November 23, 2024 • 25 mins
Jonathan Veal joins me, Greg T. Jones, to share his transformative insights on leadership development in the inaugural episode of "Three Keys for Your Journey." Discover how Jonathan's work at Built to Bridge Management Group encourages leaders, including those from the faith community, to embrace vulnerability and transparency. This episode promises to illuminate the path to personal growth by addressing the hidden challenges leaders face, helping them manage stress, avoid burnout, and achieve professional success. Jonathan's reflections on crafting safe spaces for leaders to voice their struggles offer a fresh perspective on maintaining balance and navigating the complexities of executive life.
Explore the essence of finding purpose and the story behind "Built to Bridge," as Jonathan recounts his transition from a national organization to founding his own venture. This episode unpacks the significance of introspection, revealing how understanding personal value can catalyze a more selfless, impactful life. We also delve into the power of consistency and collaboration, key pillars in crafting a reliable and successful leadership style. By inviting diverse perspectives and fostering trust through stability, leaders can amplify their decision-making prowess and achieve winning outcomes. Join us for this enlightening conversation that challenges the status quo and inspires a journey of growth and self-discovery.
Thank you for listening! YouTube - @3KeysforYourJourney -Tune in for a new episode every Sunday. Connect with us at www.ocfo.info
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
are you ready to unlock your potential?
Tune in to three keys for yourjourney podcast, where business
owners share invaluable insightsand empowering strategies to
guide you towards success.
Based in Oklahoma City, ourhost, greg T Jones, will inspire
and motivate you every week.
Get ready to join ourconversation as we build
(00:36):
community together.
Greg Jones (00:41):
Man.
Good morning, jonathan Veal.
Good morning sir.
How are you, man?
I'm doing well today, so thisis a special day, jonathan Veal.
Good morning sir.
How are you, man?
I'm doing well today, so thisis a special day, man.
Jonathan Veal (00:49):
Okay.
Greg Jones (00:50):
This is our inaugural podcast.
What Episode number one?
Come on man, Jonathan Veal, Wowman, I feel special privileged.
Episode number one.
All those good things man, manyou know what I'm saying?
Jonathan Veal (01:02):
There's only one.
Greg Jones (01:03):
It's the first I was coming back.
Jonathan Veal (01:05):
Man, you can never do the first again.
Greg Jones (01:08):
That's it.
That's it.
So you know this is anopportunity for our listening
audience, launching a podcastcalled Three Keys for your
Journey.
You heard the intro.
I'm your host, greg Jones.
The goal of this show really isto introduce influential
business leaders in thecommunity and really it's all
(01:30):
about highlighting what they,what you, would deem keys for
the journey.
So it's, it's really, and theway I look at it, podcast is
called Three Keys for yourJourney and the way I look at it
, podcast is called three keysfor your journey, and so I'm
asking for three things, but I'malso not limiting or stressing
you out about three things.
(01:50):
If we only get to one today.
We'll just have two moreepisodes, right, but the goal is
, though, is really just to tellus a little bit about yourself,
a little bit about yourbusiness, kind of give us the
inspiration behind your business, and then we'll just get in
conversation about things thatyou would consider three keys.
Jonathan Veal (02:10):
Yes, sir, yes sir .
So the name of my business isBuilt to Bridge Management Group
.
So that's the umbrella, andunder that umbrella we have
leadership, consultant andtraining where I may meet with
other business owners, executivedirectors.
I also consulted in the faithcommunity as well, so meeting
(02:32):
with senior pastors, justcreating a safe space for those
top leaders, because it's beenmy experience that a lot of
those leaders don't have thatsafe space to be transparent
about some of the things thatthey deal with on a day-to-day
basis.
A lot of times, you know, whenwe look at, you know, top
(02:53):
executives, our perception isthey have it all together, they
have all the answers, they don'texperience any of the same
things that quote-unquoteexperience, any of the same
things that quote unquote commonpeople experience.
And so I've been, you know,granted opportunity to, to, to
(03:13):
just be able to create thatspace where individuals can be
transparent, vulnerable, not totake advantage of that, but to
allow them the space to be.
You know man just let it out inthe same space, cause, if you
hold it in, personal erosionwill take place, wow, and
ultimately it will come to thesurface.
And so, as best as possible,man, I want to help those top
(03:36):
leaders you know, be able toshare those things in a safe
place.
And then not just let it share,but then let's let's give some
course correct.
We'll get some next actionsteps for them to get back on
the right path, not only forthemselves but also for the
organization that they lead.
Greg Jones (03:51):
Tell me how did, how did you come up with the name
Built to Bridge?
Jonathan Veal (04:00):
Yeah.
So, man, I would say this thisthis transition, or felt like a
transition, was on the way frombeing with a long term, long
term, visible nationalorganization and I felt like a
change was coming.
I didn't know if it was apromotion up or being launched
out.
So, really, man, just startedreally doing some deep dives and
(04:23):
you know some some, someintrospective question about man
, what's next?
What's next, what's next?
It's ultimately got to thepoint where it's time to make
that transition and then, evenin that transition, started
(04:44):
asking the question man, man, Iknow I've been gifted to lead
others, but it would seem likein this company, I was with man,
these top leaders would justlike we would.
