"When you're appealing to everybody, you're appealing to nobody. You really have to know who you are and differentiate yourself. Home in on that thing that people are going to remember." Episode Highlights 00:00 Returned to business world after offering advice. 05:06 Importance of mentoring and paying it forward. 09:57 Focus on client needs, not credentials. 10:32 Enthusiasm attracts people. Focus on them and provide value. 15:46 Value in encouragement and diverse experiences. 17:44...

One of my favorite customer service books is from legendary author and speaker Bob Farrell. In his book, ‘Give ‘Em the Pickle’, he discusses how to improve client satisfaction and retention through three words, “I’ll be back.” However, as Jody and I explain in this episode, to earn this phrase, one should not rely on the protocol alone. Contrarily, if you want to go above and beyond in our affairs, dare to fuse selfless service with common sense. But Dan? How do we equip our employees to do...

[Rebroadcast of one of Dan's favorite episodes.] “No matter what you’ve done in your life, career and what you’ve been involved with, you’re going to have hard times. And moving on is really the only option you have. You get up and keep moving forward.” In this episode of Come Rain or Shine, special guests, Clint Hill, and Lisa McCubbin join the show to discuss the history of President John F. Kennedy and Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy from their perspective. A former U.S. Secret...

“Just because the information is at our fingertips doesn't mean we're always leveraging it to actually get stuff done and do things." In today's fast-paced world, information is readily accessible, yet many of us struggle to leverage it effectively. We often find ourselves consuming content for entertainment purposes rather than using it to fuel personal growth and development. It’s easy to forget the power of new perspectives and information. Developing a new point of view could transform...

"You can't always control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it and how you kind of take it in, and that's all on you." Episode Highlights 02:26 Courage and discipline are key to growth. 04:51 Change mindset, find motivation, or make change. 07:43 Attitude and choices determine control and confidence. 12:52 Start doing, make it real, change. 13:24 Transition from sedentary to active lifestyle. Connect with Dan: www.dancockerell.com About Dan...

“You create your own luck.' When you engage in conversations with strangers, you never know what it may turn into - a pleasant conversation, a business opportunity, or even a friendship." Episode Highlights 01:27 Pay attention to people for effective leadership, communication, and relationship building. 04:43 Nonverbals are a powerful way to communicate, including in unintended ways 06:48 Interactions can lead to unexpected opportunities and relationship 11:29 Listening with intent helps...

“Sometimes I look around and say, why am I in this situation? It makes me take a step back to say, “ What did you do to get yourself in this situation? What could you have done to not be in this situation?” Episode Highlights [00:03:58] Take responsibility for hiring, then address issues or remove employees.. [00:10:54] Ownership mindset leads to remarkable acts of responsibility and trust-building.. [00:14:44]  Leaders encourage employees to take risks and assume responsibility for the...

“We’re just so busy and distracted, things come in and out. We just don't take time to say, wow, that's a nice thing. I'm creating a little memory for myself right now." – Dan Cockerell Episode Highlights [00:02:19] Saying yes to opportunities and changing environments can be refreshing and inspiring. [00:05:07] Meditation is challenging but worthwhile. Be present and appreciate the little things. [00:09:15] Outdoor trip to Bryce Canyon. Refreshing and inspiring. [00:11:14] Effective...

"Talent times Relationships plus expectations plus reward and recognition equals the productivity of a team." Episode Highlights [00:03:02] Gallup's 4 measurements of team productivity. [00:06:22] Giving gratitude and recognition reinforces positive behavior and improves productivity. [00:08:42] Clarify expectations and communicate with your team for improved productivity. [00:12:45] Assess team morale, identify need for friendship [00:15:39] Discuss expectations, recognize team, gather...

“If you don't keep their interest, they walk away. So I really learned really quickly how to keep that interest. And that was through storytelling.” Episode Highlights [00:01:22] Passion for storytelling through moving around. [00:04:30] Transitioned from working for Disney to writing for nonprofits and training small business leaders [00:10:14] Inspiration from Disney's use of stories, failures, and four key challenges (safety, courtesy, show efficiency). [00:14:42] Storytelling creates...

“It's not just about the people, but also the systems and processes in place. When art and science come together, magic happens.” -Dan Cockerell Leadership and culture are the driving forces when it comes to creating exceptional customer experiences. Smart organizations know the value of a well-designed plan for their business. They can't just open shop without a clear vision. It requires a savvy combination of the art and science of customer service. Two great examples of well-designed...

