Up for Air with Mitch Hara co-star of SMOTHERED
By Anthony T. Eaton | October 2020
What do you get when you pair Mitch Hara and Jason Stuart as a hateful gay couple who can’t stand each other but can’t afford to get divorced? SMOTHERED, a hysterical and slightly dark look into the journey of a couple and their search for a therapist who can help them save their doomed relationship.
I was not familiar with either actors’ work and only discovered them after seeing a promotion for SMOTHEREDon social media. As usual, when I come across someone fascinating, I reach out to connect, and to my surprise, Mitch personally responded, and we struck up a conversation.
Of course, I had to ask if he would do an interview, to which he quickly agreed!
Mitch, an actor, writer, and director, has an impressive background that includes numerous guest spots, including recurring roles on “ER” and writing for several sitcoms. In his first independent film, “The Art of Dying” he stared with Wings Hauser and then went on to work in films with Al Pacino, Patrick Swayze, and John Travolta, to name a few.
So, Mitch, let’s talk about SMOTHERED. You and Jason are fantastic; I could believe that you were a dysfunctional married couple; in fact, I have probably met that couple. How did you Jason meet? Had you ever worked together before?
Thirty years ago, at a party at my house. I was loaded out of my mind, and I don’t remember, LOL. Taylor Negron brought him, he was wearing a bad blonde mullet wig and to hear him tell it, I scared the shit out of him. I was flying around my raving party with a “Jew-fro” and a black floor-length cape. And yes, shockingly, we have worked on each other’s projects thru the years.
Sounds like destiny or perhaps Karma depending on how you look at it, and I can absolutely picture him in a mullet wig. Where did the idea of SMOTHERED come from?
LOL, two places. One, I always wanted to do a “Dog Day Afternoon” thing where the couple wants to separate, but they can’t afford it, so they rob a bank. And then Jason and I had a big ass fight, and I wanted him to go away; then I had the idea the best part of our relationship is that we argue and it’s funny. So, I called him and said, “this is what we’re gonna do and you just need to shut up.” And the dynamic was born. He never shut up. And neither did I!
When was the filming of the series finished?
I have no concept of time. But maybe ten months ago? After the shooting was completed, we moved on to editing — which Adam Sandler (Happy Madison) peeps were helping us edit. They were very supportive. We shot Couch Therapy in their bungalow. They got crazy busy and went on tour with Adam. Luckily I found Robb Padget, who was a gift from the gods. We like to think of him as the 4th Musketeer! He really understands moments, humor, and storytelling—an amazing editor and person. Me, Jason, Terri, and Robb became a joyous quadruple.
The segments are short at about 5 minutes each. Curious, how long did they take to film?
We did two episodes a day. It was intense and amazingly creative. We rehearsed a lot before the day of the shoot, so we knew what we were emotionally going for in each scene. Of course, we left ourselves open for “happy accidents” — like episode #4, where my character decided in the middle of the fight to kiss Ralph/Jason hard. I think I bit his lip;) Jason was shocked but kept in character, was swept away, and wanted more. Randy/me broke from the kiss and wanted OUT; we just stayed in the scene. It’s my secret favorite episode. If anything, the camera and lighting took the longest. But we were going for great production values, so every set up was important. Hitoshi/DP & Terri Hanauer, our director, worked together to set up each episode with a different look and feel. Terri and I talked a lot about how each one would look. Each episode is claustrophobic in its own way, so we needed a creative way to give each set up a unique, original feel and look like episode 4, which was filmed totally hand-held. I love that.
The editing is excellent; I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching the whole thing play out. The series features a very eclectic group of guest stars. Had you worked with any of them before? How were they chosen for their roles?
We wanted a really diverse group of characters and actors. They are all friends of either me, Jason, or Terri’s. We made a pact that just because they are friends that wasn’t enough. They had to be the best for the part, and we all had to agree. And we mostly LOL always did. If there were ever a question, two yeses would win. Ultimately, we wound up with an Asian woman, a little person, a 7-foot-tall trans woman, a black-lesbian-Jew, a plus-sized black man from Cats, an OCD gay man a fluid dog. Between Jason and me, we didn’t want any more “white” people. LOL we just wanted our series to reflect how we wanted to see the world—populated by unique, multi-racial, culturally diverse people thriving together. And we cast them for their talent, not because of their race or gender assignment. What was the question?
I love that it was such a diverse cast, and you and Jason were so intentional about that. I think they are perfectly matched for their roles. Not to put you on the spot, well perhaps, but do you have any favorite costars besides, of course, Jason?
Well, I have to say, Jason. LOL well, our chemistry is insane. We create this magic relationship and dynamic that you can’t fake. It’s like a sense of humor. You either have it, or you don’t. Favorites huh? Ummm, they were all amazing in their own way. It’s so funny the public has their own favorites. Some people can’t stop talking about #1 with Hellen Hung “everyone hates you” more peeps LOVE #2 couch therapy “Fu#K Barbra Streisand” with Pancho Moller (and we almost cut the whole thing) — others love “your inner child is dead” with Erika Ervin from American Horror story. She’s the 7-foot-tall child psychiatrist. Me, I secretly loved working with Delila in “nothing more than Feelings” and Clent Bowers in the IRS scene “you are less than nothing.” Seriously, there were dynamics in each episode that I loved! Moments, a bit of writing, a brilliant accident. In some insane way, Jason and I reacted at the moment. So, all of them for being who they were and selflessly giving us their best.
You are right; each segment is unique. I absolutely love the title of #2 Fu#k Barbra Streisand”; I wonder if she has watched? Were you surprised when it got picked up by Amazon?
It took three months, but we love them, and they support our voice! And Babs, Jason (Gould) and the hubby should watch it together. They’d feel better about themselves and their relationship. Hey Babs!!! Time to binge SMOTHERED! I’ll bring the popcorn. We can do a duet and you can be a shrink in season 2.
I have been telling everyone about it and can’t wait to see more. It is hard to believe that you have such a long list of credits given your tender age 😉. There was a time, not so long ago when being “out” could severely limit or even end a career in Hollywood. Did you ever have that concern for your own career; dos that fear still exist?
Jason would jump all over this question. He feels very deeply about this issue. I’m more like yes, yes, yes, yes, yes it did, it’s still around, we’re making progress, are we done? No. Are more people brave and busting through walls daily? Hell yes. Are we bringing our own chairs to the table? fuck yeh. We are getting more and more inclusive and depicted in all the bright colors of humanity. Yes, baby, yes. But if I’m not invited, I print my own invite and kick down the door. “Hey! The love and light just entered the building!”
I try and focus on what I want to create, what I have to say, what I want to illustrate in my art, life and voice. There is nothing sacred to me. Everything is part of my creative paint box. Yes, the shit exists. Does it stop me? fuck no. For me; everything is “yes.” Even “no” is a slow yes. I will not wait for someone else to give me permission to create.
