In Episode 7 of the Leaders Intent podcast, host Ronnie Stephens interviews Sara Gallagher, President of the Persimmon Group. Sara shares her journey from becoming an "accidental" project manager, to the leader of a consulting firm known for its mission to eliminate unproductive hard work. She details the cultural and operational shifts necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting her company's early and sustained transition to virtual work.

Sara reflects on her initial journey into project management, which began with an unanticipated opportunity from a boss who recognized her potential. She describes the challenges and growth experiences she faced, from managing large-scale projects without prior experience to ultimately becoming president of the Persimmon Group. Sara discusses her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of listening, stress management, empowerment, and maintaining psychological safety within the team. She candidly shares her struggles with mental health and the steps she took to seek help and improve her leadership capabilities.

Throughout the podcast, Sara provides insights into effective delegation, setting priorities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and agility. She offers advice for new leaders, focusing on self-awareness, managing fear, and the importance of feedback. The episode is a deep dive into the real-world application of leadership principles, delivered through Sara's personal and professional experiences.

Here is Sara's contact information:

linkedin.com/in/saraegallagher

saragallagher@thepersimmongroup.com

Business Consulting Services | The Persimmon Group | Tulsa, OK

https://thepersimmongroup.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/ronniestephens

ronniedstephens.ok@gmail.com

Summary:

This episode features Jeff Hager, owner and CEO of Big Elk Energy Systems, who shares his life story and entrepreneurial journey. Jeff discusses growing up in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, his family background, education, career transitions, and the challenges he faced in starting his business. He talks about the struggles, setbacks, and moments of triumph that led to the success of Big Elk Energy Systems.

Key Insights

• Jeff’s upbringing in a small town and his family background greatly influenced his
values and work ethic.

• His journey from engineering to sales and eventually starting his own business
showcases the importance of following one’s calling.

• The challenges and setbacks he faced in starting Big Elk Energy Systems
highlight the resilience and determination required in entrepreneurship.

• Jeff’s emphasis on relationships, transparency, and authenticity in leadership
underscores the significance of trust and communication in business.

• His commitment to continuous learning, mentorship, and storytelling as a
leadership philosophy showcases the importance of personal growth and
development.

• The story behind the Companies name!

We hope you enjoy our discussion and please feel free to reach out to Geoff with any questions or comments you have.

Thanks for listening!

Here is Geoff’s contact information:

linkedin.com/in/geoffhager

Geoff.hager@bigelk.com

www.bigelk.com

Ronnie Stephens, MBA, TEDx Speaker | LinkedIn

In this episode, we'll talk about Hayley’s journey from an energy executive, to starting her own small business in her hometown of Rogers City, Michigan.

We will also touch on the following aspects of opening a small business:

· What are some of the biggest learning curves you’ve experienced as you started
your business?

· What opening a small business has taught her about social media and marketing

· What’s one piece of advice you would give someone who is thinking about
starting their own business?

· “When you feel overwhelmed or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you
do?

We hope you enjoy our discussion and please feel free to reach out to Hayley with any questions or comments you have.

Thanks for listening!

Here is our contact information:

www.Harborsidebathandbody.com

facebook.com/@HarborsideBathandBody

instagram.com/HarborsideBathandBody

tiktok.com/@harborsidebathandbody

twitter.com/@HayleyR6821433

linkedin.com/in/ronnie-stephens