“Many organizations today are focused on whether or not people are following the process. They ask ‘Did you send the report?’ versus ‘what results are you getting?’." It is hard to deny the power of leadership and culture on organizational success. During this conversation with Jody Mayberry we discuss the release of a the major movies, Barbie and Oppenheimer, and share our perspectives on their impact.  That leads to a much bigger discussion around the movie "Air” and its reference to a...

"We need to give women the confidence that they can do it, and then educate men about what women can bring to the table" - Valerie Cockerell  Inspired by her mother's regrets and the desire to share her own insights, Valerie Cockerell set out to write a book that would provide practical advice on leadership. She noticed that while many resources discussed leadership theories, there was a lack of actionable steps. Valerie aimed to bridge this gap, offering tangible guidance to help people...

The essence of truth is not what someone says, it's what they do. Behavior never lies. Every day, prepare yourself to be the person that someone else may need. - Richard Flint Richard Flint, the CEO of Richard Flint International, joins to share his extraordinary life story. Our conversation dives deep into Richard's personal turning points, the importance of confronting challenges, and the power of personal growth. His journey has been one of incredible highs and lows, from  challenges he...

"What can I do today that my future self will thank me for 20 years from now?"— Ray Edwards In this episode of "Come Rain or Shine," I have an incredible conversation with Ray Edwards, a renowned copywriter and author. Ray opens up about his journey that has been filled with both success and setbacks. His resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. Throughout our conversation, Ray shares about his career successes, lifechanging medical news, his latest book, and the valuable...

The key to successful execution is having focus, clarity, alignment, and accountability. These four things will help you get your strategies executed. - Patrick Thean Identifying core values, achieving clarity, and fostering accountability is undeniably important within organizations. My conversation with Patrick Thean, an expert in helping CEOs and teams overcome barriers to success, emphasizes their significance. Those things should not merely be words on a wall but rather true behavioral...

Just change your mind and do something differently. Changing your beliefs and assumptions can lead to different results in your life. - Dan Cockerell During our time in California, my wife Valerie and I took a 20-mile hike. I relished the challenge, but as the miles accumulated, so did the discomfort. My body protested, my mind amplified the pain, and I found myself questioning why I had put myself in this situation. However, a phrase started to resonate with me: pain is temporary. Over and...

Technology may bring us closer in some ways, but nothing can replace the depth and significance of real, in-person human connection. - Judd Shaw Human connection has been a crucial aspect of survival throughout history. Over the last few years there was a stark reminder of the importance of authentic relationships. Today I welcome Judd Shaw, CEO of Judd Shaw Injury Law, who shares his insights on the transformative power of authentic human connections. During the COVID-19 pandemic Judd...

  Holding people accountable and setting clear expectations brings value to any role. - Mark Manukas Mark learned early on in his naval career about the power of accountability and clear expectations. During his four years at the Naval Academy he encountered a number of surprises. The most impactful things are the ones he still talks about today;  hard work, focus on ethics, and the sense of relief and accomplishment upon graduation. Mark and Gaurav Bhatnagar, Founder of Co Creation...

As a leader of any organization, it's really important that we work every day to become unnecessary. - Chris Meroff Chris Meroff’s journey is what has shaped him into a strategic leader that helps others recognize the value of prioritizing employee fulfillment. His story is both inspiring and enlightening. As a college dropout with no clear path in life, Chris found himself working in his parents' consulting business for K-12 education, despite having no prior knowledge of the field....

"People really want to know that they have value. We can bring that to them in leadership positions, leadership roles." I had a pretty cool experience a couple months ago and I made a note of it because I knew it would be a great podcast topic. The story really reinforces something we've talked about before. It's the idea that people matter and they need to know they matter. Whether that is in companies, employees, family members or friends, people really want to know that they have...

  "Clarity is key. It gets rid of confusion, frustration, and stress. Clear expectations empower your team to deliver great results." Mac McNeil is an army veteran and banking professional that brings a unique perspective to the significance of accountability and clear expectations in leadership. Mac's extensive background in psychological operations during Desert Storm gives a new perspective to leadership conversations. Throughout the conversation, Mac emphasizes the need to set...

"Customers don't care about organizational structure, they just want a great experience." Matt Purdy joins for a conversation on the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and unity among all employees and partners. He shares his experience integrating outsourced operational areas with the internal culture and values as Director of Career Services at Murray State University. Many of the university's operational areas, including dining services and grounds crews, were outsourced...

"We might not have control in politics, but we have control in our own lives." Amy Newmark's journey to storytelling started when she was just a child, with an insatiable curiosity for languages. Her fascination with communication took her from studying several languages in high school, to majoring in Portuguese at Harvard, and finally on a life-changing trip to Brazil. Amy's early career saw her leveraging her language skills in the business world, as a telecommunications analyst for a...