When you look back, are you ever surprised at how far we have come? When I was growing up, the only representation we had were the stereotypes of game men. Now there is so much diversity and expression of the LGBTQ+ community.
Oh, hell, yes! I have always been “different” artistically and my view of the world and my unique voice was always alarming even before I realized my response to the world was radically different. And now the current Reich wants to drag the world back to the 1950s! I won’t goose-step, so don’t ask me.
I have never heard that term before, goose-step, but please don’t. There is so much on the line, and I appreciate your going there. Do you think that those who have a public platform in entertainment have a responsibility to speak up?
Of course! But I do invite the extremists, racists, alt-right, separatists, hatemongers to get on the right meds.
With everything we are faced with, is the LGBTQ+ community doing enough socially and politically?
I think so — bar setting the current Reich on fire. Seriously, I’m not judging what anyone else is doing. Ryan Murphy, Sony, Amazon, Netflix, Poptv, and more are supporting unique voices and inclusion. And only ones I can really hold accountable are Mitch Hara & Jason Stuart. And we are representing! SMOTHEREDour hysterical, shocking, and touching series is not only entertainment; it’s a celebration of diversity. We create what i want to see. I create from a very personal place full of fun, baggage, trauma, bullying, abuse, and power. My one-man show MUTANT OLIVE is a celebration of how I got here. And I am the love and the light. 😉 So, yes, yes, yes, and there’s always more arts can do. We creatives have a powerful platform and voice. I am happy to use mine.
Well, I, for one, am glad that you are using your voice and, at the same time, turning out some great work! This year has been like no other we have seen. How has the pandemic changed things for you?
Oh please. What’s changed for me? A gay privileged gypsy white boy? Let’s focus on the positives: SMOTHEREDis going viral. We are bringing light and joy in the darkness. It’s a crazy creative time for me. We’re doing a lot of PR for the series: zoom interviews, morning shows, live radio shows, a lot of fun. We’re also pitching SMOTHEREDto studios to create a 30-minute version. Truthfully, I’m inspired every day to write something about something. To get out of my head or another episode or some crazy insight I have. I also ride my bike 1.5 hours a day, so I don’t kill anyone. Also, auditions are picking up so a shit load of self-tapes. One of the biggest changes — I work at Sony, and I’m surrounded by 100’s of creative peeps, and in person, I kiss and hug all of them. I miss that. My people are affectionate.
What are you working on now, anything you can share?
Yessssssssssssssssssssss
We have three seasons of SMOTHEREDalready mapped out. I finished a screenplay, IT WILL ALWAYS BE LUNCH, amazing, hysterical, touching, beautiful (a gay Aunty Mame with a 10-year-old kid with Asperger’s). and I just finished a pilot about a grief group called “ONION” which we’re going to shoot end of November! Cast to be announced. Stay tuned!!!
I know I have already said it, but you are wonderful, and I am so grateful and appreciative that you made a personal connection when I reached out and agreed to do this interview. You are both talented and very genuine, which is sometimes rare. I can’t wait to see more from you and Jason.
“I don’t have time for humble or modest. Jason always tells me to wait for other people to compliment me, and I’m like, why? I appreciate ME!” ~Mitch Hara
Check out Mitch’s website, his bio on IMDb and follow him on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and if you haven’t already watched it, watch SMOTHERED!
A CONVERSATION WITH MATT GERBER
By Anthony T. Eaton | August 2020
There are all kinds of leaders in the world from every walk of life doing great things to make the world a better place. In early 2019 I came across a post by Matt Gerber about suicide, and after reading it, I instantly knew this was someone I wanted to interview, so I began to do my research on him and what he was doing. The first thing I discovered was his almost lifelong involvement in Rotary, but honestly, I didn’t know what Rotary is, and if you are like me, you may not either.
“Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves…From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.” To learn more about Rotary, visit their website. https://www.rotary.org/en
From getting involved in Rotary at age 15, Matt has founded Rotary programs, served as founding Rotaract Club president in college, has been a mentor, guest speaker, keynote presenter, and served on committees. For more than 25 years, Rotary has been a consistent and significant part of Matt’s life purpose, and he has served that purpose around the world, spending time in 70+ countries.
As sometimes happens when I reach out to someone to do an interview, even though they accept, for a variety of reasons, it may never come to fruition. When I never heard back from Matt, I figured it was not meant to be and moved on. When I received an email more than a year later, I was surprised, but I was even more interested in knowing what he had been doing.
When Matt Gerber wrote on his LinkedIn profile, “The world has changed fast…” I know he could have never imagined how much. I am grateful and consider myself privileged to have had Matt not only answer my questions about his service in Rotary and thought on leadership but also share the personal challenges he has faced.
Let’s start with you desire to serve. Where did that come from?
As a small child, I was surrounded by service. Although my father worked three jobs to support our family, and my mother was raising four children, they both found time to give back to our small community. I also spent a great deal of time with my grandmother, who, despite being on a limited-income herself, often volunteered at the local foodbank: packing custom boxes of food and delivering them to the elderly and disabled individuals in the community who could not do their own shopping.
This desire to serve was later reinforced by receiving a scholarship from The Ford Family Foundation (TFFF), which encouraged education and service among youth from Oregon’s poorest and most rural communities. During the four years I was at George Fox University, I realized what a gift TFFF had given me and what responsibility and desire I now had to live a life of service to others.
It is estimated based on surveys that between 25-30 percent of Americans volunteer. That seems low; why do you think that is?
It’s great that you bring this up. I was reading an article about the importance of volunteering for our longevity and happiness. (See “Do Good, Live Longer: Volunteering May Add Years To Lifespan, Improves Overall Well-Being,”)
I think there are few different factors at play. First, I don’t think people realize how easy it is to volunteer. It could be as simple as a few hours on a Saturday afternoon to pack boxes of food for the local food bank. It might be deciding to take a day of your vacation to find an opportunity to give back to the local community. I like to do this when I travel overseas: I search online for local orphanages, reach out to ask what supplies they are most in need of, then fill a suitcase of donations to leave there. Without exception, these days visiting the orphanages, bringing needed supplies and playing with the kids, are always the most satisfying day of the vacation.
Second, I don’t think people realize how personally fulfilling it is to volunteer. We usually think of the recipient of the good deed as being the beneficiary of volunteerism, but the person volunteering is likely to experience a euphoria that can only be felt when doing something selfless for someone else, and feeling intimately connected with the community. Our society is seeing a growing crisis of loneliness and mental health issues, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and can readily be addressed by the simple act of volunteering.
What if we taught volunteerism and social action in schools?
I have always approached my own life, and individuals on teams that I lead, through the acknowledgment that our lives are not neatly compartmentalized. Your mental health impacts your physical health, how you interact with others shows how you treat yourself, the most important headlines to read are not those which are shown on the news—but the messages we are constantly giving ourselves. I believe that regular acts of volunteerism and exposing children to diverse communities and people/cultures/ideas would be transformative for our society. Social action is a natural outcome of empathy and realizing that regardless of if an individual is on a higher or lower rung of the socioeconomic ladder, we are all part of the same community. By raising children to see adults around them prioritizing volunteerism and demonstrating a thoughtfulness about social justice, we start creating generations of adults for whom this mindset and activity is second nature.
