MSMP 130: Eric Spencer on Leadership Development and Relationship Management

Mads Singers Management Podcast

Today’s guest for this episode of the Mads Singers Management Podcast is Eric Spencer.

Eric is the COO for SkyeTeam, a boutique leadership development consultancy based in Denver, Colorado. Although the company has been around since 2007, it wasn’t until 2011 when Eric came on board. He has worked for several companies, including technology, hardware and software, startups, and even Fortune 50 companies.

Eric’s passion is helping companies, organizations, teams, groups, and individuals improve as leaders, managers, coaches, mentors, and human beings.

Many business owners tend to come up with many ideas from time to time, whether it’s a new business venture, a new investment, a new invention, or even a new way of doing things. However, while these may sound good, it won’t be successful if business owners and entrepreneurs won’t develop their staff.

Eric shares his Two-Five-Fifteen (2-5-15) system where: 2 is about face-to-face meetings on Zoom, five is for five reach-outs using either phone calls, LinkedIn messaging, and emails or whatever may seem convenient for you and your potential client, and lastly, 15 where your goal is to get 15 reach outs sent for the day.

In the spirit of Zig Ziglar, you will get more of the things you want by helping other people get the things they wish to. This also allows you to reciprocate things and favors quickly and is a surefire way to fill your karma bucket in an instant.

Many managers and business owners tend to fix broken things. They need to realize that that’s not their job. Instead, they should focus on those who want feedback as their interest is higher and on a much faster scale than those who are contented with their current state.

While it may seem awkward for the first time, business owners and leaders should invest time with their staff because it’s the people stuff that will bring success to your business or whatever venture you may have in your cards.

Allow your staff to set the frequency on when they want to talk with you. These relationship pulse checks can help you know your team better and have them perform better.

Key Learning Points:

1. Eric says that you can have the best widgets in your workspace, but if you don’t get the people stuff right, it won’t get you where you need to be. - 03:16
2. Mads says that the critical thing when building relationships is to have an open mind. - 06:34
3. Mads says that from his experience, the best way to sell is not by handing someone your business card but rather by building solid relationships. - 07:22
4. Eric says that the initial volley when reaching out to someone is not about selling your products but rather opening a channel on that person’s radar. Once you have established a connection, you can then share to that person that you are looking for a gig, a new client, or whatever your objective. - 10:56
5. Mads says it’s about providing value to people, helping people, and connecting people to the right person or venue. - 11:55
6. Mads says that when you are on a mission to help others, it’s usually not about the present moment but the future. - 15:03
7. Eric says that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that it shouldn’t be seen as a sign of weakness, especially in the American or Western setting - 20:33
8. Mads says that it’s essential to have strong relationships with your team. He shares about his one-to-one framework - 26:36
9. Mads says that if you want the most out of yourself, you should focus on what you are good at instead of what you are not good at. - 29:30
10. Eric says it’s essential to invest in relationships, have one-on-one’s, let your employee choose the frequency on how they want to have their one-on-one’s. Have a relationship pulse check with your employees. - 47:41

Resources Mentioned:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni

Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships by Morag Barett

Brene Brown on the Power of Vulnerability (TED Talk)

Better Work Together (Coming this October 2022)

Connect with Eric Spencer:

Website

Twitter

SkyeTeam Twitter

LinkedIn

The Corporate Bartender

SkyeTeam YouTube Channel