Two Are Gathered Leadership Podcast

TAG 159 - The Well-Planned Leader

There are so many different essential traits of a gifted leader. Few are more important than planning. No one wants to get lost in their business or with their careers. Everyone in the building is going to be judging the leader by the quality of their planning ability. In most organizations, the difference between a business having to shutter its doors...or being highly profitable is the quality of the leadership's planning. Join Michael and Jim as they take a deep dive into all aspect...

TAG 158 - Building Business Relationships

When it comes to being successful in business and life, it's all about relationships.  Most elite leaders will tell you that developing a circle of trusted friends, colleagues, and partners is as important as any other task before them.  However, building business relationships does not come easy for many entrepreneurs and leaders. Isolation and loneliness is all too prevalent in entrepreneurship. Often there can be sadness behind that beaming, business-facing smile.  Building business...

TAG 157 - When There Are Way More Tasks Than Time

Have you ever started off a day or week by saying to yourself, "There is no way we're going to get everything done that we need to do?" If you're like most business owners, this experience occurs with too much frequency, and over time can cause great harm to your health and well being. It brings this crushing feeling where the walls are coming closer and closer to you on all sides. When you're a leader or entrepreneur, this is exasperated further as your panicked face starts to spread ...

TAG 156 - Outlasting The Competition

 Can you imagine what it would be like if you had no competition in your business? None at all. Theoretically, our company's offerings would be in high demand and we could negotiate in our favor with all of the leverage. The phones would be ringing...the cash registers would be singing...at least for a while. That's because competition is actually a leadership friend. One that makes us stronger. As leaders, competition is good for us. It's good for our teams. It's good for our customer...

TAG 155 - How To Win The Game Of Entrepreneurship

Many people decide to start a business with the idea that it's going to change their lives in so many marvelous ways. It will change your life alright. They got that part spot on. The truth is this is a high risk journey...being a business owner. That pathway can lead to financial ruin, a loss of friends and a break-up of a family. You need to know this heading down this road. Which is why being a successful business owner entails so much more than merely growing your revenues.  Join...

TAG 154 - Leading After Experiencing A Crisis

In this special episode of the Two Are Gathered Leadership podcast we hear from Co-Host Jim Johnson only six weeks after his recent open heart surgery.  After more than 50 years of being a hard charger in the business world he shares what his most intimate thoughts were about leadership, success and life as he was being wheeled into the surgery room for what might have been his last moments here on earth.   What really matters when it comes to building a company? How do you truly measure...

TAG 153 - Leading When Things Are Out Of Your Control

There are few things leaders and entrepreneurs enjoy more than being in control. The truth is we never really are in control. It's one of the great leadership delusions. There are so many things well, well beyond our scope of control...such as rain falling, earth shaking, waves crashing and most of the world's geopolitics that affect even the smallest of businesses. Then there are health crises.  All out of our control! If we accept the true reality that ultimately we are not in cont...

TAG 152 - Shining The Light On Stubbornness

If we're in leadership. If we're entrepreneurs. There is an excellent chance we're heard this phrase throughout our lifetimes: You are SO stubborn. What's interesting about the word stubbornness is that it's used both positively and pejoratively. That is...it's both a complement and a criticism. The reason is...there really is a LIGHT SIDE, and a DARK SIDE to stubbornness. The goal in leadership is to tap into all of the qualities of stubbornness without slipping over into the edge of ...

TAG 151 - The Power Of Pruning In Leadership And Life

One thing virtually every leader and entrepreneur wants to do...is to grow. They want to experience interpersonal growth...intellectual growth...they want to grow their skillsets and those of their teams...they want to grow their network, their net worth...their revenues...their bottom line...their vision. Growth is exciting. Which is probably why so many leaders can be reluctant to do the exact opposite.  That is to exercise the discipline of pruning. Yet, that's the exact critical pr...

TAG 150 - How Future Proof Is Your Business

How future proof is your business? How well prepared are you for all of the things that could go wrong? This is one of the least enjoyable parts of being an entrepreneur. Going through all of the "What if's?" and having a strong response in place for as many of these challenges as you can. It's not as exhilarating as charting out plans for new product and service launches and dreaming up ways for more growth. But future-proofing your business will be one of the most important exercises...