As part of your involvement in Rotary and your service, you have lived and traveled all over the world, what has been the biggest cultural surprise for you?
I would have to say Pakistan. Last year I was helping an international I.T. company build and implement a CSR strategy across their global workforce. I received several stories of the employees in Islamabad, Pakistan, taking it upon themselves to plant trees, feed orphans, and educate slum children. I wanted to go see for myself. Although Pakistan is one of the poorest and most struggling countries in the world, I marveled at how caring citizens had organized themselves to help their communities. It became an example that I sought to replicate through the rest of the company. I would also have to say that out of some 75 countries I have visited, the Pakistanis were undoubtedly the more warm and welcoming I have ever experienced.
What is the biggest misconception you think the average American has about foreign countries and cultures?
Americans often mistake the poor economic conditions of other countries for lack of motivation to improve their lives. This is not the case. A single mother working 10 hour days, six days a week at a garment factory in Bangladesh is doing this to feed her family, and because there was probably no gainful employment in the village she is from. Their people are doing their best to survive with the resources they have. We often forget how fortunate in the United States we are to have paths to educate ourselves and improve our future.
The thing that initially intrigued me and made me want to interview you was the article you wrote on depression; Three Tips Save Life. You shared a personal experience in your struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide, how are you doing today?
I appreciate you asking. I consider myself fortunate to have gone through the dark times that I did. Without those moments, I would have never learned the resilience or developed the insight that I have today. When you “fake it” for so long, you realize that you can never judge other people by the face they are presenting. I often didn’t have the option to slow down to understand or deal with the causes of my depression, so it just continued to build. With a lot of love and kindness from people who care about me, I emerged from the toughest chapter of my life, and can now offer empathy when I encounter others struggling.
The cause and effect of mental illness are different for everyone. Was there a trigger for you, or has it always been a part of who you are?
I have generally been a pretty happy and confident person for most of my life. However, I was very inexperienced in relationships when I settled down and got married. I didn’t come out until my late 20s and married my third boyfriend. Not a great recipe to understand who you are, individually or what you bring to a relationship. I had to grow up very quickly in that relationship. Oddly, I grew up in a family that was more supportive of marriage equality than of divorce. When things got bad, I felt like I was stuck. It was only when I spent the night on the floor of a county crisis shelter; I realized that I had given away my power to be safe, happy, and fulfilled. This realization was the start of getting myself out of this dark tunnel, but it took nearly two years to make the changes I needed to be whole and healthy.
We have come so far in the understanding and treatment of mental illness, but as you point out, there is still an internal and external-stigma. How do we overcome that, and are we able to?
The hardest part about feeling sad or depressed is feeling isolated: you feel like you are the only person you know who has ever felt this down and lost. Our society looks down on people who don’t seem to “have it all together,” but the truth is, no one does. We are all just doing our best. No one is immune from feeling overwhelmed, feeling doubt about their future, or uncertainty about where the world is going. Our societies felt increasingly isolated—even before COVID-19—but now it is an even harder place to find connection and solace through genuine friendship. Those of us who have struggled with this have an opportunity to normalize the conversation and talking about how we found our way into—and out of—depression.
What role does physical health play, if any, in your well being?
Physical activity is fundamental to my mental health. When I first came to Dallas five years ago, it was to start and run a charity for veterans struggling with PTSD, suicide, and addiction, to find new careers as elite personal trainers. The community, health, and purpose that fitness can offer and help ease the hardest moments of life and build our resilience. I was already inspired by how fitness had transformed my personal confidence and self-image. I recently learned that in ancient Greece, philosophers would actually do their teaching in the gymnasiums. It was believed that the health of the body and health of the mind both needed to be developed in tandem. I think that our lives that are increasingly taking place in front of digital screens has the risk of overlooking the essential natural of physical health in promoting mental wellness.
In volunteering and responding to tragedies around the world, you see human suffering at its worst. How do you handle it?
Going back to your last question, I always practice a fitness routine when I travel. In 2018, I traveled to Palu, Indonesia, after a major earthquake and tsunami decimated the northwest corner of the island of Sulawesi. Towns flattened, thousands dead and missing, no functioning infrastructure—it was worse than any war zone I had ever seen. By having a little quiet time to myself in the morning before my day starts, I always try to find my internal equilibrium so I can give the most to others. Also, going back to your earlier question about mental health, I would love to highlight how giving back to others can help us out of the darkest moments of our lives. This helps us shift our perspective away from our own problems to the needs of others and puts our personal dramas in the context of being part of our shared human condition.
Under the worst circumstances, we often also see the best of people’s humanity. What has been the most significant experience or thing you have seen?
I believe that most people, at their core, are hardwired to be compassionate. When we see a stranger in genuine distress, a child crying, or a distant country being decimated by natural disasters, our hearts break. I shared what it was like in Palu, Indonesia, after the earthquake and tsunami. Hundreds of thousands of people displaced, tens of thousands of people missing or dead, and more than 75,000 children in dire need of clear water and food… all of this was set against a backdrop of complete physical destruction. And yet, amidst the rubble and continued aftershocks, the local residents were not waiting on international aid to reach their remote community. After working their long and exhausting days in law enforcement, I met a group of police officers who organized their own search and rescue teams to go out on their own time. These officers ventured into the rugged terrains to find communities that had been cut off in the disaster. They were not waiting for the government or NGOs to come to the rescue; they were part of a community where neighbors take care of each other.
I believe we are all leaders regardless of our title, position, economic or social standing because we all influence others. What are your thoughts?
I definitely believe every person has the capacity to be a leader. However, I don’t think everyone realizes their ability to—as you described perfectly—influence others. These actions or influences don’t have to challenge long-held prejudices or start a highly visible endeavor. I think leadership can be demonstrated even if we are the only person around, and there is no one for us to influence. It all starts with how we show up in our own lives, how we show up in the lives of others, and how we show up to the greater community. When I am by myself, I want my thoughts, words, and actions to be the same in private as they would be if I had an audience. Some people would call this act of consistency to be a reflection of “character” and “integrity.” Trying to live the fulness of my potential, and creating a space for others to find that for themselves, is the start of great leadership to me.
Tell me about Matt, the person, who are you, and how have you grown into the man you are?
I don’t think I could explain this as well as I can show it. This 20-minute video, at www.MyRotaryJourney.org, looks back on some pivotal moment early in my life that directly shaped who I am and continue to be my north star for where I am heading.
I didn’t see it on your bio, were you in the military; you have the look of a military person.
