Crossroad Conversations with the Lewis Brothers

Summary

In this episode, the Lewis Brothers discuss the challenges of leadership under stress and burnout. They explore the hidden costs of unchecked stress, the importance of delegation, and how to create a supportive culture that fosters emotional resilience. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to manage their stress effectively, reset under pressure, and normalize conversations around stress within their te...

Summary

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers discuss the fine line between kindness and weakness in leadership. They emphasize the importance of addressing conflicts directly and the consequences of avoiding tough conversations. The conversation explores how empathy can sometimes lead to enabling poor performance, and the need for leaders to set clear expectations. The episode concludes with insig...

Summary

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers delve into the theme of failure in leadership, emphasizing that failure is not final but rather a stepping stone to success. They discuss the importance of vulnerability, accountability, and learning from mistakes, highlighting that true leadership is about owning failures and using them as opportunities for growth. The conversation also touches on the ...

Summary

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers discuss the complexities of chasing trends in business, particularly in the automotive industry. They explore how to differentiate between real trends and distractions, the hidden costs associated with trend chasing, and the importance of maintaining brand identity while adapting to new market demands. The conversation also touches on customer experienc...

Summary

In this episode, the Lewis Brothers discuss the importance of leading by example and how leaders can influence their teams to grow by embracing discomfort. They explore the concepts of comfort, growth, and panic zones, emphasizing the need to avoid complacency in business. The conversation highlights strategies for cultivating a growth culture, the significance of self-imposed challenges, and the dynamics of team intera...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers reflect on key themes from their previous episodes, focusing on productivity in leadership, the importance of building strong teams, fostering a positive company culture, managing difficult employees, and the significance of effective inventory control. They emphasize the need for leaders to empower their teams, adapt their management styles, and maintain a strong compa...

In this episode of Crossroads Conversations, the Lewis Brothers discuss the importance of ethics in business, focusing on building trust, defining values, and navigating moral dilemmas. They emphasize the need for clear communication of non-negotiables and the ripple effect of ethical choices on employees and customers. The conversation highlights the significance of long-term thinking and creating a culture of accountability and t...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers discuss the concept of 'faking it till you make it' in the context of business leadership. They explore the importance of projecting confidence, the fine line between confidence and cockiness, and the potential downsides of deception in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency and vulnerability in leadership roles, as well as the signi...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers discuss the critical distinction between proactive and reactive management styles. They share personal anecdotes and lessons learned from their family business, emphasizing the importance of delegation, empowerment, and creating a culture of accountability. The conversation also touches on the significance of being close to the ground to identify early warning signs and...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers engage with Joe Rollins, president of the Rodeo of the Ozarks, discussing the significance of rodeo in the community, its evolution, and the importance of adapting to change. They explore the diverse audience that the rodeo attracts, the improvements made to facilities, and the dynamics of the board that governs the rodeo. The conversation also touches on the challenges...

In this episode of Crossroads Conversations, the Lewis Brothers discuss the critical role of vision and buy-in in leadership. They emphasize the importance of effectively communicating a vision to the team and fostering participation and ownership among team members. The conversation explores strategies for creating buy-in, including the formation of focus groups and the significance of involving key players in the decision-making ...

In this episode, the Lewis Brothers discuss the emotional attachment business owners have to their companies and the importance of checking those emotions at the door when dealing with customer complaints. They emphasize the need for an accountability culture within teams, defining clear expectations, and leading by example. The conversation also covers the significance of building a culture of ownership among employees and the rol...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers delve into the importance of understanding competition in business. They discuss strategies for analyzing the competitive landscape, building relationships with competitors, and leveraging customer insights for growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for businesses to study their competition, learn from local market trends, and create strategic advantages through c...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers dive deep into the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of small business. As technology rapidly transforms how companies operate, they highlight the critical balance between embracing automation for efficiency and preserving the human touch in customer interactions.

The discussion explores a range of AI tools and platforms that small business owner...

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers delve into the importance of understanding competition in business. They discuss strategies for analyzing the competitive landscape, building relationships with competitors, and leveraging customer insights for growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for businesses to study their competition, learn from local market trends, and create strategic advantages through c...

Ever feel like you're sprinting on a hamster wheel in your business—working harder but not moving forward? You're likely caught in the production trap that prevents true business growth.

The Lewis Brothers tackle a critical turning point every entrepreneur faces: the shift from production to operations. Drawing from their 79-year family business journey, they reveal how being caught in day-to-day tasks creates a ...

Talent versus culture – which matters more when building your dream team? At Lewis Brothers, we've spent decades perfecting the delicate balance between hiring skilled performers and maintaining our unique company culture. In this revealing conversation, we pull back the curtain on how our 79-year family business approaches this challenging aspect of leadership.

We explore how seemingly small traditions like "Can...

Surviving and thriving for 79 years in business doesn't happen by accident. The Lewis Brothers pull back the curtain on how they've navigated crossroad moments and pivoted their automotive dealerships to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market.

The episode opens with a powerful revelation - despite running successful dealerships, the Lewis brothers continually evaluate and adjust their business rather...

The toughest tightrope in business might be the one leaders walk every day – balancing authority with connection, demonstrating care without becoming buddies, and growing personally while staying true to core values. This episode dives deep into the art of leadership evolution without losing your edge.

We explore the power of leading by example through our "three-minute rule" – if something needs attention and ta...