Jonathan Stanley on Building Culture, Leading with Heart, and the MEAN Framework

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Are You a Farmer or a Fisherman? A New Take on Purpose at Work

What if the secret to long-term success wasn’t the hustle, but the harvest?

This week on Outside Insights, I’m joined by Jonathan Stanley—purpose strategist, author of Purposeful Performance, and surprise TikTok star with a viral story that proves empathy still wins in business (and in bookstores).

We talk about what it really means to lead with purpose—from redefining success to building values-aligned teams and turning culture into a competitive advantage. Plus, Jonathan breaks down his MEAN framework for goal-setting and explains why it’s time to ditch outdated models like SMART goals.

And yes… his dog Charlie makes an appearance—because who better to remind us of loyalty, presence, and purpose?

In this episode:

• Why the best leaders think like farmers, not fishermen
• How the MEAN goal-setting framework unlocks deeper performance
• The role of purpose in building better teams, stronger brands, and meaningful lives
• The viral moment that put empathy (and Jonathan) on the map

🎧 Listen to the episode now
▶️ Streaming everywhere you get your podcasts.

Know someone trying to build a better team or lead with more intention?
Share this episode with a friend or leader who’s ready to move from hustle to harvest.

Until next time, friends,
Chris Burkhard