Episodes

  • Episode #57: Leading as Human: How Small Shifts Spark Real Transformation

    Episode #57: Leading as Human: How Small Shifts Spark Real Transformation
    Aug 7 2025
    When leaders show up human—curious, present, and willing to listen—teams grow, trust deepens, and the real work of transformation begins. Sharon Richmond, executive coach and Altus principal, shares how a lifelong care for community, agency, and voice has shaped her leadership—and what led her to join a team that actively practices what it teaches. In conversation with Altus partners, Amy Vodarek and Dan Winter, Sharon explores how leaders become stronger by staying curious, open to learning, and grounded in their own humanness. Through real-life stories—from truth-telling in preschool to transformative client breakthroughs—she reveals the power of subtle shifts: how we listen, how we navigate conflict, how we make requests and keep promises. Sharon shows how small, intentional moves can reshape how teams relate, learn, and co-create together. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 01:55: What if your people left work energized for life beyond the job? 07:20: The untapped power of recognizing the stories you and your team are living in. 09:09: How a Nike exec made one small change, improving the relationship with her team. 12:21: Where senior leaders get stuck, and what opens the way forward. 14:43: Calm. Capable. Curious. A mantra to embody your executive presence. 16:31: Listen to fix… or listen to learn? Why leaders need both. 18:00: Redefine your role again and again. That’s leadership at scale. 19:45: Leading as human means caring for your own humanness, too. 22:34: A simple meeting shift that transformed a team’s performance and future. 26:32: Why Sharon said yes to Altus, and what makes the team stand out. 32:49: How addressing missing conversations unlocks alignment, innovation, and momentum. 34:50: A real-time disagreement became a lesson in navigating conflict well. 38:18: How leadership practices like making effective offers, promises, and clear commitments are transforming Sharon’s family life and how they can reshape yours, too. 42:16: Sharon’s big “Aha!”: Letting go of the script to meet clients where they are. 48:28: Want to change your culture? Think like a gardener. To lead as human means we have to be humans and take care of our humanness. 🎧 Listen in if you’re ready to lead with more presence, co-create with your team, and build a culture where people grow, stay curious, and still have something left at the end of the day. About Sharon Richmond Sharon Richmond, executive coach and a principal at Altus Growth Partners, helps executives envision and build successful, healthy companies fueled by cultures of accountability and mutual respect. She brings simple, practical frameworks to help clients surface what they, their teams, and their organizations must do to win: to have better conversations, make better decisions, and get better results. You can connect with Sharon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-richmond/ About Altus Growth Partners At Altus, we partner with CEOs and leadership teams who are serious about growth and willing to engage in new kinds of conversations to produce better results. We care deeply about helping leaders and teams collaborate more effectively, navigate complexity with confidence, and foster a culture where people thrive. It’s in these environments that challenges are met with curiosity, people bring out the best in one another, and progress is anchored in shared purpose. Because when leaders and teams are truly working together, they expand what’s possible and the meaningful impact they can make in their lives, their organizations, and the world around them. You can find Altus Growth Partners on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners/ About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your leadership influence, shift your results, and develop a highly engaged, accountable team, we’d love to talk to you. Schedule a conversation with an Altus Team Member here...
