The Clarity Advisors Show Ken Trupke

Terms like "culture" and "teams" are used a lot in business, but getting a shared understanding of what those words mean can be challenging. Dr. Christopher Fischer is a psychologist who works with leaders on the "people side" of their business to help them get clarity and deliver results.
On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, Christopher and host Ken Trupke talk about the importance of creating a clear and intentional culture within a company, and the need for leaders to differentiate between a "team" and a "work group".

Timestamps
(01:09): About Fusion Consultants.
(02:30): Who typically hires Fusion Consultants?
(05:06): The psychology of sales.
(09:01): Chris’ background.
(18:32): Why leaders and organizations struggle with culture.
(21:47): What prevents companies from implementing the culture they want to have.
(26:10): The difference between a team and a work group.
(33:39): What Chris is reading and listening to.
(35:48): Connecting with Dr. Christopher Fischer.

 Episode Quotes
“Unless you're very intentional about the culture that you want to create, you'll unintentionally get the culture you deserve.”

“My basic definition of culture is behavior that gets repeated over and over and over and over again.”

“I think strategy and clarity are simple to say but really hard to do.”

“I'm not a business strategist by any means, but I can help sniff out where there's lack of clarity for organizations.”

“We want to have a climate where people feel psychologically safe and want to have fun and be engaged, but we don't hold people accountable to the behaviors that we don't need and reinforce the behaviors that we do need.”

“Organizational groups are a number of individuals working on things that will aggregate up to a final score that will make a difference, but they're not held accountable at the same time or have shared accountability on the field at the same time a team does.”


 Recommended Reading and Listening
The Pacesetter Pod hosted by Joe Mosher.Chris Fischer’s interview on the Pacesetter Pod.Hidden Brain podcast.“David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell.“World Without End: A Novel (Kingsbridge)” by Ken Follett. 
 Connect with Dr. Christopher Fischer
Fusionconsults.comChristopher Fischer on LinkedIn 
 
 
 

Commodities like propane, gas, and industrial lubricants may not be something you think about often, but they're critical to providing the energy needed to heat our homes and run the farm equipment that produces our food.
Brad Morrill started his career in the Army and worked for a couple of large, well-known companies on his way to his current leadership job with Crystal Flash, an employee-owned propane company in Michigan.

On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, Brad and host Ken Trupke talk about some of the lessons Brad has learned about growing and building teams.


Timestamps
(01:06): About Crystal Flash.
(02:01): What makes Crystal Flash unique?
(03:13): Brad Morrill’s background.
(04:02): Why agriculture and energy?
(06:12): Makeup of Crystal Flash’s team.
(10:41): Tips for building and growing teams.
(14:00): Attracting and retaining talent.
(20:44): Brad’s planned transition.
(29:20): Recommended reading and listening.
(32:55): How to connect with Brad.


Episode Quotes
“What I like about energy and food agriculture is those are foundational industries for the human race. We all have to eat and we all need energy.”

“I like to say (Crystal Flash is) a big enough company to have resources to actually do stuff, but a small enough company that you still know people and what they do.”

“Hire slow, hire for enthusiasm, and hire for curiosity. Those are three big things I look for. And in the situations where I've been able to find those people, they've been really great teammates to have for long periods of time.”

“People hire into companies and they leave managers.”

“I'm kind of a five- to seven-year guy and here I am at 10, so I'm kind of long in the tooth at this company and I'm ready for the next step.”

“Because it's such a long transition and so well-orchestrated that I think by the time that I leave, it'll be more like, 'Brad, did you leave already?'”

“We've done a really good job at Crystal Flash of keeping people on part-time when they get to retirement age. Instead of just having them stop one day and go to a hundred percent retirement, we found ways to be able to allow people to move into a part-time role and continue so that they have a transition timeframe, and we get to still benefit from their experience.”


Recommended Reading and Listening
“Working Identity,” by Herminia Ibarra.“Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader,” by Herminia Ibarra.The Pacesetter Pod with Joe Mosher.Politico Energy podcast.Oil and Gas This Week podcast.Path to Zero podcast.Freakonomics podcasts.Newt’s World podcast with Newt Gingrich.

Connect With Brad Morrill
Bradleyjmorrill.comBrad Morrill on LinkedIn

On the previous episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke explained the difference between timely trends and timeless truths and shared some timely trends leaders need to understand.

In this episode, Ken offers three timeless truths that have been -- and will continue to be -- true for you to build and lead a successful team.

Timestamps
(00:20): Introduction.
(01:10): Timeless truth No. 1: Communication.
(02:39): Synchronous and in-person communication.
(05:17): Both sides of the DISC profile are important.
(07:42): Timeless truth No. 2: Culture trumps skills.
(09:34): Timeless truth No. 3: Appreciation.

Episode Quotes
“People are going to fill the void with negativity.”

“Synchronous and in-person are better than asynchronous and not in-person.”

“Businesses tend to get off the rails...because we had a miscommunication somewhere and people didn't understand something."

“Communication is something you'll never master, but you can continually get better at.”

“People...want to belong. They want to be somewhere where, ‘People like us do things like this.’”

“People also want to know that you notice (them) and that they matter.”

“Gen Z and Gen Alpha don't just work for the money and they won't just put up with things for the money the way Xers and Boomers did."

