How to Use Curiosity to Lead Meaningful Conversations with Erika Flowers

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The strongest relationships aren’t built when you need them. They’re built long before that.

This week, we’re sitting down with our longtime friend Erika Flowers, Chief Client Officer at Profitable Ideas Exchange, professional trail runner for The North Face, author of “The Growth Engine”, and one of the most thoughtful relationship builders we know. We’ve had versions of this conversation with Erika over the years at Arcadia, but this is the first time we’ve captured it on the mic, and it might be one of the most tactical episodes we’ve ever recorded.

We talk about why investing in people without an immediate return is the foundation of trust, how real partnerships are strengthened through feedback and shared accountability, and why great conversations only matter if you follow through on what you hear. Erika breaks down the systems behind meaningful relationships, from facilitating executive roundtables to her now-famous note card exercise, and shares how curiosity, consistency, and credibility compound over time in both business and life.

What you’ll learn:

• Why long-term relationships outperform short-term wins in business and partnerships
• How client feedback and advisory boards strengthen trust and shared ownership
• What it takes to turn good conversations into real outcomes through consistency and follow-through

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:44) When people get you wrong

(09:20) What Profitable Ideas Exchange actually does

(13:04) Adding value before there’s an ask

(15:07) Curiosity as a leadership skill

(19:06) Process over outcomes and why it works

(24:10) Turning conversations into real results

(30:11) Writing “The Growth Engine”

(32:28) The reality of leading a sales function

(32:50) What drives growth in professional services

(35:24) Why client feedback changes everything

(39:06) Building trust inside your team and outside your walls

(45:51) The note card habit that compounds relationships

(52:03) Rapid-fire reflections

Connect with Erika Flowers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-flowers/ 

Check out Profitable Ideas Exchange: https://www.profitableideas.com/ 

Check out The Growth Engine: https://www.profitableideas.com/the-growth-engine/ 

Check out Arcadia: https://www.BeArcadia.com  

Connect with Sam Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-yarborough/ 

Connect with Jason Yarborough: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarby/ 

Produced in partnership with Share Your Genius

https://www.shareyourgenius.com