I get that a lot, actually. I come from a military family, my father served for 43 years, and I was raised with the armed forces being a very significant part of my life. As a young boy, I saw the military as just one of the many outlets my father had for leadership, service, and community.
Have you had a mentor, someone you admire or look up to?
I have had so many. I had a mentor at George Fox University, Dr. David Brandt, who was the school president. We would meet for breakfast every other week during my senior year and the following year to talk about life, leadership, and what it means to step into the world with courage and humility.
What brings you joy?
Story-listening and storytelling. I am captivated by the diversity of human experiences and the capacity of individuals to be resilient in the face of trauma and an increasingly complex and fast-paced world. When I travel, or even volunteering here in the U.S., I am constantly listening for people who want to tell their own story. It can be a life-changing act of generosity and love toward a stranger when you hold space for them, listen actively, and show them how much their sharing means to you. I feel it is a great responsibility to then re-tell those stories, especially bringing those narratives from developing countries back to Europe and North American audiences. I realize how blessed I am to meet these people and see their cultures, and I am always eager to share their stories.
Besides humanitarian aid, what other social issues or causes are important to you?
You are right; humanitarian aid is a big passion of mine, especially keeping families together who have lost everything in natural disasters and conflicts (check out www.ShelterBoxUSA.org). The bigger picture that I am interested in is the resilience of people and communities to overcome extraordinary challenges. Understanding what makes a person (or their nation) vulnerable or strong in the face of adversity is the first step in making the global community a place where more people can thrive. There is a mindset that seems to espouse the idea that there is only a limited about of wealth, success, and opportunity in the world—and some people are simply unlucky to have been born in a place where they cannot easily be part of that but I disagree. While there are built-in advantages and disadvantages to where we ended up in the lottery of humanity, I believe it is possible to create a system whereby people in every stratum of society can change their circumstances and write their own, new story.
What don’t people know about you?
Two things. First, people see me at the gym, and they immediately think they know my story. They see my 6-ft-6, 245 lbs frame moving with focus from one exercise to the next, and they presume I am a gym rat who has probably dedicated his whole life to the working out. What they do not know, and cannot imagine, is the young man I once was: too skinny and self-conscious ever to take off my shirt in public or in front of anyone. They don’t see the 10+ years of relentless diet and training or the catastrophic physical setbacks I had with Dengue Fever and Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. Truth be told, my workouts are an ongoing form of physical therapy.
The second thing that people don’t know about me is I’m working on a top-secret project. The goal is to provide access to a university degree (associates, bachelor, or even higher) to one billion people who would not otherwise have it. In the same way, we experienced the tech bubble in the early 2000s, and the housing crisis in 2008, I believe COVID-19 is accelerating a dramatic reimagining of higher education—who has access to it, to what extent does it truly prepare an individual for life success, and how we add this value to people’s lives without saddling them with student loans they will be paying off for decades. People mostly know me for my CSR work, humanitarian projects, and public speaking. But behind the scenes, I am pursuing my greatest passion: creating a space for individuals to reach their potential, who will then pay it forward to transform the lives of others in their families and communities. I know that isn’t very specific, but I would love to share with you more about it in the future.
Can one person change the world?
I think it is unavoidable: we all have some net impact on the world, whether it is easily measurable or not. The real question is: are we living with clarity about who we are, and intentionality about how we share our gifts with the world? For me, the most fulfilling work I have ever been part of focuses on giving people the tools and courage to explore what they can uniquely offer the world continually.
We live in a world of plenty, often even excess, yet so many lack even the basics. How do we raise people up, level things if you will?
I think we are already seeing that shift now. The trifecta of crises—pandemic, economic instability, and social unrest—has forced people to slow down and think about what is truly important to them. For those who have embraced this moment, we have turned the autopilot off and started listening better to our lives. For some, this moment of insight will be fleeting, but for others, they see themselves and their place in the world with fresh eyes. Part of this will be an inevitable self-audit of what it is that we value and are working toward (some people have never really slowed down to answer that). I think in the years to follow, we will be able to look back on 2020 and see just how transformative this was for our society. Millennials had already embraced the idea that the wealth that matters is measured in experiences and flexibility of lifestyle (less workaholic than previous generations), rather than what a person owns or how much money they make. We are all questioning the assumptions about our lives and how we define success now. I think that introspection will afford us a more appreciative view of how fortunate our lives are.
Is there a leader you think gets what great leadership is all about?
When I think about who I look up to as a leader, citizen, visionary, husband, father, and human being—there is no question that Don MacPherson comes to mind first. He was the CEO of Modern Survey, which helped companies measure and amplify authentic and engaged workplaces. He sold that company a few years ago and started 12 Geniuses, where he interviews thought leaders and innovators across many sectors. Don takes these subject matter experts and draws out of the universal ideas about leadership that we can all apply to our lives.
Perhaps some of the most important words anyone has ever spoken to me were from Don. It was in that very bleak chapter of my life I shared at the start of this conversation when I was sitting across from Don and his partner Michelle, dear friends of mine from when I lived in Minneapolis. I had just opened up to Don and Michelle about the tumultuous chapter of my life when I struggled with suicidal thoughts. I was crying. Don leaned in as he spoke: “I’m glad you made it through those tough times. The world needs you, Matt.” And that’s just how Don is (and Michelle too). Whether he is coaching CEOs or mentoring inner-city youth, Don’s empathy and insight communicate this to each person he meets, often when they need to hear it most: “The world needs you.”
Where are you headed to next?
This summer, I started a dual-doctorate program in Switzerland. Once international travels resumes, I’ll visit some of the 130+ affiliated universities in 50+ countries as part of my research and teaching. In the meantime, I will continue consulting, Rotary, ShelterBox, and I have just been invited to join the team at Culture Global Labs.
Connect with Matt via social media:
A CONVERSATION WITH SEAN SWARNER
By Anthony T. Eaton | May 2020
In the United States, 6,000 to 7,000 new cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma are diagnosed each year.
At age 13, Sean Swarner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and went through months of intensive treatment and beats it only to be diagnosed two years later with Askin’s sarcoma. With a prognosis of fourteen days to live, and being in a medically-induced coma for a year, Sean is the only known person to have both types of Cancer and yet beats the odds.
A decade later, with only one functioning lung, Sean becomes the first cancer survivor to climb Mount Everest. But Everest was just the beginning, Sean also completed the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI, and on April 11, 2017, and completed a trek to the North Pole
I had the privilege to talk to Sean about his experience, books, and thoughts on leadership.
“Anything is possible, and there’s always good in every bad situation,” Swarner said. “Cancer is probably one of, if not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but in the same breath, it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Life’s all about perspective.”
As we do this interview, we are in the midst of a pandemic not seen in modern times. What are your thoughts, how has this pandemic affected you personally?