You know, I was traveling allacross the country, I mean these
top leaders within theorganization and it would just
seem like man, they would justtap me on the shoulder and, just
you know, ask a question.
And I'm like man, I'm just youknow, I have some space and I
(05:05):
have, you know, some authority,but it's not to the level that
you have, and we would havemaybe like a little five minute
conversation and they would nottell me directly the impact, but
somebody else would say, man,so-and-so said, man, they had a
great conversation with you.
For me it was like three to fiveminute conversation, and so,
man, it really just starteddawning on me man, okay, man, um
(05:36):
, you know, your track recordhas has, um, been intriguing to
others and now, um, they're,they're, wanting to spend more
time with you, um, so then Ireally started, like man, uh,
having a uh, uh understanding ofsome of the, the pains that
leaders go through, even throughmy own experience as well.
And so then I really juststarted going all the way back
to my, like my childhood.
I thought about all the leadersI had in my life and so, and
(05:58):
who invested in me, and sothat's where, that's where the
built comes in, like, I believe,like everything I've gone
through good, bad, ugly,indifference it's built me to
where I am today, right, and soI believe that my what's been
invested in me is not solely formyself, but it's for others as
well, and so a lot of times youhave individuals that are at one
(06:21):
place.
They have a desire to go to theother place, the other side,
but they don't know how to getthere.
And so for me, I believe,everything I've gone through
through the course of my life,both professionally and
personally, is now, or shouldnow, be laid out for others, for
(06:43):
them to hear, to see, to use,to get to the other side.
Greg Jones (06:48):
Thus built to bridge Built to bridge.
Jonathan Veal (06:52):
Everything I've gone through is not for me, but
it's to lay at the feet ofothers so they can get to where
they want.
So I'm okay with beingvulnerable.
So hopefully in myvulnerability they feel like, oh
, I could be vulnerable in andsharing man some of my wildest
dreams.
Oh, I can dream too.
(07:13):
I can dream wildly as well, andso and my hope, my hopeful goal
is like to create this spacewhere individuals see man.
It's not about you, but it'sabout you, because if you don't
deal with you first, there's noway possible you can lead others
at a high level.
There's no way you can besuccessful long term Unless you
(07:34):
do the deep introspective workon yourself.
Greg Jones (07:39):
Now, I'm not sure if that's one of the keys, but it
sounds like one to me.
You got to do some deepintrospective work.
You do.
Jonathan Veal (07:45):
It starts with you.
It starts with you, but it'snot about you.
Greg Jones (07:49):
OK, all right, let's work.
You do, you do.
It starts with you.
It starts with you, but it'snot about you.
Jonathan Veal (07:53):
Okay, all right, let's roll into it.
What's key number one?
Key number one, man, is um addvalue to every space you occupy
okay, add value to every spaceyou occupy.
Add value now?
First, you have to know whatyour value is and and where your
value lies.
So for me, I understand that myvalue, my identity, is not
(08:14):
based on what I do, but who I amand who I serve.
So I do believe in a higherpower, and the higher power is
God, through his son, jesusChrist, and I believe that
everything I do is empowered byhim.
Okay, and I believe thateverything I do is empowered by
him, and I do believe thateverything I do is
(08:34):
representative of him as well.
And so, everywhere I would go,I want to be a great ambassador
of him.
And if I look at the lifestyleof Jesus, he lived a selfless
life.
Everything he did was investingin others.
I mean the majority of his, Iwould say 90% of his day was
investing in others.
I mean the majority of his, Iwould say 90% of his day was
(08:56):
investing in others.
But also that 10% was key, that10% was early in the morning he
would go to this secret place,this detached place, from
everybody else Spend time withGod.
Spend time with God, so that'sthe personal investment, okay.
Everybody else Spend time withGod Spend time with God, so
that's the personal investment,okay.
And so when you do the 10%early, the 90% just flows.
(09:19):
Because you know you sound likea t-shirt, brother, it's just
who you are, you know.
And so for me, actually it tookme a while to get to that point
.
So, you know, grew up as theonly child my parents divorced
early.
So I'm going through man, man,who am I?
Because you know how youridentity should be shaped is by
(09:42):
those you know biologicalparents, you know, and so some
of our listeners, they were likeman, my childhood was jacked up
.
Okay, I can identify with you.
So we're not negating thatreality or that fact, but let's
not live there.
Your past is your past, butdon't be bound to your past.
And so for me, you know I hadsome trauma growing up.
You know, growing up in abroken home, and it took me a
(10:05):
while, man just trying tonavigate.
You know, early teenhood,playing sports at a high level,
you know, my identity kind ofwent to there for a second.
And then, you know, not playingat the highest level in college
when I wanted to, and thenstill trying to wander through
that phase, and then just got toa point where, like, something
dawned on me that was like man,you're working hard to please
(10:27):
others and they have no concernabout you, they're not worried
about the image that you'retrying to project.
And so man, about the age of 20, 21,.
Man, really, you know, did aself-examination and, you know,
reignited faith in God and thatwas a game changer man, just
really understanding my sonshipin him, my identity is fine to
(10:49):
him and what his role for me inthis world is.
Because, you know, I think, man, I'm just this little nobody
man, five, eight, you know, 165,soaking wet man.
What impact can I can make?
Man?
And I remember, you know,having this image of a pebble
thrown into the Pacific Oceanand initially it looks like that
(11:15):
that pebble was not making atremendous impact.
