In this powerful episode of The Leadership Toolkit, host Mike Phillips sits down with John Donnelly, Executive Director at Service First Mortgage Company (SFMC) and a high-performance sales leader known for building elite mortgage teams with clarity, trust, and consistent execution.

John shares his incredible leadership journey — from weathering economic headwinds in the mortgage industry to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a personal mission of reinvention. Learn how returning to the basics, staying teachable, and leading with intention can fuel both personal growth and professional success.

🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use

✅ Going back to the basics: why human connection still wins

✅ Engagement over activity: using social media with purpose

✅ Why staying teachable keeps leaders relevant

✅ How to protect your time and build high-value relationships

✅ “You lose inspiration if you wait” — the power of taking action and setting audacious goals

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or climbing your own personal mountain, this episode is packed with practical insights and leadership fire you don’t want to miss!

Contact Information:
John Donnelly

Email: JDonnelly@sfmc.com

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/TheJohnDonnelly

Web: https://sfmc.com/playbig

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadershipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Guest: John Donnelly, High-Performance Sales Leader, Mortgage Lender, and Kilimanjaro Conqueror

Watch more episodes of The Leadership Toolkit at: https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure to share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Leadership Toolkit! In today's show, Mike unpacks five actionable practices that can elevate your leadership skills immediately. Drawing from over 100 interviews with successful leaders across various industries, this episode is packed with insights to help you lead with intentionality, build trust through empathy, and create a supportive environment for your team. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, tune in for practical advice that can transform your leadership style!

🧰 Tools of the Trade: Top Takeaways You Can Use

1️⃣ Foster Intentionality: Spend five minutes every morning identifying your goals for the day, it sets the tone for intentional action.

2️⃣ Deepen Empathy: Engage actively by asking meaningful questions and listening deeply to foster trust.

3️⃣ Recognition Matters: Commit to providing specific and genuine praise to elevate team morale and productivity.

4️⃣ Inquire Before Advising: Cultivate critical thinking skills in your team with clarifying questions before jumping into solutions.

5️⃣ Own The Mirror Moment: Run through reflective questions to sharpen your self-awareness and prepare for better decisions in the future.

Resources Mentioned:

- The Leadership Toolkit Blog: [Link]

- Recommended Leadership Books: [Link]

Call to Action:

Help the Leadership Toolkit grow by leaving a thumbs-up wherever you listen! Share this episode with someone who is looking to enhance their leadership skills or now needs a little motivation. You can impact someone's journey today!

Mike Phillips

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mike@TheLeadshipToolkit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin.com/in/LeadTheTeam⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠@LeadershipTLT⁠

YouTube: ⁠YouTube.com/@MikePhillips

Credits:

Hosted by Mike Phillips

Produced by The Leadership Toolkit Team

Watch more episodes of the Leadership Toolkit at https://spotify.TheLeadershipToolkit.com

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a 5-star review!

Make sure you share this as a resource with friends and colleagues.

Thank you for watching and listening!

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this show are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, producers, or any affiliated parties. The host and production team make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed by guests on the show. Listener discretion is advised.

*** Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links listed go to my websites and some are affiliate links that may generate me a sales commission if you make a purchase.