Six leadership lessons focused on listening, curiosity, and transparency guide effective team growth and change. In this episode, Cal sits down with Joel Kaplan, Principal & Founder at MK3 Creative, to explore innovative strategies, team leadership, and industry trends shaping the future of marketing.
Joel shares how redefining his team’s approach to sales led to meaningful growth. He highlights the importance of relationship-building as a foundation for long-term success, along with using tools like the Culture Index to align team strengths. The conversation also touches on financial management, leading through uncertainty, and using AI to support, not replace, creative work. Joel wraps with six practical leadership lessons that emphasize listening, curiosity, and transparency.
Whether you're strengthening your sales approach, developing your team, or adapting to industry change, Joel’s insights offer a grounded, forward-thinking blueprint for agency growth.
Takeaways
- Reframe your team's mindset around sales to create a growth-oriented culture
- Prioritize relationship-building as a foundation for sustained success
- Use tools like the Culture Index to align roles with individual strengths
- Integrate AI and new tech to enhance, not replace, human creativity
Connect with Joel:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-kaplan-a9b6ab/
- Company Website: https://mk3creative.com/
Ways to Tune In:
- Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243
- iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/
- Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour
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