Scaling Leadership with Anders Jones at Facet
- The Journey of Scaling Leadership
- Understanding Facet’s Unique Model
- The Philosophy Behind Flat Fees
- Navigating Tough Conversations
- The Importance of Team Evolution
- The Role of Coaching in Leadership
- Cultivating Growth Seekers in Teams
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In this episode, I sit down with Anders Jones, co-founder and CEO of Facet, to delve into the intricacies of scaling leadership in today’s dynamic business environment. Under Anders’ guidance, Facet has achieved remarkable growth, securing the No. 961 spot on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. We explore how scaling leadership principles have been pivotal in Facet’s success, emphasizing the development of leaders at every organizational level. Anders shares actionable insights on fostering a culture that supports scaling leadership, ensuring sustained growth and adaptability. Tune in to discover strategies for implementing scaling leadership within your organization to drive performance and innovation.
Beyond the Startup Phase: Leadership, Innovation & Facet’s Flat-Fee Revolution
In this episode of the Grow Think Tank podcast, Gene Hammett engages in a deep conversation with Anders Jones, CEO of Facet, a consumer fintech company that has revolutionized financial planning and advice through a subscription-based model. Anders shares insights into scaling leadership, a critical component for business growth, particularly as companies evolve beyond their initial stages. The discussion begins with Anders highlighting the pivotal role of leadership in scaling an organization, emphasizing that the team which facilitated the initial growth may not possess the capabilities to drive the company to subsequent levels of success. This reality places CEOs in a unique position, empowering them to hire individuals with more experience and specialized skills to enhance their teams. Gene and Anders explore the rationale behind Facet’s innovative flat fee model for financial advice, contrasting it with traditional fee structures. Anders recounts the industry context leading to this shift, particularly referencing the failed fiduciary rule that would have mandated financial advisors to act in their clients’ best interests. The failed regulation illustrated systemic issues within the industry, prompting Anders to recognize the potential for innovation by lowering costs and enhancing access for the mass affluent market—those earning less than a million dollars who are often underserved by traditional advisors. He articulates the vision behind Facet as a means to democratize financial advice by aligning the pricing model with the actual value delivered to clients.
Scaling Leadership: Knowing When to Evolve Your Team for Growth
Delving further into leadership dynamics, Anders defines “scaling leadership” as the process of adapting to various phases of company growth, stressing that leaders must be comfortable making tough personnel changes when necessary. He discusses the necessity of recognizing when team members have reached their potential, especially during transitions from a startup environment where individuals may wear multiple hats to a more structured organization that requires position players with specialized skills. Anders also addresses the emotional challenges faced when changing a team that has been integral in the company’s early days. He acknowledges the camaraderie formed during the scrappy, labor-intensive startup phase and the difficulty in making decisions that may pain those connections, but reinforces the importance of prioritizing the company’s long-term success. Gene interjects, referencing Marshall Goldsmith’s adage that what got leaders to their current success may not be sufficient for future challenges, further framing Anders’ reflections on leadership evolution.
The Art of Tough Conversations: How Great Leaders Address Growth & Change
The conversation then shifts to the importance of having tough conversations within a team. Anders advocates for addressing potential issues before they escalate, suggesting that leaders should set expectations with new hires regarding growth trajectories and the reality that their roles may evolve or change completely within certain timeframes. He notes that initiating these discussions from the get-go creates a culture of openness, reducing the stigma around performance reviews and necessary changes. As they discuss the significance of personal growth, Anders emphasizes the role of coaches and mentors in his journey, citing how their insights help elevate his perspective above the daily operational details of running a company. He outlines his diverse support network, including an executive coach, a mind-body coach, and a peer group of fellow CEOs, each fulfilling specific roles in fostering his leadership growth. This multi-faceted approach underscores that even successful leaders benefit immensely from external guidance and support.
Cultivating Growth Seekers: How Great Leaders Scale Their Teams & Themselves
Finally, Anders shares strategies for ensuring his employees also experience growth within the company. He highlights the importance of cultivating a company culture centered on continuous improvement, characterized by a collective pursuit of being “growth seekers.” He explains how management at Facet implements individual growth plans and conducts rigorous assessments to track employee development, aligning staff ambitions with the company’s evolving goals. These practices not only enhance employee engagement but also help identify top talent capable of propelling the organization forward. Throughout the episode, Anders Jones’ insights on scaling leadership and fostering an environment of growth exemplify the complex yet rewarding journey of leading a successful organization. The discussion serves as a valuable resource for listeners aiming to understand and implement effective leadership strategies in their own business contexts.
About the Host
Hi, I’m Gene Hammett. I’m an executive coach – I help founders and CEOs create company growth. After studying the leadership of fast-growth companies — the Inc 5000 — I have discovered how their approach to leadership activates new growth. I’m on a mission “To Change the World Through Extraordinary Leadership.” If you know you want to be a better leader, let’s keep going. ’m also a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of the Growth Think Tank, recognized as a top podcast for leaders by Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com. I love to write about leadership and culture that activates new growth. My work has appeared in large publications like Inc., Entrepreneur, and Success Magazines. ver 1,000,000+ business leaders, founders, and CEOs have listened to my podcasts, read my articles, or used my growth strategies to shift their mindsets to achieve incredible business results. Take your leadership to the next level and get access to a proven leadership framework to activate new growth for your company.
How Core Elevation Can Help You Create Leadership At All Levels and Grow Your Company
Core Elevation is designed to empower leaders at all levels, helping companies foster leadership growth and scalability. By focusing on key areas such as accountability, communication, and alignment, Core Elevation develops leadership traits throughout the organization. This approach leads to better decision-making, higher engagement, and stronger team performance. Companies that embrace leadership at all levels can expect increased innovation and faster growth. The program provides tools and strategies to cultivate leaders who drive transformation. Ultimately, Core Elevation helps businesses create a culture of leadership, positioning them for sustainable success.
Interested in a FREE Leadership Communication Skills Workshop with your team? This is about the most difficult of communication, Tough Conversations…
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