But when it's launched and hitsthat water, it makes an impact
that we may not see right now,but over time it gains momentum
and will make an actual uhimpact wow.
So value within yourself,understanding what your value is
(11:36):
you know, key number one is addvalue to every space you occupy
, but the value, the first value, must know the value of your
value itself.
Wow, yeah, okay.
What's key number two?
Key number two is consistencywins, and you're like man.
Greg Jones (11:51):
What does that mean?
Jonathan Veal (11:54):
What does that mean, man?
So if you determine to be a bum, don't do anything.
Don't do anything today, don'tdo anything tomorrow, don't do
anything this week or next week,and so whatever you commit to
(12:17):
doing, commit to it, andwhatever the end result is Is
the end result Is the end result, and so I want to win.
I just have a fire in me to win,but I'm not moved by my highs
and I'm not not moved by my lows.
I haven't what I call an evenkeel, that I want to show up,
(12:38):
and when I show up, people knowwhat they're going to get from
me.
And as, as leaders out there,people need to know what they're
going to get from youemotionally, physically, from
your presence, from your output.
They need to know what they'regoing to, because a lot of
society is just, they're just onan emotional rollercoaster.
And so for top leaders, like ifyou're leading at a high level,
(13:02):
like the people need to knowwhat they're going to get from
you.
They don't, they can't come intoyour organization or to the
organization on pins and needlesnot knowing how the leader is
going to respond today, or howhe's going to act, or what mood
he's in or has he had his coffeetoday.
You know those things and so Imean, if you know, if you, if
(13:25):
you take that mindset, thatconsistency wins, it should
create some structure to yourlife.
I'm going to wake up at acertain time.
I'm going to have this when Iwake up.
I'm going to eat this forbreakfast, I'm going to read
this, or I'm going to be aroundthis certain group of people, or
(13:48):
I'm going to stretch myself.
Greg Jones (13:49):
Those types of things are key components to
consistently winning and also,as you're talking about, that
consistency also creates balance.
Jonathan Veal (13:59):
It really does, not only for yourself but others
as well is a huge boat rightand people get on like they know
if I'm behind the steer,whatever the little thing I
can't remember what it's called.
They know that, man, we'regoing to be all right.
Even though we may run intosome tough waters, you know
(14:22):
we're going to be all right.
Greg Jones (14:23):
It's interesting when you say that I started
thinking about differentexamples.
But you know, in family myfamily sometimes you know we
take road trips and my wife willsay something like well, I know
, greg, he can drive.
And it's not that he can drive.
I think what she's trying tosay is he's consistent.
(14:43):
So, you know, he likes to getthere on time, he likes to be
there on time, he likes to getthere on time, he likes to be
there on time, he likes to leaveearly, like, and that
consistent.
When you talk about wins, thenit shapes the environment that
you're in and people, not onlywhat you just said, come to know
what to expect, but you alsoknow what to expect from
yourself and especially aspeople of faith you know, I
(15:06):
believe in god says I know whatto expect from him or her.
Right, yeah, because they'vebeen consistent, they strive to
be consistent, they strive witha degree of excellence and you
know you can be consistent, butalso it helps you develop a
degree of excellence, and thenwe talk a lot about you know
what to say yes to, what to sayno to, and so, anyway, just
(15:28):
thinking about being consistent,when I, when you say it wins,
it's an opportunity for not onlyyourself but others to
understand that there's aroadmap yeah and when I know
that, uh, you know, if we'restarting something at eight
o'clock, you're going to bethere at eight o'clock it brings
comfort.
Jonathan Veal (15:45):
Yeah, yeah.
And for me, man in my life'sjourney, think about consistency
wins.
Like I want people to trust me.
I want them to know that if Vealis a part of whatever, you know
(16:06):
he's going to show up, he'sgoing to bring his very, very
best, um, and with that trust,like it, it it.
For me, it benefits the otherperson, cause it's one thing,
one less thing on their mindthat they'll think about if I'm
included in the situation.
So now, how much much morecomfort?
Bring, bring some comfort,relief.
(16:27):
But how much more margin doesthat does that person have,
knowing whatever was weighing onthem, a piece of that is gone
because I placed it into hishands.
So for me that's key.
For me that's a key.
It may not be key for somebodyelse, but it's key that I can
create margin for somebody elsejust by being consistent.
Greg Jones (16:48):
Thus consistency wins.
Consistency wins.
What's?
Jonathan Veal (16:50):
key number three, sir.
Key number three isunderstanding.
I am a limited resource and Ineed others around me.
Okay, I'm a limited resourceand I need others around me.
Okay.
So a lot of times, as topleaders man, we feel like it's
about me, I have all the answers, I don't need any support, I
don't need any help until youneed the support and help.
(17:13):
But for me, I go into themindset knowing I am a, I'm a,
I'm a limited resource, I'm alimited subject matter expert,
so I may have expertise in thisarea, but I have in front of my
mind that I'm limited, so I'minviting others around me.
(17:34):
Now, ultimately, the decisionfalls with me to make you know
if we're going right, we'regoing left, but I want to bring
a council of people around me tohelp contribute their thoughts,
their goals, and now I have adifferent perspective.
If I have a differentperspective on the thing, our
capacity to make a decisionincreases.
