Powderkeg

Want to unlock new levels of success? Start with these 9 behaviors: 1. Be Present ↳ Eliminate distractions and give full attention. 2. Show Interest ↳ Ask about them and listen without planning your response. 3. Share Your Story ↳ Build rapport with personal experiences and honesty. 4. Use Positive Body Language ↳ Smile, make eye contact, and use open gestures. 5. Keep Your Word ↳ Build trust by following through on commitments. 6. Express Gratitude ↳ Sincerely appreciate others’ contributions. 7. Remember Names ↳ Reinforce connections by using names. 8. Stay Humble ↳ Be authentic and admit when you’re wrong. 9. Follow Up ↳ Reach out after meetings or events. I’ve seen this firsthand after hosting events worldwide, from New Zealand to Boston. Every interaction showed me the power of people skills and genuine connection. Have you noticed these behaviors in people you admire? ___ P.S. Want more growth tips? Join my free newsletter in my profile 🚀 ♻️ Repost to share with your network ➕ Follow me for more!

Job titles come and go. Reputation is forever. This might change the way you think: Instead of obsessing over your role—or judging others by theirs—focus on how you treat people. How do you make them feel? Being remembered for that will always outweigh a fancy title. Maya Angelou said it best: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Who needs to hear this today? --- ♻ Repost if this hit home ➕ Follow me (Matt Hunckler) for more

Launching something new today. Here’s why: After meeting with hundreds of founders in the last 18 months, I’m here to report that sales is still hard for literally everyone. Today there are more sales tools and gurus giving founders quick-fix advice than ever, and yet… Founders still feel stuck. So today I’m starting The Jam, a weekly newsletter for everyday founders and sellers to get unstuck in sales. No stuffy advice or high level theories. Just one practical idea that you can learn in 5 min and put into practice right away. I’d love for you to take a look and tag a founder in the comments. The link is on my profile.

Founders, ready to raise your next round? Your financial model could be the key. Join Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg and Steven Plappert, CEO of Forecastr, for a webinar today on: - Why financial models matter - What investors look for - How a strong model can drive your funding success 📅 Thursday, October 17 | 1 PM ET 🔗 Register here: https://hubs.li/Q02QT9FK0 Get actionable insights to boost your financial strategy for your raise—don’t miss out!

Burnout doesn’t just happen—it builds. 3 focus areas to optimize your recovery: ——— 1. Optimize Sleep: ↳ Avoid screens before bed ↳ Maintain a consistent sleep schedule ↳ Get direct sun within 30 min of waking ——— 2. Nature and Mindfulness: ↳ Walk in nature ↳ Meditate regularly ↳ Practice yoga and breathwork ——— 3. Advanced Recovery Techniques: ↳ Use float tanks ↳ Get regular exercise ↳ Keep a gratitude practice ——— High performance isn’t just about the hustle—it’s about recovery. I think Paul Simon said it best: "Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.” Performance isn’t just about working hard. It’s about recovering smart. Save this post. --- ♻ Repost if this resonates ➕ Follow Matt Hunckler for more P.S. How do you recover?

Kindness costs nothing, but its impact is priceless. A story of one stranger’s act of kindness: I was in the thick of a high-stakes business negotiation. Doubt was creeping in and clouding my judgement more than I care to admit. Stepping away for a much-needed coffee break, I was frazzled. The anxiety was uncomfortable. All my preparation went out the window. My mind racing through a million what-ifs. Then, something small but important happened. A person I'd never met caught my eye. They offered a warm smile, and said just enough to remind me that beyond the spreadsheets and contracts, it's our humanity that matters. This act of kindness, so simple yet so powerful, didn't just change the course of my day — it reshaped my approach to leadership. One small act of humanity turned a mountain of stress into a moment of clarity. Kindness isn't just about making someone feel good for a moment. It's a strategy, a leadership tool, and a connector that turns challenges into opportunities for growth. It's about showing up as humans first, leaders second. This experience reminded me that in the hustle of entrepreneurship, the most important investment we can make is in the way we treat others. It's the kind of currency that never runs out and always appreciates in value. Let's lead with kindness. The ripple effects can transform not just our businesses, but our lives. What moments of kindness changed your life? — I'm Matt Hunckler. I share ideas for leadership, growth, & entrepreneurship. Follow me & hit 🔔 to stay connected.