My initial thoughts go to all the people affected directly by this virus. I’ve had friends on the “front line” as doctors and nurses who have told me they feel like they’re going to war without any armor or ammo. I’ve also had friends who have had it and recovered, thankfully. I’m staying away from everyone except my wife because there’s no telling what could happen to a guy with one lung. It’s affected me personally because I’m a professional keynote speaker, and all of the conferences where I was booked to speak have canceled until the end of September. As of right now, I’m building an online program for cancer survivors as well as professionals and anyone else who wants to join. Here’s a great video explaining how we’re actually in control, not the virus:
Learn how you can control fear and anxiety from two-time terminal cancer survivor Sean Swarner. Learn three solid steps that will help you every day.
If you want to add more positivity to your life, go to www.StepUpAfterCancer.com to sign up for a free StepUP Sunday weekly message giving you everything you need to keep motivated, overcome fear and have a successful week!
That is a great video, thanks for sharing. You were athletic before your cancer diagnosis and continued to have that passion and drive, where did the idea to tie your athletic ability and sense of adventure to your cancer experience come from?
It came from when I was working toward my doctorate in psychology, and I was being pulled away from my personal core values. Long story short, I was working three jobs while taking classes and had an incident that changed my life. I realized I had drifted a long way from my roots in Willard, Ohio. I was being pulled in the wrong direction, and after re-evaluating my values, thinking about my cancer history, and deciding I needed something else, I wanted to give back and help. I kept coming up with bigger and bigger platforms to share my story of hope, and eventually landed on the highest one in the world… Everest.
Clearly you found your calling and could recognize it. Your first book is KEEP CLIMBING: HOW I BEAT CANCER AND REACHED THE TOP OF THE WORLD, what was the catalyst for writing it?
Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World was an idea I had when I returned safely from climbing the highest mountain on earth. I reflected on what the trip and adventure meant to me and wanted to put it out there for everyone touched by Cancer. While I was climbing Everest, I had a flag donned with names of people touched by the disease. They were my motivation, my inspiration. This book is dedicated to them… thanking them for supporting me and giving me hope.
I don’t think I have met anyone that has not been touched by Cancer in some way, that is very noble of you to do. You are putting out a series of books called 7 SUMMITS TO SUCCESS, what do the seven summits represent?
The idea came from the actual mountains and my expeditions… 7 continents, 7 highest summits. During my years of professional keynote speaking, I’ve been developing countless stories that have embedded lessons people can take and use in their daily lives. There was one presentation in particular where I was speaking in front of a room full of CEOs, Presidents, etc, and I was talking about climbing up to the summit of Mt. Everest. I was at 29,000 feet (nearly the altitude where jumbo jets level off and fly) trying to breathe with one lung and relating it back to “normal” life. Then it struck me… no one in the room has any idea what I’m talking about because they never experienced that before. People love the story, they love the adventure, but the takeaways are what matter. People will forget what you tell them, but they’ll never forget how you make them feel. I decided that not only could I relate my adventures to everyday life by reflecting back to my cancers, my college experience, and other lower altitude adventures, but I could also make people feel incredibly empowered. The books are an extension of my presentation with a LOT more detail. There was a lesson I learned on every mountain, and those lessons are embedded within the book. Through micro-changes and challenges, people can accomplish anything. This is a guide in how to do that.
I love that and believe that there is so much to learn from the experience of others. That connection and ability to relate really can make a difference. Much of what you do requires working with a team, and you often put your life in the hands of that team, how do you choose those who help you achieve your goals?
Easy. We’re all focused on one thing – enjoying the moment. No one has a crystal ball to see into the future and the present moment is all we have. Obviously it helps to prepare for the future, but truly enjoying what we have is key. Anyone who’s negative need not apply, because attitude is contagious, and if you have an infection, I’d rather it be a positive one than a negative one. I surround myself with people who are focused on all the things we CAN do, and how we can get it done, as opposed to all the obstacles that could potentially get in our way.
Attitude makes all the difference. What has been the most challenging adventure for you; why?
Honestly, getting my story out to the world. People resonate with it, however, I was speaking with a Hollywood producer once who said it had everything for a feature film. The drama, the romance, the excitement, adventure… everything. To which I replied, “I’m sorry I didn’t die to make it more exciting.” He laughed but continued telling me that if I would have died, this would have been a better story. So I think the hardest adventure is fighting against the negativity of the world.
Wow, that is awful, but honestly, I am not surprised. It can be a challenge; I think our society focuses on the negative more than the positive. All you have to do is watch the news, and you see that. Has there been anyone that you looked up to as a leader or a mentor?
Of course. I couldn’t have done what I have without proper guidance. Just like Cancer… it’s not an individual disease. My entire family went through it. My brother, my mom, my dad. We were all pulled through a horrible experience. Imagine if you had a 16 year old son and you were told he had an expiration date of 14 days? How would you feel? I have a couple of people I look up to and bounce ideas off of. They’re tremendously successful in all areas of life, and I’m fortunate to have their guidance.
You are so right when you say it is not an individual disease, and I have been in that position when a doctor tells you someone you love may only have days or a week to live.
Where do your motivation and inspiration come from?
That’s easy… anyone going through a difficult time. Every single person who’s ever been touched by Cancer. Everywhere I go (vacation, presentations, climbing, adventures, etc) I do my best to visit local hospitals and hear the stories of the patients and share mine with them. I think we inspire each other.
What advice or words of encouragement do you give to others who are facing a battle with Cancer?
Make every day count, never give up hope, always reach for the summit. Bad days are temporary and embrace the good days. Also, depending on their personal situation, lots of humor. Laughing helps a lot.
Sean Swarner is the first cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest and conquer the highest peaks on each continent. Two years ago, he began his quest to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, which includes the North and South poles.
I believe we are all leaders because we influence others in one way or another having an impact on them whether we realize it or not. I would certainly say you are a leader, but what are your thoughts on that?
I honestly think one person can make a difference in the world. It’s like the pebble in the lake analogy… toss a pebble in there and the ripples can spread across the entire lake. Our lives are so connected; we’ll never know the full extent of those we impact.
That is a great analogy, and I believe that and have always said that you must make a conscious decision about what kind of leader you want to be. Looking back on your journey and knowing what you know now, what is one piece of advice you would have given yourself along the way?
Stay true to your personal core values. Those are the guiding compass to your true north. I’ve actually developed a Core Values Assessment if anyone’s interested: sean@cancerclimber.org email me.
I know I am interested! No leader is perfect, but what do you think is the biggest mistake any leader can make?
The first thing that comes to mind is, thinking he/she knows everything/more than those being led. We all have the capacity to become better, and through feedback from others, we can focus on self-improvement. We’ll never know everything, and we can always become better today than we were yesterday.
What is your next adventure?
Hopefully, I can get the corporate support and funding for a campaign to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. it’s all planned out; we are going to film it, we just need that support. Maybe after the virus is gone, this would be a tremendous way to unite the world?
I like to end my interviews with a quote, do you have a favorite?
I have a lot of favorites, actually. One that I share in my keynote talks: The human body can live roughly 30 days without food. The human condition can sustain itself for about 3 days without water. But no human can survive for more than 30 seconds without hope.