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    51 mins
  • Episode #56: Elevate Together: Learning, Leading, and Belonging as a Team

    Episode #56: Elevate Together: Learning, Leading, and Belonging as a Team
    Jul 31 2025
    For Don DeVito, leadership has always been about impact. So when he found a team as committed to learning, caring, and making a difference as he was, he chose to grow in community. In this episode of Missing Conversations, Don joins Amy Vodarek and Ellen Burton to reflect on his journey from decades of solo consulting and international leadership to finding belonging—and a deeper sense of purpose—inside the Altus team. Don shares what he’s still discovering after 40 years in the field: how teams thrive through the moments that matter most—by engaging meaningfully, celebrating together, and staying in learning. From building relationships across cultures to slowing down for the conversations that shape culture, Don reminds us: leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying connected to what you care about, and choosing to grow with others who care just as deeply. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 04:05: Why Don traded solo success for the shared power of the Altus team. 05:38: Inside the minds of today’s leaders: What clients are struggling with most. 06:25: In turbulence, turn inward (and other practices to follow to create steadiness for you and your team). 09:15: Want better relationships? Give your team opportunities to engage, celebrate, and learn together. 13:15: What Don learned about connection while working in France—and why it matters. 16:12: Why flipping your focus to what’s going well unlocks trust and loyalty. 18:12: How working across cultures reshaped Don’s leadership. 20:41: The power of asking: where are the missing conversations? 23:04: Leadership from the inside out: How awareness elevates your presence and influence. 26:31: Become a better leader by surrounding yourself with those you can learn from. 27:29: As teams evolve, so must leaders: The importance of learning again how to be a team. 28:51: What makes a true learning organization—and how to recognize (and build) one from the inside. 32:37: Don’s first year at Altus: belonging, growth, and what it really means to be a team. I have learned that I am better when I surround myself with people smarter than me, from different backgrounds, and I learn from by interacting with them. 🎧 Tune in to hear how teaming with people who care, learn, and grow with you can transform how you lead. About Don DeVito Don DeVito partners with organizations to navigate complex transitions with empathy, clarity, and confidence—whether that’s a Fortune 500 company integrating after a merger or a multigenerational, family-run business preparing for a leadership transition. With a background inside large corporations and at the helm of high-stakes initiatives, he knows what it takes to move strategy from the page into practice. Don brings deep expertise in organizational assessment, change management, and cross-cultural dynamics. He meets people where they are—with calm, curiosity, and a practical, hands-on approach that builds trust and drives momentum. You can connect with Don here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devitodon/ About Altus Growth Partners At Altus, we partner with CEOs and leadership teams who are serious about growth and willing to engage in new kinds of conversations to produce better results. We care deeply about helping leaders and teams collaborate more effectively, navigate complexity with confidence, and foster a culture where people thrive. It’s in these environments that challenges are met with curiosity, people bring out the best in one another, and progress is anchored in shared purpose. Because when leaders and teams are truly working together, they expand what’s possible and the meaningful impact they can make in their lives, their organizations, and the world around them. You can find Altus Growth Partners on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners/ About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your ...
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    40 mins
  • Episode #55: How Great Leaders Learn Through Action: Lessons from Intel to Startup Life

    Episode #55: How Great Leaders Learn Through Action: Lessons from Intel to Startup Life
    Jul 24 2025
    After 28 years at Intel, Mandy Mock stepped into startup life. She didn’t have a perfect plan, but she was committed to learn through action. In this episode with Dan Winter and Lynette Winter, Mandy—now CEO and co-founder of AmbientSense Technologies—explores what building a company from the ground up is teaching her about cultivating trust with her team, aligning multiple cultures, and the value of curiosity and experimentation in leadership. Listen in to hear her practical insights for leaders rethinking how they grow themselves, their teams, and their impact. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 01:39: Why Mandy left a 28-year Intel career to build something new. 03:32: How paying attention to what you care about and striving to take care of your cares unlocks better leadership and sustainable success. 05:17: The sweet spot: where your passion meets what your business needs. 07:04: Insights on decision-making in startups—and how larger organizations can foster the same agility. 08:15: How daily conversations build trust and move teams forward. 09:55: Lessons in shared ownership from Mandy’s co-founder team. 11:22: Why clear standards are respect in action. 15:22: How OKRs help small teams focus without losing flexibility. 16:30: Why reflecting together on missed goals builds healthier, stronger teams. 20:29: How to build trust—fast. 25:35: Leading across cultures with curiosity and care. 31:47: Curiosity makes better leaders. Mandy shares how. 33:26: How sharing the “why” behind decisions strengthens alignment and fosters shared leadership. 36:05: Reflections on leadership identity, contribution, and authentic growth. 39:55: Honoring diverse experience to expand what’s possible for teams. 45:09: Thinking of a career change? Start with service, not status. 