Episode Summary:

Sharon is an experienced M&A advisor who founded her firm sbLiftoff to serve small and medium sized businesses, an underserved sector critical to the economy. She recently published the book "LIFT OFF: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business" to educate business owners on the M&A process. It aims to take some fear out of the process so owners can approach it more calmly.

Contact/Resources:

- Book: "Lift Off: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business" by Sharon Heaton

- LinkedIn: Sharon Heaton and sbLiftoff

- Website: www.sbliftoff.com

0:05 - Introduction to Sharon's background

3:30 - Transition from law into advising small businesses

5:30 - Motivation for writing the book "SB Lift Off"

7:30 - Goal to educate business owners on the M&A process

9:00 - Importance of bringing on experienced M&A advisors

11:30 - The role of empathy and honesty in deals

13:00 - Balancing company strengths and weaknesses

15:30 - Unique dynamics in government contracting deals

18:30 - Preparing the business for future sale

21:00 - The role of adaptability in Sharon's work

23:30 - Empathy examples from both buyer and seller perspectives

26:00 - Non-financial factors in negotiations

28:00 - Considerations for owners in involving employees

31:00 - Structuring retention rewards for employees

33:30 - Advice for employees deeply involved in transactions

36:30 - Where to find Sharon's book and connect with her

In this extended episode, I spoke with Shawna Pelton, a transformational leadership expert, about navigating change and bringing out the best in people. We discussed the obstacles that hold back individuals and organizations from reaching their full potential and how to create psychologically safe environments. Shawna shared insights on embodying values, leading with inspiration, and the importance of self-mastery for adaptability.

Key Topics Covered:

- Why mindsets and inner beliefs create the biggest obstacles to change

- Identifying signs of unhealthy stress and conflict in organizations

- Fostering trust and respect to enable open communication

- Aligning with a higher purpose beyond profits to serve society

- Making values actionable through acknowledgment and rewards

- Leading change through inspiration rather than control

- Developing personal mastery to know your strengths and sense pivots

Timestamps:

0:00 - Meet Shawna Pelton

5:00 - Beliefs and mindsets as barriers to change

10:00 - Recognizing unhealthy stress signals in organizations

15:00 - Creating psychological safety for team cohesion

20:00 - Businesses balancing profits with social responsibility

25:00 - Turning values from words into actions

30:00 - Importance of inspiration and motivation for leaders

35:00 - Knowing yourself for greater adaptability

Guest Info:

Shawna Pelton is a transformational leadership expert who helps executives and organizations unlock their full potential.

Her website: http://www.shawnpelton.com

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In this episode, Greg speaks with Gordon Graham, author of "The Intrepid Brotherhood: Public Power, Corruption, and Whistleblowing." Gordon shares his experience as an IT professional at a public utility who witnessed unethical and toxic leadership practices. When he tried to speak up, he faced retaliation and was forced to become a whistleblower.

Key Topics Covered:

• Gordon's career background in IT and experience in the public utility industry
• The story of how a new executive joined the company with ambitions to become CEO and the chaos he created
• Examples of unethical decisions made by this leader, including pushing out other executives and mishandling a major ERP implementation
• Gordon's attempts to raise concerns and the retaliation he faced
• His journey to becoming a whistleblower and fighting his wrongful termination
• Characteristics of toxic leadership based on Gordon's experience and research
• The importance of screening for dark triad traits in leaders and preventing toxic leadership

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to Gordon Graham and his background

5:30 - The new executive joins with ambitions to become CEO

10:00 - Unethical decisions made by the new leader

15:00 - Gordon tries to raise concerns and faces retaliation

20:00 - Becoming a whistleblower and fighting wrongful termination

25:00 - Toxic leadership traits - the dark triad

30:00 - How to prevent toxic leadership

Guest Info:

Gordon Graham is the author of "The Intrepid Brotherhood: Public Power, Corruption, and Whistleblowing." He has decades of experience in IT and as a whistleblower exposing unethical practices. His website: www.intrepidbrotherhood.com

PODCAST INFO

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Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting