Kevin Rutherford’s Post

"𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲"   Before we go to bed, we plug it in to recharge it   We wake up in the morning and check it   As you go about your day you check its there   When the screen cracks, we get a new screen   If it breaks, we drop everything to get a new one   If we treated our relationships like this, the world would be a better place.   ------------------------------------------ 𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻, 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗘𝗢.   Really inspired by this today, from listening to the 'A bit of optimism' podcast. https://lnkd.in/eQ23Nq62   Would highly recommend this and Simon Sinek's book 'Leaders Eat Last', which delves into this topic in more detail and the chemical reasons for it - dopamine rushes, at the expense of building oxytocin, the warm fuzzy feeling we get from interactions with people, which help us grow as a 'tribe'.   Personally it makes me think twice, to aim to be more present, and less distracted.   What have you heard recently that has inspired you?   #Leadership #People

We often see politicians, news anchors, and even business leaders taking bold risks. They’re not waiting around for someone else to make the first move—they’re out there creating their own opportunities. So why shouldn’t you do the same? Whether it’s gunning for that executive role or sealing the deal with your dream client, now’s the time to jump out of your comfort zone and into action. Here are three tips to get started: 🤝 Make the first move. Waiting for the perfect moment can cost you opportunities. Take the initiative and set things in motion. 🔄 Break the cycle of monotony. Ditch the routine that keeps you stuck. It's easy to get caught up in doing things the way they've always been done, but innovation comes from stepping off the well-trodden path. 👑 Own your ambition. If you want that promotion or client, act like it. Confidence and determination are often the deciding factors between success and stagnation. If you want more tips like these, check out this week’s podcast episode! Erin Hatzikostas took up Mall of America’s invitation (dare?!) to announce our National Authenticity Day award winners in the most authentic way possible: the Nickelodeon-themed Orange Streak rollercoaster…and she and Nicole are telling you all about it. They also talk about how authenticity is having a moment, not just at Mall of America but in the Olympics with people like Snoop Dog and in the political sphere with people like Tim Walz. Nicole caps off the episode with her hilarious original “rap” titled 10,000 Complaints. You can find “b Cause Work Doesn’t Have to Suck” on any podcast app, you can can click this link to listen:https://lnkd.in/eTSwQKrr #TakeCharge #OwnYourAmbition #BreakTheRoutine #Authenticity #LeadershipTips

People don't care about the ocean enough ... ... BUT they sure love their sushi! In life, it's crucial to meet people where they are rather than where we think they should be. It's a mindset that can kickstart the process of shifting people's perspectives and, ultimately, their actions. .................. Have you ever purchased shoes made from ocean plastic by Allbirds? Or perhaps a pair of glasses crafted from ocean debris by Costa Sunglasses? These innovative products didn't just magically appear; they stemmed from a leadership trend set by the team at method products pbc, spearheaded by Eric Ryan. Their mantra? Do well by doing good. .................... If you're curious about this approach and want to learn more, check out the latest episode of the C.E.O. Podcast ... ... where I sat down with the founder of method products pbc, OLLY PBC, and Welly Bandages, Eric Ryan. It's a deep dive into how businesses can make a positive impact while thriving in the market. Apple ==> 🎙 https://lnkd.in/gyvWnJFQ Spotify ==> 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gqxhVykB Please SUBSCRIBE where you listen to podcasts. 🙏 #cultureFIRSTleadership #ceoPodcast Culture First Leadership

"No one wants to turn up to a project retro if it's always going to be negative." So, how can you help your team bounce back from failure? The answer is quite simple - don't lose hope. You have to hold the fort, rally their spirits - give credit where its due, analyse what has happened so that you can regroup with a better strategy. While it sounds simple, it is so hard to implement. Which is why empathy becomes critical when things are not going well. In this episode of What The Fail with Terry Williams from MyRepublic, he gets candid about his journey from finance into consumer centric leadership roles, cultural differences of doing businesses across Asia, the evolution of customer analytics, insights on launching new products and dealing with failure, balancing empathy with firm leadership, and not sweating the small stuff. (We also spoke of his hobby as a musician so I am holding him to the one-sided promise I tried to extort of him to perform one day at a live what the fail event 😆 ) I look forward to launching the What The Fail podcast channel on Spotify so that you can catch the full episode! #failuremindset #resilientmindset #leadership #customeranalytics

We’ve all been in those meetings—endless debates about whether a strategy should go one way or another, only to revisit the same conversation a week or even months later. It’s like cooking—you don’t really know how things will turn out until you taste them. But in business, the stakes are much higher than a spoiled meal. So, how do we test our ideas before they’re fully baked? That’s where the power of play comes in. From 9-year-olds to leadership teams, play breaks through the theory and models, letting you experience the solution. Juan Prego, shares, that it’s in the interaction, the movement—those moments of play give you the realizations you need to move forward. The power is in the play—the magic happens in the interactions between the characters and the elements used in ProPlay. It’s not about the model you create but how you engage with it. Through play, you uncover insights, spark creativity, and gain clarity. The movement and interaction bring about realizations that no amount of theory can match. Interested? You might want to hear more conversations just like this! Tap on the link below to head to my podcast! 👉 https://buff.ly/3XOaYeY