That is a great quote! Thank you so much for doing this interview with me.
Sean has a private online program available helping people transform a traumatic experience into an empowering life event. To get more info, email Sean at sean@cancerclimber.org
Sean graduated from Willard High School in Willard, Ohio, in 1993, and Westminster College in 1997. Amazon recently posted a film about his recent expedition to the north pole. He established his own foundation (The Cancer Climber Association), which promotes cancer awareness and entirely funds a survivor’s trip to Africa.
Sean was voted one of the top 8 most inspirational people in history and was the recipient of the Don’t Ever Give Up Award presented by the Jimmy V Foundation and ESPN and was featured on ESPN in a 10-minute segment on his life story and struggle.
To learn more about Sean, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/sean.swarner
https://twitter.com/SeanSwarner
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanswarner/
A CONVERSATION WITH BUTCH HOPKINS
By Anthony T. Eaton | May 2020
Having a shared background working in healthcare I recently had the opportunity to interview Butch Hopkins, a self described affable and faithful healthcare leader. His commitment to mission guided work and his reputation for efficiency, building and rewarding effective teams, and achieving exemplary results is noteworthy. With diverse experiences in academic, for-profit, non-profit, not-for-profit, joint venture, & government healthcare environments, Butch has built a skill set that includes financial, operational, and business development.
As we do this interview, we are in the midst of a pandemic not seen in modern times. What are your thoughts from a healthcare and leadership perspective?
My thoughts are primarily how to protect the employees and providers that work so hard and are taking such enormous risks to provide the care our patients need. Supplies of PPE are running short and are being diverted away from clinics and hospitals where they’re needed most. Employees are feeling extra stressed because of all they’re dealing with personally during the pandemic itself. They also have the stress of intentional exposure. If we don’t protect our healthcare team, we can’t protect our patients.
I think we are all thinking of our healthcare workers who are on the front lines. The dedication and sacrifice make them all heroes. What led you to a career in healthcare?
It was by luck, frankly. I was working as a loan officer and bank manager when a friend started working for a local rehab agency. She contacted me about an administrative role and she thought I would be a good fit. I did a little homework and studied the company, then interviewed, and within two weeks, I was hired. I took the role, and the rest, as they say, is history.
How is leadership in healthcare different from leadership in other professions?
In most other professions, you have customers. In healthcare, you have patients as well as customers. Healthcare leaders already know that the patient is at the center of all decisions. They also must learn to manage those decisions in a matrix environment with dyad and triad relationships and the even more complex relationships existing at every level.
I would agree with you; the matrixed environment in healthcare is different from the more traditional corporate environment. Has there been anyone that you looked up to as a leader or a mentor?
Of course! More than one person. I looked up to and learned something from almost every leader I ever followed. Even before I was a healthcare leader myself, I learned how to manage employee expectations from my supervisor at the bank. In my first healthcare role, I learned from a leader to identify my customers as my boss, my coworkers, and my other team members. More recently, I learned from my medical director how to manage board member expectations. I also looked up to another director who mentored me when I was having a particularly difficult time relating to a supervisor. Mentors have been everywhere along my career path.
You can’t appreciate and recognize good or great leadership unless you experience the opposite end of the spectrum, so what do you think is the biggest mistake any leader can make?
I can only speak for myself when I say the biggest mistake I’ve ever made was not soliciting input from my team. Making decisions in a vacuum has never led to great outcomes. Whenever you can, and even when you don’t think you have the time or you’re not inclined, I recommend solicit and listen to feedback and get buy-in before you move forward with any important decision.
I think every leader has been in that position, not necessarily because they don’t see the value in what others think or can add, but sometimes because they are over-eager to do. I know that has been true for me. Do leaders create a culture, or do employees?
It is definitely up to the leader to create the culture. Having said that, I believe firmly it’s the leader’s role to solicit from their employees how they want to see the culture develop and how to nurture it.
How would you describe your leadership style?
A very wise leader once told me that I should never expect to embody any one style of leadership. Nobody can be one person all the time to all the people. He told me that to my employees, I should be seen as a post office with many, many post boxes. Each box represents a leadership attribute. If an employee needs to relate to me as authoritarian, I am a stern taskmaster. If an employee needs me to be personable, I am their best friend and confidant. If an employee needs me to let them manage their own work, I am there loudest cheerleader.
I like your analogy and think the best leaders learn to know their audience if you will and adapt to their needs. What inspires and motivates you?
Kindness.
I like that. What role does vulnerability play in leadership?
Being vulnerable is one of the post office boxes that I referred to earlier. Employees and supervisors need to see their leaders as approachable and human. A really great leader will stay vulnerable to criticism and learn from their mistakes.
I believe we are all leaders because we are all influencers in one way or another having an impact on others whether we realize it or not. What are your thoughts on that?
I absolutely agree, Anthony. You never know who is watching and how your actions will affect their behavior. I am the father of three children. It’s no secret that parents influence their children through their behavior. The same is true at work. If someone sees that you take pride in your work, they will learn to take pride in their work and, in turn, become more accountable. If someone senses you don’t care about them, they will lose respect for you quickly and even engage in counterproductive behavior.
I have always said that you must make a conscious decision about what kind of leader you want to be. Looking back on your journey and knowing what you know now, what is one piece of advice you would have given yourself along the way?
Trust your feelings as well as you trust your data. Like medicine, management is not only an art it is also a science. Gather your data and process it in meaningful ways but use it creativly to achieve the outcome that your employees, patients, and customers need.
How do you handle weak leaders?
I am still learning. Honestly, as fortunate as I am to have worked with so many awesome people along my career path, I’ve also worked with some very poor leaders. If I don’t have any influence over them, I try to avoid them. If I do, I try to coach them and ask questions of them about specific behaviors. It is no doubt difficult at times to separate the individual from the behavior, and each case is unique. Like I said, I’m still learning.
We all are learning for sure, and that takes time. Volunteering is important to you, and you have a long history of providing support to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Project Open Hand, etc. Where does your desire and dedication to that come from?
Wow! I’m glad you asked that question, Anthony, although answering is not easy for me. I come from a family of origin that provided a lot of emotional and financial security to me. Yet somewhere along the way, that security was taken away. Unfortunately, I’ve seen days when I had to go without food, and at times I’ve even been without shelter. With help, I made it through those tough times. Although I can never truly repay anyone for the help they gave me, what I can do is pay it forward. Since I graduated from college in 1982, I have consistently been engaged in some sort of food-based charity, and I’ve also been involved in a Habitat project.
I must confess there are days when preparing and delivering meals to people starts out not feeling very rewarding and even chore-like. However, I have NEVER failed to end those days without a feeling of gratitude and satisfaction. Each meal I deliver reminds me that I’ve taken one more step toward amplifying the help that was given to me.
What you do is important. What has been your greatest leadership achievement so far in your career?
