Lessons in Leadership - Craig Dunham - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 041

What does it take to lead with confidence, navigate acquisitions, and build a high-performing team? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Craig Dunham, CEO of Voltron Data, to discuss his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. Craig shares insights from his time as CEO of Lumar and GM at Guild Education, as well as his experience leading Seismic through the acquisition of Vivo Group. He breaks down the importance of communication, surrounding yourself with smart people, and creating an inclusive work environment. The conversation also touches on market education strategies, handling large-scale data processing, and Craig’s passion for mentorship and nonprofit involvement. Whether you're a current leader or an aspiring one, this episode is packed with actionable advice on leadership, strategy, and personal growth.

Takeaways:

• Ensure clear, frequent internal and external communication, especially during times of change like acquisitions. Reiterate messages to ensure full understanding and alignment.
• Create a culture where every team member feels valued and heard. Solicit feedback actively, especially from quieter individuals who might have valuable insights.
• Stay updated with industry trends, be willing to pivot strategies based on market feedback, and involve the team in these adaptations for smoother transitions.
• Develop and test clear, compelling use cases that resonate with potential clients. Tailor messages specifically to address their problems and how your solutions can help.
• Prioritize personal well-being alongside professional responsibilities. Encourage practices like regular exercise and healthy living as part of maintaining overall productivity and happiness.
• Cultivate a culture of honesty. Team members should feel safe to voice uncertainties and challenges, promoting a more cohesive and supportive work environment.
• Recognize and celebrate both big and small achievements to build morale. Use setbacks as learning opportunities to refine strategies and approaches.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Running a business is really hard, but you have to find joys and you have to find pleasure in solving problems and doing hard things.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigadunham/ 
• Website: https://voltrondata.com/ 
• Link Unlimited Scholars: http://www.linkunlimited.org 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change 
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797  

This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency. 

Learn more at: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}