In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Justin Ricklefs, the founder and CEO of the Guild Collective. They discuss the importance of incorporating heart-centered leadership within organizations. Justin shares his personal journey of transitioning from a head-focused to a heart-focused leadership style. They explore practical strategies such as curiosity-driven dialogues and structured feedback sessions for understanding employee perspectives. Justin emphasizes the significance of storytelling as a powerful tool for sales and building authentic connections with both employees and customers. The episode highlights actionable advice for leaders aiming to cultivate a culture of empathy, connection, and trust.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Heart-centered leadership requires personal work - Leaders must understand their own hearts, pain, and challenges before building authentic culture

• Curiosity over certainty - Leading with compassionate curiosity and sourcing team perspectives creates better outcomes than command-and-control approaches

• Structured heart connection - Implementing regular "Perspectives" meetings (biannual 90-minute sessions) helps surface important team issues that wouldn't emerge through open-door policies alone

• Story is the ultimate sales strategy - Humans connect through stories, not facts and figures; brands that position customers as heroes (not themselves) build loyalty

• Heart work is hard work - Building heart connectivity is more difficult than surveillance and control, but essential for authentic leadership and healthy culture

QUOTES

• "It's really, really challenging to lead well from a shallow heart."

• "Story is the greatest sales avenue ever created. Story is the best sales strategy period."

• "I've never regretted sourcing the perspective of my team."

• "The heart connectivity piece is really difficult. Don't fool ourselves. It's hard work. It's much easier to try to command and control and surveil people."

• "The distance between the head and the heart feels like a mile away, even though it's 18 inches."

• "You can't have culture from the heart if the leadership team isn't doing their own work to understand their own journey, their own pain."

• "The brand thinks of itself far too highly. The customer is the hero of the story."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Justin Ricklefs.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinricklefs/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Stop gambling on interviews. Combine analytics with a sales recruiting system to screen out non-performers so you only interview candidates that can become great salespeople.

https://hiringguide.salesindex.ai/

Let’s revisit a powerful conversation on the Culture From the Heart Podcast with hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy, featuring Michael Harding, an owner-operator at Chick-fil-A. In this rewind episode, Michael shares the transformative power of heart-centered leadership, including his “51/49” philosophy of out-serving his team and why he encourages employees to bring their full selves—emotions and all—to work. From intentional onboarding touchpoints and personalized dinners to his wife’s famous homemade birthday desserts, this conversation highlights how consistent acts of love drive high engagement and guest satisfaction. It’s a masterclass in building a culture where people feel truly seen, valued, and empowered to excel.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture is defined by what you repeatedly do to intentionally love and support the people around you.
• The "Cared for people, care for people" principle shows that employee engagement directly correlates with guest satisfaction.
• Hiring "Grade A" talent is worth the wait; it is better to run short-staffed than to compromise on cultural fit.
• Methodical onboarding is essential, using intentional touchpoints over the first year to eliminate chaos and build trust.
• Leaders should leverage unique personal skills—from baking to writing notes—to show genuine, personalized appreciation.
• Authentic leadership supports the "whole person," including their lives, challenges, and celebrations outside the workplace.

QUOTES

• “Culture for the heart is how are we intentionally and consistently loving on the people around us.”
• “We are not in the chicken business. We're in the people business.”
• “Cared for people, care for people.”
• “Our team members will never treat their guests better than they are treated.”
• “If you can love on your people... they will actually run through a brick wall.”
• “The more you know about your people, the more you grow with your people.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry. Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/ Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Michael Harding. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelharding/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now! https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Discover How To Unlock the Hidden Growth Inside Your Sales Team. Access The Sales Blindspots in the C-Suite: Four Critical Risks You Can't Afford to Ignore, recording here: https://webinar.salesindex.ai/home-page-222146-313544

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy reflect on their first year of interviewing visionary heart-centered leaders. They discuss the importance of authenticity, love, and trust in the workplace. The episode revisits inspiring conversations with CEOs who have created exceptional company cultures focused on empowering employees, serving clients, and uplifting communities. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of nurturing genuine relationships, fostering emotional security, and the role of leadership in cultivating a supportive and loving work environment. As they move into the next year, the hosts express gratitude to their guests, sponsors, and listeners, reiterating their commitment to continue showcasing leaders who practice heart-centered leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leading with heart and authenticity transforms organizations and empowers people.
• Love, care, and vulnerability are essential for building strong workplace cultures.
• Investing in people and culture yields long-term success, even in challenging times.
• True leadership means serving others, listening deeply, and fostering trust.
• Culture is intentional—shape it, don’t leave it to chance.