48:20: The big shift from learn and then act to learning from action. You've got to be willing to try new opportunities, even if they're not exactly what you thought you'd be moving into. 🎧 Curious about growing your leadership while building your next thing? Listen in. About Mandy Mock Mandy Mock is CEO and co-founder of AmbientSense Technologies, a startup creating RFID corrosion sensors. Prior, Mandy was at Intel for 28 years, in areas such as Software, IT, Enterprise Software, Internet of Things and Desktop and Workstation product management. Mandy has a BS of ECE, MS of CS and MBA. She has 2 sons and lives in Portland with her husband. You can connect with Mandy here: www.linkedin.com/in/MandyMock About Altus Growth Partners At Altus, we partner with CEOs and leadership teams who are serious about growth and willing to engage in new kinds of conversations to produce better results. We care deeply about helping leaders and teams collaborate more effectively, navigate complexity with confidence, and foster a culture where people thrive. It’s in these environments that challenges are met with curiosity, people bring out the best in one another, and progress is anchored in shared purpose. Because when leaders and teams are truly working together, they expand what’s possible and the meaningful impact they can make in their lives, their organizations, and the world around them. You can find Altus Growth Partners on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners/ About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your leadership influence, shift your results, and develop a highly engaged, accountable team, we’d love to talk to you. Schedule a conversation with an Altus Team Member here: https://calendly.com/prollin-altusgrowth/zoom-video-30-min. Follow us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners https://www.facebook.com/AltusGrowth https://www.instagram.com/altusgrowthpartners/ Keywords: #Leadership #TeamDynamics #StartupLife #StartupCulture #Intel #RFIDCorrosionSesnsors #CareerTransition #Experimentation #Curiosity
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    50 mins
  • Episode #54: From Experiment to Impact: Lessons on Leading Through the AI Transition

    Episode #54: From Experiment to Impact: Lessons on Leading Through the AI Transition
    Jul 17 2025
    Leading through the AI transition isn’t just about adopting new tools—it’s about unlocking new ways of thinking, collaborating, and growing. Wai Hong Fong, co-founder and chieftain of StoreHub, is doing exactly that. In this vibrant conversation with Altus Growth Partners’ Pam Fox Rollin and Sharon Richmond, he shares how adopting AI has sparked surprising breakthroughs. From selling on eBay at 21 to now leading a fast-scaling tech company serving 18,000+ businesses across Southeast Asia, Wai Hong invites us into his deeply reflective and refreshingly candid leadership journey. He unpacks what it really takes to lead through the AI transition, as he shares how he has and continues to build AI into the heart of his company’s operations, culture, and mindset. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 01:32 – How a mission to serve small businesses became a purpose-driven tech company now leading boldly through AI. 03:15 – Early lessons in self-awareness, communication, and team connection that continue to shape Wai Hong’s leadership today. 06:55 – Navigating the growth curve: how StoreHub rediscovered its core values and aligned its culture for what’s next. 12:05 – A turning point in the AI journey: why now is a powerful time for leaders to reimagine how work gets done. 14:11 – A breakthrough moment: how hands-on experimentation with AI created new possibilities—faster than anyone expected. 24:40 – Elevating performance with AI: what sets the most effective users apart and how to grow your team’s fluency. 28:31 – The mindset shift that changes everything: seeing AI not just as a tool, but as a creative teammate. 33:12 – What conversations are missing in the AI transition—and how leaders can open the door to clarity, learning, and opportunity. 38:19 – Surprising results from a company hackathon: how non-engineers unlocked innovation with AI—and what it can mean for your team. 40:33 – Rethinking leadership for the AI transition: how today’s CEOs can stay grounded, curious, and ahead of the curve. 45:24 – Reimagining collaboration: how AI and human teams can work better together with clarity, purpose, and shared learning. 54:32 – Encouragement for the road ahead: why learning in community and experimenting with curiosity are the keys to thriving in this transition. It's like this AI tsunami is coming, and everyone's chilling on the beach. Just jump into the boat! 🎧 Ready for a conversation that offers practical insight and an encouraging path forward grounded in curiosity, experimentation, and shared learning? Have a listen. About Wai Hong Fong Wai Hong Fong is the Chieftain and Co-Founder of StoreHub, a fast-scaling SaaS platform powering over 18,000 retail and F&B businesses across Southeast Asia. A systems builder at heart—whether in SaaS architecture or leadership culture—Wai Hong specializes in building purposeful, profitable businesses by rewiring how teams operate: fewer silos, faster decisions, more ownership. From team dynamics to the AI transition, he’s hands-on in transforming complexity into momentum. You can connect with Wai Hong here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waihongfong/. About Altus Growth Partners At Altus, we partner with CEOs and leadership teams who are serious about growth and willing to engage in new kinds of conversations to produce better results. We care deeply about helping leaders and teams collaborate more effectively, navigate complexity with confidence, and foster a culture where people thrive. It’s in these environments that challenges are met with curiosity, people bring out the best in one another, and progress is anchored in shared purpose. Because when leaders and teams are truly working together, they expand what’s possible and the meaningful impact they can make in their lives, their organizations, and the world around them. You can find Altus Growth Partners on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners/ About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://...