Recommended reading and listening
The Clarity Advisors Show Episode 89 – Timely trends to help build your team.Clarity Advisors Reading List
Follow/Connect with Ken Trupke
ken@clarityadvisors.iohttp://www.clarityadvisors.io/Ken Trupke on LinkedIn 

When building and growing your team, there are timely trends and timeless truths. And you need to appreciate both, as well as know the difference between them.

On this edition of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke offers three timely trends to which leaders need to pay attention. Next week, he’ll look at some timeless truths that have been – and always will be – keys to building strong teams.

Timestamps
(00:37): Timely trends vs. timeless truths.
(03:24): Timely trend No. 1: Remote work.
(08:15): Timely trend No. 2: Generational differences.
(13:00): Timely trend No. 3: Artificial intelligence.
(18:01): Wrap up.

Episode Quotes
“There are timely trends that younger leaders are dialed into that experienced leaders need to pay attention to. They may change and evolve, but you can't ignore them.”

“It's easier to establish a culture where 'people like us do things like this' (when you're in-person)."

“Key generational differences are wanting more time off, wanting a flexible schedule, and yes, wanting remote work.”

“It's not that people didn't want to take time off or didn't want to have more work-life balance. It just wasn't as acceptable. But today it’s very acceptable.”

“As a leader, you need to set the expectations and goals around what we're trying to accomplish as a business to serve our customers. Micromanaging comes in when we also dictate the how.”

"(Not using AI is) like saying the internet was a trend or that laptops are just a tool for lazy people.”

Recommended reading and listening
Clarity Advisor Reading List
Follow/Connect with Ken Trupke
ken@clarityadvisors.iohttp://www.clarityadvisors.io/Ken Trupke on LinkedIn 

On this "Ask Me Anything" episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke answers your questions. This week he tackles how to grow your skills without a company training plan, ways to show appreciation to team members when you can’t give them bonuses, and how to start using AI in your work.

If you have a question that you’d like Ken to answer in a future episode, you can email it to him at ken@clarityadvisors.io.

Timestamps
(00:20): Introduction
(00:40): Question #1: How to grow skills on your own.
(01:21): Invest in yourself.
(01:32): Use books to learn.
(03:02): Outside coaching.
(04:22): Take Courses.
(05:30): Find a Group.
(07:00): Question #2: How to show appreciation.
(07:20): Just say thanks.
(10:24): Gifts.
(12:53): Handwritten cards.
(16:28): Question #3: How to get started with AI.
(16:50): Start with an email.
(21:18): Use AI before search.
(24:00): Wrap-up.

Episode Quotes
“We don't want to be the Dead Sea, where information comes in and that's it. We want to be the Sea of Galilee, where the water flows in and then flows back out.

“Education and growth are an investment. That return is us getting better, us becoming more valuable, positioning ourselves for a promotion or a raise because we know more.”

“Improving your communication skills is valuable any time, any place, for anybody. It's not just a business skill, it's a life skill.”

“If you don’t have the money (to do more) – and even if you do have money – say thank you. Just tell people that you appreciate them.”

Recommended reading and listening
Clarity Advisor Reading ListJoe Pici’s Rapport Mastery Boot CampJoe Pici's Virtual Rapport Mastery Course.Clarity Advisors Show, Episode 25, on the benefits of having a daily huddle.Clarity Advisors Show, Episode 87, on artificial intelligence in your business.Gary Pinkerton's PodcastCraig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
  Follow/Connect with Ken Trupke
ken@clarityadvisors.iowww.clarityadvisors.ioKen Trupke on LinkedIn

Artificial Intelligence now seems to be part of every business conversation. However, some leaders are still reluctant to use AI.

On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke shares why you should consider AI and how you might overcome your team's reluctance to embrace it.

Timestamps
(00:19): Broad overview of artificial intelligence (AI).
(00:56): How AI is being used.
(01:38): Most common responses to AI.
(02:39): Suggested responses.
(03:18): Automate repetitive tasks.
(03:33): Analyze lots of data quickly and accurately.
(05:30): Other popular uses.
(05:40): Content creation and curation.
(06:07): Sentiment analysis.
(06:37): Customer relation management
(06:53): Human resource AI tools.
(07:27): Reasons for reluctance.
(08:00): Tips for introducing and adopting AI.
(08:10): Guarantee there won’t be firings.
(10:20): Encourage a growth mindset.
(11:12): Focus on the value and impact.
(12:30): Summary

Episode Quotes
"Regardless of the business you're in, AI can improve your efficiency, productivity, and decision-making.”

“Uncovering valuable insights, patterns and trends hidden within your marketing, sales, finance, and operational data allows your team to make better decisions and predictions.”

“While AI may automate certain tasks, it also creates new opportunities for creativity, problem solving, and higher value work. Smart use of AI will support human capabilities, not replace them entirely.”

“AI is not going to take your job, but someone using AI might. So be that person – be the person who leverages and uses AI.”

 Recommended reading and listening
The Clarity Advisors Show Episode 58 with Krystal Parker: The AI revolution and its impact on the workforce.
 Follow/Connect with Ken Trupke
ken@clarityadvisors.iowww.clarityadvisors.ioKen Trupke on LinkedIn