TAG 149 - The Leadership Health Check

When you get into a leadership role one of the first great challenges you'll have to face is realizing that things are much different than they are advertised. Yes...those dreams of leadership and entrepreneurship. That you'll be the captain of your own ship...that you'll be able to create a schedule and a lifestyle well beyond anything you could have imagined. These may be true in part or in whole. But they also arrive with the tremendous burden of responsibility. These responsibilities...

TAG 148 - The Less Glamorous Side Of Winning At Business

What is one of the most common questions a young entrepreneur will ask a much more experienced business owner? It's this: "When does all of this get easier? When does running a business get easy?" In many ways business does get easier when compared to those early frantic times of daily struggles. You build more systems. You gain efficiency. You can even work at making your job more enjoyable for you. But...there will always be some less glamorous elements of owning a business...of bein...

TAG 147 - Driving Through The Leadership Fog

One thing about leaders and visionaries...we love to see what's far ahead and plan for the brightest of futures. It's about planning. It's about growth. It's about vision. Unfortunately, there are those times in the leader's voyage when things get hazy...they get foggy...and uncertain. Forget about planning for next year or even the next six months...you've got to get through the next few days. Join Michael and Jim as they share how best to drive through a leadership fog.

TAG 146 - Keeping A Good Business From Going Bad

You have your favorite restaurant. One you've enjoyed for years. But...then something has changed. It's just not as good as it used to be. It happens with vendors we work with. You engage with them because of their amazing service and fair prices...and over time, they lose their luster. They lose their value to you. But, the worst case is when this is what they are saying about YOUR business. It's just not as good as it used to be.  If they are saying this about your company, the en...

TAG 145 - The Things We Shouldnt Say

As leaders, in order for us to be successful, we must be excellent communicators. This is something we need to grow in each and every day. And interestingly enough...as we develop our capabilities as a communicator...one of the things we need to master is not just what we say...but what we shouldn't say. We can destroy our business more rapidly with the words we SAY than the words we DON'T say. Figuring out what NOT to say, is one of the important leadership tactics...and one of the mo...

TAG 144 - Advance Networking Techniques

When you hear the word "networking" it conjures up an image of a toothy salesperson in a suit, walking through a large gathering of prospects, reaching out a well groomed hand to offer a shake....while the other hand is slipping people business cards. The truth of the matter is...at the entrepreneur level...you really don't have time to be attending all of these multiple events...passing out business cards like frisbees. Your more successful business owners don't. They rely on a networki...

TAG 143 - The Seldom Celebrated Benefits Of Being A Business Owner

TAG 142 - The Virtues Of Patience

How many times have we heard this phrase: Patience is a virtue? Often it seems like we hear this every day. But, what does this phrase...this colloquialism...really mean when it comes to business? On one hand, you're hearing that in order to succeed you've got to hustle...hustle...hustle. And, on the other hand...you're taught that you need to be patient, calculating and thoughtful. So which is it? Join Michael and Jim as they provide definitive answers regarding the virtues of pat...

TAG 141 - Landing The Bigger Fish

There is a big difference between winning the lottery and winning in business. Yet, many entrepreneurs sometimes get these confused. So many want to hit the big time with their business, but many times in this pursuit they themselves get hit...big time. It's the age old pursuit. Captain Ahab in Moby Dick with the Great White Whale. Or Hemingway's Santiago...in The Old Man and the Sea. They had to learn the hard way...sometimes you get the fish...and sometimes the fish gets you. Join ...

TAG 140 - Battling The Business Owner Blues

One of the dark secrets of entrepreneurism is that it's not all that it's made out to be. You're told that if you quit your job and start your own business, that you'll be able to choose your hours, be your own boss and the money will flow in like Niagra Falls. Instead...you lose sleep, hair, money...and sadly, some of the relationships around you, and you ask yourself, "I did this for what reason?" This can bring on a bad case of the Business Owner Blues.  How do keep from getting dep...

TAG 139 - The Thin Line Between High Performance And Being Overwhelmed

Who goes into business wanting to be a so-so leader? No...as leaders and entrepreneurs...we want to be high performance! We want to go absolutely pedal to the metal, accelerating through the curves...the wind blowing through our hair and with large audiences cheering us on. That is, until we crash. You work so hard to be at the top of your game and then suddenly you realize there is a thin line between high performance and being overwhelmed. Join Michael and Jim as they share how to wi...