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    58 mins
  • Episode #53: The Future Is Uncertain. Great Leaders Still Show Up. Here’s How.

    Episode #53: The Future Is Uncertain. Great Leaders Still Show Up. Here’s How.
    Jun 19 2025
    Leading in a VUCA World? You’re Not Alone. In this timely and energizing episode, Altus Growth Partners’ Steven Jones, Ellen Burton, and Lynette Winter—three masterful executive leadership coaches who’ve guided hundreds of senior leaders and teams through turbulent change—pull back the curtain on what leadership really looks and feels like in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) landscape. It’s a grounded, wise, and deeply human conversation about how to lead with clarity, presence, and resilience when everything keeps shifting. In this time of transition, their insights and strategies will help you recalibrate your focus, elevate your team, and lead with purposeful strength. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 01:28 – What does it take to lead in a VUCA world? 02:09 – What Altus coaches are hearing: A raw look at how people are really feeling right now. 03:59 – Want to lead with authority in uncertain times? Start by looking at your environment, drawing from what you know, and choosing how to show up to create something better. 05:51 – “What’s next?” The question fueling emotional and physical fear—and how leaders can bring steadiness to their team. 07:15 – When change triggers contraction: how to stay centered and lead others with grounded presence. 08:16 – Don’t just manage change—embrace transition as an opportunity to co-create new realities with your team. 09:55 – The “in between” is uncomfortable—but it’s where elevation begins. Learn how to lead your people when the path is unclear. 12:34 – Leading with service means starting with self-awareness. Learn how tuning into your own needs opens up the choices available to you. 15:21 – Leadership starts with observation. These questions will help you lead with greater presence, clarity, and respect for others’ experiences. 21:08 – Is your self-talk serving your leadership? How to recognize unhelpful narratives and replace them with language that lifts. 24:52 – Practical, inclusive strategies to build resilience—so your team can rise together in the face of complexity. 27:56 – The stories we tell ourselves can limit or liberate us. Learn how to shift your internal narrative to elevate team potential. 30:06 – A clarifying question to realign vision and people: What future do I want to create—and who are the right partners to build it with me? Sometimes we need to just slow down a little bit and ask what needs to happen here? How do I take care of myself? What conversations do I need to have with others? What support do I need to give myself as well as to others? 🎧 Ready to lead with more clarity, presence, and purpose—especially in these times of uncertainty? Hit play to hear the conversation. About Altus Growth Partners At Altus, we partner with CEOs and leadership teams who are serious about growth and willing to engage in new kinds of conversations to produce better results. We care deeply about helping leaders and teams collaborate more effectively, navigate complexity with confidence, and foster a culture where people thrive. It’s in these environments that challenges are met with curiosity, people bring out the best in one another, and progress is anchored in shared purpose. Because when leaders and teams are truly working together, they expand what’s possible and the meaningful impact they can make in their lives, their organizations, and the world around them. You can find Altus Growth Partners on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners/ About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your leadership influence, shift your results, and develop a highly engaged, accountable team, we’d love to talk to you. Schedule a conversation with an Altus Team Member here: https://calendly.com/prollin-altusgrowth/zoom-video-30-min. Follow us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/...
