I do my worst work in isolation. When I find myself solving problems, dealing with challenges, parsing out situations in my head – and only MY head, I find my decisions and outlook on the world is small and biased. “I” statements become the main narrative. On the other side of the spectrum, when I …
I had an interesting company exit when I sold our company. (cue egos and lawyers) One day I was the CEO. The next day, I wasn’t. No party, no handshakes, or fist bumps. I couldn’t let the team know how I felt about them or what they meant to me. What did I mean to …
In these unprecedented times … In these uncertain times … In these unsettling times … Things may never go back to normal … We get it. Enough already. Please stop it commercials. Time to move on. Time to move forward. Let’s do just that. If you worked from home over the last 6-8 weeks you …
“Please don’t “Business” us.” Yes, business is a verb in my house. I tend to bring work ideas and concepts and want to implement them at home. Thankfully, my wife stops me from trying to run our house like a company. Imagine the carnage of the performance review with the 8-year-old. Not good. That’s why …
How to Develop Family Values and Unintended Consequences Read More »
Reluctantly, I showed up on Saturday to this “retreat.” It was an invitation from a friend and I’d been asked half a dozen times to participate over the years. In a moment of weakness I said yes. It was one of those where they take your watch and hide the clocks so you are all …
It’s the end of the decade. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing? Who is with you now that wasn’t then? Who isn’t with you anymore? Decades are different during different times in our life. Mine moved swiftly. Ten years ago, I was 33, running a company, two kids, just moved to …
The recent write up my business partner, Dan Cooper lobbed out there entitled “All Entrepreneurs Are Liars,” hurt, didn’t it? I talked to a handful of entrepreneurs who bristled when they first read that headline, but after reading it enjoyed the insight, challenge, and perspective it offered. That article reignited a question I’ve been pondering. Would you …
It’s the final three months of the year. Are you ramping up, winding down, buckling in, jumping off, grinding, sprinting, resting? There are many things you can concentrate on but let’s use Curly from “City Slickers” to help you think through your most important opportunity, challenge, or goal. Now, you’re not trying to figure out …
“He said it was MY fault. You’ve got to love engineers because they are so direct.” This comment came from a CEO friend of mine (let’s call him John) talking about a historical decision they made that is hindering their business today. A decade ago, this large manufacturing and building company was hit by the …
One “Right” Decision Today- A Decade Later: A Leadership Story Read More »
I’ve read many articles, blogs and books on the concept of work-life balance. Heck, I’ve written them too specifically around harmony, and an assessment called the wheel of reality. I was recently sitting down with a client, and he decided to question the validity of those concepts. Here’s the rant. “So what I hear in all these …
Growth Catalyst - Kansas City
Click here to learn more about Jon.
Jon is a husband to his wife Jill, a dad to Gracie, Cooper and Lucy and an unintentional serial entrepreneur. Jon founded and led one of KC’s leading IT Support companies (The Purple Guys), regularly recognized on the Inc. 5000 list, the Corporate Report’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies, a Best Place to Work and being one of the KC Chamber Top 10 Small Businesses of the Year. Before that, he founded and grew an IT Staffing firm, growing from $0 to $10M in revenue in just 4 years, being recognized as Kansas City’s Fastest Growing Company. He’s passionate about leadership and businesses that impact their community. From experience he also understands the issues of an owner/CEO. Jon is an entrepreneur who likes to empower others to grow their business, become more efficient in all they do and enrich their story line. He has been a member of the Acumen community since its inception.