Wendy Colvano’s Post

Great to listen to Sandra Schwarzer at Index Ventures, sharing valuable insights on talent this morning. From Index's equity planning tool (a must for founders!) to their 'Scaling Through Chaos' publication, Sandra covers a wealth of topics, including frameworks for Executive Search firms, AI in talent, and much more.   A few key takeaways that struck a cord:   Storytelling: Do you feel confident in your search partner going to market and relaying your story? Who's best suited to sell your vision to the market?   Honesty: I’ve found that whether we are working with corporate boards or founders, I have to start with “How would you like me to be - honest and less placating, or more challenging?”. The best Founders/Boards want to be challenged; they are constantly learning and open to different ways of working or thinking - as Sandra also says!   Reference taking - Sandra underlined using it as a tool to understand the people you are hiring better. Don’t underestimate referencing even earlier in a search process - something we both believe in doing.   And lastly, for me, onboarding. Our job never feels done and ensuring a successful hire means investing time in the onboarding process—something we, and great funds like Index Ventures, are fully committed to. #ExecutiveSearch #ExpertInsights #Founders #Leadership #Hiring #ScalingTalent

Wise words from Sandra Schwarzer - set up your search correctly, commit the time and move quickly, be decisive. NU Advisory Partners echos the belief that you need a direct and transparent partnership with your search firm!

🚨 Key Framework for Successful Exec Searches 🚨 When it comes to hiring execs, most founders don’t spend enough time on one crucial step: setting up the search right from the start. I recently joined Daniel Huerta and Stephen Huerta for the The Modern People Leader podcast to talk through this and Index's latest book Scaling Through Chaos. Things to bear in mind with exec searches: 1️⃣  Define Priorities Early: Before jumping into the search, figure out the must-haves and nice-to-haves. And get your team involved early. 2️⃣  Choose the Right Partner: A great search partner should not only be able to tell your story in the market but also be willing to give you tough feedback when needed. True partnership = accountability. 3️⃣  Think Creatively: Don’t focus solely on hiring the person who checks all the boxes today. Look for the candidates who can grow into the role and lead you into the future. 4️⃣  The Hiring Doesn’t Stop When They Sign: onboarding is just the beginning. It takes a year or more for a new exec to fully hit their stride, so it’s crucial to keep supporting them beyond day one. Check out the podcast link in the comments to the full episode! #ExecutiveSearch #Founders #Leadership #HRLeadership #Hiring #Scaling #PeopleOps

The best hires don’t wait for vacancies. In this episode of To the Point Home Services Podcast, host Chris Yano  speaks with Richard Lewis  about the essential strategy of proactively hiring top talent, even if a specific role doesn’t yet exist. Creating space for “thesis changers”—those with transformative skills and perspectives—enables a business to evolve and maintain an edge. This approach helps organizations in dynamic fields stay adaptable and continuously improve, ensuring the right people are in place to drive success. Prioritizing cultural fit strengthens the team and ensures a supportive atmosphere where talent can flourish. For leaders in the home services industry, these strategies illustrate how intentional, forward-thinking hiring can boost growth, enhance resilience, and build a powerful team. 🎧 Listen to the full episode https://lnkd.in/gWViXRJr  #StrategicHiring #HomeServices #Leadership #TeamCulture #BusinessGrowth #HighImpact #TalentAcquisition

Confident CEOs build stronger teams. In this episode of To The Point Home Services, Chris Yano talks with Kenneth D. Goodrich, Landon Brewer, and Chad M. Petermanabout the critical role of hiring top talent to support business growth. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter where your business stands, growth depends on surrounding yourself with people who excel at what they do. As a leader, you must constantly seek individuals who bring new strengths to the team—even if they surpass your abilities in some areas. This isn’t about competition; it’s about elevating the business. Whether you’re hiring someone with extensive experience or fresh talent with potential, the goal is to continuously upgrade your team and nurture their growth. 🌱 When you bring on high-caliber team members, it’s essential to stay engaged and lead with purpose. Don’t just step back—ensure they’re aligned with your company’s vision. True success comes not only from having the right people in place but also from guiding their talents toward productive, growth-oriented goals. 💪 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/gJbRjy-P #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TalentAcquisition #ToThePointPodcast #TeamBuilding #HiringSuccess #VisionaryLeadership #Podcast #GrowthMindset

