Growth Think Tank

In this episode, I sit down with Amberly Allen, Managing Partner at Dealer Merchant Services, to explore the power of building an accountability culture inside an organization. Dealer Merchant Services is No.120 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. Amberly shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, launching her company during the COVID-19 pandemic and scaling to serve more than 1,050 auto dealerships in credit card processing. She revea...

In this episode, I explore the concept of Beyond Accountability, uncovering the critical differences between accountability and ownership in organizations. Drawing from my work with fast-growing companies, I reveal how moving beyond simple accountability to true ownership fosters deeper commitment and resilience, inspiring team members to consistently exceed expectations. I share why creating a culture rooted in pride, responsibili...

Are you ready to discover what happens when bold leadership and innovation come together? In this episode of the Grow Think Tank podcast, I sit down with Jeff Lu, Founder & CEO at Akool, an AI-powered video platform that has skyrocketed with an unbelievable 37,000% revenue growth. AKOOL is the No.1 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. Jeff pulls back the curtain on how he’s blending cutting-edge AI with video production while building a cul...

In this episode, I explore the mindset of the Controlling Leader — the CEO who struggles to let go. As companies scale, many leaders believe their constant involvement is essential for maintaining efficiency, but this need for control often stifles growth and burns out both the leader and their team.

I highlight the importa...

In this episode of the Grow Think Tank podcast, I sit down with Brittany Latson, Managing Partner, Account and Operations at HashtagHealth, to talk about what it really means to be Leading with Integrity. HashtagHealth No.3,091 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. Brittany shares how integrity guides her leadership style and shapes a people-first culture—one that prioritizes collaboration, supports working parents, and builds strong, ethica...

In this episode, I explore the crucial role of Co-founder Alignment in startup success. With 65% of high-potential companies failing due to co-founder conflict, alignment becomes the foundation for growth and innovation. Drawing from Noam Wasserman’s The Founder’s Dilemma, I share strategies for fostering open dialogue, handling conflict constructively, and strengthening collaboration. Whether you’re navigating challenges now or ai...

In this episode, Matt Dixon, co-founder of DCM Insights, explores how Company Values Define Culture and shape leadership within professional services. DCM Insights No.112 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list. Matt Dixon underscores the role of 'a force of ideas' and 'a spirit of generosity' in building strong, values-driven teams. Matt also addresses the unique challenges faced by non-traditional salespeople in fields like law and consulting...

In this episode, I dive into the realities of co-founder conflict and how it can make or break company growth. I unpack why alignment at the executive level is non-negotiable and outline the most common sources of tension — from unclear roles to clashing strategies. You’ll learn how to spot the warning signs of conflict early and what steps leaders can take to resolve issues, including when to bring in a neutral perspective. As a C...

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, host Gene Hammett talks with Nate Medoff, CEO of Quatrro Business Support Services, about the challenge of scaling without losing your culture. Quatrro Business Support Services No. 4197 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. Medoff reveals how Quattro has grown through rapid expansion and acquisitions while staying true to its cultural values and retaining top talent. He discusses leveraging AI to enhance ...

In this episode, I uncover the real cost of being the bottleneck in your organization. I challenge CEOs to recognize how getting stuck in daily tasks prevents them from focusing on their true responsibilities—developing their teams and shaping strategic vision. By examining how they spend their time, leaders can see the hidden ways they may be slowing down both their own growth and their company’s. I break down the financial, organ...

In this episode, Veronique James, founder and CEO of The James Agency (TJA), underscores the power of a people-first culture in shaping both workplace satisfaction and agency success. The James Agency No. 3394 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. She explains how a tenured leadership team—grounded in accountability and integrity—strengthens employee engagement, fosters trust, and drives stronger client relationships. Veronique draws a direc...

In this episode, I unpack the complexities of effective leadership through the lens of the well-known phrase, “Hire Slow, Fire Fast.” While I agree with the value of thoughtful, deliberate hiring, I challenge the conventional interpretation of Fire Fast as an immediate solution for underperformance. Instead, I advocate for a more responsible approach—one that prioritizes difficult conversations, meaningful feedback, and self-reflec...

In this episode, Kumar Goswami, CEO of Komprise, unpacks how organizations can turn the overwhelming surge of unstructured data into a competitive advantage. Komprise—ranked No. 2,508 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. He explains how Komprise fuels AI with clean, reliable data while scaling systems to handle billions of files. Beyond the tech, Kumar highlights how leaders can empower innovation—by building cultures of trust, encouraging ...

In this episode, I sit down with Will Scott, Founder and CEO of Search Influence, to discuss how a strong culture paired with strategic adaptation fuels sustained growth. Search Influence—ranked No. 4,154 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list—serves as a powerful example of how culture and strategy go hand in hand. Will shares his personal insights into how a strong culture empowers teams to remain agile, innovate under pressure, and stay ali...

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Tarrell, CEO of Sercante, to explore how Scaling without Ego transforms growing companies into resilient, purpose-driven teams. Sercante, ranked No. 2,970 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, has built a culture of excellence without hierarchy overshadowing results. We dive into how Scaling without Ego means empowering others, staying adaptable, and ensuring decisions are made for the good of the busi...

In this episode, I sit down with Dan DeGolier, CEO of Ascent CFO Solutions, to explore why Hiring Right is truly everything when building a thriving business. Ascent CFO Solutions, ranked No. 2813 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, has scaled successfully by being relentless about recruiting talent who align with both competence and culture. Dan shares how Hiring Right impacts every level of the organization—from financial strategy to tea...

In this episode, I sit down with Dave Monahan, CEO of Kleer, ranked No. 3140 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, to explore how values-first leadership enables Culture‑Driven Growth that sustainably scales. Dave shares how embedding core values into every decision, process, and team interaction has allowed Clari to expand its impact while staying true to its mission. We unpack how Culture‑Driven Growth fosters alignment, boosts innovation,...

In this episode of Grow Think Tank, I tackle harmful habits many CEOs unknowingly adopt that hinder their leadership and organizational growth. I emphasize the importance of regular executive team meetings for alignment and accountability. Building on previous insights, I discuss the risks of over-functioning for team members, resisting structure, and overly relying on the CEO for decision-making. Empowering teams with autonomy, ma...

In this episode, I sit down with Steven Sashen, co-founder and CEO of Xero Shoes, to explore the transformative concept of Open-book Leadership and how transparent financial practices foster trust and ownership. Under Steven's guidance, Xero Shoes has embraced Open-book Leadership, sharing financials and key metrics with every team member to drive accountability and alignment. As a result of this radical transparency, the company h...