In this episode of The Steward Chair, John Newland, CEO at JOMA Construction, shares his journey of transitioning from a small home-flipping operation to a 100% employee-owned firm, exploring how the Greek concept of eudaimonia drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss the philosophy of "getting better before getting bigger," the rigorous process of empower every team member, the establishment of the ESOP, and how true legacy is built by elevating others to lead the organization forward.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Eudaimonia: Integrating a guiding principle of "human flourishing" and contentment into the daily operations and client interactions of a construction business.
• Democratizing Ownership: Why JOMA chose a 100% ESOP model to ensure all stakeholders benefit from the company's success without taking on individual financial risk.
• Leadership as Presence: Utilizing daily affirmations and personal poise to remain grounded and "fully present" within the inherent chaos of the business world.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://jomaconstruction.com/

• Follow John Newland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnewland/

• Follow JOMA Construction on social media:

  • Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/jomaconstruction

  • Facebook: facebook.com/jomaconstruction

  • YouTube: youtube.com/jomaconstruction

  • Instagram: instagram.com/jomaconstruction

• Subscribe to JOMA’s mailing list at http://jomaconstruction.com/learn/jomail-archive

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Enrique Alvarez shares his journey as a business leader, exploring how embracing challenges, learning from mistakes, and empowering teams drives meaningful, long-term success.

We discuss how creating a culture of transparency, shared learning, and problem-solving helps organizations grow stronger—providing practical takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Facing challenges and making mistakes is part of the job—and growth comes from how we resolve problems.
• Openly sharing experiences and failures strengthens teams and accelerates learning.
• Continuous improvement is a collective effort built on trust, collaboration, and accountability.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/vector-global-logistics/.
• Follow Enrique on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-alvarez-64332a2/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, shares her journey of transitioning from a dedicated "number two" to leading a massive ecosystem through a global pandemic. We explore how a commitment to mission and the guidance of mentors drives meaningful, long-term success even when the original plan is upended.

We discuss the critical role of a connector in the life sciences sector, the importance of "work-life harmony" over balance, and why true stewardship means preparing the next generation to lead. This conversation provides actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Purpose Over Tactics: In times of crisis, your "North Star" must be your organizational purpose, allowing your tactics to remain nimble and adaptive.
• The Responsibility of Mentorship: Leadership is a societal responsibility; investing time in the next generation is essential because no leader is "here forever".
• Embracing "Ready Enough": You don’t have to feel fully ready to step into a leadership seat; surrounding yourself with a community that believes in you is the key to moving forward through fear.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.galifesciences.org/
• Follow Maria on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariathacker/
• Join the Georgia Life Sciences mailing list at: https://www.galifesciences.org/join-the-mailing-list

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn @ChatWithLeaders.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.