Your actions speak louder than words. 8 ways to inspire the best from your team: 1. Lead by Example in Every Role 2. Value Every Team Member’s Ideas 3. Prioritize Health to Inspire Your Team 4. Learn Together, Raise Company Standards 5. Promote Critical Feedback for Improvement 6. Own Mistakes to Encourage Team Transparency 7. Encourage Authenticity for a Happier Workplace 8. Connect Personally to Strengthen Remote Teams In my first job out of college, one of my team members once made a big mistake that nearly derailed a project. Instead of hiding it, they immediately owned up to it and even presented a solution. Watching them take responsibility and turn the situation around earned immense respect from the team—and it inspired others to be more open when things went wrong. Leading by example isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up with integrity every day. Learn all 8 ways to lead by example in the guide below! — ♻️ Repost to inspire great leadership ➕ Follow me for more: Matt Hunckler P.S. How do you like to lead by example? 

"Play big." It's a core value on our team. Here's why: It’s more than just words—it’s a mindset. When I first started building teams, I realized that playing it safe might keep you afloat, but playing big is what moves the needle. This year, our team lived out this value as we refined our product. With all the opportunities emerging in tech hubs around the world, there’s no shortage of ways we could serve our customers, members, and community. But time and again, this team chose to focus on making the biggest impact: We took calculated risks. We had fun with the process. We prioritized impact over comfort. Whether it was building the feature, designing the workflow, or making the call that could have the biggest impact—they stepped up every time. It’s not always the easiest path. But it’s always the right one. — I'm Matt Hunckler. I share ideas for leadership, growth, & entrepreneurship. Follow me & hit 🔔 to stay connected.

"Play big." It's a core value on our team. Here's why: It’s more than just words—it’s a mindset. When I first started building teams, I realized that playing it safe might keep you afloat, but playing big is what moves the needle. This year, our team lived out this value as we refined our product. With all the opportunities emerging in tech hubs around the world, there’s no shortage of ways we could serve our customers, members, and community. But time and again, this team chose to focus on making the biggest impact: We took calculated risks. We had fun with the process. We prioritized impact over comfort. Whether it was building the feature, designing the workflow, or making the call that could have the biggest impact—they stepped up every time. It’s not always the easiest path. But it’s always the right one. — I'm Matt Hunckler. I share ideas for leadership, growth, & entrepreneurship. Follow me & hit 🔔 to stay connected.

Most teams aim for customer satisfaction. Here’s how you can EXCEED expectations: ——— 1. Use genuine personalization: ↳ Simple gestures make lasting impressions ↳ Know your customer’s life events (birthdays, etc) ——— 2. Give VIP previews to co-create: ↳ Invite clients to shape strategy ↳ It builds buy-in and deepens loyalty ——— 3. Be 100% honest and build trust: ↳ Don’t overpromise on capabilities ↳ Deliver what’s on the truck, every time ——— 4. Help avoid costly market mistakes: ↳ Put customer success above money ↳ Long-term trust beats short-term gains ——— 5. Create a kind culture to drive loyalty: ↳ Send a meal or swag during key moments ↳ Memorable actions build lasting goodwill ——— 6. Plan small surprises to an impact: ↳ Surprise clients with upgrades & bonuses ↳ Small, thoughtful actions go a long way ——— 7. Give direct access to create loyalty: ↳ Give clients quick access to your team ↳ Fast responses build trust and credibility ——— 8. Use thoughtful gestures to build trust: ↳ Engage beyond business ↳ Remember key personal details ——— Thoughtful moments create loyal customers. I’ll never forget when a partner company sent me a small, personalized gift to celebrate a milestone we hit together. It wasn’t expected, and it wasn’t flashy—but it showed they cared. And that simple gesture made me a lifelong advocate for their business. What’s one way you surprise and delight your customers? — ♻️ Repost to spread surprise & delight ➕ Follow me for more: Matt Hunckler P.S. Read the whole guide below!