grow through discomfort and achieve personal and professional growth.

Steve introduces techniques to engage the senses and activate the thrive side of the brain, improving leadership and decision-making.

Listen to learn how to unmask your fears, have vulnerable conversations, and grow through discomfort to unlock your potential and ignite your passion. Let’s embark on this journey together and discover how to overcome fear and thrive in leadership and life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends and colleagues.

Let’s conquer fear together!

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲, 𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 – 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫. 😵

That quote made me laugh, and it hit me hard. I am thankful for daily inspirations from my friend Sharon Hulce.

This week’s podcast is my 16-minute view on why “𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭!” ⬅️

If you’re leading a team, you need to know what leadership actually means.

👉 First, leadership is about being involved. Managing isn’t sitting on the sidelines—it’s getting in the trenches and coaching. Show your team how to WIN. Ask the hard questions. Give honest feedback with love. If someone isn’t succeeding, your job is to help them attack the day with a clear plan.

👉 Second, make sure you have the right team for the culture you’re building. Define your core values—and live by them. Hold your people accountable. You can’t please everyone, and you’re not serving ice cream, so focus on pushing for excellence and ensuring they deliver on expectations.

👉 Third, when someone leaves, don’t panic. Your business was here before them, and it will be here after. You got this. Overthinking worst-case scenarios won’t fix anything. Stop the “what if” spiral and start putting plans behind your questions instead.

💡 The weight of leadership is heavy—but you are not alone. That’s why I started this podcast: to remind leaders that there’s support, there’s wisdom, and there’s community.

And remember—indecision is dangerous. Don’t be the squirrel caught in the middle of the road, hesitating while the car is coming. Make a decision, trust your instincts, and move forward.

At The Impact of Leadership, we believe nobody drifts into excellence, and you are supported and loved by many.

My leadership knowledge comes from 24 years of working in a family business.

Welcome to the Impact of Leadership Podcast (brought to you by CCB Technology – The Best IT Managed Services Provider for Nonprofits & Small Businesses. – Go to CCB Technology today and get connected!

At IOL we believe no one drifts into excellence.

Last episode was with Kevin Calhoun, (Founder of Document Mountain by Cornerstone) where Kevin uncovered the must-have data points for buying a business, dive into acquisition frameworks, and learn from the successes—and failures—that come with this journey. If you missed it – you got to listen to it – it will impact your life on how to buy a business.
This episode is Part 2 with Kevin Calhoun and he talks about his organic growth and leadership style that leads with “Empathy, Humility. It’s Purpose-Driven Leadership Style for him”

We dive deep into the minds of trailblazing leaders and uncover the stories that shape their journeys.

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Kevin Calhoun, a visionary business leader who has turned challenges into stepping stones and transformed his organization through purpose-driven growth.

From navigating the complexities of scaling a company from $3 million to $5 million, Kevin reflects on the enduring struggles we all face—people, cash, sales, and marketing—and shares how these issues magnify as your business grows. With insight into organic growth and customer retention, Kevin highlights the obstacles and opportunities of balancing churn rates and conquering the mysterious realm of digital marketing.

But this interview goes beyond numbers. Kevin opens up about the pivotal moments of his leadership evolution—from a “new sheriff in town” to a leader grounded in humility, respect, and resourcefulness. He candidly shares the lessons he’s learned through trial and error, his shift to empowering his team, and his personal decision to embrace minority business partners as a step toward shared success.
What sets Kevin apart is his approach to business as a ministry, intertwining care, empathy, and connection with strategic growth. He believes that the core of leadership lies in understanding the lives of your team, building trust, and recognizing the value of every individual’s journey.
Join us as Kevin Calhoun delves into his vision, his journey to developing pillars within his company, and how he motivates his team to embrace goals and share in the rewards of success. Whether you’re striving to grow your business, navigate people challenges, or find the right balance between expectations and anticipation—this episode promises insights that are equal parts personal and professional.

Are you ready?

Let’s dive in.

This week’s episode is titled Buy vs. Build:
We’re living in a wild time—a time where opportunity and transition collide. You’ve probably heard the term silver tsunami. It’s the wave of baby boomers retiring and leaving behind a wealth of businesses ready for new ownership. The marketplace is open like never before, with platforms like BizBuySell and BizQuest offering just about anything you could dream of acquiring.

But let’s be real—this isn’t Wall Street. This is real life, with real people, and sometimes, real challenges. Here, we don’t sugarcoat or fluff things up. We keep it raw, authentic, and genuinely insightful.