There have been two. The first was creating a team-based care model in Primary Care. The process involved teaming a Psych NP, a CSW, a PharmD, and a CRD with an MD to care for a panel of patients. This team approach was used in an area where access to Primary Care was restricted due to the low supply of providers. The outcome was to increase the MD’s patient panel by nearly 50%.
Another successful project I’m proud of was implementing a team-based documentation model. After observing a successful model at Stanford, and reading about another successful model in Indiana, I approached all the stakeholders in the system where I was working in Oregon. We had to pull together a lot of resources from disparate workgroups within the system and it took much longer to convince everyone to try the model than I originally planned. However, once I got buy-in from all the stakeholders, implementation of the process in a test environment leapt forward and was quickly adopted by the entire department. We were not only able to create more patient appointment timeslots, we also saw greater job satisfaction with employees and with providers.
You are currently looking for a new opportunity, what does your ideal position look like?
Wow! Another big thank you, Anthony! My ideal situation would be serving as a leader in a company whose mission is to help clients and customers, versus a mission for profit. I understand the motive for profit and the need for a positive margin however, I am personally motivated to witness positive outcomes in peoples’ lives. If the work is done properly, the money will follow.
Organizations that are responsive to their employees are most appealing. I would like to work for an organization that is willing to include middle and front-line teams in their decision-making process, even when some of the decisions are not initially popular.
It is also important to note that I value diversity not just in my personal relationships but also in my professional relationships, so I prefer to work with a diverse team of leaders.
Another preference is to work with a company that recognizes where it is on its Lean Journey, even if the journey is only in the planning stages. My ideal team will be one that looks forward to continuous improvement as a way of life.
Lastly, as a leader who is fortunate enough to have been mentored in the course of my career by several excellent leaders, I would like to work for a company that values me for my knowledge and willingness to offer mentorship to others.
I like to end my interviews with a quote, do you have a favorite?
Illegitimi non carborundum
Google it. You’ll get a chuckle.
Connect with Butch via LinkedIN
A CONVERSATION WITH JETHRO DIMEO
By Anthony T. Eaton | March 2020
Social media has allowed us to connect with people we never would have been able to in the past. I recently had the opportunity to interview Jethro DiMeo, who is a Global H.R. strategist in Vienna Austria. With B2C and B2B human resources experience in both the manufacturing and services industries Jethro’s background includes multi-industry experience obtained by holding diverse roles in SMB, Mid-market, and international Fortune 500 companies. Here is what Jethro shared about his experience working in Human Resources.
We share a background in Human Resources, what drew you to the profession?
My first experience with the H.R. function was already during high school. Although I did have some experience with other student jobs in customer service, hospitality, and graphic design, I’ve discovered my inclination for this field thanks to a trainee rotational program and later on student organizations such as AIESEC & ELSA, which offer students the opportunity to try out various business functions to help them figure out their best future career path. I always wanted to work in a field that would be both innovative and integral to efficient and effective business operations with the day-to-day duties constantly involving around interacting with people. That’s what drew me to this profession.
You are currently the Head of Global Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand, and you are in Vienna, Austria. What is the biggest global challenge you face with attracting an acquiring talent?
Since the war of talent is over & the talent has won, it is now time for organizations to find creative ways to proactively source and attract the candidates they need. Our biggest challenge is attracting the right type of candidates – we’re not getting the applicant quality we need to make a hire, and our sourced candidates often aren’t responding.
In the U.S. we continuously hear that there is a shortage of talent, but I don’t necessarily believe that. What are you seeing?
I don’t think there is a lack of skilled talent only in the states. No country is immune to the skills gap, but the level of difficulty employers has filling roles varies country to country. From my experience in countries such as the Czech Republic, Australia, China, or Italy, don’t have such difficulty in filling positions compared to high difficulty markets such as Japan or Turkey, not to say recruiting in any of those markets is easy. I would see the U.S. being somewhere in the middle. As for the shortage of Talent, I think it is a bit of an unfortunate term, considering shortage occurs in a situation when there are not enough qualified candidates to fill the demand of the market at any price. I can’t imagine companies with an unlimited payroll budget struggling to fill their open positions. With that being said, if companies can’t successfully fill their vacancies for the wages they offer, this is not by definition, a shortage. Perhaps the scarcity of talent would be a better term, suggesting that the specific talent is available on the job market, just really difficult to attract and/or retain.
Basically, you get what you pay for, but it starts with attracting that talent. I believe a reliable and consistent employer brand is an essential element to talent acquisition and retention, yet I have worked for a few organizations that did not get that. What are your thoughts?
I couldn’t agree more! People are way more likely to trust organizations based on what their employees are saying rather than on its recruitment advertising. Companies can’t afford to rely on their external advertising, and therefore, it’s more important than ever for companies to rely on their employee engagement and advocacy. Although in 2019, we already have the data to support the business case for strategic employer brand management within a company, we tend to encounter resistance because employer branding isn’t something that pays off right away. It’s a marathon that pays off in the longer run. I believe that once more CEOs & C-suite executives start to realize that the accountability of the employer brand has to fall on them in the end, we’ll start to notice a more prominent shift in terms of investment and importance given to such initiatives.
We see substantial retention issues here in the U.S., it seems everyone is looking for a different job, and people don’t stay more than a few years. Do you have retention issues? If yes, where and why, and if not, what sets you apart?
I wish I could say no! It’s hard to make a business successful without employees to work for it. As a manufacturing company, our biggest retention issues are with our blue-collar workforce, regardless of the geographical location. Markets with a really low unemployment rate are tough because of the amount of opportunities on every corner that we as an employer, have to compete with.
There was a time here in the U.S. when tech and some other companies were giving all kinds of perks and incentives to get people, but despite record low unemployment, that has changed here. How is it where you do business?
We are a global mechanical/electric manufacturing company with a global footprint and almost a century-old tradition. We’re also a family-owned company with an extremely decentralized organization. While some programs are coordinated on a global level, the majority of perks and incentives are managed at a local level. Our focus is on empowering our people to develop and giving them opportunities to grow. Although we don’t offer the newest iPhone, free flight tickets, or Vespa’s, what we do offer is an above standard personal development budget for every employee in all of our locations. We are aware that our people are our most precious “resource,” and we want to support them in their personal and professional journeys.
You certainly get the development piece right. Studies I read all say that employees today want development. What are some of the major differences between Human Resources in the U.S. and other countries?
There are countless differences, starting with the focus on respective geographical regions. It’s easier to manage and market generalizations in the U.S. compared to EMEA or APAC, which both have countless legal, cultural and linguistic differences that make them unique but also more difficult to manage with a single approach, strong localization is characteristic for both EMEA and APAC, and to a certain degree in LATAM too. This makes it easier, to a certain extent, to create strategies for the U.S. market compared to the rest of the world. From the total reward perspectives, candidates and employees in the U.S. seek out benefits such as paid vacation, health insurance or parental leave. By contrast, candidates and employees in Europe don’t have to worry about many of these benefits because they’re already covered by their country’s labor laws, with variations from country to country. When it comes to language training, in the U.S., it’s considered a perk, while in other countries it is often seen as relevant job training. Another aspect one shouldn’t overlook the sociopolitical aspect of the employment relationship.
