Soar Higher With Jason Ballard

E92: This is Your Brain on Leadership w/ Wendy Swire

A big thank-you to today's guest, Wendy Swire, for sharing her resources and insights with our listeners. If you want to learn more about Wendy and her work, get started here: swiresolutions.com/soarhigherpodcast
 
Welcome back! This week, we are joined by executive coach and polymath Wendy Swire to talk about the (neuro)science of leadership. Wendy's mission is to help leaders understand how to leverage - and care for - their grey matter. So today, she joins Coach Jason to share her insights on self-care, curiosity, and how to get the most out of your mind:
According to Wendy Swire, your brain is the most powerful information transfer system on the planet. As such, it needs to be cared for. She talks about caring for your mental health, even during stressful times.
Want to know why you are always crashing at 3pm? Wendy breaks down the science of the afternoon slump, and how to mitigate it.
Wendy Swire has been an diplomat, economist, executive coach, author and more. She credits her unique career to following her curiosity, and shares how she discovered this superpower. 
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://swiresolutions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.swire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendySwire
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-sherwin-swire-ma-pcc-0286961/
 

E91: Invest in Your Family w/ Drew McWilliams

Drew McWilliams understands what it's like to go from rags to riches. Growing up in poverty deep in rural Pennsylvania, Drew has parlayed his work ethic and sales skill into a lucrative career in education. His wife, Jennifer McWilliams, founded Ivybrook Academy in 2005, and Drew has used his own expertise to help franchise the business. Now, Drew and Jennifer have taken their half-day preschool curriculum to 50 communities across the country.
 
This week, Coach Jason digs into the story of Drew and Jennifer as we explore the intersection of family and business. Today’s lesson plan includes:
How Drew and Jennifer have cultivated a working relationship while raising a family.
Why Drew and Jason recommend franchising to small business owners.
How to cultivate a winning mindset at home.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://www.ivybrookacademy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-mcwilliams-cfe-3b041a5/

E90: Be 99 w/ Cheryl Lynn Mobley

A special thanks to today's guest, Cheryl Mobley, for making a stellar offer to all Soar Higher listeners: Cheryl and her team are giving you the chance to take the Be99®  Guiding Questions Framework as well as a series of quizzes that help to identify where leaders are rocking Be99® principles and where they need to grow in becoming their own Epic WorkplaceTM  . Cheryl would like to offer  a complimentary 30 minute call to discuss the results of the quizzes and to assess the individual opportunities for growth and development that the quizzes reveal.  Anyone who would like to take Cheryl up on this offer can email  emily@recalibrate.today.
 
While Cheryl Lynn Mobley was the president of a hospital, her facility scored in the 99th percentile during all five years of her tenure. Cheryl stepped up and led a large team to spectacular results in a high-pressure environment… and this week, she shares how she did it.
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason sits down with the preternaturally-motived Cheryl to talk about the secrets to her success. Not to give anything away, but it involves a lot more work than most are prepared to do. But, if 70% is not good enough for you, we think you’ll be right at home in today’s discussion. Nuggets include:
Cheryl discusses the idea of Circular Trust: it’s not enough that leaders connect with their team, there needs to be a baseline of trust across all levels in an organization to succeed.
Does your team understand what your goals really are? Coach Jason and Cheryl talk about clarity, and why it can be so fleeting in business.
Do you, as a leader, find yourself “babysitting” instead of working? Cheryl talks about how to inspire accountability.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.cheryllynnmobley.com/
Be99 Assessment: https://www.cheryllynnmobley.com/be99
Cheryl's Book: https://www.recalibrate.today/product/face-to-face-a-guide-to-leading-more-skillfully-in-times-of-great-disruption-uncertainty

E89: Do I Need a Fractional COO? w/Bill Simmons

Every organization is comprised of two key ingredients: people and processes. According to Thrive’s Bill Simmons, A good fractional COO can bring you both.
 
Welcome back! This week, Coach Jason searches for ways to save you time, and explores the idea of hiring a fractional COO (or integrator) and what it could offer your organization. Bill breaks down the benefits, options, and possibilities that come with hiring a helping hand to guide your operations. Along the way, we hit on some key questions:
What is the difference between a coach and a fractional COO? Jason and Bill break down how they help leaders in different ways.
Have a consultative mindset: when you solve problems, are you able to step outside of the moment to make a calculated decision? In many cases, fresh eyes can often find a solution.
What is my role if I hire a fractional COO? Bill talks about how a leader’s role can change (and expand) with a little outside help.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://thrivebusinessoperations.com/

E88: What’s the Real Price? w/ Jeff Maine

In business, if you aren't paying attention, you’re going to pay more.
 
