From anti-hustle to humility and being homeless, here are 8 captivating thoughts after 20 conversations
Ken
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I have had the privilege of connecting with a group of talented business owners and professionals across a wide range of disciplines. Here are my top 8 takeaways after 20 episodes of my podcast.
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The Anti Hustle
During my conversation with Morgan Curley from the Public Eye, I was introduced to the term anti-hustle. Almost all of my guests commented on the challenge in achieving a work life balance. At the worst, burnout and mental health suffered and at best, it was merely accepted that finding a balance was something you give up as a part of your obligations.
Morgan cleverly introduced the concept of anti hustle as a response to the norms in her industry. "After going through so many cycles of burnout, and understanding that our industry can be both predatory to creatives via working conditions, ageism and the gig economy, our mission to provide super high-quality creative without killing ourselves has been a major focus. While our clients are happy with the value we provide, we've worked hard to develop a company that is remarkably anti-hustle."
By moving to a 4 day work week and introducing a priority on preserving a balance between work and personal life, she created a unique culture that thrives and contributes to meaningful growth for her business.
What would happen to you if it was possible to adopt an anti-hustle? -
Humility as a corporate value
During my conversation with Michael Tweedie from AirSprint, I came across the notion of instilling humility as one of your company's foundational values.
With many brands competing to stand out, consumers are often faced with messaging that is self serving and full of hubris. If we take a look at the automotive industry, according to all of their advertisements, every vehicle is best in class. In similar vein, how can it be that every internet or cellular provider has the fastest and most reliable network?
How often do you come across a brand with a campaign that is humble? What would the impact be for your organization if humility was championed as a way of being? I dive into the value of incorporating humility here. -
A lesson from hospitality - the power of detail
During my conversations with Devin Morrison, Dave Carruthers, and Jeremy Milligan, three veterans of the hospitality industry with over 75 years of combined experience, I noticed a common thread between them. They are obsessed with detail.
Devin made a comment that a particular table sconce from an overseas trip made a lasting impression on him. Dave commented on the way the afternoon sun would interact with an installation on his restaurant's wall. Jeremy was relentless in creating a nostalgic vibe at Alumni. We have all seen Chef's Table and seen the attention to detail at the world's best restaurants.
It may seem obvious but are you applying enough rigour to detail with your work? I think every company in every industry can benefit and learn by observing the attention to detail with top performers in hospitality. -
The role of confidence
During my conversation with Kim Noseworthy from The School of Walk, I was introduced to the role and power of confidence. Not that I had never thought about confidence, but in speaking with Kim, I came to notice how confidence was impacting me.
From the decisions we make, to how we present ourselves, confidence plays a crucial role in how we interact with the world and how others view us or our business. From your professional to personal life, belief in yourself will determine how well you perform.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through experience, resilience, and self-trust. When you develop confidence, you don’t just improve your career or relationships—you unlock a whole new level of freedom in your life. -
Integrity in the face of deception
During my conversations with Erin Ferguson and Kevin French, two award winning realtors, the topics of integrity and authenticity emerged. Real estate, along with many other industries, often face adversity with issues of trust. The consumer can be inherently suspicious and guarded when interacting with a professional or business owner.
Similar to humility, a sound foundation can be built on a pillar of integrity. You can meaningfully differentiate yourself by establishing a reputation for trust. Trust builds loyalty which in turn generates strong relationships.
It may seem like common sense, but I think making a conscious effort to operate with integrity is the key for building credibility and sustainability.
Does your industry face trust issues? How can you leverage trust in your space? -
Youth homelessness
During my conversation with Simon Lai, I had an eye opening experience with youth homelessness. Being homeless is a challenge. Can you imagine being young and homeless? How does someone cope without a family or a home?
All of the conversations I have had on the podcast are with gainfully employed individuals that have a partner and a life that is far removed from being homeless. Yet we are all aware of the less fortunate in society. But how often do we take the time for gratitude of our lives or give consideration for those suffering?
To Simon's point about being selfless in a society that is increasingly selfish, I would encourage you to reflect on life and take a moment to think about others. -
The road less travelled
I have paid close attention to my guest's journey post high school into their current role. What I have come to observe is that some of the happiest and genuinely satisfied guests have very indirect paths through life.
Having a prescribed path with steps to follow may offer comfort and predictability for some people. Knowing that you want to be a doctor as a child and pursuing that dream by following a charted course can be rewarding.
For others, they took the road less travelled and didn't know where they were headed. From bar tending at a nightclub to opening a restaurant, I have enjoyed hearing the stories of guests that followed an unconventional path.
I think the lesson to be learned is that sometimes we find ourselves by breaking the mould and embarking on a journey that is uniquely our own. There is no right or wrong way to progress through life. I think the key is to enjoy the process and follow your instinct. -
Sneakers are ok
When I first met with Margarita De Guzman for a conversation, I was caught off guard meeting a business leader wearing Air Jordan sneakers. As the managing director of a consulting firm, I did not expect to see sneakers as a part of her attire.
Perhaps it was my 20 year career in Calgary's "corporate" financial services culture, but in my mind I had a preconceived notion that a professional or business owner should be dressed a certain way. Dressing casual could lead to a loss of credibility and is unacceptable for maintaining a professional culture. Sneakers are specifically banned at most organizations due to sending an inappropriate message to co workers and clients. Dress shoes, dress pants, and a tucked in collared shirt are the uniforms I was familiar with.
I have been a sneaker collector for 25 years and never considered wearing a pair to meet a client with my new business. The idea of wearing sneakers seemed unprofessional and detrimental to my brand.
Margarita got me thinking. What if I dressed casually (with taste) and wore sneakers? Would my client judge me? Would this be a way to differentiate myself? I think authenticity is key and being yourself most likely trumps any judgment that I may receive. From now on, I am going to wear sneakers.
What do you think of a company's policy on the dress code and how does that impact culture?