Who owns your company’s culture? Dan Turner’s “secret sauce” for a great company culture comes down to two things.     In this can't-miss clip from The Learn-It-All Podcast, Dan Turner, CEO of Xperigo reveals the "secret sauce" behind his company's award-winning culture and why it works.     Here’s what you'll learn from my conversation with Dan: - Culture is collective: It's not driven by the CEO or leadership but created by everyone.  - Interaction is key: Culture is shaped by how individuals treat each other daily.  - Treat others well: The fundamental rule of treating others as you'd like to be treated applies strongly to building a healthy culture.  - Simple principles lead to strong culture: Respect, fairness, and trust are essential values for a thriving organizational culture. I would like to thank Meredith Bell Host of Grow Strong Leaders for this wonderful introduction. Not only was Dan a great guest, we’ve spoken multiple times and I consider him a friend. All because of Meredith’s generosity!       Ready to start transforming your workplace? Click the link to listen now! https://lnkd.in/gMvTUnrH    #Leadership #CompanyCulture #WorkplaceTransformation #BusinessCulture #Podcast #RespectInTheWorkplace #TheLearnItAllLeader #TheLearnItAllPodcast

When hiring talent, don’t look for the ones that are exactly the same as you are. You can still maintain a high standard when you get people who are 70% like you. Good talent does not have to be perfect. 🙂 Did you know you can listen to podcasts about hiring talent and other topics related to your business? Check out the various episodes at https://lnkd.in/g8HSb5sU and gain insights to grow your enterprise! 💯 #hiringtoptalent #hiring #businessowners #leadership #businessleaders

🌟🤝 Episode 19: Embracing Operations Empathy - A Conversation with Jonathan Mills In the latest episode of the Kind Leader podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan, a corporate culture specialist at Corporate Culture Specialist, about the transformative power of operations empathy in leadership. Jonathan sheds light on how empathy, both internal and external, can create healthier and more fulfilling work environments. Key Insights: > Operations Empathy: Jonathan introduces this framework, which focuses on shared learning, objectivity, contextualization, and responsiveness to cultivate a kind and empathetic leadership culture. > Kind Leadership: Learn how being kind to oneself and extending that kindness to others builds a supportive and thriving workplace. > Success as a Leader: Jonathan defines success as recognizing the humanity in oneself and others, fostering healthy relationships, and creating a supportive system of work. > Future of Leadership: Explore Jonathan’s vision for leadership that involves flattening power structures, prioritizing empathy, and creating psychologically safe environments where all voices are valued. > Inspiration from C.S. Lewis: Jonathan admires C.S. Lewis for his ability to craft meaningful narratives and his contributions to philosophy and literature. 🎧 Tune in to discover how operations empathy can transform your leadership approach and foster a more inclusive and empathetic organizational culture. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eipHDvus #KindLeadership #Empathy #CorporateCulture #Leadership #Podcast #OperationsEmpathy Bravo Consulting Group, LLC

Good cultures don't just list their values - they live them. This week on #IWishTheyKnew: Eric Stone shares culture lessons from two decades at Enterprise and explores how to recognize and reward your company's culture makers. WATCH: https://bit.ly/3VtAFQW LISTEN: https://bit.ly/3xnnWXT We discuss the importance of pairing high standards with high character, how to simplify and strengthen communication, and why it's better to hire for cultural "match" than "fit." You know a good culture when you feel it - and after to listening to Eric, you'll be ready to jumpstart your workplace culture. #culture #leadership #podcast

I was recently interviewed on a family business podcast, and one question really got me thinking: "What important aspects of succession planning often get overlooked beyond the usual outline?" Here are three crucial factors that came to mind: 1.Giving Your Successors Verbal Permission to Make Changes Creating a plan is just the beginning. It's essential to give your successors the permission, support, and flexibility to make changes that fit their goals and skills. If they've grown up in your shadow, they might feel pressured to mimic your leadership style. Show them you trust their abilities and support their vision for the future with words! 2.Experience Outside the Family Business Has your successor gained experience outside the family farm? In my experience, working elsewhere after high school or college can be a strong indicator of future success. It helps them develop a broader perspective and can enhance their leadership skills. They might not return but it is a chance you have to take. 3. Having a Peer Group Managing a multi-generational family business, especially in a rural setting, can be incredibly challenging. A peer group provides the support, perspectives, and accountability needed to navigate these complexities. It’s not just about local friends; it’s about connecting with a formal group where you can be open and find genuine support. What aspects of succession planning did I miss outside of the normal framework. #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyBusiness #Leadership #FarmManagement #BusinessGrowth