In this episode, John sits down with Kristyn Drennen, founder of Transform CXO, to dive deep into leadership, scaling, and the power of fractional executives. They explore how business owners can break through growth ceilings, leverage the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and free themselves from solopreneur chaos.

From the difference between visionaries and integrators, to how fractional COOs help real estate teams scale without overextending, this is a masterclass in leadership clarity, accountability, and sustainable growth. Kristyn shares her unique perspective from working across multiple industries, showing why the right frameworks and talent can transform both businesses and lives.

The Power of Operating Systems

• Why Scaling Up often overwhelms smaller businesses

• How EOS provides clarity and simplicity for real estate teams

• Why consistency, not complexity, drives growth

Fractional Executives Explained

• What fractional COOs and integrators actually do

• Why “fractional horsepower” beats hiring too early

• How to know if fractional talent is the right next step

Visionary vs. Integrator Roles

• The difference between creating ideas, executing, and managing

• Why many team leaders get stuck wearing too many hats

• How to free yourself into the visionary role without losing momentum

Leadership & Team Development

• Why most growth challenges come down to people or process

• How to use Working Genius to identify strengths and frustrations

• Why leadership development gets pushed aside—and why it shouldn’t

Scaling with Intention

• Why loyalty can cap your team’s growth

• The importance of building an accountability chart

• How to hire people who’ve already been where you want to go

• Traction by Gino Wickman – The foundation of EOS

• Scaling Up by Verne Harnish – Framework for larger businesses

• The Motive & The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni – Must-reads for leaders

• The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni – Productivity assessment for leaders and teams

• Transform CXO → transformcxo.com

• Follow Kristyn on Instagram: @kristyndrennencxo

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

Leadership clarity is the ultimate growth accelerator. By understanding your true role, bringing in the right fractional support, and implementing proven systems, you can scale your business without sacrificing your freedom.

“Fractional means fraction of the time, fraction of the cost—but full horsepower.” – Kristyn Drennen

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with industry leader Cindi Featherstone-Shields to uncover the power of community in both real estate and leadership. From dominating her East Texas golf course community to building one of the most agent-centric offices in the business, Cindi reveals the strategies that have made her business recession-proof.

They dive into why true success isn’t about transactions—it’s about relationships. From moving trucks and margarita Fridays to 8:30 a.m. accountability calls and Working Genius assessments, Cindi has built a culture where clients feel loved, agents feel supported, and business continues to thrive no matter the market.

This is a masterclass in creating connection, leading with authenticity, and building a business that fuels both profits and fulfillment.

Building Client Communities That Last

• Why embedding yourself in a neighborhood makes your business recession-proof

• How events, moving trucks, and small touches create lifelong clients

• Turning past clients into friends—and friends into repeat customers

Leading Through Agent-Centric Culture

• How Cindi designed her office to feel like a coffee shop, not a brokerage

• The role of Working Genius in aligning agents with their strengths

• Why daily 8:30 Zoom huddles are non-negotiable for accountability

The Power of Events & Experiences

• From golf tournaments to Christmas parties: why shared experiences fuel referrals

• Why spending on food and hospitality beats spending on funnels

• How to gamify agent production with challenges and competitions

Mindset & Long-Term Growth

• Why chasing listings (not buyers) creates leverage

• The danger of “backup plans” in real estate success

• Why the best leaders never stop showing up for their people

• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni – Framework for leadership and team alignment

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Coaching, training, and community for growth-minded agents

• Cindi’s Nonprofit: Wags – Supporting rescue animals through fundraising

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

Community is the ultimate competitive advantage. When you invest in people—whether it’s clients or agents—you create loyalty, referrals, and impact that no market shift can take away.

“This is not transactional business. This is about loving people, supporting them, and becoming part of their lives.” – Cindi Shields

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥

In this episode of the John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John sits down with Steve Zahnd to unpack his journey from running an independent brokerage to leading a three-team merger under Real. They dive into what it takes to lead at scale, why decision-making filters are critical, and how AI is reshaping leadership, communication, and execution.

From lessons learned building SaaS systems to navigating the emotional psychology of mergers, Steve shares how clarity, trust, and technology combine to create exponential growth. Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a brokerage, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve with AI, this episode is packed with insights on balancing fundamentals with innovation.

• How Steve went from Century 21 to running his own brokerage to merging three major teams

• Why core values and vision alignment were non-negotiable in the merger decision

• Lessons from missing the EXP wave and how that shaped his second chance with Real

• The two filters Steve uses to make big decisions (and avoid blind spots)

• https://johnkitchenscoachpodcast.com/Why letting go of your brand can be the key to leveling up

• How to build trust among partners and stay in your lane

• Why Steve loads every meeting, document, and decision into his “AI Brain”

• How AI acts as a strategic thought partner (and where it still falls short)

• Using AI to improve communication, remove emotion, and accelerate speed of execution

• Why AI isn’t a replacement for fundamentals but an accelerator

• The role of project managers and integrators in keeping teams on track

• How to capture, validate, and prioritize ideas without losing focus

• CoachKitchens.ai – AI coaching tool designed for real estate leaders

• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin – On faith, creativity, and problem solving

• Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman – Understanding the Visionary/Integrator relationship

• Science of Scaling by Ben Hardy – Setting impossible goals with impossible timelines

Growth doesn’t come from chasing shortcuts—it comes from clarity, trust, and execution. As Steve puts it, merging three teams and leading at scale is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions, leveraging technology, and trusting the process.

“AI isn’t here to replace leaders—it’s here to make great leaders faster, clearer, and more effective.” – Steve Zahnd

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time! 🔥