Growth Think Tank

This podcast started in 2014 to serve leaders on their journey of growth and significance with their work. It is conversations with leaders for leaders. My name is Gene Hammett, host of the show. I am proud to be recognized by Inc Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine for our impact on leaders that are evolving to better serve their teams.

Growth Think Tank - leadership podcast on growth

This is the one and only podcast that inteviews founders and CEOs of Inc 500 companies. The interviews uncover the key principles of fast-growth. You will find topics of growth, culture, leadership and other areas of growth for leaders.

Latest Episodes…

 

c-suite executives

C-Suite Executives Must Unlearn Doing to Be Successful – Behind the Scenes

You are likely where you are today because you have executed consistently at a high level. This is how you rise to the ranks of the C-Suite executives. To perform at the level you are expected to, you have to change how you approach work. We look at the details of less doing and more thinking in this behind-the-scenes episode. When you join the c-suite executives, you are expected to think much more than before. This will be a challenge because part of your identity has been in the act of doing. The executive leadership team has to learn to let go of doing work and spend more time on strategy and developing others. Discover why thinking for C-suite executives is so essential to the growth of the company.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.

Read more

Growth Think Tank with Josh Teeple

Why the Entrepreneurial Mindset Matters Inside Companies with Josh Teeple at Grobstein Teeple

The most successful entrepreneurs know execution is essential to growth. Yet your entrepreneurial mindset matters more than you may believe. The way you think and what you believe shape how you perform all the work you do. In this episode, we look at why the entrepreneur mindset matters if you want predictable growth from where you are. Today’s guest is Josh Teeple, a partner at Grobstein Teeple. Inc Magazine ranked his company #4004 on the 2020 Inc 5000 list and No. 4688 (2019). Grobstein Teeple provides various services to companies and individuals dealing with complex issues requiring specialized financial expertise. Josh walks us through his discovery of why the entrepreneurial mindset matters. We look at the importance of how you think and what you believe. Josh and I share with you the keys to shifting your mindset.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

Growth Think Tank with Hope Horner

The Messy Middle of a Pivot Change Unlocks New Growth with Hope Horner at LemonLight

CEOs are always looking for what unlocks new growth. My hope is that our interviews with successful leaders will give you new ideas. As companies feel pressure to overcome challenges, you have to open to new ideas. Today’s guest is Hope Horner, co-founder at Lemonlight. Inc Magazine ranked his company #2639 on the 2020 Inc 5000 list. Lemonlight is a leader in high-quality, affordable video production. Hope and I talk about the need to change and pivot. She shares her strategy that unlocks new growth. Learn from Hope’s ups and downs as her team has changed through new market dynamics.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

close the leadership gap

Close the Leadership Gap with this Odd, Simple Framework – Behind the Scenes

Each of us has two versions that we have to get to known. The easy one is how you see yourself. The hard one is how everyone else sees you. The difference between the two is a gap. You have to close the leadership gap if you want to be a great leader. This is not an easy task. When you close the leadership gap, you increase your self-awareness and improve how others relate to you. Go behind the scenes with me to close the leadership gap that gets in the way you are the leader your team deserves.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.

Read more

Growth Think Tank with Adam Hergenrother

Improving Employee Retention Requires Leadership Growth with Adam Hergenrother at Hergenrother Realty Group

Growth requires a team. When it comes to fast growth, every team is comprised of talented people. One essential factor to keeping the team intact is improving employee retention. You will struggle to create growth if you can’t keep the people you have. Today’s guest is Adam Hergenrother, founder at Hergenrother Realty Group. Inc Magazine ranked his company #442 on the 2020 Inc 5000 list. Adam believes leadership has been a critical factor in improving employee retention, which has led to company growth. He talks about his strategies that enhance employee loyalty and engagement. Improving employee retention leads to more employees that take ownership of their work.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

Growth Think Tank with Kyle Francis

The Relationship of Your Ego and Leadership with Kyle Francis at Professional Transition Services