This week, we are joined by Pay Proudly CEO & President Jeff Maine to talk about payment processing. Each business processes transactions differently, but all of them need it to be as fast, reliable, and simple as possible. Jeff and his team specialize in helping take the pain out of transactions and, in this episode, Jeff shares some of the biggest tips, mistakes, and red flags to look out for when it comes to payment processing, including:
Just ask. Even if you are happy with your current process, you could be losing money without knowing it. A second opinion is often the cheapest fix.
Will I need to offer a cash price and a credit price for my services going forward? Jeff weighs in on some big changes that we can expect to see soon.
How do I know when a solution (and provider) isn’t right for me? Jeff gives a tip to help you avoid bad actors.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://www.payproudly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PayProudly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proudlylive/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_zxzhAMMt9Nc_J96zQRmg/about

E87: Zero Waste w/ Heather Johnson

How do you make your organization greener? Sustainability is becoming more important every day, and this week, we interview Ingenium CEO Heather Johnson to talk about how to responsibly dispose of what we’re throwing away. More than just managing waste disposal, this discussion will illuminate where that waste goes, what the alternatives to landfills are, and what leaders need to consider before partnering with a disposal company. Plus, Heather shares her insights on:
Vetting your partners: irresponsible waste disposal could land you in hot water… even if another company is at fault. Heather talks about what to look for in a partner and how to avoid trouble.
Young workers care deeply about sustainability, according to Heather. Showing that you do too matters… and could be a massive boon when you are competing for young talent.
Heather talks about her own journey to CEO, from her first gig in the waste management business more than twenty years ago, to co-founding Ingenium and becoming Chief Executive Officer, and shares what her entrepreneurial experience has taught her.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://www.pureingenium.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-johnson-formerly-heather-dody-260a124/

E86: Scale Smarter w/ Nicole Grinnell

Nicole Grinnell calls herself a “mompreneur” and, thanks to her fractional team, has plenty of time with both her family and her business, Bosun Solutions. This week, she joins up with Coach Jason to talk about how to scale your company... while still making time for the important things.
 
Going from zero employees to one is a big jump. While hiring W2 employees is the norm, many (like Nicole) are seeing the benefits of building a fractional team, a practice in which an employer hires contractors for limited, customized amounts of time to fill specific roles. This way, Nicole saves on both money and time… and avoids the wastage that can come with scaling up.
 
We dive into the details of this practice and how it could help your organization, with some key takeaways:
After starting her first business, Nicole pivoted within 30 days. How reactive are you to market conditions? How will this affect the way you grow?
Even though it’s your company, you likely aren’t the best person for handing day-to-day tasks, Nicole says. We talk about putting your time - and trust - into your hires.
A fractional team is still YOUR team: Nicole shares how she fosters goodwill with her lean support team, even when they aren’t right down the hall.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links 
Website: https://www.bosunsolutions.com/

E85: Does Your Business Own You? w/ James Grant

If you have been in business for a while, and you feel like you’ve lost control, this conversation with James Grant may provide you with a lifeline. This week, we talk about how to channel stress into success with James, attorney and co-founder of the Georgia Trial Attorneys. James’ law practice is far from typical: he and his team act as an outsourced litigation department for firms whose caseload is too great to see cases through trial. How James carved out a profitable niche in a crowded market, and the lessons we can take away from his success, is the focal point of today’s episode. Important stops on today’s flight include:
Red Ocean vs. Blue Ocean: Are you doing business in the aggressive “red” sea, where competition is tight and clients come and go quickly. Or are you in the “blue” ocean, where you set sail for calmer, uncharted waters away from the crowd? The framing of that sentence may give this away, but we talk about which sea may be a smoother one for you and your business.
From stress to success: James shares how he differentiated his company from the crowd, and how he keeps his competitive edge in business.
Hire cheap, hire twice: James advises leaders to consider their outsourcing partners with the same degree of skepticism (and attention) that they would give their own hires.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links
Website: https://www.gtakg.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-trial-attorneys-at-kirchen-&-grant-llc/

E84: Faith in the Workplace Part 2 w/ Alex Sezer Jr. & Marcy Young

Is there a law against bringing your faith to the workplace? As a leader, should you build the tenets of religion into your organization?
It's a tough topic, and one we are excited to revisit with two of our favorite recurring guests: Alex Sezer Jr. and Marcy Young. Together with Coach Jason, they offer insights into some of the most sensitive questions surrounding the subject of faith in the workplace:
Investing in your culture is no longer optional. We talk about what younger workers are looking for in an employer. Can faith be the key to cultural alignment?
How you do anything is how you do everything. Are you setting successful habits at home and at work?
Are the leaders and employees in your company moving in the same direction? Nothing can get off the ground if everyone is not plugged in to the same culture.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com
Guest Links - Alex
Alex's Website: https://www.alexsezer.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexsezerjr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-sezer-b313337b/
Guest Links - Marcy
Website: YourHRAlliance.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcy-young-phr-57134722/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/yourhralliance
Email: Marcy@yourhralliance.com
Phone: 502-689-6009

E83: Why Are We Afraid to Plan?

Whether you lead two people or two thousand, you need to have a plan. Further, you need to have a plan that is both comprehensive enough to achieve your objectives and also simple enough to be actioned at every level in your organization.
 
So, this week, Coach Jason is here to preach the Strategic Planning GOSPA (Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Plans, Activities), an organizational tool that encompasses everything from the broadest goals you envision to the most granular tasks of running your business. Instead of focusing on the broader why behind your vision, this podcast will address the question: How do I communicate that vision across my organization? Takeaways:
Plan for bad luck. While we cannot anticipate everything, expecting the best-case scenario every time will set you up for disappointment.
Coach Jason breaks down GOSPA and how you can use it to streamline your business today.
At every level, GOSPA only works with proper communication. Listen in for how this framework can simplify the everyday back-and-forth that causes plans to break down.
Show Links/ Social Links
LinkedIn: Jason Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ballard-795a0587/
LinkedIn: Soar Higher - https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-higher-business-solutions/
Soar Higher Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/soarhigherjasonballard
Soar Higher Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazXTUWfddwR9blL-3KUG_A
Website: www.soarhighercoaching.com