This week on the Expert Voices podcast, Randy Wootton, CEO of Maxio, speaks with two SaaS industry veterans, Amber Wendover, Principal at Thinking People Consulting, and Tom Perry, Chief Career Officer and Founder of Engaged Pursuit. Randy, Tom, and Amber discuss the intricacies of employee engagement and the indispensable role that personal growth plays in organizational success. They take a look at the poignant necessity for CEOs to focus on unlocking their team's potential, referencing Randy’s seven secrets of CEO success that are pivotal in steering organizational strategies. Amber and Tom also talk about the "8th" secret - the need to invest in the "people's tribe," empowering the individual contributors and front-line managers who often form the backbone of company operations.

Quotes

• “As a leader, when you ask your team if they need something different, that creates a place where we can all have a discussion and a dialogue. Leaders, state your intentions even if you have an unintentional impact.” -Amber Wendover [25:45]

• “The best leaders are ones who show up as their true selves, who are authentic, who don't have all the answers, who are inspiring, who can have meaningful conversations, who talk about their weekends, who talk about their families.” -Tom Perry [19:13]

Expert Takeaways

• Recognize the critical transition from individual contributor to manager and the importance of management excellence.
• Understand the value of fostering a growth culture versus a genius culture in the workplace.
• Acknowledge the importance of authentic leadership and human connections, especially in the context of remote or hybrid work environments.
• Remember the influence of personal brand and intention in leadership, contributing to a growth-oriented and learning-supportive environment.

Timestamps

(01:46) Unlocking Potential: The Seven Secrets of Successful CEOs

(04:50) Addressing the Needs of the Forgotten Middle Community

(10:26) Identifying the Eighth Secret of CEO Success

(14:39) Transforming Corporate Culture: Growth Versus Genius

(20:52) Fostering Authentic Leadership and Growth Culture

(29:41) Reflecting on Legacy and Building Supportive Leadership Networks

(32:14) Interpreting Interactions With Respect and Intention

(44:48) Empowering Employee-Driven Learning and Development

Links

Maxio

Upcoming Events

Maxio Institute Report

Randy Wootton LinkedIn

Amber Wendover LinkedIn

Thinking People

Tom Perry LinkedIn

Engaged Pursuit