TAG 138 - Alls Well That Ends Well

As leaders of organizations, as entrepreneurs, as wild-eyed inventors...we as a people...love getting things started. The start of a new project. Winning a new client. Making new goals. We love great beginnings. This is exciting.  Sadly...there is another critical aspect of business that typically is less enjoyable. Because in the ebb and flow of life as an entrepreneur, there are beginnings...and there are endings. You've got to be great at both. Join Michael and Jim as they explain...

TAG 137 - The Value Of Business Friendships

We all need friends. We all need friendships with others. The question is...do we need business friendships? Or should business be all about business? If you consider that as an entrepreneur, you'll spend somewhere in the range of 50-70% of your productive waking hours...doing business...then that's a long time of your life to be friendless. Of course there is value to business friendships. Yet, it's important to know that business friendships are...well...complicated. Join Michael a...

TAG 136 - When Your Project Runs Out Of Money

Is your project or business running out of money? You're not alone. This is an ongoing challenge for entrepreneurs. So many start off with a fabulous concept. Then, against the odds, they develop it out to its full fruition. Now, they are excited to get it off of the ground and to share their vision with the world. Their big problem? They are out of cash.  There is nothing left for marketing and without the ability to get the message out this great idea is going to wither on the vine. ...

TAG 135 - The Superpower Of Responsibility

We're the leader. The entrepreneur. We're the boss. We can choose our own path. Don't we have a right to be...irresponsible at times? Yes. But, if we actually want to design a pathway leading to success...we will want it paved with responsibility. There is no more instantaneous opportunity to increase your revenues, your profits...your customer retention...your employee satisfaction...than becoming more responsible.  Literally, you can grow in all of these areas of improvement overnigh...

TAG 134 - The Hardest Part About Being An Entrepreneur

Most of our listeners are entrepreneurs, are working with entrepreneurs or are thinking someday about possibly being entrepreneurs. Here is what you need to know. It's hard. Really hard being an entrepreneur! Why do so many become entrepreneurs despite this being the case? Because it's well worth the challenges you'll face. Yet, being aware of the most difficult aspects of being a business owner allow you to be prepared, and you'll have strategies in place to respond. Join Michael an...

TAG 133 - Learning To Listen

As entrepreneurs we are uniquely designed to go against the grain, to stop listening to how everyone says things should be done...and to go out and do it our own way. This is both our blessing and our curse. It's one of the great challenges of being business owner. You want to be unique...creating a new voice that no one else has heard...while at the same time, LISTENING better than anyone else. This is no easy task! Join Michael and Jim and they go deep on the subject of learning to...

TAG 132 - Regaining Your Traction When Youre Starting To Slip

One of the most treasured elements of leadership is also one of the most elusive. Just when you think you've got it...it starts slipping away. It's traction. That wonderful feeling of, "Hey, this plan might actually work!" It's the exhilaration that sets in when the tires are firmly gripping the road, and you feel the adrenaline rise as everything accelerates. Your strategy is working! Until, you hit that patch of black ice, and your tires start sliding off of your path. Join Micha...

TAG 131 - Maximizing The Talent Around You

One of the greatest joys of being a leader is when you get to assemble talent around you. Then again...it's one thing to assemble the talent. It's quite another to get them all to play their best music...and to be in tune and timing with one another. It's either a symphony...or a clattering of instruments. So as wonderful it is to have all of that talent around you...and the hope for symphonic music abounding...there also is another sound...the sound of money and resources draining out o...

TAG 130 - The Easy Way Or The Hard Way

If you were to take all of the leadership books ever written on the topic of running an organization or a business, you could sum them up into one simple question.  That question? "Are you going to do this the EASY WAY...or the HARD WAY?" In this day of hacks, shortcuts, and claims of "Three Easy Steps to Super Success" the answer can be more elusive than first thought. Is there an easy road? Where do I find it? Is this pathway the one that is best to choose? Join Michael and Jim as ...

