The world is full of opportunities, pick a thing and go after it. In this episode Desi is joined by Aaron Whitener, CEO and Founder of ACE Outdoors. Together they discuss Aaron's journey from starting a business at 15 to where he is now with over 100 employees. This episode is packed with helpful tips on drive, initiative, mission and management. You're not going to want to miss it!

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/

Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

Guest Links:

Aaron's Email: awhitener@aceoutdoorservices.com

Office Email: aceoutdoorservices@gmail.com

Website https://aceoutdoorservices.com

Office number: 810-820-8313

Kristin Howard did not see herself as an outgoing leader... until she realized she had become one. Kristin's self-awareness and grit took her from a W2 job to becoming the Multiple Center Owner of The UPS Stores in Fenton, Monroe, and Ypsilanti. Along the way, she survived a harrowing accident, had twins, and experienced the kind of personal and professional growth we love to celebrate on this podcast. So today, we hear Kristin's story, and dig deep into the why behind this unstoppable leader. Enjoy!

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/

Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

Guest Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-kelley-howard-45113b11/

Fenton: https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/fenton/17195-silver-parkway

Monroe: https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/monroe/1285-n-telegraph-rd

Ypsilanti: https://locations.theupsstore.com/mi/ypsilanti/4007-carpenter-rd

Welcome back! This week, we loosen the format to dive into a discussion with Mayner Leadership's own Jeremy Kline. Jeremy shares his story, his why, and how being a leadership coach has affected his own life, as a professional and as a family man. He and Desi work with business leaders of all stripes and, today, they slow down to share some of the lessons their own journeys have taught them, and how they've overcome obstacles on the way.

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/

Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

How do leaders get better at solving problems? Practice.

Welcome back! This week, we are here with The Leadership Drill: a five-step process to solving any problems you face in business (or outside of it!). In this episode, Desi teaches you the steps of leading with Absolute Accountability and provides an example of the drill so you can see it in action. All this and more in one powerful episode. Thank you for listening.

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/

Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

The Leadership Drill

Step 1: Identify the Problem

What is the real problem I am trying to solve?

How am I part of the problem?

Step 2: Run the Leadership Drill

1. Capacity
2. 1. What is the time deadline for this task/project/assignment?
   2. How much time do I have?
3. Unite & Support
4. 1. What are the key relationships involved in getting this completed/moved forward?
   2. Are we united and supporting each other?
5. Keep it Simple
6. 1. In its simplest form, what is the goal?
   2. Is it simple enough to understand & execute?
7. Prioritize & Execute (Rank & Run)
8. 1. Does this have the highest impact on the organization?
   2. What assets and resources do I need to put towards this task/project/assignment?
9. Inform, Update & Clarify
10. 1. Does my team know what to do, how we are doing it and why we are doing it?
    2. Have I provided regular updates and clarifications on the task/project/assignment?
11. Distribute & Empower
12. 1. Am I able to distribute some decision making down the chain of command?
    2. How can I give the team more ownership of this task/project/assignment?
13. Be Humble
14. 1. Check the ego: Is my ego affecting my ability to look at this objectively?
    2. Am I imposing my plan on the team?
15. Awareness (Emotional Self)
16. 1. Are my emotions involved and impeding my ability to make good decisions?
    2. Have I detached to get a more objective look at the situation?
17. Zoom Out (Perspective)
18. 1. Have I sought out other perspectives?
    2. Do I understand this from different angles?
19. Alignment
20. 1. Does this align with the overall mission? Does it support the strategic goal?
    2. What can be done to keep the mission moving forward?
21. Leadership Capitol
22. 1. Is this spend or earn my leadership capital?
    2. Is it worth it?

Step 3: Take Action

What is the highest priority action I should take based on this iteration of the drill?

Step 4: After Action Debrief & Feedback

What feedback am I getting after taking action? What is the feedback telling me? What were the outcomes (successes & failures)? What did I learn? What will I do differently?

