In this episode of The Steward Chair, Kevin Clegg, CEO of Clegg Auto, shares his journey of transitioning his family's auto shops into the first employee ownership trust holding company in the U.S., exploring how the care factor drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss transitioning an exit strategy into a daily operating model, guiding employees to own their own lives before owning a company, and replacing traditional management with a 200% accountability culture, providing actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) protects an organization’s mission in perpetuity, ensuring the business remains evergreen and cannot be sold again.
• True company ownership requires employees to first own their lives and careers by identifying what they care about most and aligning their vocational track with those values.
• Traditional management can be replaced by a 200% accountability model where team members are 100% committed to their roles and 100% committed to keeping their peers accountable through peer coaching.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit Clegg Auto at https://cleggauto.com/
• Follow Kevin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-clegg-59655a/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, host Jeff Bond sits down with Steve Kruger, the fourth-generation leader of L.E. Schwartz & Son—a commercial roofing legacy that has anchored the Georgia landscape since 1910. Steve shares the raw reality of earning respect on hot roofs rather than leaning on a bloodline, and how a 116-year-old firm successfully navigates crises by choosing long-term integrity over the "quick fix" challenge.

Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to the future of the company as Steve is joined by his son, Michael Kruger. Representing the fifth generation, Michael talks about the unique synergy of working alongside his father and grandfather, balancing historic family traditions with modern technology, and leading a century-old mission with "pull instead of push".

Key Takeaways

• Earning Leadership Through Shared Labor: True stewardship in a hands-on trade isn't handed down through a bloodline; it is validated by serving on the front lines to gain deep empathy and mutual respect for the people doing the daily work .
• The "Golden Rule" in Crisis Management: Preserving a century-old reputation means choosing long-term success over short-term gains, proving that there is no right way to do the wrong thing when navigating business challenges with clients and employees .
• Deepening Impact through Local Convening: True community stewardship moves beyond stilted, transactional relationships by giving back, celebrating shared history, and intentionally gathering diverse groups to build a lasting local bond .

Resources Mentioned

• Visit L.E. Schwartz & Son: http://www.leschwartz.com/
• Follow Steve Kruger on LinkedIn: Steve Kruger
• Follow L.E. Schwartz & Son on social media:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l-e-schwartz-&-son-inc-/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Garry Ridge, Culture Coach and Former Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company, shares their journey of transitioning from a "command and control" leader to a servant leader, exploring how "the will of the people" drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss the specific algorithm Garry used to grow WD-40's market cap from $300M to $3.5B, the defining moments of cultural safety during global crises, and why a leader's number one responsibility is to be a learner and a teacher. This conversation provides actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• The Algorithm for Culture: Sustainable success is built through the formula of Values + Behavior x Consistency. Consistency is the "magic word" that prevents cultural toxins from eroding the organization.
• Profit as Applause: Shift the focus from the bottom line to the people; profit is the natural "applause" that follows when employees feel safe, seen, and empowered to do their best work.
• Leading Like a "Donkey": Effective stewardship requires the humility and reliability of a donkey—carrying the load and helping others reach their destination rather than seeking the spotlight.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://thelearningmoment.net/
• Follow The Learning Moment on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-learning-moment/
• Visit https://www.wd40.com/
• Follow WD-40 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wd-40-company/
• Follow Garry Ridge on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.