TAG 129 - Counting Your Blessings

How do leaders and entrepreneurs keep their heads up when their world is crumbling around them? Simply, by counting their blessings. Of course, this is hardly a simple task. After all, being an entrepreneur can be a tremendous challenge. It can be one of the toughest jobs that exists. Much of this is because many of the difficulties business owners face are ones they take on alone. This why leaders can be among the loneliness people around. So, when the high winds are whipping around...

TAG 128 - The Hidden Treasure Of Leadership And Life

The pursuit of leadership glory comes with many twists and bends in the road. Sadly, so many arrive at the destination and say, "Is this it?" Much of this disappointment is due to the fact they realize they were seeking out the wrong treasure. Then, as if it's dust in the wind, the fool's gold blows away, leaving them emotionally broke and terribly unfulfilled.  The true key to success as an entrepreneur is to dig in the right place to find the gold. In fact, even more important is to ...

TAG 127 - When Your Day Needs A Miracle

There are those challenging times as an entrepreneur when you wake up knowing there is only one way you're going to get through your day without it ending up a total disaster. It's going to take a miracle. Yet, as crazy as it may seem, there is strategy, technique and experience involved when it comes to pulling off a miracle.  These are skills which the most effective and battle tested leaders know well. Join Michael and Jim as they explore this topic and provide some...miraculous i...

TAG 126 - Stepping Through The Doors Of Opportunity

So often, you hear entrepreneurs saying they are waiting for their "big break" or they are hoping for their "ship to come in".  Sadly. That could be a very long wait. In fact, there is a good chance that ship might never make it to shore to pick you up. Being a business owner is more about learning how to row a boat than waiting for a luxury liner to arrive. Still, there are doors of opportunity that are opening and closing all around you. Which ones should you choose to walk through? ...

TAG 125 - The Impact Of Just Showing Up

Leaders and entrepreneurs are among the busiest, most stressed out and exhausted people there are. So should we excuse you when you decide not to show up to an event you were expected to attend? Not if we're going to hold you up to the highest standards of excellence! The impact of "just showing up" cannot be overvalued when it comes to being successful. Even during those times when it's the last thing you feel like doing. Join Michael and Jim in their 125th episode of the Two Are Gath...

TAG 124 - Jumping Into The Deep End Of The Pool

Entrepreneurs often start off their journeys with unrealistic expectations. They want to leave their job, launch a new business and start their new life...without any risk of failure. Many new business owners are oftentimes hoping for the impossible. They want to be able to jump into the pool, without getting wet. Yet, instead of making a splash, many of them quickly discover they aren't any good at swimming. There is good news, however. You can jump into the deep end of the pool, an...

TAG 123 - Should We Fake It Until We Make It?

Many leaders and business owners as they are getting started...or even midway through their company's development...experience what's known as Imposter Syndrome. Even the most seasoned entrepreneurs will admit they still suffer from bouts of Imposter Syndrome where they feel completely over their heads, underqualified and totally overwhelmed. What are you supposed to do when you encounter this common affliction of entrepreneurs? Many will say, "Fake it until you make it." What do Mic...

TAG 122 - Its All About Relationships

If your business is struggling...99% of the time it will come down to this...you've got a people problem. DISCONNECTED. OUT OF TOUCH. You started a business to fill your needs...rather than the needs of the people you're supposed to be serving. Relationships are the single most important aspect of launching, growing and sustaining a business. Don't believe this? Then you really need to listen to this episode. Join Michael and Jim for this extensive exploration of the role relationshi...

TAG 121 - Plausible Denialability

Plausible denialability? What's that? Well...it's a who new entrepreneurial term created and explained here in the Two Are Gathered Leadership Podcast.  What does it mean? First...to be a successful entrepreneur you need to be able to function while often firmly being in a state of "denial". Because, there are too many times when things seem impossible, and you're the only one to carry the vision forward. Yet, there also needs to be a level of "plausibility" to these dreams, or you'll ...

TAG 120 - Dealing With Frustration

The experience of being an entrepreneur who created something out of nothing and then ultimately climbed the highest mountain of their dreams...it's such a great feeling. But...it's also...SO FRUSTRATING. And, having to manage all of this frustration? It just makes you all the more frustrated.  It's just something they don't teach you in business school. It's even left out of the fine print of those franchise agreements. Owning a business is so frustrating! But, here's the good new...