In this week’s episode, my interview with Kevin Calhoun (Founder of Document Mountain by Cornerstone) we’ll uncover the must-have data points for buying a business, dive into acquisition frameworks, and learn from the successes—and failures—that come with this journey. From making sure your acquisition has structure, to crafting deals where the business pays for itself, to leveraging the talent and relationships that come with buying, we leave no stone unturned.

Are you ready to explore the world of buying versus building a business, and find out which strategy is right for you?

Let’s dive in.

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast!

Today, we have Part 3 with Jon Greenwood, a seasoned leader who has navigated the highs and lows of his career with resilience and passion. Jon shares his experiences of mentorship and coaching, highlighting the importance of having a peer to guide you through challenges and help you grow faster.

We’ll dive into Jon’s journey, from his early days without a mentor to later having influential figures like Mary and Jim, who played pivotal roles in his career. Jon’s stories are filled with moments of learning, laughter, and pushing beyond his comfort zone, including a memorable HR challenge that tested his leadership skills.

Jon’s retirement didn’t slow him down; he continues to contribute by building a leadership program at Cedarville, focusing on personal development for small businesses, churches, and educators. His insights on authenticity, vulnerability, and passion will inspire you to take ownership and drive your business forward.

So, sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Jon’s incredible journey and valuable lessons on leadership and growth.

This is Part 2 of the interview with Jon Greenwood, where the interview is focused on “Managing Conflict & Performance Improvement Plans”. Neither is easy, especially when you have to manage many people.  But we believe it is a necessity if you want to see growth happen. 

We discuss Jon’s insights on handling disagreements, balancing empathy with assertiveness, and ensuring that team members are in roles that maximize their potential and contribute positively to the organization.

Throughout our conversation, we will discuss the importance of open communication, collaborative decision-making, and continuous assessment of team dynamics to foster a productive and harmonious work environment.

Stay tuned for an engaging and informative session that promises to equip you with practical strategies for effective leadership.

At IOL, we believe NO ONE DRIFTS INTO EXCELLENCE! 

This podcast is proudly sponsored by CCB TECHNOLOGY – The best Managed IT Service Provider for Small Businesses & Nonprofits across the United States! 

Mention the IOL PODCAST to get a free gift!!!

Today we launch a three part series with John Greenwood, a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience at Huntington National Bank, where he served as Executive Vice President. During his tenure, Jon managed a vast network of over 1,000 branches and 6,500 staff members across 11 states.

This interview was filled with GOLD LEADERSHIP LESSONS which required me to divide this one interview into three parts. I’ve never done this before but it is absolutely needed so nothing is missed. 

This three-part series delves into the intricacies of leadership and organizational management.

Part 1 – Jon shares his extensive experience and wisdom, highlighting the importance of the Five Driver Model for Success, which includes People, Culture, Strategy, Structure, and Process1.

Part 2 –  Managing Conflict & Performance Improvement

Our conversation explores handling conflict and improving performance within leadership and teams. We also discuss strategies for managing disagreements, balancing empathy with assertiveness, and ensuring team members are in the right roles.

Part 3 – Set The Bar By Knowing Your Numbers

As a leader, knowing your numbers is crucial because it demonstrates a deep understanding of your business. Jon Greenwood shares an experience where his CEO, Steve Steinour, would ask detailed questions to ensure that Jonn truly knew his business. This level of scrutiny helped Jon learn his numbers quickly and thoroughly. It also allowed him to make informed decisions and effectively manage his responsibilities.

Jon gives us a taste of his current involvement in building a leadership program at Cedarville University which we will have him on at a later date to really go deep into this exciting new leadership program.

Here is Part 1 with Jon Greenwood.

Titan is a person of exceptional importance and reputation. We have a history of leaders – TITANS…who have impacted our world with their leadership.

Today, new Titans are being recognized in Chicago, Colorado, Georgia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Tampa, Wisconsin and more.

The Titan 100 program recognizes a premier group of 100 CEO’s and C-level executives in a region.

It is a blessing that I have been inducted into the WI Titan 100 Hall of Fame with ten other Titans. 

Representing both the private and public sectors, these leaders are Titans of industry who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, passion, and influence in their field. 

This incredible community is led by one Titan that is leading the pack. Today’s episode is with the CEO/Founder of TitanCEO, Jaime Zawmon.

Today’s podcast will give you incredible motivation to be the TITAN you were destined to be!