Ep 344 | Leading an Army of Leaders ft. Devon Thomson

The meeting begins with Austin introducing Devon Thomson, the VP of StudentWorks, as a highly capable and humble leader. The group engages in some friendly banter and reminiscing about past trips and events.

John asks Devon to provide an update on his role and the progress of StudentWorks since they last spoke, which was likely around 3-4 years ago. Devon shares that the company has grown significantly, with the painting and window cleaning divisions now generating $44 million in revenue, up from $28 million previously. He highlights the launch of a new polymeric sanding service that has been a major growth driver.

Devon explains that a key focus has been doubling down on coaching and training for their junior coaches, with weekly calls and a coaches retreat to help them improve their sales, recruiting, and leadership skills. This has led to significant improvements in operator averages and overall business performance.

John raises concerns about the financial literacy and profit tracking of some StudentWorks operators, noting that there can be a significant gap between their perceived and actual earnings. Devon acknowledges this challenge and discusses the efforts to provide more financial education and accountability, including bringing in outside experts to help operators better manage their finances.

The group delves into the nuances of effective coaching, discussing the importance of maintaining a positive, encouraging mindset rather than a moralistic or judgmental approach. Devon shares insights on how he and the StudentWorks team work to keep their coaches focused on being their operators' biggest cheerleaders and supporters.

Amer asks Devon about his personal accountability structures, such as working with a life coach, mastermind group, and therapist, as well as the role his fiancée plays in keeping him centered and focused on his values.

In the final segment, Austin and Devon discuss the dynamics of coaching relationships, including the potential need to transition to new coaches or roles as both the coach and the operator evolve. Devon shares his perspective on how he has adapted his own role and responsibilities as StudentWorks has grown.