QUOTES

• “We’re not in the chicken business, we’re in the people business.”
• “You can’t take the human away… it’s going to take people, it’s going to take culture, it’s going to take heart.”
• “Using people to build a business versus using a business to build people.”
• “If you could love on your people, they will actually run through a brick wall.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Stop gambling on interviews. Combine analytics with a sales recruiting system to screen out non-performers so you only interview candidates that can become great salespeople.

https://hiringguide.salesindex.ai/

In this special from the vault rewind episode of the Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy revisit their inspiring conversation with Patrick Lencioni, founder and president of The Table Group. They discuss the critical intersection of personal healing and professional leadership, exploring how a leader's internal life dictates organizational culture. Patrick opens up about his personal journey, moving from a mindset of constant achievement to finding true inner peace. The conversation explores the concept of "starting here"—using tools like Working Genius to understand one's true self—and why vulnerability is the gateway to trust. This timeless discussion offers profound insights on how knowing your own heart is essential to loving and leading your team effectively.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Vulnerability drives trust: Organizational health and strong relationships are impossible without the courage to be vulnerable.
• Success requires peace: High achievement without internal peace leads to burnout; leaders must address their own wounds to lead from a place of abundance.
• Start with self-knowledge: Effective leadership begins with understanding who you are and how you are wired, using frameworks like Working Genius.
• Love requires knowing: You cannot truly love or lead your employees if you do not take the time to deeply know their unique personalities and struggles.
• Selling is serving: Authentic sales involve loving the customer enough to walk away from a deal if it isn't in their best interest.

QUOTES

• "Every company is smart enough... but what differentiates is what's the heart look like?"
• "Success without peace is different."
• "My virtue affects the company and my vices affect the company."
• "It's hard to love others, especially as a leader, if you struggle to love yourself."
• "If you really want to be good at [sales], love your customer... Selling is serving."
• "Leadership requires that we know ourselves and can be vulnerable with those we lead."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.
Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/
Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Patrick Lencioni. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING. https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!
https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Ryan Wall, CEO of FHI. They discuss the profound impact of having a heart-centered culture within an organization. Ryan shares the key principles guiding FHI, structured around the metaphorical 'four chambers of the heart,' encompassing purpose, vision, values, people, continuous improvement, and strategy. He emphasizes the importance of leaders guarding their hearts, offering practical advice on how to maintain a healthy and elite heart to positively influence business culture and performance. The episode also highlights the significant role of storytelling and leadership in promoting and maintaining a strong, compassionate culture within the company.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Guarding your own heart is foundational to leading others and shaping organizational culture.
• Leaders must be relentless storytellers, cascading values and purpose throughout the organization.
• You cannot give what you do not have—self-care and personal growth are essential for effective leadership.
• Organizational culture thrives when purpose, vision, values, people, continuous improvement, and strategy are clearly defined and protected.
• Small, intentional daily practices (like solitude, gratitude, and reflection) replenish leaders and set the tone for their teams.

QUOTES

• “How you treat your own heart will eventually be how you treat the heart of other people.”
• “You cannot give what you do not have.”
• “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
• “If you want an elite mind, you must first have an elite heart.”
• “Schedule the times with yourself with the same tenacity and level of priority that you would a multimillion dollar client.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Ryan Wall.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-wall-420a8a/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Stop gambling on interviews. Combine analytics with a sales recruiting system to screen out non-performers so you only interview candidates that can become great salespeople.

https://hiringguide.salesindex.ai/

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Lisa Nichols, CEO of Technology Partners, about the intentional creation of company culture. Lisa emphasizes the importance of core values, which should be more than just words on a wall but lived principles that guide behavior. The company uses the acronym DELIGHT to encapsulate their values, aiming to delight clients, employees, and communities. Lisa also talks about the significance of having hard conversations, as well as the power of communication and alignment within the organization. Additionally, Lisa discusses her podcast and recently published book, 'Something Extra,' which draws inspiration from her daughter and focuses on leveraging individual gifts for broader impact. This episode is a heartfelt exploration into leading with love and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and invested in mutual success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture must be built intentionally; it doesn’t happen by accident.
• Core values should be lived out, not just displayed on a wall or in a handbook.
• Elevating your people is the first step to elevating your leadership.
• Alignment and constant communication are essential for a thriving culture.
• Leaders must care for and love their people; leadership is about service.
• Trust and transparency are foundational to a strong organizational culture.
• Everyone is in the “feelings business”—how people feel matters deeply.
• Inclusion, team-building, and giving back to the community strengthen culture.
• Leadership starts with self-awareness and personal growth.

