McCoy Leadership

Liz Wolfe Explores Hard Work, Mindset, and Entrepreneurial Success

Have you ever struggled with asking for what you want in business? Liz's advice can help you break past those barriers.
Liz Wolf, a spirited entrepreneur, hails from the charming backdrop of a 148-acre sheep farm near Pittsburgh. Growing up with the quirky juxtaposition of her last name and their farm's slogan, "Wolf's the name, sheep's the game," Liz was no stranger to hard work and creativity from an early age. Her family’s transition from city life—her father a Westinghouse engineer and her mother a Pittsburgh housewife—to rural farming life marked the beginning of an unexpected journey into agriculture and small business.
From the tender age of five, Liz witnessed her mother transform their farm into a thriving hub of production and sales. With a focus on sheep farming, their family crafted a range of homemade goods, including sheepskin coats and slippers, spun wool, and a variety of farm produce like bread and eggs. They marketed their products vigorously, attending festivals and farmers markets, and even offered farm tours which garnered local media attention.
By the age of ten, Liz was an integral part of this cottage industry. She honed her sales and communication skills by engaging with customers, spinning wool, and narrating their farm’s story. This hands-on experience in business and public speaking shaped Liz into a natural entrepreneur, instilling in her the values of enterprise and resilience that she carries with her today.
https://www.maximizer.com
https://lizwolfecoaching.com
https://lizwolfecoaching.com/resources/quiz/

From Royal Canadian Air Force to Corporate Leadership: Isabelle Fortin’s Journey

Isabelle Fortin, inspired by her family's legacy of military service, joined the Air Force right out of high school. With both parents as veterans and a brother serving as an Air Force pilot, it was a natural path for her. Isabelle dedicated nearly a decade to the Air Force, finding immense fulfillment in serving her country. However, seeking fresh challenges and eager to explore new opportunities, she eventually transitioned to civilian life. Surprisingly, Isabelle discovered a significant gap in leadership skills among her civilian supervisors, a stark contrast to the structured and purpose-driven environment she had known in the military. Her journey reflects a profound commitment to service and adaptability in the face of change.
🎙️ Here are 3 key takeaways for the reader:
Transformative Leadership
: Isabelle highlights the importance of moving beyond command and control. Leadership today requires understanding and addressing the unique strengths and needs of each team member.
Daily Practice of Leadership Skills
: Just like learning to play the piano, leadership needs consistent practice and application. Adapting daily habits to encourage gratitude and support within your team is crucial for lasting change.
Mission First Mindset
: Achieving a high-performing team involves prioritizing the mission over individual egos. Tapping into each team member's natural abilities and aligning tasks accordingly can significantly enhance team performance.
Books:
"Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown
"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek
Technology/Tools:
Zoom
Claude AI
Perplexity AI
Contact Information for Isabelle Fortin:
Website: againsttheordinary.org
LinkedIn: Isabelle Fortin (with purple hair for easier identification)

Storytelling in Leadership: Rhonda Parker’s Lessons from Authorship and Business

The Importance of Empathy in Leadership: "Cool heads mean a warm heart, which requires an approach that's balanced with rational. So empathy equates to being rational." Rhonda Parker
Rhonda covers the transition from self-reflection to impactful leadership decisions, leveraging emotional intelligence, and the crucial "power of why" for driving change. Rhonda shared insights on inclusive decision-making, managing organizational mood, and never underestimating the power of storytelling in leadership. Be sure to check out the full episode—it's packed with transformative advice you won't want to miss!
rhondaparkertaylor.com
Rhonda Parker's go-to management book,
"Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman
Key Takeaways:
Addressing Organizational Stress: Rhonda discusses the importance of addressing the "general mood" within an organization. Prioritizing a positive culture helps manage stress, reducing burnout and turnover.
Leadership Transitions: Amos McCoy and Rhonda delve into the consequences of unclear vision and coordination during leadership transitions. Rhonda advises turning fear into motivation and aligning teams with a unified vision.
Career Changes and Vision: Rhonda supports career changes that align with personal missions and visions, not as an escape from challenges. Whether you’re a CEO or an entry-level employee, having a clear mission is key to effective growth.
Empathy in Leadership: Rhonda explains that empathy, often misunderstood, is essential for balanced decision-making. Listening beyond words to understand underlying emotions helps leaders make informed decisions.

Leveraging Self-Knowledge for Superior Time Management with Ron Reich

Ron Reich, President of RLB Training and Development, works nationwide with leaders and organizations to foster leadership excellence. His expertise in time management and leadership development offers practical strategies you can implement today.
Thank you for being part of our McCoy Leadership Podcast community. We hope this episode enriches your leadership toolkit and inspires you to harness the power of effective time management.
Warm regards,
The McCoy Leadership Podcast Team
P.S. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners like you.

