What does it take to be an executive?

Experience? Maybe some certifications or degrees? Ability to make tough decisions? An understanding of golf terminology?

Here’s a more difficult question: what type of executive would you follow willingly?
Now that changes things for some of us, doesn’t it?

Most of us hope for a department head whose leadership we trust. Many of us don’t have that.

We long for an executive with our best interest in mind; who will do the work alongside us and inspires us by their demonstrated attributes of loyalty, consistency, diligence, curiosity, and hard work.

If you are fortunate enough to report to someone like that, learn their story. You may be surprised to find the unlikely path to their current role.

Kyle Jolly is a father and one of the best friends you could hope for.

He’s Doc Holliday in the movie Tombstone. He’s the guy that will stand in the rain until midnight to ensure your car starts.  And he’s also the Vice President of Operations at CCB Technology.

This man has been tested and proven worthy of his role. But the route to get him to his fancy pants title was winding, had bumps, and a ton of uncertainty. There were also a few constants.
You will hear an inspiring story of what it takes to be an executive worth following. 

Connect with Kyle & CCB Technology: LinkedIn | CCB Technology 

Connect with IOL: LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | Blogs

120 | Rocket Fuel: Growth Through A Leadership Transition–Patrick Booth & Logan McCoy

There’s a ditch on either side of the path called leadership transitions.

On one side is the lack of clear communication – who’s doing what? When is it happening? Why is it happening?

On the other side is a lack of support – according to McKinsey & Co, only 29% of organizations in the US feel their companies adequately support the new leadership coming in.

We need to hear from real people who will keep it real and have done it well.

Patrick Booth & Logan McCoy are my guests today- it’s a triple threat match.
Patrick is the CEO and Owner of CCB Technology, a family business that started in 1991 and specializes in outsourced IT.
Logan is the new President of CCB.

Patrick has been President of CCB since 2013, became CEO and Owner in January 2019, and passed the Presidential sword to Logan in 2022.

119 | Incarceration, Fatherhood & Redemption – Sharmain Harris

Fatherhood is one of the most important jobs in the world. Many of the social ills in America are directly attributed to fatherlessness.

Sharmain helped establish the Dedicated Dad’s Program of Kenosha, is a National Fatherhood Practitioner, Certified Father Engagement Trainer, and has written a book to help those who engage dad’s in family services.

His story of being an incarcerated felon to UW Parkside adjunct professor is inspiring.

There is good all around us, Sharmain is one shining example.

117 | Leadership Resources

You can’t give what you don’t have. 
This episode highlights resources to pour into yourself and your team. Books (audio and physical), podcasts, mastermind groups, and events. 
How To Think by Alan Jacobs
Winning The War In Your Mind by Craig Groescel 
The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni
Born To Run by Christopher McDougall
The Rise Of Teddy Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
Read To Lead by Jeff Brown and Jesse Wisnewski
The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner
A Failure Of Nerve by Edwin H. Friedman

Listen to the episode for the podcast, workshop, and mastermind suggestions.

116 | From Healthcare COO To Solopreneur–Sonnie Linebarger

It takes courage to feel the fear and go anyway. And those are the kind of leaders we want to follow.
Sonnie Linebarger is a wife, mom, COO of Bristol Hospice, host of the Evoke Greatness podcast, and entrepreneur.  She’s accomplished, respected, and redefining the next chapter in her life.
I feel fortunate to have gotten this interview even as the story is being written. Hear how Sonnie navigated Covid as an executive with thousands of employees depending on her. And what lead her to leap into solopreneurship.

114 | You Can’t Do It All –Michaela O’Donnell PhD

Dr. Michaela O’Donnell is back with us today. And for this conversation I focused on her personally.
Not her book or really even the work she does at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership.

We all know people that seem to be made of something different-they’re killin’ it in every area of life.

If you looked at Michaela’s accomplishments you’d think the same of her, so I asked her if she’d be willing to demystify things for us about her personal life.

Where does she fail? How can she do so much and what is she learning?

You’re going to need to listen back to this one.

Please enjoy Dr. Michaela O’Donnell freeing you from having to do it all.