If our capacity increases tomake a decision, I believe we're
(17:59):
going to make the best decisionwe can on this thing, because
we've got different vantagepoints, different views,
different eyes on this one thingand the chances of success
increase because we've hadmultiple eyes on it and I don't
want to say it this way, but I'mgoing to say it this way.
Greg Jones (18:17):
And I don't want to say it this way, but I'm going
to say it this way.
It's a learned skill to be ableto lean into that, because I
think you're absolutely right.
Most people that I know shyaway from that.
They don't want what they woulddeem controversy or somebody
feeling this way or that way.
But, man, when you lean intothat, it such value.
(18:42):
People's voices are heard,their opinions are heard.
They feel like they're athought leader.
They feel like they have anequal space at the table and
when you talk about the bestanswer now, there's buy-in from
that entire team.
Whoever's involved with that.
There's buy-in because theirvoice was actually heard.
You talked about earlier beinga you didn't necessarily say
(19:04):
this word but a selfless leader.
Part of that is serving.
How do you serve where it's notjust about your voice, it's
about the collective voice, it's?
Jonathan Veal (19:13):
about the collective voice and just
setting the realist expectationthat ultimately, I have to make
the decision.
But guess what?
I value your voice so much thatI know I can make this decision
by myself.
But it's going to be a limitedperspective and so, man, this
(19:34):
decision is so important to me,I'm going to invite others
around it.
I've seen and I know when youdo that you get the best
possible outcome.
But also you, you create adifferent perspective for those.
They're like oh, my voice doesmatter, oh, wow, they included
(20:01):
me on this, oh, wow, and it maynot be intentional, but they can
walk away from the table sayingman, I want to do this the next
time.
I have a project.
And what are you doing for yourorganization?
Just creating greater andgreater capacity.
You just you're organicallypushing a culture into your,
your, your organization thatwill just continue to help your
(20:23):
organization grow and thriveover time.
Greg Jones (20:28):
Man, this is fantastic man, Three wonderful
keys, but tell us, like what areyou up to now?
What's kind of your nextproject?
What are you working on rightnow?
Jonathan Veal (20:39):
Yeah, so a lot of you know what we're talking
about today and what I'veexperienced over time in dealing
(21:00):
with leaders.
It's just, and I believe thatthis conversation, this subject,
is important for others toengage in, because they may be
experiencing some of this atsome different level, because
we're all at different stages ofour leadership journey At some
different level, because we allare different stages of our
leadership journey, and so man,I, I, I, as a leader, have been
(21:26):
challenged to stretch out of mycomfort zone to really leave a
lasting investment for others,and so the best way to do that
is to write a book.
And so, man, I'm a greatcommunicator orally, but written
is not my strong suit.
And so, as a leader, I have tostretch myself.
But I believe this is greatcontent.
(21:48):
And so if I want, if I wantthis content to outlive me, I
have to put it in print.
And so I've been working on abook called Leading on E, making
it an event, not a lifestyle.
Because a lot of leaders, man,they're just top leaders just on
fumes, man, and it pains me.
(22:10):
It pains me, but once again,I'm a limited resource.
I can't go to a thousand people.
I can, but what am I going tolook like at the end of a
thousand individual meetings?
And so this book is my wholegoal is to be, um, a reference
point for, for leaders to locatethemselves, um, and not only
(22:32):
locate themselves, but do thelong, hard, slow, gradual work
of uh, slow, gradual work ofredirecting living on, just like
man I got to get up again,living off fumes to creating and
cultivating patterns, rhythms,cadences, where they're always
(22:56):
refueling.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
If you're doing it right.
Jonathan Veal (22:59):
You should hit E every now and again If you're
doing it right.
We talked about driving.
And now and again If you'redoing the right.
We talked about you knowdriving, those types of things.
When you go to the gas station,you're going to fill up because
you're on a destination, right,and if possible, you want to
make as few stops as you canbecause you have a destination
you're going to.
But if, if you're going on adestination, you know you, you,
(23:22):
you're going to run out of fuel,you have planned places where
you're going to stop and refuel.
And so, for top leaders, I wantthis book to begin to help
these top leaders form and shapeand create these rhythms, these
cadences where they are pausingintentionally to refuel.
Some say, oh man, yeah man, Iwas in the hospital last week,
(23:42):
man, so that was my rest.
No, no, that's not rest, that'srecovery.
Yes, rest, not doneintentionally, is recovery.
We have to be intentional aboutrest, not only for yourself but
those you.
Man, this is exciting.
Greg Jones (23:59):
So this book wow, you're working on this book
right now.
Jonathan Veal (24:02):
Yes.
Greg Jones (24:02):
Oh fantastic, yes, man, so okay.
So for our listening audiencesout there, I mean you know how
do people track with you?
I mean are you LinkedIn, Areyou on social channels?
I mean, how do folks get trackwith you?
Jonathan Veal (24:14):
Yes, I'm on LinkedIn Jonathan Veal, v-e-a-l.
I'm on all social mediaplatforms without all three
Facebook, instagram and X atJonathan, at Jonathan Veal, or
on Facebook at Villianaire.
On Instagram and and X yeah, ohfantastic.
Greg Jones (24:36):
So hey, man, so that's great, man.
I appreciate you being on thisinaugural episode.
