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.com0:05 - Introduction to Sharon's background3:30 - 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 advisors11:30 - The role of empathy and honesty in deals13:00 - Balancing company strengths and weaknesses15:30 - Unique dynamics in government contracting deals18:30 - Preparing the business for future sale  21:00 - The role of adaptability in Sharon's work23:30 - Empathy examples from both buyer and seller perspectives26:00 - Non-financial factors in negotiations 28:00 - Considerations for owners in involving employees31:00 - Structuring retention rewards for employees 33:30 - Advice for employees deeply involved in transactions36:30 - 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 pivotsTimestamps:0:00 - Meet Shawna Pelton5:00 - Beliefs and mindsets as barriers to change10:00 - Recognizing unhealthy stress signals in organizations 15:00 - Creating psychological safety for team cohesion20:00 - Businesses balancing profits with social responsibility 25:00 - Turning values from words into actions30:00 - Importance of inspiration and motivation for leaders35:00 - Knowing yourself for greater adaptabilityGuest Info: Shawna Pelton is a transformational leadership expert who helps executives and organizations unlock their full potential. Her website: http://www.shawnpelton.comFree Gift - Goal Activator - An Easy Step-By-Step System for Purpose Driven Professionals to Master the Art and Science of REACHING GOALS through the Power of Neuroplasticity and Visualization

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 industryThe story of how a new executive joined the company with ambitions to become CEO and the chaos he createdExamples of unethical decisions made by this leader, including pushing out other executives and mishandling a major ERP implementationGordon's attempts to raise concerns and the retaliation he facedHis journey to becoming a whistleblower and fighting his wrongful terminationCharacteristics of toxic leadership based on Gordon's experience and researchThe importance of screening for dark triad traits in leaders and preventing toxic leadershipTimestamps:0:00 - Introduction to Gordon Graham and his background5:30 - The new executive joins with ambitions to become CEO10:00 - Unethical decisions made by the new leader15:00 - Gordon tries to raise concerns and faces retaliation20:00 - Becoming a whistleblower and fighting wrongful termination25:00 - Toxic leadership traits - the dark triad30:00 - How to prevent toxic leadershipGuest 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.comPODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

In this episode of "The Adaptive Executive," host Greg Ballard interviews Danielle Hughes, the Chief Personality Officer of More Than Words Marketing. Danielle shares her background and journey into marketing and copywriting. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating one's personality into their brand messaging and copywriting. By doing so, individuals can create deeper connections with their audience, attract the right clients, and stand out in the crowded market.Greg and Danielle discuss the significance of words and narratives in communication and personal branding. They explore how understanding and expressing one's personality can lead to stronger connections within the workplace and improve interactions with clients. Danielle provides valuable advice on using the "About Me Mad Libs" approach to crafting a bio that represents your true self. The episode concludes with the realization that embracing one's personality can lead to increased trust, emotional connections, and better business outcomes. To learn more about this topic, connect with Danielle on LinkedIn or visit her website at More Than Words Copy.PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with the Former Director of Colorado's Transit and Rail, Amber Blake. 🎙️ Episode 35: "Building Trust and Inspiring Teams: Unveiling the Secrets of Effective Leadership"🚀In this episode of "The Adaptive Executive," our host, Greg Ballard, sits down with Amber Blake, the founder of Amber Blake Consulting, to delve into the world of leadership in the transportation industry. With her 20 years of experience in leadership and public sector transportation, Amber shares her journey from working in metropolitan planning organizations to directing transit and rail for the state of Colorado.🔍 Key Insights:- Learn about the shifting landscape of the transit industry and the growing importance of transit as a mode of transportation.- Discover the critical role of effective leadership in shaping a thriving organizational culture within the transportation sector.- Gain valuable insights into building trust, creating a shared vision, and fostering curiosity within your teams.🌟 Personal Skills for Success:Amber emphasizes the significance of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and conscious showing up as crucial personal skills for effective leadership. She encourages individuals to manage their energy rather than time and to discover their unique time management systems.📚 Recommended Leadership Book:"The Speed of Trust" by Stephen Covey is a book that Amber highly recommends. It explores the importance of trust in leadership and offers practical insights on building trust within teams and organizations.Stay connected with Amber Blake on LinkedIn to access more leadership insights and engage with her thought-provoking content!PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Greg Ballard interviews Deborah Fell, Managing Partner at Chief Outsiders, about leading fractional executives. Deborah shares how Chief Outsiders provides growth consulting by deploying part-time CMOs and CSOs into client companies. She discusses the high bar for talent and the experience required to be adaptable across companies and industries. Key insights include aligning with the client's mission, embracing the culture, and leading with inspiration. Deborah also talks about making the transition from CMO to leading a team of all-star marketing leaders.Key Moments0:00 - Introduction to Deborah Fell and Chief Outsiders2:30 - Overview of how Chief Outsiders provides fractional CMOs and CSOs to drive growth for clients5:00 - The high bar for talent and experience required to be adaptable across companies7:30 - Aligning with the client's mission and vision as a key success factor10:00 - Embracing the client's culture and integrating into the company12:00 - Leading with inspiration rather than just management15:00 - Deborah's transition from CMO to leading a team of CMOs18:00 - Staying adaptive through surrounding yourself with smart people20:00 - Making leadership and self-development lifelong pursuitsTo learn more about Deborah and her work, click HERE.PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with the General Manager of Gap Wireless, Glenn Poulos. Glenn Poulos is the co-founder, Vice President, and General Manager of Gap Wireless Inc., a leading product and service distributor for the mobile broadband and wireless markets. With over three decades of experience in sales, he has spent thousands of hours in the field or on the phone with customers and working with salespeople to help create several successful companies. Glen's book, Never Sit in a Lobby, is inspired by real-life lessons that shaped Glenn’s career. This guide provides 57 factors for navigating the interpersonal dynamics of selling and the art of negotiation to help you sidestep costly mistakes—before you lose the sale.To learn more about Glen's work, click HERE and HERE.PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with the CRO of Tegrita, Rolly Keenan. Tegrita is a marketing automation and strategy consultancy that focuses on providing scalable, flexible, and manageable marketing. They work with your team to increase your success with fewer resources. Their team of consultants stays on top of pivotal changes in the martech landscape.To learn more about Rolly's work, click HERE.PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with the CEO of Emerge, Jonathon Hensley. Emerge works with clients to transform business strategies, user needs, and new technologies into valuable products and experiences. Jonathon Hensley is also the author of "Alignment", a book teaching business owners how to create a successful alignment with their team and organization.To learn more about Johnathon's work at Emerge, click here.To order Alignment, click here.PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with the CEO and Managing Partner of Nature's Warehouse, Daniel Laudon. Nature's Warehouse is dedicated to promoting natural, home-grown health. They specialize in providing resources for anyone who may want to make their own informed decisions about their health and the health of their families. Nature’s Warehouse is defined by in-home local deliveries of healthy foods and supplements and national online and catalog order fulfillment.To learn more about Daniel's work, click here.PODCAST INFO Leave us a 5-Star Review on Podchaser (If we are not 5 stars yet, email us and let us know where we need to improve.)Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Greg's work in FiveC Consulting? Check out his website at fivec.consulting

