The Man Kind Podcast Justin J. Girdler

The Man Kind Podcast is back!
IntroHave you ever felt like it's too hard to be a kind business leader? That "Kindness" and "Business" are just like oil and water, they just don't mix. Sure, kindness is good in your personal life. But business is dog-eat-dog, and good guys finish last. Or maybe it's more personal than that. Have you ever struggled with how to be nice to someone who's just a jerk? And excuse my language here, but truth is, we have or will one day work with an asshole, or two.
It's unavoidable. So what is a kind, empathetic person to do in those situations?
Well, after a long break the Man Kind Podcast is back! On today's show, I get the privilege of interviewing, Ted Beasley. He is an executive coach and helps entrepreneurs, he's an entrepreneur himself, and he teaches business classes for MBA students. Today on the podcast he's going to give us some very practical how-tos if you are an empathetic-type leader, as well as what to do if you happen to be a jerk in the workplace.
He's going to highlight the value the empathetic leaders bring, as well as show how to navigate some of the pitfalls and struggles that many emotionally-open leaders experience - just in working in the workplace.
CoachingStart with the business issues. Coaches.
"Most business problems have some sort of origin in personal problems." - Ted BeasleyHow do you identify true leadership talent?The driver has changed over the decades:
In the 1920's the dominant business leadership trait was IQ.In the 1970's it was "competencies" (a.k.a. skills).In the 1990's Daniel Goleman identified Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and other soft skills as the most identifiable trait in effective leaders. Defining EQ as using the emotions of yourself and others.But in the wake of the financial crash of 2008, it wasn't EQ anymore, but more about potential - intangible characteristics like grit, comfortability with risk, confidence, and performance. And leadership became about identifying "high potential" candidates with these specific traits. EQ and IQ are now just a piece of the pie.
Empathetic leaders continue to thrive in their roles building "worker engagement" - the willingness for a worker to care and go above and beyond.
Turns out, Austin, TX has the most engaged workforce in America. - GallupThe number one factor in worker engagement is how connected you are with your direct supervisor.
Pitfalls for Empathetic LeadersMost empathetic leaders struggle in the E-suite class because they don't lead from a place of drive, belief, and do-whatever-it-takes.
What to do about itPut systems and the right people around the leadership challenges. Partner with a well-organized, meticulous general manager, COO, or board of directors who'll push for the harder calls. Because it's tough to hold the goal of building an empire when you care about people.
A lot of alpha founders turn their endeavors over to highly empathetic people because managing expectations and managing hearts is very difficult.
When empathetic leaders excell
find ways to tap into what motivates in the teambe very clear early on what the expectations are. Empathetic leaders need to lean into negotiating with hard-driving board of directors or CEOs. Give clarity to executives, by delivering
Definitions of A-tpesType A - obsessed with goal-acheivment.
Alpha leaders - like a type A, but focus on stepping into leadership vacuums and drive teams towards goals.
Assholes

Got to jump on with my good buddy Benjamin Sledge today to talk about his story growing up in a community where he was ostracized and mocked for being himself. These negative messages became wounds he carried around with him and tried to mask. As he lost pieces of himself, he shipped off to war where he was wounded in combat. After two tours in some of the worst warzones on the planet, Ben had to learn to heal. Fortunately, there were men around him to show him just how.
Check out ben's work at BenSledge.com.
His writing on Medium
One of the best resources for veterans Heroes and Horses he recommends.

Got to jump on with my good buddy Benjamin Sledge today to talk about his story growing up in a conservative community and the messages he got as a kid who loved metal, martial arts, and so much more. Part two, which drops next week will have all the parts about his military service and how he began his journey to develop healthy relationships, starting with other men.
Check out ben's work at BenSledge.com.
Resources for veterans Heroes and Horses.

Look, the new year is here, and the holidays are behind us, and that means you likely spent significant time with loved ones and friends. Being around others means we might have had some conversations that made us squirm and were at times uncomfortable. You might have even been offended. But what do you do when you're offended? My go-to move? Bury my head in the sand and don't come back up until the tension has settled, but that's now how a real adult should with things, is it? In this episode I share what I'm learning about conflict and offensiveness that I think might help us all the next time the holidays roll around!
Links:We have a new Patreon page! 👈Check it out!
Instagram is always a good place for updates, and what's going on in the world of kindness!

How do you create a thriving business and brand with kindness and respect? I had the privilege of sitting down with the co-founder of S.L.A.B. BBQ, Raf Robinson, to hear how he built one of the most recognizable restaurant brands in Austin, Texas with these values at the forefront.

How do you create a thriving business and brand with kindness and respect? I had the privilege of sitting down with the co-founder of S.L.A.B. BBQ, Raf Robinson, to hear how he built one of the most recognizable restaurant brands in Austin, Texas with these values at the forefront.