We create content about people taking action. But it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone is ready. The concept of taking action is intriguing. Everywhere you look, it seems like there’s advice to: -> Take immediate action. - > Make bold moves. -> Seize the day. We've been hearing for years that action is the key to success... And I think both Cory Blumenfeld and I are big advocates for it. But the truth is, not everyone is prepared to take that step at the same time. Understanding this is a balance. You want to encourage people to embrace opportunities... But you also don't want to ignore the importance of readiness and personal timing. My advice? Be honest with your audience. Show empathy in your approach. Offer guidance without pressure. But always remember: People's readiness to act often develops more slowly than we anticipate. Position yourself to support others when they're ready to take their leap. But don’t dismiss the journey they're on because of it. Make sure to check out the most recent episode of the Level Up Influence Podcast with Cory Blumenfeld! -- P.S. If you’ve got a podcast… Book me on your show. I share the nitty gritty of how I've built dozens of personal brands and scaled several companies past a $1M run rate. #marketing #personalbranding #operations

Is growth the ‘lifeblood of the agency’ or a ‘necessary evil’? Be honest, which of those resonates most with you? More to the point, why DO agencies have such a love / hate relationship with growth? To help figure that out, I’m super stoked that the wonderful Katie Lee is our latest guest on The Immortal Life of Agencies. Having been a senior leader in agencies large and small - including the CEO of Lucky Generals and now the COO of WPP’s Wavemaker - Katie’s seen it all from a growth perspective. So who better to unpack the dichotomy between growth feeling great… or being something that many agency folk do their best to leave to someone else. I love how Katie shows up with humility, empathy and pragmatism, not to mention bundles of enthusiasm for how growth can be a source of joy and momentum in agency life. And who doesn’t want that, right? So amongst all manner of insights, check out: 😕 How agencies often confuse growth with strategy 🛑 The ‘danger zone’ created by unhealthy growth  💡 Empowering future leaders  🌟 Regaining your #newbiz mojo Dive in and enjoy… here’s the episode link - or find us wherever you get your podcasts https://lnkd.in/egWxkXWX One thing before you go - will you help us share this conversation with anyone who needs to hear it? Here’s how: ✅ Give us like and say nice things ✅ Hit ‘Repost’ (with no comment added) ✅ Go listen ✅ Please subscribe Thanks in advance, enjoy the episode and do share your takeaways. #MarketofOne #Underdifferentiated #TILOA

Your reputation is directly correlated with your actions. This insight and observation from Wayne really struck a chord with me—it was both humbling and incredibly enlightening. It got me thinking: Our reputation speaks volumes about who we are and how we navigate the world. And you know what? This isn't just about our professional lives; it's about every facet of life. ................ If your personal brand is solid gold, big props to you! But you must keep building your reputation. Otherwise, it will erode or fade quickly, much like our physical health if we don't nourish our body. ............... Now, if your brand's taken a few hits, don't sweat it. You've got work to do, but remember, Rome wasn't built in a day either. Here are three principles that I took away from my convo with Wayne Wu, to live by as a leader and as a human: 1️⃣ Show Up: Consistency is key. It's compounded brand impact. Small actions, consistently over time, means big impact. 2️⃣ Be Present: We are horrible multitasking. So, be here, right now, fully present. It's not just good for you; it's good for everyone around you. 3️⃣ Lead by Example: Actions speak louder than words. So, if you're gonna talk the talk, you must walk the walk. Be the beacon of integrity that lights up the room. ................. This podcast episode? It's been blowing up for a reason. So, grab your headphones 🎧 and dive in. Trust me, it's worth every minute. 👇 Apple 🎙 ==> https://lnkd.in/g3XDjVhW Spotify 🎧 ==> https://lnkd.in/gqmcbwxN Culture First Leadership #CEOpodcast #cultureFIRSTleadership

Rate your strategic thinking muscle strength on a scale from 1-10… Many of us spend our days in full execution mode, answering emails, attending meetings and heads down working through issues. That’s what happens when you settle in to your day to day routine and get used to checking off tasks one by one without thinking outside the box. We don’t spend much time thinking strategically or planning for the future. And, even if we are given time in our schedule to think, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start when you feel like you’re staring at a blank canvas, right? I was recently featured on the Keystone Group International Podcast to discuss this in an episode called “How Strong is Your Strategic Thinking Muscle?”. I’d love for you to check it out to learn how to insert strategy into our day to day lives! Listen Now by clicking the link in the comments. Thanks for having me, Keystone Group International! #strategicthinking #leadershipdevelopment #innovation #personaldevelopment #criticalthinking

What am I listening to today? First, I tuned into a new podcast on my radar thanks to Monica Rothgery Franchise Business Real Talk hosted by Guy Coffey. My Big Key Takeaway: Retention isn't just about cost—it's about showing you actually care. Thoughtful gestures, like a graduation sign in your venue's window, can be low-cost but demonstrate genuine appreciation for your staff memebers. If you're worried about expenses, focus on retention; the cost of turnover far exceeds the investment in keeping your team engaged and valued. Next, I tuned into the Evocalize podcast hosted by Justin Ulrich 📢🎙️ featuring Monte Silva. Monte highlighted something we've also seen a great ROI from, investing back into the community and teaming up with other local companies to create experiences for guests! These events can lead to a 20-45% increase in revenue and are a undervalued marketing tool. Want to tune into these podcasts too? I've dropped their links in the comments below! What should I listen to next week on what I'm now calling my Saturday Self Development Skates? Remember: Being a good leader means being obsessed with learning from other great leaders! #selfdevelopment #podcast #listen #leadership #sandiego