Billy and Hali kick off the new year with Nathan Mellor, CEO of Strata Leadership, in an episode packed with nuggets on character-driven leadership and the power of aligning character with competency. Nathan discusses how servant leadership makes an impact, why the greatest challenge for young leaders is often a mindset shift rather than a skillset shift, and the critical role of self-awareness in growing into leadership opportunities.

Nathan explores the difference between a fixed and growth mindset, highlighting that it’s the “how” behind what you do that defines you. Throughout the episode, he offers practical advice like identifying whether a problem stems from character or competency and knowing you can’t solve one with tools meant for the other.

Learn how to train yourself and your team to focus on recognizing what someone is doing right instead of focusing on what they’re doing wrong. Discover what it means to make the “second mile” become second nature. He also reminds us that titles don’t define us; it’s how we approach our work that truly matters. Whether it’s learning to push through hard times, investing in personal growth, or distinguishing between chore and choice, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation filled with leadership nuggets to help you lead with purpose and impact in the year ahead!

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets? 

Discover more about Strata Leadership: https://strataleadership.com/

This week on Nuts and Bolts of Leadership, Billy sits down with Chase Alford, Lead Pastor of Teaching at Dayspring Baptist Church, and Austin Lovette, Teaching Pastor at Wilmer Baptist Church, to unpack the unique dynamics of leadership in ministry. They talk about balancing the practical aspects of running a church while staying rooted in its spiritual mission.

The conversation dives into the challenges and rewards of mentorship, the value of leaning on seasoned leaders, and the power of leading from your individual strengths—whether it’s teaching, guiding, or inspiring through action. Chase and Austin share why having a plurality of leadership helps prevent burnout and fosters a supportive, collaborative team. They also offer practical advice on managing time wisely, breaking down complex theological ideas into relatable messages, and maintaining authenticity in communication.

Tune in for insights on how tools like church apps are enhancing member engagement and why gratitude is a cornerstone for leadership in ministry. Packed with lessons on faith, connection, and leading with purpose, this episode is a must-listen for ministry leaders, and anyone striving to inspire and grow their teams!

Join us on Nuts and Bolts of Leadership as we continue our ESOP Month celebrations with a conversation that dives deep into the heart of employee ownership. Billy and Hali are joined by Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership, who shares his insights on the benefits, challenges, and impact of ESOPs.

Corey takes us through the history, creation, and future of ESOPs and discusses the benefits and hurdles involved in setting up new ESOPs. He explains how ESOPs can help employees build lasting wealth while also benefiting former owners and supporting the long-term health of the company. We also discuss the NCEO’s work in continuous education, research, and community investment within the ESOP space.

Discover how employee ownership affects workplace culture, impacting everything from employee behavior and attitudes to fostering a spirit of collaboration across teams. Corey also shares three essential tools for cultivating a successful ESOP culture and highlights the importance of involving employees in meaningful ways.

Whether you are part of the ESOP community, considering creating an ESOP, or simply interested in the power of employee ownership, this episode is full of leadership insights and ESOP nuggets. Tune in for inspiration, advice, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to invest in employee ownership.

Don’t miss out—listen now and celebrate ESOP Month with us!

Books mentioned: Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What by Corey Rosen and John Case

To kick off ESOP Month, we are hosting a special episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast. Billy and Hali are joined by Ashley Bryan, CFO of Threaded Fasteners and the TFI “ESOP Guru,” as they discuss all things ESOP.

Ashley dives into the nitty-gritty of what an ESOP is and how it works at Threaded Fasteners. They explore the advantages of being employee-owned, from receiving real financial benefits to building a true ownership culture. Ashley breaks down the complexities of ESOPs and the steps they take to communicate these complex ideas to employee-owners. From understanding the difference between an ESOP and a 401(k) to grasping the financial impact of ownership, Ashley works to communicate the key concepts. Ashley shares Threaded Fasteners’ strategy for ESOP communications, including their ESOP Advocate Program, ESOP Touchpoints, and ESOP Month activities. She also emphasizes the importance of connecting with employees at every level to help them fully understand ESOP’s lasting impact. Billy and Ashley discuss how being an employee-owned company can help with both hiring and retention. They also talk about the benefits of selling a business to an ESOP, not just for the company owner but for their employees as well.

It’s ESOP Month, so stay tuned for more leaders who own it!

In this episode of the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership podcast, hosts Billy and Hali are joined by Kim Garrett, Director of Victory Health Partners, for a conversation centered on mission-driven leadership in providing healthcare to those in need. Kim highlights the importance of focusing on the mission both inside and outside of the clinic, sharing how her team remains dedicated to their vision while avoiding mission drift.

Throughout the episode, Kim shares the intentional practices that guide Victory Health Partners, emphasizing the value of caring for every patient, every time. She discusses the need to slow down and spend meaningful time with patients, while also highlighting the role of outside partners and volunteers in maintaining the clinic’s impact. As Kim explains, healthcare is the avenue through which they fulfill their larger mission—serving the medically underserved both spiritually and physically.

Kim also touches on the balance between grace and expectations when leading a team, speaking about how to care for staff while being good stewards of their patients and partners. She offers insights into the value of community partnerships and how to align resources with needs. Later, she discusses the value of starting small, reminding us that consistency is key.

Tune in to learn more about leading with intention, leveraging partnerships, and aligning mission with gifts that creates a lasting impact beyond the walls of the clinic!

If you are interested in donating your time, talent, or resources to Victory Health or you are interested in learning more about their services please visit victoryhealth.org.

Enjoy!

