Episodios

  • Product Development as a Recipe w. Jason Stoller

    Product Development as a Recipe w. Jason Stoller
    Nov 13 2025
    In this episode, Justin McMenamy converses with Jason Stoller about their joint experiences at Precision Planting. The discussion focuses on the distinguishing factors between large corporations and smaller startups in terms of product development processes vs. recipes. They delve into the importance of proximity to customers, iterative development, and the freedom to take risks and even fail with the product development environment. By highlighting the benefits of rapid iteration, intrinsic motivation of engineers, and the elimination of bureaucratic handoffs, they underscore the vital role of agility and ownership in successful product development.
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    54 m
  • Skunk Works VII: The Bleeping Navy

    Skunk Works VII: The Bleeping Navy
    Oct 30 2025
    In this episode, Justin McMenamy concludes his examination of Kelly Johnson's 14 Rules of Management with a focus on Johnson's unwritten 15th rule. He explains the intricacies of creating and maintaining a 'Skunk Works' organization within a larger corporate entity, noting the challenges that come with resource and business model acquisitions. He highlights the importance of aligning with like-minded customers and suppliers and shares anecdotes from his time at Precision Planting, emphasizing an approach that prioritized autonomy and direct customer engagement. Justin's insights reveal the delicate balance required to sustain innovation while navigating corporate bureaucracy.
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    38 m
  • Getting Out of the Rut w. Steve Pierz

    Getting Out of the Rut w. Steve Pierz
    Oct 16 2025
    In this episode, host Justin McMenamy interviews Steve Pierz, a friend and fellow corporate misfit, who shares his unconventional strategies and experiences from a long, innovative career. Steve recounts his daring approach in large meetings, his early passion for mechanical engineering inspired by his creative upbringing, and his impactful yet rebellious career at Caterpillar where he frequently clashed with rigid corporate processes.

    Both Justin and Steve delve into the importance of mindset in leadership and innovation, emphasizing that success in business relies heavily on the creative, risk-taking individuals. The conversation evolves into mentorship, highlighting how young innovators should seek their ‘tribe’ and persist through setbacks.

    Steve, now retired, focuses on inspiring, motivating, and supporting the next generation of innovators. The discussion captures lessons learned, insights on navigating corporate America, and advice for future leaders.
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    56 m
  • Insurgent Leadership w. Brad Stoller

    Insurgent Leadership w. Brad Stoller
    Oct 2 2025
    In this episode of Grody & UnPrOfEsSiOnAL, host Justin McMenamy & Brad Stoller explore the concepts of asymmetric warfare and the infinite games, focusing on how small organizations like Precision Planting can compete against much larger competitors.

    The conversation delves into the importance of selecting the right leaders with characteristics such as mission-driven mindset, independence of thought, and adaptability. They discuss how speed and agility are crucial for smaller organizations to succeed, contrasting their approach with larger entities that often rely on rigid processes and alignment.

    They highlight historical examples like Stonewall Jackson and David Sterling to illustrate effective strategies for insurgent organizations. Stoller emphasizes that success is measured not by traditional metrics but by the mission's impact, advocating for a customer-centric approach over merely trying to outdo competitors.
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    1 h
  • How the Weak Win Wars w. Brad Stoller

    How the Weak Win Wars w. Brad Stoller
    Sep 18 2025
    In this episode, host Justin McMenamy and guest Brad Stoller delve into the history and strategic growth of Precision Planting, an innovative agricultural company from Central Illinois. Founded by a resourceful farmer in 1993, the company prioritized improving planting equipment through unique solutions, fostering a loyal customer base and rapid technological advancements.

    The episode highlights key influences like Simon Sinek's 'Infinite Game' and Malcolm Gladwell's 'David and Goliath' as part of their strategic thinking to combat much larger competitors. The conversation transitions to the importance of a distinct, adaptable strategy and concludes by emphasizing the need for both strategic thinking and tactical execution in maintaining market relevance.
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    41 m
  • No Brilliant Jerks w. Caleb Schleder

    No Brilliant Jerks w. Caleb Schleder
    Sep 4 2025
    In this episode, host Justin McMenamy and guest Caleb Schleder share critical insights into team building and leadership, drawing from their extensive corporate experience. They discuss the importance of trust, psychological safety, and culture curation in building effective teams.

    Strategies for hiring, including prioritizing the right fit over filling positions quickly, and innovative approaches to onboarding and development programs are explored. They also cover the importance of managing team dynamics, including handling underperforming members to maintain a healthy organizational culture.

    The conversation offers practical advice and personal anecdotes with the aim of helping leaders at all levels improve their team-building efforts.
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    56 m
  • The Elon Effect w. Billy Samoa Saleebey

    The Elon Effect w. Billy Samoa Saleebey
    Aug 21 2025
    In this episode, host Justin McMenamy interviews Billy Samoa Saleebey, a former Tesla and SolarCity employee, about his experiences working in Elon Musk's companies. The discussion delves into Saleebey's roles in Global Sales and Product Training, and Leadership Development.

    The episode explores Elon Musk's leadership style, the rigorous work culture at Tesla, and the unique onboarding and interview processes. Saleebey reflects on memorable experiences, such as factory tours and collaborative efforts, and discusses the potential future of Musk's companies post-Elon.

    The episode also examines the qualities of successful leadership and what aspiring leaders can learn from Musk's approach.
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    54 m
  • The Angry Birds of Management w. Jeff Snowden

    The Angry Birds of Management w. Jeff Snowden
    Aug 7 2025
    In this special anniversary episode of 'Grody & UnPrOfEsSiOnAL,' host Justin McMenamy and guest Jeff Snowden discuss various types of leadership styles by humorously comparing them to different birds. They explore the traits and behaviors of each bird type and relate them to characteristics found in management and corporate environments. The episode covers a range of bird analogies—from seagulls and parrots to vultures and crows—highlighting both the positive and detrimental aspects of each leadership style. The conversation delves into how these 'angry birds' can influence organizational culture and the importance of recognizing and managing these traits effectively.
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    58 m