Building Great Leaders

In this interview with Summit Pipeline's Project Manager, Erin Kilar-Bearman, we talk about what emerging leaders can do to be successful in the industry.  Erin shares her experience and explains how she uses curiosity to become a better leader.  

Sue Congdon, President of Twin City Garage Door, shares her inspirational story of resilience and perseverance in this episode.  Growing up in poverty, she has overcome many hardships but she never let that get in her way.  Listen to her positive message and how she learned to change her perspective. 

In this episode, Laura interviews our first guest from outside the APi Group Family: CEO of Bridgeworks and founder of the Trades Ambassadors program, Chuck Webster.  Listen to hear his experience in the world of finance and investing, the point where he hit the wall and how he chose to pivot in his career.  Plus, he shares the program that is inspiring the next generation to join the trades.

Sometimes on a stressful jobsite, you just need to laugh!  Recent retiree, Pat Crain, who is a former Superintendent for Jamar Company is just the guy to lighten the work load with some well-timed humor.  In this episode, we get to hear from some special guests as they reflect on the impact of Pat's leadership.

APi Group's Chief Information Officer, Julius Chepey, shares his experience with rolling out new tools and processes.  He explains why a shared vision is so powerful and how to create momentum through alignment.  He also talks about how to increase innovative thinking in your organization.

Do you have good habits?  Do you know how to think win-win?  Do you seek first to understand, then to be understood?  In this episode, Lucie Stein-Cartford, the Training and Development Manager for United Piping, shares the impact of using Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  

Molly Landsteiner and Laura Seitz recap the inaugural season of the Building Great Leaders Podcast and take questions from listeners.  They share how the podcast team pivoted when the global pandemic threw us all a curveball.  Plus, the two provide some sneak peeks into Season 2.

Can you imagine spending 30 years in one organization? APi's Segment Leader Jeff Daane started at Western States Fire Protection and grew is career there for 3 decades. He shares the secret to retention at WSFP, why building relationships is critical, and what he finds to be one of the most important components of good leadership.

APi's Senior Vice President, Brynne Smith, gives listeners advice on leading integrations and why focusing on the right strategic initiative can improve the process.  He shares his unique experience working in Europe.  Plus, we talk about ways in which he has doubled-down on his luck.

When things don't go well, do you look out the window at the group or do you look in the mirror?  APi Group's Strategic Advisor, Dan Wooldridge, describes the behaviors of Jim Collins' Level 5 Leaders.  He gives advice on how leaders can infuse hope during times of turmoil and the importance of truly being present. 

Mike Goodman joined 3S through the Wounded Warrior Program.  In this episode, he shares his story of consistently overcoming obstacles and embracing a "no-fear" attitude.  Mike shares his advice for companies looking to hire other Wounded Warriors. 

How are you differentiating yourself?  What steps do you take to give customers a reason to build a relationship with you?  Corporate Inspection Sales Leader Blake Sloan talks about pivoting careers and why it is important to think about how you are positioning yourself or your team for a win!

Joy Spatz has been a sprinkler fitter for over 25 years.  In this interview, she shares how her experience at the Field Leadership Institute helped her find fulfillment in her role has a foreman.  Joy shares how she has overcome the challenges of being a woman in the trades and why leaders should focus on the value that each teammate brings to the table.

Do you know the difference between managing and leading?  Great leaders set direction, align resources and motivate their teams.  Managers control and delegate.  APi Segment Leader Gene Postma talks about this distinction and offers other leadership advice in this episode of our Building Great Leaders Podcast.  

In this episode, AFPG's Division Leader in Dallas, Robert Seda, shares how an off-hand conversation with his friend changed the course of his career and introduced him to the safety services industry.  Learn about his approach to leadership and why his peers describe him as a servant leader.

Are you in the right seat in your company?  APi's Vice President of Inspection Sales, Courtney Brogard, had a career epiphany, after giving birth to her daughter, when she questioned if she was in the right seat.  A new career path opened up where she was able to leverage her positive attitude, her drive to win, and her ability to motivate others to succeed.  Listen as she shares the secret to sel...

Manager of Inspections and National Accounts, Ed Pletsch, shares his experience as a leader in his community.  As the chief of the volunteer fire department, his branch manager recognized his dedication and nominated him for the Mike Gifford Community Service Award in 2019.  Ed talks about his commitment and the important part a company can play in volunteerism.

Do you know your "why"?  Davis Ulmer's Alan Crabtree talks about understanding your "why" and aligning your role with it.  Hear Alan's energetic story and learn from the advice he shares about showing a standard. 

Our industry has one of the highest rates of suicide out of any American workforce. Mel Olson shares his personal story of losing his brother and why it is so important, as leaders, that we normalize talking about mental health.  We also talk about leading when your entire company is grieving.    

People are at the center of our business and investing in their growth is critical.  CEO and President of Viking Fire Protection Group, Andy McCleery, shares the invaluable lesson he learned in the army about "Growing your people" and how that lesson has influenced his leadership style.  

This interview with Sir Martin Franklin covers the gamut of topics: from building great company cultures to running 100 mile races to being knighted.  Sir Martin Franklin shares the natural ability that has led to his success and his vision for APi Group.  

How often do you consider your reputation and the impression you are leaving on people, especially in stressful situations?  That is one piece of advice we hear in this interview with Jim Lillie, co-founder of J2 and APi's board co-chairman.   Learn more about Jim's leadership journey and his take on great team dynamics.

In this episode, we learn all about Emotional Intelligence from APi's VP of Succession and Development, Monica Seme.  Why is EI important?  How does your emotional intelligence impact the teams you lead?  Listen in as she teaches us about ways we can tune in to our own emotions and those around us to be better leaders.

In this episode, we hear from International Fire Protection's President, Jerry Allen.  He shares his journey through the construction industry and the moment he realized his managing style needed a change.  Learn about his approach to customer service and servant leadership. 

Every single day, we make choices that impact the health and well-being of ourselves and those around us.  In this episode, we hear from APi's Director of Corporate Safety about how everyone, regardless of role, can be a safety leader.  We also learn about the family history that inspired her to pursue her career.