Jonathan Veal (24:40):
I appreciate you for man just this is great just
put me, put me on this man.
Listen guys, greg t jones has ahuge rolodex and he could have
called, he could have, he couldhave chosen anybody I got
jonathanville baby, he got hechose me man I got ville man man
the billionaire.
(25:00):
I'm humble.
Greg Jones (25:03):
Thank you guys, so much for joining us on this
inaugural episode.
Again, tune in for moreepisodes of Three Keys for your
Journey.
I'm your host, greg Jones, andagain, as we had, our special
guest, jonathan Ville.
Please tune in next time and welook forward to talking to you
soon thanks for joining threekeys for your journey.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Tune in next time for another episode.
are you ready to unlock your potential?
Tune in to three keys for yourjourney podcast, where business
owners share invaluable insightsand empowering strategies to
guide you towards success.
Based in Oklahoma City, ourhost, greg T Jones, will inspire
and motivate you every week.
Get ready to join ourconversation as we build
(00:36):
community together.
Greg Jones (00:41):
Man.
Good morning, jonathan Veal.
Good morning sir.
How are you, man?
I'm doing well today, so thisis a special day, jonathan Veal.
Good morning sir.
How are you, man?
I'm doing well today, so thisis a special day, man.
Jonathan Veal (00:49):
Okay.
Greg Jones (00:50):
This is our inaugural podcast.
What Episode number one?
Come on man, Jonathan Veal, Wowman, I feel special privileged.
Episode number one.
All those good things man, manyou know what I'm saying?
Jonathan Veal (01:02):
There's only one.
Greg Jones (01:03):
It's the first I was coming back.
Jonathan Veal (01:05):
Man, you can never do the first again.
Greg Jones (01:08):
That's it.
That's it.
So you know this is anopportunity for our listening
audience, launching a podcastcalled Three Keys for your
Journey.
You heard the intro.
I'm your host, greg Jones.
The goal of this show really isto introduce influential
business leaders in thecommunity and really it's all
(01:30):
about highlighting what they,what you, would deem keys for
the journey.
So it's, it's really, and theway I look at it, podcast is
called Three Keys for yourJourney and the way I look at it
, podcast is called three keysfor your journey, and so I'm
asking for three things, but I'malso not limiting or stressing
you out about three things.
(01:50):
If we only get to one today.
We'll just have two moreepisodes, right, but the goal is
, though, is really just to tellus a little bit about yourself,
a little bit about yourbusiness, kind of give us the
inspiration behind your business, and then we'll just get in
conversation about things thatyou would consider three keys.
Jonathan Veal (02:10):
Yes, sir, yes sir .
So the name of my business isBuilt to Bridge Management Group
.
So that's the umbrella, andunder that umbrella we have
leadership, consultant andtraining where I may meet with
other business owners, executivedirectors.
I also consulted in the faithcommunity as well, so meeting
(02:32):
with senior pastors, justcreating a safe space for those
top leaders, because it's beenmy experience that a lot of
those leaders don't have thatsafe space to be transparent
about some of the things thatthey deal with on a day-to-day
basis.
A lot of times, you know, whenwe look at, you know, top
(02:53):
executives, our perception isthey have it all together, they
have all the answers, they don'texperience any of the same
things that quote-unquoteexperience, any of the same
things that quote unquote commonpeople experience.
And so I've been, you know,granted opportunity to, to, to
(03:13):
just be able to create thatspace where individuals can be
transparent, vulnerable, not totake advantage of that, but to
allow them the space to be.
You know man just let it out inthe same space, cause, if you
hold it in, personal erosionwill take place, wow, and
ultimately it will come to thesurface.
And so, as best as possible,man, I want to help those top
(03:36):
leaders you know, be able toshare those things in a safe
place.
And then not just let it share,but then let's let's give some
course correct.
We'll get some next actionsteps for them to get back on
the right path, not only forthemselves but also for the
organization that they lead.
Greg Jones (03:51):
Tell me how did, how did you come up with the name
Built to Bridge?
Jonathan Veal (04:00):
Yeah.
So, man, I would say this thisthis transition, or felt like a
transition, was on the way frombeing with a long term, long
term, visible nationalorganization and I felt like a
change was coming.
I didn't know if it was apromotion up or being launched
out.
So, really, man, just startedreally doing some deep dives and
(04:23):
you know some some, someintrospective question about man
, what's next?
What's next, what's next?
It's ultimately got to thepoint where it's time to make
that transition and then, evenin that transition, started
(04:44):
asking the question man, man, Iknow I've been gifted to lead
others, but it would seem likein this company, I was with man,
these top leaders would justlike we would.
You know, I was traveling allacross the country, I mean these
top leaders within theorganization and it would just
seem like man, they would justtap me on the shoulder and, just
you know, ask a question.
And I'm like man, I'm just youknow, I have some space and I
(05:05):
have, you know, some authority,but it's not to the level that
you have, and we would havemaybe like a little five minute
conversation and they would nottell me directly the impact, but
somebody else would say, man,so-and-so said, man, they had a
great conversation with you.
For me it was like three to fiveminute conversation, and so,
man, it really just starteddawning on me man, okay, man, um
(05:36):
, you know, your track recordhas has, um, been intriguing to
others and now, um, they're,they're, wanting to spend more
time with you, um, so then Ireally started, like man, uh,
having a uh, uh understanding ofsome of the, the pains that
leaders go through, even throughmy own experience as well.
