Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers? The first thing I would say is transparency. I never hold anything back unless I am requested to not speak on a matter that has not been strategically thought through. I am honest and expect honesty in return. It is important to stress … [More]
16 Top Leaders of 2024: Our List of Valley Leaders Who Are Making a Real Difference!
Each year, we select top leaders who have had great success over the preceding year. This year, we selected 19 leaders in varied established sectors within our business community. We asked hard-hitting questions of these leaders to get a sense of what they see for 2025. Each of them is truly entrenched in growing their companies and our economy, in developing policy, managing … [More]
Dave Brown, Valley Leadership
Lead the Way
Arizona continues to realize a strong economy and business growth (even leading the country in many strong sectors). This owes much to a collaborative business environment with agile and innovative leadership among business leaders. Increasingly, in fact, business sectors overlap and intertwine, requiring an ever-broader perspective from those at the helm of their … [More]
Dear Leaders: A Candid Note on Performative Empathy
And the value authentic commitment
In a recent Washington Post article, George F. Will wrote about the supposed downfall of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in corporate America. While I disagree with Will’s stance that ESG and DEI are bad for business, what struck me most was the lack of empathy in his message. It almost felt like he was celebrating this … [More]
Surviving Organizational Change in a Turbulent World
Turning challenges into opportunities for growth
“Once a year, go someplace you have never been before.” —Dalai Lama If there is one thing that remains constant, it’s change! In today’s volatile global environment, businesses face the pressure to evolve and adapt quickly to survive. Political and economic fluctuations, technological advances, social change and environmental challenges create a turbulent landscape in which … [More]
Brandon Maxwell: Building His Legacy through Shared Ownership
M Culinary Concepts’ Journey to an ESOP
Brandon Maxwell isn’t just the CEO of M Culinary Concepts; he’s a visionary leader who’s reshaping success by sharing it with those who helped build it. In 2023, M Culinary made a bold move, transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), making it 100% employee-owned. This decision wasn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet. For Maxwell, it was about legacy — … [More]
How Self-Nurturing Therapy Can Make You a Better Leader: 7 Steps to Practice Now
Navigating leadership brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. A young executive, Sarah, faced complaints from her team who described her as dismissive and devaluing. She was initially blindsided and defensive yet, as do excellent leaders, she focussed on improvement — learning that how leaders make people feel is essential to retention, culture and, ultimately, … [More]
Using Listening to Increase Presence and Evolve Your Leadership
Being present in today’s world is more difficult than it has ever been before. Everyone is constantly bombarded by emails, text messages, social media, news, advertisements, and all the other distractions of the modern world. A lack of presence, especially in leadership, can often lead to poor communication; a lack of rapport with those around you; and volatility, … [More]
Gearing Up for 2025? 10 Strategic Planning Pitfalls to Avoid
Common strategic planning traps—and how to sidestep them
As executives gear up for the 2025 strategic planning season, the process can feel like a balancing act. Developing a strategic plan that both drives meaningful change and satisfies stakeholders is a complex task, made even more challenging by the fast-evolving landscape of marketplace needs, industry trends, and technological advancements. However, many leaders unknowingly … [More]
Building Resilient Teams – The Core of Organizational Agility
Achieving sustainable, long-term success
Organizational agility, the capacity of an organization to adapt, respond to challenges and innovate, is often viewed through a project management lens. However, Agile principles also serve as leadership principles that guide organizational agility. At the core of both is resilience, the capacity for individuals to learn, adapt and grow through constant change and challenge. … [More]
It’s All in Your Mind … Set
How to Foster a Growth Mindset
You start by opening your mind to different circumstances, different inputs, different ways forward, different people around you, and different feedback based on your newfound mindset. Soon enough you’ll find yourself more open and curious, with a newfound ability to feel empathy, see problems in a new light, see new opportunities, pay attention to unforeseen … [More]
Upskilling Employees Is an Investment in Company Growth, Success
It’s especially critical in our ever-evolving economy
As technology advances and a new generation steps into the workforce, organizations face increasing pressure to provide professional growth and development opportunities. Current and potential employees are placing emphasis on the presence or absence of professional development programming to not only grow within organizations, but also to expand their own development through … [More]
John Willenborg’s Vision of Adventure – How Owl Vans Is Changing the Game
‘Jack of all trades’ innovates solutions
When it comes to business innovation, John Willenborg, founder of Owl Vans, has found his stride by being a "jack of all trades" rather than a specialist. While some might see this as a disadvantage, Willenborg argues that knowing a little about a lot allows for broader thinking, innovative solutions and the cross-pollination of ideas from different industries. This mindset is … [More]
How the Election and Other Turning Points Affect Leadership
The election on November 5 isn’t a one-and-done decision — it’s a turning point for leadership. No matter the outcome, its ripple effects will reshape emotions, relationships and performance in the workplace. Employees will carry their hopes, frustrations and anxieties into meetings and team dynamics, affecting morale and productivity. While business doesn’t pause for … [More]
Leadership Institute Promotes Two Key Leaders
The First Place Global Leadership Institute (First Place Global) has promoted two key leaders. Toyosi Adesoye, JD, MPA, has been named Associate Director of the Colonel Harland Sanders Center for Applied Research and Josh Munoz is now Associate Director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Center for Public Policy. First Place Global leverages this award-winning property to … [More]
The Art of Negotiating or the Art of War
There are countless ways to approach negotiations when looking to close a deal. Some people take a blind approach while others rely on strategy. The most consistently successful negotiators who have the highest closing ratios use a strategic approach, which prioritizes intentional communication and avenues for reaching an audience. The blind approach speaks for itself —it is … [More]
The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World
Outrage is everywhere — on the left and on the right — and many companies have found themselves in the crosshairs. GoFundMe was pressured to cut off funding to protesting truckers in Ottawa. Disney's CEO was dragged down for mishandling both sides of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. Facebook and other tech companies have been accused of manipulating elections in many countries … [More]
Michael Erath Scales Up with Next Level Growth
Flexibility enables a tailored approach to client needs
My career started when I joined my family’s manufacturing business, Erath Veneer, eventually working my way up to president and CEO. I led the company’s revenue growth from $8 million to $45 million and expanded our workforce from around 75 to more than 200. I later started a new venture in the hardwood industry, which I took from a startup to $7 million in just five … [More]
