Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers?
My aim in leadership style is to be collaborative and open with the intention of being a servant leader in giving big paralleled with setting big expectations – from that, you’ll see big things in return. We make our business values real and relatable to our team and driven by connecting them as actions to performance measures and in how we make any business decision. One example is asking our team to carry a big vision, make that vision to think big and then ask what it takes to bring it to life. We did this at close of 2021 with everyone in our agency and at close of 2022 we exceeded our business plan by an additional million dollars in growth – all built on the success of dreaming and acting big. As we achieve those goals, we make sure we give back and believe there is a stronger sense of purpose and connection to work if you are giving back to the community. It’s a full circle, return on dreaming big and giving back.
What impact has COVID-19 or the disruptions of the past 18 months had on you as a leader?
The biggest learning has been around resilience. This year we called this our year of seeing new opportunities and rebounding from the setbacks since 2020, but to rebound we also needed to revitalize and take time to recover – allowing for conditioning, connection, and healing to take place. Change and disruptions are not going away, but how we are mindful of needs and how we recover and show up for one another in different ways builds more resiliency and opportunity to make it through the next set of challenges.
My hope and what I strive for is to always be willing to listen and be adaptive in any situation – being open, humble, and being present goes a long way as leaders and in leading across so many teams, clients, multiple offices outside Arizona and community partners requires you as a leader to take more time. The more personalized the connection, the more meaningful impact.
What do you feel we can be doing as a business community to empower economic growth here?
To empower economic growth, we need to showcase and build upon the opportunities ahead for Arizona by being connected as a leaders in the business community to drive those opportunities across all levels and sectors. I’m personally involved with both local and national organizations in terms of workforce development and inspiring new generations to embrace many industries and especially finding paths and their passion in work and the community in Arizona. We have tremendous potential in this state but have a lot of work to fully reach that potential. It requires showing up, listening at all levels, and participating in knowing what GPEC, the Greater Phoenix Chamber, the ACA, the Arizona Tech Council and other entities that are actively working daily to shape and influence economic development are envisioning and doing – then knowing what we as business owners and leaders can do to support to make impact. From there we need to fully partner to help meet that vision. It requires constant investment in coming to the table actively working together on solutions. One area I am most proud to support is recent giving with impact that further builds on economic development via Local First and their We Rise initiative and Fuerza Local program which supports black entrepreneurs and Latin/Hispanic business owners through education and mentorship programs. Along with the incredible workforce efforts and actions taken on by the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation towards education through the ElevateEdAz program. There are endless opportunities to participate, support and build a stronger economy and opportunities for more Arizonans if we all work together.
What is new and notable for your company’s near future that will impact our economy?
We know that students who don’t read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade arWe are seeing new opportunities and expanding in marketing technology, brand development and content marketing that are attracting new business both inside and outside the state. This includes helping build a market vision for advance manufacturing. Building workforce development positioning in the construction industry. Working with incredible startups like botco.ai and exciting growth brands like Fresh Cravings and Danzeisen Dairy. We’ve been fortunate to work with impactful brands building opportunities further in Arizona and across the nation in health, wellness, behavioral health and medical technology.
We have many clients across the nation and globally working with us that are further helping put Phoenix and Ideas Collide on the map for the future.
Name of Leader: Matthew Clyde
Position of Leader: President & Founder
Organization Name: Ideas Collide
No. of Years with Organization: 17
Main Local Office Address: 6125 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 1001, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 659-4520
Website: ideascollide.com
Number of offices in Greater Phoenix: 1 in Scottsdale + 1 Podcast “IC Streaming” in Downtown Phoenix
Year Established Locally: 2005
City Nationally Headquartered: Phoenix
