Kelly Preston is the owner and CEO of Captial Steel and Wire. She has an extremely unique background. She is self-taught, has overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges, and has come out on the other side even stronger. Kelly is also involved in several non-profits. One closer to her heart is Ele’s Place, where she currently serves as a member of its statewide governing board.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Embrace Continuous Learning

Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone and continuously seek new knowledge and skills. Be open to making mistakes and learning from them, as this is crucial for your personal and professional development. Self-education, resilience, and adaptability are key traits for overcoming obstacles and achieving success in any field.

Foster Trust and Honesty

Building a culture of trust and honesty is essential. Be transparent about challenges, openly communicate with your team members, and foster an environment where people feel safe to express themselves and take risks. By demonstrating vulnerability and humility, you can inspire confidence and loyalty in your team, which is crucial for navigating difficult times and sustaining long-term success.

Prioritize Emotional Intelligence and Empathy

Be open to people’s stories and feelings, understanding that everyone has personal challenges that affect their professional lives. By being empathetic and actively listening to your team members, you can create a supportive and inclusive work environment. This not only improves individual well-being but also enhances overall team performance and cohesion. Emotional intelligence allows you to connect with your team on a deeper level, making it easier to navigate difficult times and achieve long-term success.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• In what ways can you integrate vulnerability and honesty into your leadership or personal relationships?
• How can you enhance your emotional intelligence to create a more supportive environment for yourself and those around you?
• Reflect on times you've faced adversity. How did you persevere and maintain focus on your goals?

OVERVIEW:

• 1:08 | Getting to know Bill Trout
• 5:47 | What are some of the most challenging things trying to help come alongside some of your outreach programs?
• 7:12 | Why is what you're doing in these areas so necessary?
• 8:46 | What is the entrepreneurship program you've developed?
• 12:43 | What is your favorite part of doing this outreach work?
• 14:53 | What kind of advice do you have for people who are looking to make an impact on people?
• 17:04 | Where do you see some of these programs going in the future?
• 19:21 | What life principles have served you well?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Reflecting on the "Start Today" philosophy, discuss a time when you hesitated to take action on something important. What held you back, and what could you have done differently to overcome that hesitation?
2. Considering building sustainable solutions, how can we apply this principle to our projects or initiatives? Share examples of initiatives you've been involved in or ideas you have for creating a lasting impact in your community or organization
3. In your experience, how have relationships with others influenced your ability to make a difference? Discuss when collaboration or networking played a significant role in achieving a shared goal. What lessons did you learn from that experience?

HIGHLIGHTS:
1:11 | Background

2:39 | Sweetwater's Cultural Principles

5:08 | What does your typical day look like?

6:12 | What challenges are you facing with hiring?

9:01 | How do you maintain a healthy viewpoint on criticism

15:59 | Are you more introverted or extroverted?

17:37 | How do you manage your ego?

19:51 | What kind of mantras do you follow?

22:14 | What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career?

25:16 | What are some of the top leadership issues you see?

26:53 | How do you help develop grit and resiliency?

29:02 | What kind of advice do you have for people who need to get out of their heads?

30:33 | What kind of advice do you give people trying to advance into leadership positions?

33:26 | How do you manage work-life balance?

37:12 | What is your vision for the music industry over the next decade?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Focus on Doing the Right Thing

The principle of doing the right thing applies to how they treat customers, employees, and vendors. It’s about maintaining integrity in all interactions, ensuring ethical practices are followed, and building partnerships rather than adversarial ones.

Handle Criticism and Move On

It’s easy to want everyone to like you, but that’s unrealistic. You must have thick skin, process feedback, and understand you can’t make everyone happy. You have to actively seek and respond to feedback to keep learning and growing.

Leadership Isn't Automatic
Aspiring leaders have to earn their stripes by putting in extra effort, being team players, and focusing on the greater good rather than personal gain. Leadership roles are not based on tenure alone.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What is your "why" for wanting to be a leader? What is your motivation for seeking leadership roles?
2. How do you balance work in your own life? Are there specific strategies or non-negotiables that are effective for you to maintain a sense of balance, especially during busy or challenging times?
3. How do you see ethical considerations influencing decision-making in leadership roles, and what challenges might arise in balancing ethical practices with business objectives?