First (every other) Friday - December 2024

What I’m reading

High Road Leadership by John Maxwell

This book dives into key leadership principles, emphasizing integrity, servant leadership, and continuous growth. Maxwell challenges leaders to live by high standards, focusing on trust, service to others, and creating a culture of accountability.

Here are 3 critical concepts I took away:

1. Integrity is the Foundation of Leadership. Maxwell stresses that integrity isn't optional—it's the bedrock of trust and credibility. Without it, leadership collapses.
2. Servant Leadership Inspires Loyalty. By putting others first and focusing on their success, leaders create environments where people feel valued and motivated. Maxwell reminds us that leadership is about service, not power.
3. Growth is Continuous, Not a Destination. True leaders commit to lifelong learning and development. Maxwell emphasizes that personal growth fuels organizational growth, encouraging leaders to invest in themselves and their teams.

X Thread Video about The late Tony Robichaux

Video Link

The late Tony Robichaux, Louisiana Ragin' Cajun Baseball coach, once delivered a powerful response during an interview. He was asked about a player who hadn’t seen much game time but stepped in and made an immediate impact. Robichaux’s response was simple but profound: “Work while you wait.”

He explained that the player’s readiness wasn’t luck—it was the result of consistent effort and preparation during the times when he wasn’t in the spotlight. Robichaux’s message resonates beyond the baseball field and speaks to how we should approach life. Listening to this video, I translated his concepts into three key takeaways:

1. Always be ready for the next challenge. Even if you’re not in the game, never sit on the sidelines and do nothing. Your opportunity will come, and preparation is what ensures you’re ready when it does.
2. Consistency is key, regardless of whether you’re in the spotlight. Excellence isn’t built in moments of recognition; it’s forged in the quiet moments of consistent effort and dedication.
3. Live with purpose. Approach every day as an opportunity to grow and make an impact. Purpose-driven effort builds not only skills but character.

Concept I’ve been studying

Coolers, Closers, and Cleaners

Tim Grover, renowned trainer to legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, is known for his insights on what separates good from great. In his book Relentless, Grover outlines the framework of Coolers, Closers, and Cleaners to describe different levels of performance and leadership.

1. Coolers are good—they follow directions and perform well under normal circumstances. They are dependable but typically require guidance to succeed.
2. Closers are great—they rise to the occasion, deliver under pressure, and step up when it counts. They thrive in high-stakes situations and get the job done.
3. Cleaners are unstoppable—they don’t just meet expectations; they redefine success and push boundaries. Cleaners don’t wait for direction or recognition; they lead by example, consistently setting new benchmarks.

Grover emphasizes that all three roles—Coolers, Closers, and Cleaners—are necessary in organizations. However, it’s the Cleaners who drive teams to the next level. Their relentless pursuit of excellence, combined with their ability to inspire and elevate those around them, is what sets them apart as transformational leaders.

Best podcast of the last 60 days

How I Built This with Guy Raz: Ronnen Harary of Spin Master

Ronnen Harary, born in South Africa and raised in Toronto, co-founded Spin Master in 1994 with his childhood friend Anton Rabie. Starting with a modest investment, they launched their first product, the Earth Buddy, which became a significant success and paved the way for Spin Master's growth into a global entertainment company. Spin Master is now known for creating some of the most iconic toys and entertainment properties, including the global phenomenon Paw Patrol. Harary’s journey from a young entrepreneur to leading a billion-dollar enterprise is a testament to innovation and perseverance.

What stood out most in this episode was Harary’s authenticity. Even after decades of success, he has remained true to his core values and vision. His humility and commitment to creating joy through his products are inspiring reminders of the importance of staying grounded while achieving success.

Pod Link

My personal growth

How I've Failed

One of my biggest challenges has been closing out the workday in an organized and meaningful way. Especially when there are late meetings followed by personal commitments, such as coaching basketball for my kids, it’s not always easy to stay organized at the end of the day—sometimes you just need to close the laptop and go.

I found a great solution I want to share. With developments in AI, many platforms now allow you to voice discussions that AI will summarize. I’ve found it effective to "brain dump"—for lack of a better term—my priorities and thoughts from the day during my commute home . AI then summarizes these thoughts and provides a clear list of priorities to begin the next day.

Something I hope to continue to work on is wrapping up the day intentionally because it saves effort the following day.