TAG 119 - Perfect Timing In Leadership

Whether you're a jazz musician, a ballet dancer or even a comedian...you've got to have to perfect timing. The same is true with leadership. The most skilled leaders have perfect timing. This is not a topic you hear discussed in too many business circles, but it may be one of the most important leadership skills to master. Everyday...without fail, you should be asking, "Is this the right time to have THAT discussion with my employee?" or "Is this the right moment to ask for the order?"...

TAG 118 - Telling The Truth

Most leaders lie on occasion. Some tell little lies. Some tell medium lies. And, then there are those who frequently tell Big Whoppers. Those are usually who you would refer to as failing leaders...maybe even former leaders...because in leadership, your lying always catches up with you. For some, there is a belief you should have lying as one of your advanced leadership skill sets. Let’s call it Strategic Deception. However; there is a vastly superior skill in the leadership toolkit. I...

TAG 117 - Beating The Clock

There is one principle in business that always rings true...and it rings like a gong. That is, you're always going to have competition. And, in business there is a competitor we all share in common...and it's a fierce opponent. In just about all cases it's our most challenging foe. It never sleeps, it's unrelenting, it's unforgiving. It's time. Time is our greatest opponent. As a leader, you either beat the clock or the clock will beat you. Join Michael and Jim as they share keen ins...

TAG 116 - The Attitude Of Leadership Gratitude

One of the most important traits required to being a successful and transformational leader is often the least discussed. And, that's having an attitude of gratitude. In exploring the key characteristics of a skilled leader, there are many strengths that come easily to mind...ones like vision, fortitude, perseverance and communication.  Yet, employee survey after employee survey affirm that having a culture of gratitude is what is most important to our teams. Join Michael and Jim in th...

TAG 115 - Entrepreneurial Detoxing

Everybody knew being an entrepreneur wasn't going to be easy...but who knew it would be this tough? Just when you think you're out of the stressful elements of your operation...they pull you back in again! Yet, we're doing this crazy business owning thing because somewhere deep down...really deep down on some days...we love what we do. Why is it that we can so enjoy chasing the dream...but this pursuit can also create such high levels of stress that it's literally unhealthy? Join Mic...

TAG 114 - Earning The Trust Of Your People

Here is the truth when it comes to being an entrepreneur or an organizational founder. Capital matters. But there is something that matters even more. Yes...if you've got the money to invest in your dreams...you'll have a shorter path and easier ride to where you're heading. But, there is something that your money can't buy you as a leader. And, that's the trust of your people.  In fact, no matter how well funded you are...you won't be able to function as a leader in your business if...

TAG 113 - Finding Freedom As An Entrepreneur

Most entrepreneurs are NOT free. Many of them have constructed an elaborate prison of their own making. Sadly, in many cases, this prison of their business is not only for them, but for their family as well.  You can see this written on the faces of so many entrepreneurs. The lines in their faces...the concerns in their eyes....the fidgeting of their hands. And, even some of those you would consider among the most successful business people...they've never really tasted freedom as an e...

TAG 112 - The Power Of Belief

As business owners, entrepreneurs, inventors and wild-eyed dreamers...we are part of the creative energy of change. Hopefully, this is positive change...sometimes incremental and occasionally revolutionary. But throughout it all, for us to have leadership success...at the fundamental level...we must be BELIEF PEDDLERS. If you don't believe in anything...ain't nobody following you. It's really the only reason why leadership is worth all of the trouble in the end. You have something yo...

TAG 111 - Painfully And Powerfully Self-Aware

As leaders, it's important we spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. Not to improve our good looks, but rather to make us stronger leaders. It's about being self-aware. Sadly...there are too few leaders who are self-aware of who they are in their roles and how they are perceived by those who follow them. Many are literally drowning in pools of self-delusion, and the worst part is they have no idea they are even wet. The hidden truth about being self-aware, and humble in your app...

TAG 110 - The Managed Reactions Of A Skilled Leader

As leaders...we are not in control. It's sad. It can be difficult to deal with this truth. But...as leaders we are not in control. This is one of the areas where leaders fall prey to delusion more than just about anything else. We want to be in control. We want absolute control...because we're control freaks. But, we're not in control. And this creates great frustration and disappointment. We can influence the circumstances around us. We can plan well, to minimize disruption. We can tr...