Step 5: Rinse & Repeat the Drill

Prior to each iteration of the drill, ask yourself - Am I stuck in the drill? Has the problem changed?

Are you pointing the finger, or the thumb? Welcome back! This week, Desi is back with 15 things you SHOULD NOT SAY as a leader. As we've discussed, leadership is largely communication, and the words you choose as a leader matter. So, Desi brings you some of his favorite turns of phrase that bosses often lapse into ("That's not my job," "I'm not on the team that failed," etc.) and how we can all better avoid them.

Check out our 6 Rules of the Game, 6 Winning Mindsets, and more: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/sites/95139/themes/2151502226/downloads/1065ddd-d787-f72-5c18-0e3dab4d87_ML_Services_Guide_5_.pdf

Today's 15 phrases to avoid:

1. "I sent everyone an email about it."

2. "It is what it is."

3. "They never got back to me."

4. "You can't fix stupid."

5. "Do it because I said so."

6. "I don't have time for this."

7. "That's not my job."

8. "That's impossible."

9. "My co-worker does not pull their weight."

10. "The quality of your work is terrible"

11. "That was a stupid decision."

12. "My co-worker is lazy and failing to finish their work."

13. "They should have figured out what they were going to need."

14. "I'm not on the team that failed."

15. "I don't need to help. Other people will take care of it."

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/

Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

DISC is the universal language of human behavior. Universal being the operative word. So, how can this system help you and your team win? This week, Desi is joined by his longtime collaborator Jeremy Kline to talk about the numerous advantages of DISC, including:

• Improved Communication: By understanding and accounting for the different communication styles people have, you can communicate clear messages that will resonate with your people.
• Enhanced Teamwork: If you want to break down silos, good communication is a must. DISC gives team members the tools to better understand how to interface with one another - and with clients.
• Effective Leadership: Adapt your leadership style to your team’s needs. Ensure ABSOLUTE ACCOUNTABILITY across your team.

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

• Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/
• Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

It's time to check your mindset. In this episode, Desi's cousin Zach Mayner, Business Unit Leader for the Traveling Superintendent Division of Iris Recruiting, joins us to talk about the grind the Mayners have embraced, and the benefits of a position-driven mindset. Zach is a superstar recruiter, but he maintains that his success comes more from listening than selling, and following the tenets of good leadership he learned at church and at home. So today, we learn how to stop pitching and start communicating, and dive into Zach's process:

1. Prompting CREATES Data
2. Data ENHANCES Knowledge
3. Knowledge DRIVES Positioning
4. Positioning INFLUENCES outcome
5. Selling is NOT telling, selling as asking questions

Along the way, we dissect servant leadership, why a positive mindset MUST be your goal, the importance of personal branding, and much more.

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work:

• Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/
• Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

Guest Links

• Iris Recruiting Solutions' Website: https://irisrecruiting.com/

Good leadership is good communication. And good communicators recognize that what you say is only half the battle. But, how can you ensure that your colleagues and clients are all on the same page? It starts with DISC.

This week, Desi is joined by his longtime client Dr. Nicole Wax from Wax Orthodontics. Dr. Wax and her team use the DISC system to better interface with their patients - and one another - to offer top tier service, no matter what personality walks through the door. This week, she joins Desi to break down the DISC system, with important stops at:

• Natural vs. Adaptive States
• Benchmarking
• How DISC can help you grow in all aspects of your life.
• Why self-awareness can be your superpower.
• What DISC looks like in action

Show Links

Learn more about Desi & his work: Website: https://www.maynerleadership.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumlWcF1tCDUWUzz80wbjAw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desi-mayner/

Podcast Homepage: https://www.maynerleadership.com/podcasts/designing-leaders

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desi.mayner?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desimayner/

Guest Links

Website: https://www.waxortho.com/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@waxortho

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waxortho/?hl=en