QUOTES

• “If you think you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re probably in the wrong room.”
• “You cannot lead others until you have figured out how to lead yourself.”
• “If you don’t love people, you probably should not be a leader.”
• “Core values can’t just be words on a wall. They truly need to be lived out.”
• “You cannot love the individual to the point where it’s unloving to the organization.”
• “Everyone’s in the feelings business.”
• “Start by elevating the people that have been entrusted to you.”

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Lisa Nichols.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholslisa/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Stop gambling on interviews. Combine analytics with a sales recruiting system to screen out non-performers so you only interview candidates that can become great salespeople.

https://hiringguide.salesindex.ai/

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Jamie Shaver, CEO and founder of AMPED, a full-service strategic marketing agency. Jamie shares her insights on integrating love and core values into the workplace to create an authentic and trustworthy culture. She discusses the importance of clear communication, accountability, and intentional management of both brand and culture. The conversation also touches on the need for leaders to be congruent and authentic in their actions and to foster a work environment where employees feel valued and aligned with the company's mission. Practical examples include Amped's core values and screening processes, which emphasize grit, ownership, and a solution-oriented mindset. This episode provides valuable lessons for leaders aiming to cultivate a heart-centered culture in their organizations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Culture from the heart means leading with love, expressed through action and clarity.
• Authentic company culture is defined by what employees and clients experience, not just what leaders say.
• Intentional management and alignment of core values are essential to building trust and eradicating mediocrity.
• Accountability, ownership, and grit are core to high-performing teams.
• Regularly reviewing and living out core values ensures congruency and authenticity.
• Great leadership starts with leading oneself and modeling the desired culture.

QUOTES

• "Love is not a feeling. Love is action."
• "A brand is not what you say it is; it's what your consumer says it is. The same is true with culture."
• "Are the leaders congruent? Does the walk match the talk?"
• "Being clear is loving."
• "You cannot eradicate mediocrity if you yourself are mediocre."
• "If our own behavior was duplicated hundreds of thousands of times, what kind of impact would that have on the business?"
• "Great cultures start with the heart."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Jamie Shaver.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-shaver-amped/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Stop gambling on interviews. Combine analytics with a sales recruiting system to screen out non-performers so you only interview candidates that can become great salespeople.

https://hiringguide.salesindex.ai/

In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Dr. Christopher Phelps, CEO of the Cialdini Institute, about developing a heart-centered business culture through co-creation and ethical influence. Dr. Phelps emphasizes the importance of giving employees choice and involving them in the process to foster commitment and unity. He shares practical advice on using unitizing language, asking for advice instead of opinions, and making public commitments to enhance employee engagement and efficiency. The discussion also delves into the significance of understanding the root causes behind 'no' responses, maintaining ethical standards, and simplifying communication to create a cohesive and high-performing work environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Co-creation builds commitment and unity in company culture.
• True persuasion is about giving people choice and agency.
• Use “we” language to foster togetherness and shared purpose.
• Public commitments increase accountability and follow-through.
• Effective communication is about both what you say and the order you say it.
• Understanding the root causes of “no” is essential for influence.
• Simplicity and clarity in core values help reinforce culture.

QUOTES

• “A culture of the heart is enveloping persuasion and co-creating as many things as possible with people.”
• “Divided we fall, united we stand.”
• “Automatically asking for somebody’s advice forces them to put themselves into your position, into your shoes.”
• “Just because you know how to persuade and influence, should you?”
• “The more things you have to focus on, the less likely you are to focus on any of them.”
• “When everybody knows you said you were going to do something and we’re going to meet back to talk about it, that accountability piece—that’s a powerful commitment.”
• “You can’t influence those to say yes unless you truly understand the root causes behind no.”

SPECIAL OFFER FOR CULTURE FROM THE HEART LISTENERS

Use the code CULTURE (all caps) at checkout to save $500 on any ticket experience listed. As an added bonus, your registration also includes the option to bring one guest at no additional cost. This can be a colleague, business partner, team member, or even a young adult in your life (ages 18–25) who would benefit from the experience.

https://cialdini.com/decevent

Once your ticket purchase is completed, Dr. Phelps’ team will personally reach out to welcome you and confirm the details of the guest you'd like to bring.

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more from Dr. Christopher Phelps.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christopher-phelps-2b48b718/

Ready to begin realizing the full potential of your sales team? Hire Great Salespeople with Confidence. SCHEDULE YOUR EXECUTIVE BRIEFING.

https://sellingfromtheheart.net/hiring

Unlock The Power of Team Growth with Learnit’s Live Training Platform. CLAIM your 45-day trial of unlimited training now!

https://www.learnit.com/lp/culture

Stop gambling on interviews. Combine analytics with a sales recruiting system to screen out non-performers so you only interview candidates that can become great salespeople.

https://hiringguide.salesindex.ai/