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    33 mins
  • Episode #52: Building Homes, Building Trust: Leadership Lessons from Habitat for Humanity

    Episode #52: Building Homes, Building Trust: Leadership Lessons from Habitat for Humanity
    Jun 12 2025
    Meet Bill Bidal, a leader who’s not just building homes, but transforming communities—one story, one relationship, one sweat equity nail at a time. As the Executive Director of Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity, Bill brings a rare mix of corporate savvy and community heart to the table, showing that leadership is as much about alignment and purpose as it is about bottom lines. In this conversation with hosts Lynette Winter and Dan Winter, Bill shares how he turned a post-retirement volunteer gig into a full-fledged leadership journey, and what every leader can learn about mobilizing teams, creating lasting impact, and building a culture where everyone—paid staff, volunteers, and homeowners—feels they belong. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to rally thousands around a mission that truly matters, this episode is your blueprint. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 05:02: Bill shares the personal “why” that fuels his commitment—and how staying grounded in purpose sustains momentum, even in the toughest moments. 06:41: Clarifying what Habitat for Humanity is (and isn’t)—and how a clear, shared understanding drives meaningful action. 10:34: The essential ingredients of a team that turns mission into impact—and why it truly takes a village. 16:37: Aligning diverse customers—inside and outside the organization—around a common purpose that matters. 20:22: How to tell stories that build momentum, inspire trust, and call others into action. 21:46: Setting the standard for contribution, so every team member knows they matter—and how to show up at their best. 25:47: How generosity lives on: a moving story of paying it forward. 32:24: Inviting customers into the process—why education and partnership lay the foundation for long-term success. 35:03: How to recognize, empower, and celebrate a cross-functional team—and why that’s essential to sustaining high performance. 39:29: The power of sharing best practices—how paying it forward strengthens not just your team, but the entire ecosystem. We want people to have an enjoyable experience when they come out, no matter what the work is that they're doing. 🎧 Listen in and find the inspiration—and the practical wisdom—you need to build communities where people thrive together. About Bill Bidal I am the Executive Director of Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity. I have been with this organization since 2020. We build homes and provide home preservation and critical home repairs for lower to low middle income homeowners and we strive to break the cycle of poverty with those that we serve through our work. My organization includes resources focused on home construction, home repair, fundraising, marketing, volunteer services, mortgage services, and a Retail store that resells contributed home goods and hardware goods to raise money to help us build and repair homes. We sell the homes we build with a zero percent mortgage and affordable monthly payments to people who are responsible, hard working and help build their own homes with sweat equity. We have 25 paid staff and over 1500 registered volunteers focused on delivering to our mission. You can reach him at: Bidal@habitatabqrr.org About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your leadership influence, shift your results, and develop a highly engaged, accountable team, we’d love to talk to you. Schedule a conversation with an Altus Team Member here: https://calendly.com/prollin-altusgrowth/zoom-video-30-min Follow us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners https://www.facebook.com/AltusGrowth https://www.instagram.com/altusgrowthpartners/ Keywords: #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Community #HabitatforHumanity #Mission #Purpose
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    45 mins
  • Episode #51: Why We Lead: A Story of Purpose, Compassion, and Making a Difference Together

    Episode #51: Why We Lead: A Story of Purpose, Compassion, and Making a Difference Together
    Jun 5 2025
    Xavier and Maegan Figueroa’s journey reminds us that sometimes life’s hardest moments become the spark that ignites our deepest purpose. After the loss of Xavier’s brother, Gabriel, in Iraq, and Maegan’s life-altering liver transplant, they were determined to build something meaningful with the time and opportunities they’d been given. That led them to build LA Trash Junkers and The Hodgepodge LA, a business driven by mission and heart, and rooted in empathy, gratitude, and unwavering support for each other. In this conversation with Heather Neely and Dan Winter, Xavier and Maegan share how they’ve carried their personal journeys into their businesses to lift up families during life transitions and create a culture of deep care and shared purpose among their team. Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 01:56: The worst day of Xavier’s life became the catalyst for his greatest journey. 03:31: Maegan reveals the powerful lesson that shifted her from stuck to unstoppable. 09:49: This one goal ignited unwavering commitment, both as individuals and as a team. 10:23: Start with Why: The book—and the breakthrough—that shaped their mission. 11:52: The single most powerful action to build amazing teams and exceed client expectations. 15:00: Empathy in action: Tapping into personal experience to lead with deep compassion. 17:11: How to build a team with shared purpose. 20:23: Creating a culture where responsibility is a core value from day one. 22:18: The everyday actions that show your team—and your customers—they matter. 24:08: When trust breaks: How to rebuild it and come back stronger. 27:04: Why relationships are the key to building a thriving business. 32:10: From profit to purpose: How Maegan extended the business to create community impact. 36:06: Why energy in leadership starts with doing work that aligns with your cares. 