Practical Leadership Lessons: Scott Maderer on Productivity and Communication

Scott Maderer, an entrepreneur and skilled educator, began his first business at age 12, starting a painting venture in Texas where he honed his early business skills. Despite initial aspirations in medical research, Scott found his true calling in education, dedicating 16 years to teaching science at various levels. However, the emotional demands and long hours led him to pivot into the corporate world, where he rapidly ascended to a senior executive position within a nonprofit testing company focused on educational equity.
Throughout his diverse career, Scott discovered a consistent passion for helping others achieve their potential, whether in teaching or corporate roles. This realization inspired him and his wife to establish a coaching business aimed at assisting individuals globally in overcoming obstacles and unlocking their true potential. Scott's journey, marked by a commitment to personal growth and service, now sees him thriving as an international coach, guiding clients from over 20 countries from the comfort of his own home.
Scott shares practical insights on how employees can gain more control over their workload by discussing productivity methods with their superiors and setting clear expectations. He walks us through his systematic approach to productivity—Plan, Execute, Review, Reflect, Revise, and Repeat—emphasizing the power of small, incremental changes. Additionally, we explore the delicate balance middle managers must strike in managing demands from both superiors and subordinates, highlighting effective communication and prioritization strategies.
We'll also touch on the crucial distinction between being busy and being truly productive, employing tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and focusing on energy management. Plus, Scott offers invaluable advice on delegating tasks to maximize efficiency and aligning work with personal strengths and energy levels. Whether you're navigating the corporate world or seeking to better manage your time and energy, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can transform your professional and personal life.
Check out Scott Maderer's dedicated page at
inspiredstewardship.com/mccoy
for exclusive resources on time, talent, and treasure management.
https://theblogrelay.com/eisenhower-matrix-for-decision-making/#google_vignette
Scotts Favorite Book: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business https://amzn.to/3OPRW3F

Investing in Yourself: Unlocking Business Success with Nicky Billou

Welcome to another invigorating episode of the McCoy Leadership Podcast! Today we have a special guest, Nicky Billou. Nicky, an ex-corporate executive turned author and CEO coach, brings a wealth of experience to our discussion. He’s also an inspiring podcaster, an immigrant from Iran, and someone who's deeply passionate about the values of freedom and personal growth.
In this episode, Nicky opens up about his journey from Iran to the West, the influence of his entrepreneurial father, and his mission to follow in those generous footsteps by focusing on people over profit. We delve into the importance of personal investment, with Nicky advocating for a strategic annual budget on self-improvement through books, conferences, and coaching. We’ll hear about how these investments can yield tremendous returns, including an inspiring success story from one of Nicky's clients, Carl Kramer.
Nicky shares his weight loss journey, losing 58 pounds, highlighting the importance of pushing out of comfort zones for growth in all life aspects. We’ll discuss essential career advice for young leaders, the significance of selective learning, and how tools like YouTube can be game-changers for practical knowledge.
We'll also touch on some pressing topics like the role of freedom in business, the impact of political influences on entrepreneurship, and why standing up for merit-based competition is more important than ever. With stories that range from fixing an air conditioner with a YouTube tutorial to standing firm against threats to free enterprise, this episode promises to be as enlightening as it is motivating.
Tune in for a conversation that’s rich with insights and dedicated to the belief that investing in oneself is an absolute must for any aspiring leader.
Nicky Billou's Book Get Booked and Get Paid : https://amzn.to/3ZiPiIK
Thought Leader Podcast: https://www.thethoughtleaderrevolution.com/about
https://www.ecircleacademy.com
www.mccoyleadership.com

Mastering Leadership: Insights and Strategies from Executive Coach Aaron Trahan

Aaron Trahan's journey in leadership began at a young age, culminating in significant executive roles at a billion-dollar, publicly traded company by the age of 30. Over a decade, Aaron's experiences underscored the immense value of effective people leadership, which became a driving force in his career. His insights and lessons learned from both successes and mistakes inspired him to create a coaching business. Today, Aaron is dedicated to helping others accelerate their business growth while avoiding the pitfalls he once faced, providing valuable guidance and frameworks drawn from his extensive corporate leadership experience.
This episode covers pivotal topics such as the essence of providing context to teams, the significance of clear communication, and the powerful impact of understanding the 'why' behind tasks. Aaron advocates for setting and tracking well-defined goals using the OKR framework and stresses that simplicity often trumps complexity in achieving sustained success.
We'll also explore how effective communication can enhance team morale and performance, why clear goal tracking is crucial, and the potential pitfalls of misaligned priorities. Plus, Aaron shares his go-to leadership resources, including the influential book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear and the cutting-edge AI app Perplexity.
OKR (Objectives and Key Results) Framework: https://www.whatmatters.com/faqs/okr-meaning-definition-example#:~:text=OKRs%20stand%20for%20Objectives%20and,encourage%20engagement%20around%20measurable%20goals.
Atomic Habits: https://amzn.to/4fyMXA6
Aaron Trahan’s Contact Information
LinkedIn: Aaron Trahan
Website: performancemindsetcoaching.co

Navigating the Shift from Operator to Owner with Pete Mohr

Pete Mohr is a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of diverse business experience. He kickstarted his entrepreneurial journey with a bathroom renovation company, which he owned for 15 years before selling it. The business, renowned for refinishing bathtubs and installing bathtub liners and wall systems, remains successful under new ownership today. Additionally, Pete expanded a cleaning franchise from 30 to 300 clients before selling it. Currently, he owns Shoe Topia, a chain of shoe stores in Canada, which he now oversees minimally, as he has delegated the day-to-day operations to his capable team.
Pete's passion extends beyond his own ventures; he is heavily involved in coaching and keynote speaking, where he shares his extensive business insights. This dual role allows him to stay engaged with the latest industry trends while helping others navigate their entrepreneurial paths.
1. Pete Mohr's website and one-page planner tool: https://simplifyingentrepreneurship.com

2. Pete Mohr's Ebook -- https://simplifyingentrepreneurship.com/laws/
3. Link to Pete Mohr's podcast, "Business Owner Breakthrough Podcast.": https://simplifyingentrepreneurship.com/planner/
4. Pete's Go To Leadership Book: "Traction" by Gino Wickman: https://amzn.to/3NVuG3V
5. Pete Mohr's book, "The Business Owner Breakthrough," available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40yjfXx