The one thing I definitely would highlight is the employment contract itself. In the states, there is no requirement for an explicit employment contract and the employer can terminate such a working relationship anytime, as long as the reasons are lawful. In countries with a social contract and/or in Europe, where the law developed from common law, an employment contract is that basis for all employee-employerer relations. Companies need to follow due process when terminating employees or risk being liable of a wrongful termination. I think it’s difficult for many H.R. professionals in the U.S. to imagine a situation where an employee would be wrongfully terminated, and not only would the company have to pay damages & legal fees but also give the person their old job back with the same conditions.
We could have a whole conversation about the wrongful termination; it would be interesting for sure. Human Resources has changed a lot over the course of my career, what has been the most significant change you have seen?
I would have to say H.R., being recognized as a strategic partner for the business and getting a seat at the table.
I think it has gotten closer but still has some distance to go in many companies. When it comes to leadership, I believe that Human Resources should be the model for what is excellent and lead the way. What do you think?
I think that H.R. leaders & professionals are the face of the organization and should lead by example. I really like Dave Ulrich’s model of H.R. roles, depicting the position of H.R. as a strategic partner, administrative expert, employee champion, and change agent.
We really can have an impact on the bottom line, culture, and many other areas of the company. I have seen it, and I have done it. From your perspective, how does Human Resources impact strategy?
H.R. aims to be able to propagate and develop policies while also providing support to different business units as well as shared services. H.R. should empower the business to achieve its strategic objectives through its people.
You mentioned culture, what role do you think Human Resources plays in the culture of an organization?
I believe H.R. should work in synergy with the rest of leadership, defining the organizational culture that is best able to position the organization as a market leader. It takes persistence and patience, but H.R. has the ability to impact culture from the defining moment of what the organizational culture should be.
Do leaders create a culture or do employees?
Company culture is like a human personality, consisting of values, beliefs, experiences, backgrounds, habits, underlying assumptions, and interests, which create a person’s behavior. Culture is made from all of the life experiences that every person brings to the table. To a huge extend its formed by the company’s founders and executives due to their decision-making power and role in providing strategic direction. Therefore, I would have to say both – all of us create and influence the culture of the organization we work for.
Do you see common themes when it comes to what leaders struggle with or the strengths they have?
Inspiring others and guiding change, which is probably the most common struggle during organizational transformation. Leaders need to be able to understand, mobilize, manage, and lead change. A good leader knows how to mitigate consequences, guide their employees through change, and overcome their resistance to it.
I have seen that time and time again, leaders the trying to protect their position. As a result, they insulate themselves from connections with people out of fear that they will somehow be upstaged or seen as dispensable. How critical is leadership vulnerability in the success of an organization?
In my opinion, vulnerability makes you a stronger leader. The stronger you become as a leader by showing your vulnerability, the more respect and trust you will gain from your team members. It only makes sense that when your team sees you as a human being, they will feel closer to you and your team may start to feel more horizontal. I don’t think there’s any shame in seeing your team members succeed, or even surpass you at some point. Leaders should be proud to witness the growth and success of their team members and celebrate it together with them. As for leaders, those who strive to continuously improve, learn, innovate, and, most importantly, continue delivering value to the business have nothing to worry about.
How do leaders move beyond self-preservation to create an environment of connection, learning, and growth for themselves and those they lead?
I would recommend anyone interested in exploring this topic to read Authentic Leadership by Bill George. George states that authentic leaders exhibit five qualities, namely understanding their purpose, practicing solid values, leading with heart, establishing connected relationships, and demonstrating self-discipline. Hence my answer would be to be authentic.
Do you think there is a set of common drivers to what leaders are looking for?
I think these vary depending on the leadership style.
Do you see common pitfalls for leaders when it comes to organizational culture and their influence or impact on it?
Reinforcing accountability, failing to look beyond productivity, and being hung up on titles and rigid hierarchies.
I could not have said it better! What is the most significant mistake leaders make?
Not trusting your people. There’s arguably nothing as important as mutual trust in a healthy relationship, workplace included. Trust is something that’s hard to build but easy to lose, so treasure it!
If you could give new leaders one piece of advice, what would it be?
Lead from within – admit your mistakes, learn from them, develop strategies, and lea from virtues and by example.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Inclusive leadership, with collaboration, cultural intelligence, curiosity, cognizance of bias, courage, and commitment, all playing a pivotal role in my style.
What do you do to inspire and engage your employees?
I try to inspire and engage people by encouraging open feedback and lines of communication while accepting and catering to different communication styles. I believe that active listening and communication are both important ingredients for the recipe of having an enthusiastic and engaged staff.
I could not agree more, communication is key. What is your most significant leadership success and failure?
Success would be seeing people from your team being promoted and succeeding. Failure – whenever I catch myself not being empowering or double-checking if someone has done what they were supposed to.
In your opinion, what is the biggest reason that leaders fail?
Because they fail to listen and instead act like they have all the answers, although they should be the ones asking all the questions instead.
Goes back to communication doesn’t it. Anytime you have a dispersed workforce, it can be a challenge to have employees feel part of the greater whole. What does your company do to connect people around the world?
Since I work for an extremely decentralized global organization, this is definitely an area of development for us. However, we are definitely on the right track. This year we have given out several “wild cards” to our employees around the world, who wrote the best improvement ideas and motivational letter. We invited these wild cardholders to join us at our annual global executive strategic planning week, where they were able to actively participate and openly ask questions.
That is an excellent idea! Have you had any mentors or role models; how have they influenced you as a leader?
My mentor was Karina Ki from Lenovo, who was an H.R. Director for our global account business. She has taught me to see the bigger picture and how to motivate myself along with motivating others. Not to mention, I absolutely enjoyed having a mentor from Hong Kong, who was able to show me another perspective, often so different to my own, which is why our mentoring was so much more precious to me.
What inspires and motivates you?
Creativity. I’m naturally very creative; therefore an environment where innovative approaches to problem-solving are welcome is the right environment for me. I also enjoy having the Employer Brand function within my CoE, because I’m able to play around with the creative concepts of our H.R. marketing & communications.
How do you stay up to date on changes in our profession?
I enjoy networking with other H.R. professionals and attend various events within the H.R. community and speak at some of them too. Besides that, I’m also pursuing two master’s degrees at the moment, one of them being focused on Strategic H.R. Management.
I like to close all my interviews with a quote; do you have a favorite?
“True Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders”
– Ziad K. Abdelnour
Connect with Jethro https://www.linkedin.com/in/jethrodimeo/
INTERVIEWS AND MORE 