“Leaders are meant to serve. It's not an ego trip. It's how you serve your team.”

When Kyle Lacy, now CMO of Jellyfish, took on his first leadership role, it was all about him and his performance. But over time, he's learned to check his ego at the door and focus on pouring into his people instead to achieve more success than he ever thought possible.

In this episode, Kyle shares his insights on investing in team members' career growth, managing stress, and understanding how to effectively lead and motivate people. Listen in for a deeper understanding of what servant leadership looks like and how to put it into practice.

After You Listen:

• Check out “Do Better Work by Max Yoder” and “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie”

• Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Take the ego out of leadership and focus on serving your teams

• Work to understand how your team members work best and what motivates them

• Go big picture: to best support your people think about their careers, not just their daily tasks

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro
(02:35) Lightning round with Kyle
(05:30) Mentoring your team for their career growth
(12:04) Understanding the weight of leadership
(15:55) Navigating constant change without getting burnt out
(18:23) Kyle’s advice for his younger self
(19:07) Craig’s takeaways

“A true challenge in leadership is learning when to step back and let others find their own path from A to Z.”

In this episode of Executive Evolution, Craig Anderson talks with Adam Hayes, owner of Hayes Group Marketing, about the journey of leading and scaling a small business. Adam shares how he transitioned from a hands-on approach to a visionary role, focusing on empowering his team through trust, clear communication, and structured systems.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Adam emphasizes the importance of balancing guidance with autonomy, building a solid organizational framework, and using regular check-ins to maintain alignment with the company’s vision.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Adam on LinkedIn
• Check out Hayes Group Marketing
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Key Takeaways:

• Define a clear vision. Make sure your team understands it, so they can align their actions with your business goals
• Encourage team ownership. Let them be part of the solution, which drives engagement and accountability
• Learn to balance empathy with tough conversations. Compassionate leadership fosters trust and better outcomes

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:01) Leadership influences and favorite books

(06:29) First experiences in leadership and early lessons

(09:18) Balancing guidance and independence

(12:35) The importance of structured communication

(17:30) Scaling a small business with a vision-driven approach

(20:01) Goals for the future and stepping into a full-time visionary role

"A really powerful lesson is knowing that it is okay to admit when you've made a mistake. That shows people that your ego isn’t getting in the way of you showing up as a good human.”

In this episode of Executive Evolution, Craig Anderson sits down with Susan Baroncini-Moe, Executive Coach and CEO at Baroncini-Moe Executive Coaching, about leadership grounded in empathy, self-awareness, and authenticity. Susan shares the importance of vulnerability in building team trust and explains why candid feedback, rather than anonymous reviews, strengthens teams.

Susan reflects on her early career managing her father’s medical practice and shares the leadership lessons she learned firsthand through these experiences. She also advises fostering a safe, open culture that promotes honesty, growth, and authenticity, which is essential for today’s executives.

After You Listen:

• Get your copy of Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott
• Connect with Susan Baroncini-Moe on LinkedIn
• Check out Baroncini-Moe Executive Coaching
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter
• Check out Craig’s monthly free training on holding difficult conversations

Key Takeaways:

• Develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness to inspire authentic connections
• Build a legacy of integrity and growth through honest, open communication
• Approach difficult conversations with empathy and listening first

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:26) Lightning round

(17:46) Mastering self-awareness

(18:29) Evolving leadership philosophy

(19:00) The power of vulnerability

(20:01) Handling mistakes with grace

(20:52) The weight of leadership

(27:30) The role of a coach

(31:31) The pitfalls of Performance Improvement Plans