Not many people talk about ego and business. The relationship between ego and leadership determines the health of your company. The real problem happens when our ego gets in the way of you leading your people. Today’s guest is Kyle Francis, CEO at Professional Transition Services. Inc Magazine ranked his company #248 on the 2020 Inc 5000 list. Kyle’s company has grown 1790 percent over the last three years. Professional Transition Services provides strategic advice on buying and selling dental practices. Kyle shares his perspective on ego and leadership. We look at why you have to give up your ego to lead your people. Kyle’s insights will you be a better leader.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

powerful leadership strategy

A Powerful Leadership Strategy is the Missing Conversation Question

Leading people through challenges and driving growth requires you to do more than get the work done. So let me share with you a powerful leadership strategy that I have used with my clients for years. This one is called the “missing conversation” question. The powerful leadership strategy was born from talking with CEOs about their team taking ownership of their work. When you understand the simple approach, you will be able to take your team to new levels. 

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.


Read more

Growth Think Tank with Derek Hansen

Culture is Everything and Drives Growth with Derek Hansen at Mynt Systems

Companies don’t scale without the right people on the team. So leaders have to craft a strategy for growth and create a place where culture is everything. Believing culture is everything is a shift that can make a top-tier team. Today’s guest is Derek Hansen, CEO at Mynt Systems. Inc Magazine ranked his company #1124 on the 2020 Inc 5000 list. Mynt Systems transforms commercial real estate into alpha-performing sustainable assets. Derek talks about why he believes culture is everything. He knows the importance of his people to the mission of the business.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

Growth Think Tank with Mike Zani

Leading the Dream Team with Mike Zani at Predictive Index

Do you think about creating your dream team as your company grows? Great leaders know that people are essential to scaling up. It takes more than a great idea and perfect timing. You have to lead your people to be the dream team. Today’s guest is Mike Zani, CEO of Predictive Index. Mike is a co-author of The Science of Dream Teams. He shares his innovative ideas on the future of HR with me. Mike talks about what it takes to lead dream teams. We talk about the importance of knowing yourself. We look at the best way to hire dream team people. Predictive Index provides a robust set of tools and software to help you with your talent optimization strategy.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

difficult conversations

Insights on Difficult Conversations and a Free Tool – Behind the Scenes

Every leader must have difficult conversations. It is the nature of the role. In m conversations with successful founders and CEOs, they often share with me running a business is easy, but lead people is hard. Difficult conversations are a part of life as you ask people to do new things and challenge them to grow. Today’s behind-the-scenes video shows how you can improve in delivering difficult conversations. Let me give you insights that will add to the structure of your difficult conversations. 

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.


Read more

Growth Think Tank with Aaron Anders

Leaders Trust Themselves Even When Uncertain with Aaron Anders at Woo Tungsten

Confidence comes up in all parts of leadership. However, leaders trust themselves because they have to believe they will overcome challenges in front of them. If you are uncertain of the future, the worst thing you can do is sit in doubt. Today’s guest is Aaron Anders, a co-founder at Woo Tungsten. Inc Magazine ranked his company #235 on the 2020 Inc 5000 list. Woo Tungsten is an innovative e-commerce brand for those that love to fish. Aaron opens up to me about his understanding of why leaders trust themselves if they want to create their future. In my years of being an entrepreneurial leader, I know that leaders trust themselves even in times of doubt. Aaron talks about the power of taking action as a way to move forward. Leaders trust themselves even when it is hard and the future is uncertain.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more

Growth Think Tank with Jonathan Propper

Leading Innovation for Fast Growth with Jonathan Propper at Dropps

Every company faces the need to stay ahead of the competition. Our job as leaders is leading innovation even when we are ahead of our peers. My research in fast-growth companies has revealed the constant drive of leading innovation. Today’s guest is Jonathan Propper, Founder & CEO at Dropps. Inc Magazine ranked his company #289 on the 2020, No. 1031 (2019) Inc 5000 list. Dropps is an innovative retail brand that has produced a dye-free, harmless laundry pod. Jonathan shares his perspective on leading innovation. We talk about his journey to create a new product and the failures along the way. Leading innovation is needed now as much as ever.

Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.



Read more