And so then I really juststarted going all the way back
to my, like my childhood.
I thought about all the leadersI had in my life and so, and
(05:58):
who invested in me, and sothat's where, that's where the
built comes in, like, I believe,like everything I've gone
through good, bad, ugly,indifference it's built me to
where I am today, right, and soI believe that my what's been
invested in me is not solely formyself, but it's for others as
well, and so a lot of times youhave individuals that are at one
(06:21):
place.
They have a desire to go to theother place, the other side,
but they don't know how to getthere.
And so for me, I believe,everything I've gone through
through the course of my life,both professionally and
personally, is now, or shouldnow, be laid out for others, for
(06:43):
them to hear, to see, to use,to get to the other side.
Greg Jones (06:48):
Thus built to bridge Built to bridge.
Jonathan Veal (06:52):
Everything I've gone through is not for me, but
it's to lay at the feet ofothers so they can get to where
they want.
So I'm okay with beingvulnerable.
So hopefully in myvulnerability they feel like, oh
, I could be vulnerable in andsharing man some of my wildest
dreams.
Oh, I can dream too.
(07:13):
I can dream wildly as well, andso and my hope, my hopeful goal
is like to create this spacewhere individuals see man.
It's not about you, but it'sabout you, because if you don't
deal with you first, there's noway possible you can lead others
at a high level.
There's no way you can besuccessful long term Unless you
(07:34):
do the deep introspective workon yourself.
Greg Jones (07:39):
Now, I'm not sure if that's one of the keys, but it
sounds like one to me.
You got to do some deepintrospective work.
You do.
Jonathan Veal (07:45):
It starts with you.
It starts with you, but it'snot about you.
Greg Jones (07:49):
OK, all right, let's work.
You do, you do.
It starts with you.
It starts with you, but it'snot about you.
Jonathan Veal (07:53):
Okay, all right, let's roll into it.
What's key number one?
Key number one, man, is um addvalue to every space you occupy
okay, add value to every spaceyou occupy.
Add value now?
First, you have to know whatyour value is and and where your
value lies.
So for me, I understand that myvalue, my identity, is not
(08:14):
based on what I do, but who I amand who I serve.
So I do believe in a higherpower, and the higher power is
God, through his son, jesusChrist, and I believe that
everything I do is empowered byhim.
Okay, and I believe thateverything I do is empowered by
him, and I do believe thateverything I do is
(08:34):
representative of him as well.
And so, everywhere I would go,I want to be a great ambassador
of him.
And if I look at the lifestyleof Jesus, he lived a selfless
life.
Everything he did was investingin others.
I mean the majority of his, Iwould say 90% of his day was
investing in others.
I mean the majority of his, Iwould say 90% of his day was
(08:56):
investing in others.
But also that 10% was key, that10% was early in the morning he
would go to this secret place,this detached place, from
everybody else Spend time withGod.
Spend time with God, so that'sthe personal investment, okay.
Everybody else Spend time withGod Spend time with God, so
that's the personal investment,okay.
And so when you do the 10%early, the 90% just flows.
(09:19):
Because you know you sound likea t-shirt, brother, it's just
who you are, you know.
And so for me, actually it tookme a while to get to that point
.
So, you know, grew up as theonly child my parents divorced
early.
So I'm going through man, man,who am I?
Because you know how youridentity should be shaped is by
(09:42):
those you know biologicalparents, you know, and so some
of our listeners, they were likeman, my childhood was jacked up
.
Okay, I can identify with you.
So we're not negating thatreality or that fact, but let's
not live there.
Your past is your past, butdon't be bound to your past.
And so for me, you know I hadsome trauma growing up.
You know, growing up in abroken home, and it took me a
(10:05):
while, man just trying tonavigate.
You know, early teenhood,playing sports at a high level,
you know, my identity kind ofwent to there for a second.
And then, you know, not playingat the highest level in college
when I wanted to, and thenstill trying to wander through
that phase, and then just got toa point where, like, something
dawned on me that was like man,you're working hard to please
(10:27):
others and they have no concernabout you, they're not worried
about the image that you'retrying to project.
And so man, about the age of 20, 21,.
Man, really, you know, did aself-examination and, you know,
reignited faith in God and thatwas a game changer man, just
really understanding my sonshipin him, my identity is fine to
(10:49):
him and what his role for me inthis world is.
Because, you know, I think, man, I'm just this little nobody
man, five, eight, you know, 165,soaking wet man.
What impact can I can make?
Man?
And I remember, you know,having this image of a pebble
thrown into the Pacific Oceanand initially it looks like that
(11:15):
that pebble was not making atremendous impact.
But when it's launched and hitsthat water, it makes an impact
that we may not see right now,but over time it gains momentum
and will make an actual uhimpact wow.
So value within yourself,understanding what your value is
(11:36):
you know, key number one is addvalue to every space you occupy
, but the value, the first value, must know the value of your
value itself.
Wow, yeah, okay.
What's key number two?
Key number two is consistencywins, and you're like man.
Greg Jones (11:51):
What does that mean?
Jonathan Veal (11:54):
What does that mean, man?
So if you determine to be a bum, don't do anything.
