#184 "Explain Not Complain, Brainstorm Not Blame-Storm" with Bart Berkey

🎙️ Summary:

In this solo episode, Bart Berkey unpacks a powerful leadership lesson inspired by a personal restaurant experience: the difference between explaining and complaining. After receiving an overcooked lobster dish and giving respectful feedback, Bart was met with indifference rather than action—highlighting a common leadership failure: acknowledging problems without offering solutions.

He reflects on how leaders and employees alike can transform frustration into progress by explaining thoughtfully, not venting emotionally. Bart shares examples from sales training sessions and consulting work—including a hands-on activity with F1 Arcade’s sales team—that reinforce the idea of solution-oriented thinking.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Complaining releases stress, but rarely drives change.

• Explaining builds clarity, trust, and continuous improvement.

• Great leaders shift from “blame storms” to “brainstorms.”

Bart also celebrates the podcast’s growing recognition—named a top business leadership podcast in multiple categories—and encourages listeners to reflect: What’s something you’ve been complaining about… that you should start explaining instead?