Episode Summary
Ron and Deb sit down with Joel Strom, founder of Chief Value Officers, a business strategist and leadership development expert who helps transform companies from ordinary to extraordinary. Together, they explore what it takes to build a thriving company culture, strengthen leadership, and overcome the communication problems that often hold teams back from long-term success.
Joel Strom challenges leaders to look beyond profit and focus on sustainable leadership. His approach focuses on transforming businesses through clear vision, strategic planning, and empowered communication. As Joel explains, a truly extraordinary enterprise isn’t just financially successful – it’s a place where collaboration and purpose-driven work come together to elevate both people and performance.
The Four Pillars of Strategic Value
Joel highlights the four pillars that shape long-term business success: financial, strategic, operational, and industry.
- Financial Pillar: While numbers matter, Joel reminds leaders that real growth comes from aligning finances with mission and vision.
- Strategic Pillar: Great companies are built on differentiation. Leadership teams must know their strengths and invest in leadership training that develop strategic thinkers across every department.
- Operational Pillar: Systems and structure empower people. When leaders stop micromanaging, teams grow stronger and company culture flourishes.
- Industry Pillar: Visibility matters. Becoming known as an industry leader requires clear communication, continuous learning, and authentic connection.
Lessons from Experience: Joel’s Stories
Throughout the conversation, Joel shares personal stories that reflect the power of strategic leadership. One client, an engineer entrepreneur, went from being indispensable to his company to empowering his team – eventually selling the business for $75 million. It’s a story that underscores the value of trust, delegation, and professional growth.
Empowering Employees for Enterprise Growth
The group also discusses how empowering employees creates a foundation for long-term success. When organizations address communication problems openly and give employees ownership over their work, they create a healthy company culture that supports innovation, loyalty, and growth. This is the essence of true leadership development – turning everyday teams into engaged, high-performing communities.
Investing in Long-Term Value
Joel encourages leaders to invest in people, not just profits. Through intentional leadership training, thoughtful planning, and open dialogue, businesses can ensure that growth is sustainable and aligned with purpose. It’s a core theme of The Story in Your Head: redefining success through connection, courage, and communication.
The Role of Courage and Vision in a Business
As Deb reflects, creating long-term value takes courage. Leaders must see beyond the immediate and embrace continuous professional development – for themselves and their teams. By treating people as partners in progress, rather than costs to manage, leaders cultivate resilience and trust that outlast any market fluctuation.
Embracing Change for Future Success
As industries evolve through innovation and AI, leaders must focus on professional development and effective communication to stay ahead. When teams embrace experimentation, learning, and trust, they transform from simply surviving to leading.
Joel Strom’s message is clear: extraordinary businesses are built on strong leadership, shared vision, and a commitment to helping people grow.
About Joel Strom’s Book
Joel closes the episode by discussing his book, CEO to CVO, which distills decades of experience into actionable insights for business leaders. The book also includes a self-assessment tool designed to help organizations identify growth opportunities and build extraordinary enterprise value—perfect for those committed to leadership development and strengthening company culture.
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