Don't do anything today, don'tdo anything tomorrow, don't do
anything this week or next week,and so whatever you commit to
(12:17):
doing, commit to it, andwhatever the end result is Is
the end result Is the end result, and so I want to win.
I just have a fire in me to win,but I'm not moved by my highs
and I'm not not moved by my lows.
I haven't what I call an evenkeel, that I want to show up,
(12:38):
and when I show up, people knowwhat they're going to get from
me.
And as, as leaders out there,people need to know what they're
going to get from youemotionally, physically, from
your presence, from your output.
They need to know what they'regoing to, because a lot of
society is just, they're just onan emotional rollercoaster.
And so for top leaders, like ifyou're leading at a high level,
(13:02):
like the people need to knowwhat they're going to get from
you.
They don't, they can't come intoyour organization or to the
organization on pins and needlesnot knowing how the leader is
going to respond today, or howhe's going to act, or what mood
he's in or has he had his coffeetoday.
You know those things and so Imean, if you know, if you, if
(13:25):
you take that mindset, thatconsistency wins, it should
create some structure to yourlife.
I'm going to wake up at acertain time.
I'm going to have this when Iwake up.
I'm going to eat this forbreakfast, I'm going to read
this, or I'm going to be aroundthis certain group of people, or
(13:48):
I'm going to stretch myself.
Greg Jones (13:49):
Those types of things are key components to
consistently winning and also,as you're talking about, that
consistency also creates balance.
Jonathan Veal (13:59):
It really does, not only for yourself but others
as well is a huge boat rightand people get on like they know
if I'm behind the steer,whatever the little thing I
can't remember what it's called.
They know that, man, we'regoing to be all right.
Even though we may run intosome tough waters, you know
(14:22):
we're going to be all right.
Greg Jones (14:23):
It's interesting when you say that I started
thinking about differentexamples.
But you know, in family myfamily sometimes you know we
take road trips and my wife willsay something like well, I know
, greg, he can drive.
And it's not that he can drive.
I think what she's trying tosay is he's consistent.
(14:43):
So, you know, he likes to getthere on time, he likes to be
there on time, he likes to getthere on time, he likes to be
there on time, he likes to leaveearly, like, and that
consistent.
When you talk about wins, thenit shapes the environment that
you're in and people, not onlywhat you just said, come to know
what to expect, but you alsoknow what to expect from
yourself and especially aspeople of faith you know, I
(15:06):
believe in god says I know whatto expect from him or her.
Right, yeah, because they'vebeen consistent, they strive to
be consistent, they strive witha degree of excellence and you
know you can be consistent, butalso it helps you develop a
degree of excellence, and thenwe talk a lot about you know
what to say yes to, what to sayno to, and so, anyway, just
(15:28):
thinking about being consistent,when I, when you say it wins,
it's an opportunity for not onlyyourself but others to
understand that there's aroadmap yeah and when I know
that, uh, you know, if we'restarting something at eight
o'clock, you're going to bethere at eight o'clock it brings
comfort.
Jonathan Veal (15:45):
Yeah, yeah.
And for me, man in my life'sjourney, think about consistency
wins.
Like I want people to trust me.
I want them to know that if Vealis a part of whatever, you know
(16:06):
he's going to show up, he'sgoing to bring his very, very
best, um, and with that trust,like it, it it.
For me, it benefits the otherperson, cause it's one thing,
one less thing on their mindthat they'll think about if I'm
included in the situation.
So now, how much much morecomfort?
Bring, bring some comfort,relief.
(16:27):
But how much more margin doesthat does that person have,
knowing whatever was weighing onthem, a piece of that is gone
because I placed it into hishands.
So for me that's key.
For me that's a key.
It may not be key for somebodyelse, but it's key that I can
create margin for somebody elsejust by being consistent.
Greg Jones (16:48):
Thus consistency wins.
Consistency wins.
What's?
Jonathan Veal (16:50):
key number three, sir.
Key number three isunderstanding.
I am a limited resource and Ineed others around me.
Okay, I'm a limited resourceand I need others around me.
Okay.
So a lot of times, as topleaders man, we feel like it's
about me, I have all the answers, I don't need any support, I
don't need any help until youneed the support and help.
(17:13):
But for me, I go into themindset knowing I am a, I'm a,
I'm a limited resource, I'm alimited subject matter expert,
so I may have expertise in thisarea, but I have in front of my
mind that I'm limited, so I'minviting others around me.
(17:34):
Now, ultimately, the decisionfalls with me to make you know
if we're going right, we'regoing left, but I want to bring
a council of people around me tohelp contribute their thoughts,
their goals, and now I have adifferent perspective.
If I have a differentperspective on the thing, our
capacity to make a decisionincreases.
If our capacity increases tomake a decision, I believe we're
(17:59):
going to make the best decisionwe can on this thing, because
we've got different vantagepoints, different views,
different eyes on this one thingand the chances of success
increase because we've hadmultiple eyes on it and I don't
want to say it this way, but I'mgoing to say it this way.
Greg Jones (18:17):
And I don't want to say it this way, but I'm going
to say it this way.
It's a learned skill to be ableto lean into that, because I
think you're absolutely right.
Most people that I know shyaway from that.
They don't want what they woulddeem controversy or somebody
feeling this way or that way.
But, man, when you lean intothat, it such value.
(18:42):
People's voices are heard,their opinions are heard.