My Personal Development

Not multitasking around my kids has been an important area of growth for me. I make a conscious effort to avoid multitasking entirely when I’m with them. Whether it’s a conversation, playing a game, or just spending time together, I strive to give them my undivided attention. It’s not always perfect, but focusing fully on them in those moments has made a huge difference.

I’ve caught myself multitasking—checking my phone, handling things around the house, or thinking about other tasks—while trying to have conversations or spend time with my kids. I’ve realized it’s not just about being physically present but also mentally present, and that makes the biggest impact.

Closing culture thought

We recently celebrated our 9th anniversary as a company. It’s hard to believe, but Clearsulting is now officially the longest-tenured company of my career. Reaching this milestone has given me a moment to reflect on the journey, and I wanted to share 9 thoughts from 9 years of growing our firm.

1. There is no greater joy in the business world than building a company with like-minded individuals who share your values.

From the beginning, we’ve focused on assembling a team of exceptional people who are not only talented but also great human beings. This has created a culture where collaboration thrives and relationships are authentic. I can honestly say I love my job—not because of the tasks I complete every day, but because of the people I get to be in the trenches with every day.

2. Anchor every decision to your core values.

Our core values—accountability, joy, growth, grit, and teamwork—serve as our compass, guiding every decision we make. They ensure that we remain aligned with what truly matters, even when faced with tough choices.

For example, whenever faced with a large decision, we go to our core values and make the decision accordingly. This approach has helped us maintain the culture and integrity that define Clearsulting, no matter the circumstances.

3. When possible, operate like a sailfish.

The sailfish, the fastest swimmer in the ocean, embodies the importance of speed and agility. Operating with speed is a massive competitive advantage in the business world, and likely one of the most underrated advantage.

It’s something that is a huge priority as we think about how we run our business day in and day out and will continue to be a huge priority in the future.

4. Be a buffalo.

Buffaloes have a unique approach to storms: instead of running away from them like other animals, they run directly through them. By charging into the storm, they get through it faster, while other animals that run away end up stuck in the storm for longer.

At Clearsulting, we’ve built a culture of being buffaloes. When challenges arise, our team members face them head-on rather than avoiding them. This mindset has allowed us to navigate tough situations more effectively and emerge stronger on the other side.

5. Adaptability is key—the most successful people are those who embrace change.

In a constantly evolving world, the ability to adapt is critical. Markets shift, client needs change, and challenges arise. Those who see change as an opportunity, rather than a threat, are often the ones who thrive.

The most successful people I’ve witnessed grow their careers at Clearsulting are the ones who have been adaptable. We have leaders here who have had five different roles over the past seven years—and they’ve excelled in every one.

6. Always lead with ethics and transparency. At Clearsulting, we believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option. Trust is built through consistent ethical behavior, clear communication, and following through on commitments.

We’ve never created a "CYA" atmosphere. Instead, we focus on delivering what we promise and being transparent about challenges. This approach has allowed us to build lasting, trusted relationships with both our clients and our team members.

7. Relentlessly prioritize your time across work and life.

Time is the most finite resource we have, and I’ve learned the importance of relentlessly prioritizing where I spend it. Whether it’s spending time my family, leading our team, or focusing on Clearsulting’s growth, I’ve realized that intentionality is key.

It’s not about trying to do everything—it’s about deciding what matters most and giving it your full attention. This mindset has allowed me to show up more fully in both my personal and professional life.

8. The journey is the best part.

Challenges in the moment can often feel overwhelming, but they provide the most meaningful experiences and the greatest opportunities for growth. Looking back, the moments of pushing through obstacles, learning, and building something with an incredible team are what stand out the most.

Great leaders aren’t built in easy circumstances—they’re forged through challenges. The journey itself, with all its highs and lows, is where the best lessons are learned and the greatest memories are made.

9. Never forget the "why"—our purpose goes beyond the bottom line.

The reason I started this company was to reshape the consulting industry in a better, more authentic way. My “why” is to create the best consulting ecosystem in the history of this industry and to protect that culture at all costs.

I would run through a brick wall for this team and to maintain the culture we’ve built. It’s what drives me every day and keeps me focused on ensuring that Clearsulting remains a place where our people thrive and their work life has a positive impact on their personal lives.