39:07: A transformative mindset shift: From “I’ll be happy when…” to “I’m happy while…” 41:17: The conversation we should all be having to care for those we love. “From the very beginning, we always thought: how can we use this business to help other people?” Maegan Figueroa 🎧 If you’re ready to align your actions with what matters most—and inspire your team to do the same—this conversation is for you. About Maegan Figueroa Maegan Figueroa, a liver transplant recipient, has been vital in the success of LA Trash Junkers. Now, she’s building The Hodge Podge LA, a nonprofit antique/thrift store dedicated to helping families navigate the transplant process, providing support, resources, and community through curated vintage finds. You can find her on Instagram at: @thehodgepodgela About Xavier Figueroa Xavier, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former F-18 aircraft mechanic, founded LA Trash Junkers to help families and professionals with estate cleanouts. With a deep commitment to service, he specializes in clearing properties with care, ensuring valuables are preserved while creating clean, manageable spaces for clients. You can find him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-figueroa-75637b234/ And Instagram at: @latrashjunkers/ About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your leadership influence, shift your results, and develop a highly engaged, accountable team, we’d love to talk to you. Schedule a conversation with an Altus Team Member here: https://calendly.com/prollin-altusgrowth/zoom-video-30-min Follow us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners https://www.facebook.com/AltusGrowth https://www.instagram.com/altusgrowthpartners/ Keywords: #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship #Networking #MissionDriven
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    45 mins
  • Episode #50: How Language Shapes Leadership, Trust, and Team Performance

    Episode #50: How Language Shapes Leadership, Trust, and Team Performance
    May 29 2025
    The words we use shape the worlds we build—and for leaders, language is one of the most powerful levers of connection, culture, and coordination. As Executive Director of Languages Canada—representing over 200 language programs connecting people and cultures across the globe—Gonzalo Peralta has spent his career navigating leadership through the lens of language. From Mandarin to Spanish to Sinhala, Gonzalo’s multilingual journey exemplifies the foundational power of language in building teams, boards, and trust. In this episode with Amy Vodarek and Pam Fox Rollin, he unpacks how cultural sensitivity, shared care, and “in the moment” coordination become your edge—especially in times of disruption, like navigating AI’s rise. If language reveals how your team sees the world and interacts with one another, are you listening closely enough to lead them well? Key Moments You’ll Want to Hear: 02:09: What learning six languages taught Gonzalo about leading across cultures. 04:02: How language shapes leadership—and why worldview awareness is a must for leaders. 07:30: Leading multicultural teams? Here’s what to listen for to truly understand how your people see the world. 12:20: The hiring mistake Gonzalo kept making—and what finally shifted his team. 17:19: What is coordination, really? How leaders create teams that dance together, in rhythm, and in the moment. 24:10: How Gonzalo builds shared care across the board—and why it matters. 27:01: First-time board member? Two things you need to get right from day one. 31:10: The overlooked boardroom practice: naming the conversation you’re in—and identifying the one that’s missing. 33:41: When disruption hits, here’s how Gonzalo keeps his team and board steady. 41:42: AI can translate, but can it build trust? Why the future of transformative leadership still depends on human connection. 48:43: The question Gonzalo’s sitting with—and why every leader should be asking it again and again. 50:20: The power of consistently investing in your people, their development, and shared cares. A beautiful thing about language is when you name something, all of a sudden things crystallize. And there's a very deep understanding and knowing of what to do. 🎧 Listen in and discover how tuning into language at a deeper level can transform how you lead, coordinate, and connect. About Gonzalo Peralta Gonzalo Peralta is Executive Director of Languages Canada, leading national and international strategies in language education. Known for precision, diplomacy, and vision, he advocates for student protection, ethical recruitment, and policy reform, while driving innovation and collaboration across Canada’s language education sector through data, strategy, and strong team leadership. You can find him on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/gonzalo-peralta-57a49210 About the Book Growing Groups Into Teams: How do you turn a group of individuals into a highly effective, productive team? Growing Groups Into Teams is an unusually useful book written by a team of generative consultants and coaches who have helped thousands of groups become effective teams. Through real-life stories combined with pragmatic advice, this book strengthens your ability to see what’s needed and take effective action: What two promises turn a group into a team. How to engage people to make those promises. How to invite responsibility and accountability. How to include and inspire people across differences. How to build and rebuild trust, and more! Regardless of how productive your teams are today, the insights in this book will help you grow to the next level to drive your business or organization forward. Order your copy today! Order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Groups-into-Teams-Real-life-ebook/dp/B0CJLC23VS Order directly: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?l8SxF4Aexn9gq08iz7jFBbwutleujrftoZ2wAOFzCVH If you're looking to expand your leadership influence, shift your results, and develop a highly engaged, accountable team, we’d love to talk to you. Schedule a conversation with an Altus Team Member here: https://calendly.com/prollin-altusgrowth/zoom-video-30-min Follow us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altus-growth-partners https://www.facebook.com/AltusGrowth https://www.instagram.com/altusgrowthpartners/ Keywords: #Leadership #Language #TeamDevelopment #TeamCoordination #Board #CulturalSensitivity #Strategy #AITransition #SharedCare #HumanDevelopment
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    56 mins