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Craig Group Partner, Libby Covington. Craig Group is a number focused marketing firm specializing in marketing strategy and media execution. They combine a digital-first approach with real-world expertise, flexing to fit your unique needs and help you achieve your goals.To learn more about the Craig Group's work click, here.If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE.

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Founder, President, and CEO of YKMD, Yanique DaCosta. YKMD sources graphic designers from around the world to create dynamic graphics that stand out in the most crowded marketplaces. The attention that these designs gain generates a client base that aligns with your ideals and trust in your designs.To learn more about Yanique's work, click here.If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE.

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with the founder in residence of Pilot, Gillian O'brien. Pilot offers the best bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services for growing businesses. As founder in residence, Gillian works with founders and accelerators to scale up startup programs among other initiatives. To learn more about Gillian's work click here.To get 20% off of Pilot click here.If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE.

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with co-founder and CEO of OP2 Labs, Alexander Kunz. OP2 Labs is an innovative protein brand that has worked with some of the top scientists, researchers, and medical professionals to develop the most powerful formulations in the world. They have two brands, ProT Gold Liquid Protein, which is used in multiple medical facilities internationally for the treatment of wounds, and Frog Fuel, which was developed by two former navy SEALS and a Stanford chemist and is trusted by thousands of athletes.To learn more about Alexander's work click here.If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE.

Your host, Greg Ballard talks with the COO of QualSights, Courtney Williams. QualSights is an insights technology platform that provides brands, agencies and consulting firms the ability to generate deeper and more authentic insights from consumers anywhere in the world, in a dramatically faster and cost-effective way. To learn more about Courtney's work click here.If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE.

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Tel Ganesan, Managing Director of Kyyba. Kyyba hires talented employees to work in specialized industries. Kyyba also delivers high quality resources and real world concepts enabling clients to respond to organizational and technological changes.To learn more about Tel's work, visit https://kyyba.com/industries/If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Sri Chellappa, President and Co-Founder of Engagedly. Engagedly is about people and strategy, performance management and employee engagement for a high performing workplace.To learn more about Sri's work, visit https://www.engagedly.comIf you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Jenny Derfler CEO and Founder of Air Doctor. Air Doctor connect travelers worldwide to private doctors anywhere on the globe.To learn more about Jenny's work, visit https://www.air-dr.comIf you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Brian Weaver of Torch.AItorch.ai is an AI platform that unlocks human potential. They build AI that makes data easier to use with their specialized software to make humans and machines more productive.To learn more about Brian Weaver and his team at Torch AI work, visit https://torch.ai/If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE

Your host, Greg Ballard, talks with Mark Piller of Backendless. Backendless is a Full stack visual app development platform. Easily build mobile and online applications, with it's trivially simple design, you can turn your ideas into reality. No downloads for anything, all made within a browser, easy training for those who need it, build whatever you need without using a single line of code. To learn more about Mark's work, visit https://backendless.com/If you'd like to be a guest on The Adaptive Executive, click HERE