In this episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast, Billy and Hali sit down with Kathy Mazzarella, CEO of Graybar, to explore what it takes to reach the top and how young leaders can achieve success in leadership. Kathy emphasizes the importance of facing your fears and setting ambitious goals within realistic timeframes. She also shares insights on how no career path is a straight line to the top and the critical role leaders play in bringing others along on their journey.

Kathy discusses her philosophy of “gentle pressure relentlessly applied” and what it takes to balance the heart of humanity with the science of technology. She emphasizes that leadership isn’t just about achieving results, but about how those results are obtained, often requiring difficult decisions that may have short-term costs but are best for the team in the long run.

We also discuss the necessity of continuously evolving your team to avoid falling behind, the long-term investments in infrastructure, technology, and people that Graybar is making to ensure future success, and why true leadership is about focusing on everyone except yourself. Kathy also offers advice to emerging leaders: don’t give up when things get tough, and never let failure define you.

Tune in to gain insights on leadership, growth, and resilience from one of the industry’s top leaders.

Enjoy!

Billy and Hali are joined by Paul Decker, CEO of Mathematica, as he emphasizes the importance of proactive focus, objectivity, and consistency in both research and leadership.

Paul discusses the challenges and benefits of leading a largely remote organization, highlighting the intentional efforts made to connect with remote employees across the U.S. As a lifelong learner, Paul shares the significance of learning from peers and colleagues and the value he has found in having an executive leadership coach.

We discuss the impact of AI on Mathematica and how evolving technology has influenced the company’s approach to integrating new methodologies. Paul highlights the importance of blending AI with existing skill sets, using it as a tool to support employees while maintaining a focus on differentiating yourself from competition.

Later, Paul talks about the necessity of work-life balance, acknowledging that work is a part of life. He stresses the importance of being realistic about balance and effectively communicating your process with your team.

He also offers advice to emerging leaders: explore what’s available, and as you grow within your organization, propose ways to add value and make a meaningful impact.

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets? 

Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode: The Power Broker by Robert Caro

The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast

What does it mean to be a leader? Why does learning about leadership matter? How can we become servant leaders? The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast drills into the foundations of leadership for both the emerging and established leader. Billy Duren and Hali Gibson bring in dynamic leaders each week to discuss what being a lifelong learner and people developer really looks like. Join us as we bring you proven leaders who want to serve you with their story, as well as teaching us how to grow as leaders. We will be mining for the nuggets of wisdom from these dynamic leaders from throughout the country.

“The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership” is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. For more information, please visit the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Website.

This Podcast is edited by our friends at Deep Fried Studios.

Threaded Fasteners, Inc

Threaded Fasteners Inc. (TFI) is a 100% employee-owned business that specializes in the manufacturing, custom packaging, and distribution of steel fasteners. With over 270 dedicated employee owners, TFI maintains over $14 million worth of inventory across 17 locations, to meet the global needs of customers from industries including electrical utilities, chemical and electrical, commercial marine construction, steel fabricators, metal building manufacturers and Department of Transportation (DOT) fabricators. More information about TFI can be found on its website at threadedfasteners.com or through social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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For more information, please contact Hali Gibson at 251-432-0161 or visit: https://www.threadedfasteners.com

Tighten up those laces and get ready for a powerful episode of The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast, hosted by Billy Duren and Hali Gibson, as they are joined by Mike Mortensen, President and CEO of ARG Industrial.

Mike shares his story of growing within the ARG Industrial team, learning from the ground up, and developing into the leader he is today. The bootstrapping culture at ARG Industrial fosters a fast-paced, growth-oriented mindset that utilizes internal and industry resources effectively. Mike discusses how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) has helped him, as the visionary, to develop a plan and guide his team in their leadership development throughout the company. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a focus on team goals and using them as a roadmap for development.

Mike highlights the value of safety and support in the face of mistakes, which he believes are vital to a leader’s development. He and Billy also discuss the importance of psychological safety and support when communicating about the influence and development of AI in the workforce. Speaking directly to developed leaders, Mike underscores the importance of believing in yourself and becoming a lifelong learner. These boots were made for leading, get ready for another nugget packed episode, until next time, tighten up!

Looking For More Leadership Nuggets?
Discover the books and leaders mentioned in this episode:

What The Heck is EOS by Gino Wickman

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet 

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast

What does it mean to be a leader? Why does learning about leadership matter? How can we become servant leaders? The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Podcast drills into the foundations of leadership for both the emerging and established leader. Billy Duren and Hali Gibson bring in dynamic leaders each week to discuss what being a lifelong learner and people developer really looks like. Join us as we bring you proven leaders who want to serve you with their story, as well as teaching us how to grow as leaders. We will be mining for the nuggets of wisdom from these dynamic leaders from throughout the country.

“The Nuts and Bolts of Leadership” is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. For more information, please visit the Nuts and Bolts of Leadership Website.

This Podcast is edited by our friends at Deep Fried Studios.

Threaded Fasteners, Inc

Threaded Fasteners Inc. (TFI) is a 100% employee-owned business that specializes in the manufacturing, custom packaging, and distribution of steel fasteners. With over 270 dedicated employee owners, TFI maintains over $14 million worth of inventory across 17 locations, to meet the global needs of customers from industries including electrical utilities, chemical and electrical, commercial marine construction, steel fabricators, metal building manufacturers and Department of Transportation (DOT) fabricators. More information about TFI can be found on its website at threadedfasteners.com or through social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

###

For more information, please contact Hali Gibson at 251-432-0161 or visit: https://www.threadedfasteners.com