They feel like they're athought leader.
They feel like they have anequal space at the table and
when you talk about the bestanswer now, there's buy-in from
that entire team.
Whoever's involved with that.
There's buy-in because theirvoice was actually heard.
You talked about earlier beinga you didn't necessarily say
(19:04):
this word but a selfless leader.
Part of that is serving.
How do you serve where it's notjust about your voice, it's
about the collective voice, it's?
Jonathan Veal (19:13):
about the collective voice and just
setting the realist expectationthat ultimately, I have to make
the decision.
But guess what?
I value your voice so much thatI know I can make this decision
by myself.
But it's going to be a limitedperspective and so, man, this
(19:34):
decision is so important to me,I'm going to invite others
around it.
I've seen and I know when youdo that you get the best
possible outcome.
But also you, you create adifferent perspective for those.
They're like oh, my voice doesmatter, oh, wow, they included
(20:01):
me on this, oh, wow, and it maynot be intentional, but they can
walk away from the table sayingman, I want to do this the next
time.
I have a project.
And what are you doing for yourorganization?
Just creating greater andgreater capacity.
You just you're organicallypushing a culture into your,
your, your organization thatwill just continue to help your
(20:23):
organization grow and thriveover time.
Greg Jones (20:28):
Man, this is fantastic man, Three wonderful
keys, but tell us, like what areyou up to now?
What's kind of your nextproject?
What are you working on rightnow?
Jonathan Veal (20:39):
Yeah, so a lot of you know what we're talking
about today and what I'veexperienced over time in dealing
(21:00):
with leaders.
It's just, and I believe thatthis conversation, this subject,
is important for others toengage in, because they may be
experiencing some of this atsome different level, because
we're all at different stages ofour leadership journey At some
different level, because we allare different stages of our
leadership journey, and so man,I, I, I, as a leader, have been
(21:26):
challenged to stretch out of mycomfort zone to really leave a
lasting investment for others,and so the best way to do that
is to write a book.
And so, man, I'm a greatcommunicator orally, but written
is not my strong suit.
And so, as a leader, I have tostretch myself.
But I believe this is greatcontent.
(21:48):
And so if I want, if I wantthis content to outlive me, I
have to put it in print.
And so I've been working on abook called Leading on E, making
it an event, not a lifestyle.
Because a lot of leaders, man,they're just top leaders just on
fumes, man, and it pains me.
(22:10):
It pains me, but once again,I'm a limited resource.
I can't go to a thousand people.
I can, but what am I going tolook like at the end of a
thousand individual meetings?
And so this book is my wholegoal is to be, um, a reference
point for, for leaders to locatethemselves, um, and not only
(22:32):
locate themselves, but do thelong, hard, slow, gradual work
of uh, slow, gradual work ofredirecting living on, just like
man I got to get up again,living off fumes to creating and
cultivating patterns, rhythms,cadences, where they're always
(22:56):
refueling.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
If you're doing it right.
Jonathan Veal (22:59):
You should hit E every now and again If you're
doing it right.
We talked about driving.
And now and again If you'redoing the right.
We talked about you knowdriving, those types of things.
When you go to the gas station,you're going to fill up because
you're on a destination, right,and if possible, you want to
make as few stops as you canbecause you have a destination
you're going to.
But if, if you're going on adestination, you know you, you,
(23:22):
you're going to run out of fuel,you have planned places where
you're going to stop and refuel.
And so, for top leaders, I wantthis book to begin to help
these top leaders form and shapeand create these rhythms, these
cadences where they are pausingintentionally to refuel.
Some say, oh man, yeah man, Iwas in the hospital last week,
(23:42):
man, so that was my rest.
No, no, that's not rest, that'srecovery.
Yes, rest, not doneintentionally, is recovery.
We have to be intentional aboutrest, not only for yourself but
those you.
Man, this is exciting.
Greg Jones (23:59):
So this book wow, you're working on this book
right now.
Jonathan Veal (24:02):
Yes.
Greg Jones (24:02):
Oh fantastic, yes, man, so okay.
So for our listening audiencesout there, I mean you know how
do people track with you?
I mean are you LinkedIn, Areyou on social channels?
I mean, how do folks get trackwith you?
Jonathan Veal (24:14):
Yes, I'm on LinkedIn Jonathan Veal, v-e-a-l.
I'm on all social mediaplatforms without all three
Facebook, instagram and X atJonathan, at Jonathan Veal, or
on Facebook at Villianaire.
On Instagram and and X yeah, ohfantastic.
Greg Jones (24:36):
So hey, man, so that's great, man.
I appreciate you being on thisinaugural episode.
Jonathan Veal (24:40):
I appreciate you for man just this is great just
put me, put me on this man.
Listen guys, greg t jones has ahuge rolodex and he could have
called, he could have, he couldhave chosen anybody I got
jonathanville baby, he got hechose me man I got ville man man
the billionaire.
(25:00):
I'm humble.
Greg Jones (25:03):
Thank you guys, so much for joining us on this
inaugural episode.
Again, tune in for moreepisodes of Three Keys for your
Journey.
I'm your host, greg Jones, andagain, as we had, our special
guest, jonathan Ville.
Please tune in next time and welook forward to talking to you
soon thanks for joining threekeys for your journey.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Tune in next time for another episode.
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