Podcast Summary: Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman
Episode: "Own the Role, Lead the Way with Kevin Akelberry"
Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction

In the fifth episode of Coffee N°5, host Lara Schmoisman engages in a profound conversation with leadership expert Kevin Akelberry. This episode delves into the intricacies of leadership, team building, and the essential skills required to lead effectively in today's dynamic business environment.

Kevin Akelberry’s Journey to Leadership

Kevin Akelberry opens up about his roots and the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy.

[02:09] Kevin Akelberry: "I grew up on a farm and we had an agricultural-related business as well. I had great examples of leadership around me and the chance to lead within those businesses in ways that most people don't at the age that I had those chances."

Kevin’s early exposure to leadership roles on the family farm and through opportunities in high school and college laid the foundation for his career in training and development. His transition from a Fortune 10 company to founding his own venture emphasized his passion for leadership development.

Transitioning from Team Member to Leader

The conversation shifts to the challenges founders face when transitioning from being part of a team to leading one.

[04:20] Kevin Akelberry: "From Bud to Boss, about the transition from being a member of the team to being the leader of the team and founder. And that is the hardest transition we can ever make."

Kevin underscores the critical need for founders to develop leadership skills to avoid becoming overwhelmed by operational tasks. He emphasizes that effective leadership allows for delegation and fosters a healthy work-life balance.

The Essence of Leadership Skills

Lara shares her personal journey as an accidental founder, highlighting the importance of rigorous leadership over ruthlessness.

[04:20] Lara Schmoisman: "We are not ruthless, but we are rigorous as a leader. [...] As a leader, I have the responsibility with my clients, with my team, and with myself."

Kevin echoes this sentiment, stressing that leadership encompasses both personal accountability and the ability to guide teams effectively.

Leading by Example: Balancing Act

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the delicate balance leaders must maintain between leading by example and not overstepping into operational roles.

[15:06] Kevin Akelberry: "If we're doing the work every day, then we're missing something we could or should be doing as a leader that otherwise won't get done."

Kevin advises leaders to be judicious in their involvement with daily tasks, ensuring they focus on strategic oversight rather than getting bogged down in details.

[09:14] Lara Schmoisman: "Being a leader, you have to do your own job. [...] I make mistakes all the time, and I make myself accountable for the mistakes, and I take responsibility for my mistakes."

By taking responsibility for her actions and focusing on leadership roles, Lara demonstrates how leaders can foster accountability within their teams.

Developing and Refining Leadership Skills

The conversation delves into whether leadership is an innate trait or a learned skill.

[10:22] Kevin Akelberry: "Yes, they are both made and born. [...] It takes us building skills, honing skills along the way. And really, it's a process that never stops."

Kevin firmly believes that while certain inherent traits can predispose individuals to leadership, effective leadership is predominantly cultivated through continuous learning and experience.

[12:30] Kevin Akelberry: "The value of the experience comes from reflecting on it and acting on what you did that experience as the seeds of your future growth."

Reflection and adaptation are crucial for transforming experience into valuable leadership capabilities.

Encouraging Leadership Beyond Management Roles

Lara and Kevin discuss the common misconception that leadership is synonymous with managerial roles and the importance of recognizing diverse career paths.

[21:00] Lara Schmoisman: "Companies or employees believe that in order to grow professionally, they need to get a leadership role, which I completely disagree with. [...] if you're an expert in something and you're really good at the skill, you should be having the opportunity of growing because you are such a good individual with a skill."

[22:13] Kevin Akelberry: "We've all grown up in a world that says at some level, success looks like climbing the ladder, that I really haven't been successful until I'm leading others."

They advocate for valuing specialized skills and creating career advancement opportunities that do not solely rely on leadership positions. This approach ensures that experts in various fields can grow and contribute meaningfully without the pressure to transition into management roles.

Practical Steps to Becoming a Leader

For listeners aspiring to develop their leadership skills, Kevin offers actionable advice:

[25:06] Kevin Akelberry: "Start observing leaders and start observing what they're doing. Find a mentor that you can say, well, I saw you doing this. Why did you do it that way?"

[25:39] Kevin Akelberry: "If we want to start to be a more effective leader, we want to learn what it means to be a leader. [...] Start seeing the world through a leadership lens."

Kevin emphasizes the importance of mentorship, observation, and adopting a leadership mindset as foundational steps towards effective leadership.

Balancing Information and Autonomy

Lara highlights the challenge of providing sufficient information to her team without overwhelming them, ensuring clarity and reducing confusion.

[20:19] Kevin Akelberry: "We have a different perspective than our team. We need to understand their perspective, and sometimes we have to lift their eyes to see ours, that future forward, bigger picture than they see."

This balance between sharing crucial information and granting autonomy is essential for fostering trust and efficiency within teams.

Embracing Imperfection and Humanity in Leadership

As the conversation draws to a close, both Lara and Kevin touch upon the human aspect of leadership, advocating for kindness and understanding.

[27:56] Lara Schmoisman: "When you become a leader, be kind to yourself. Don't everything is that black or white. There is a lot of grace."

[28:15] Kevin Akelberry: "There's very little that's actually black and white, almost everything. [...] We have to be aware that we’re dealing with human beings who are both amazing and messy."

They conclude by emphasizing that effective leadership is a lifelong journey, enriched by empathy, adaptability, and a recognition of the inherent complexities of working with people.

Conclusion

In this insightful episode, Lara Schmoisman and Kevin Akelberry explore the multifaceted nature of leadership. From transitioning roles and developing essential skills to balancing information and embracing the human side of leadership, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to lead effectively. Kevin’s expertise provides actionable strategies for both aspiring and seasoned leaders to navigate the challenges of leadership in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Kevin Akelberry [04:20]: "From Bud to Boss, about the transition from being a member of the team to being the leader of the team and founder. And that is the hardest transition we can ever make."

• Lara Schmoisman [09:14]: "Being a leader, you have to do your own job. [...] I make mistakes all the time, and I make myself accountable for the mistakes, and I take responsibility for my mistakes."

• Kevin Akelberry [10:35]: "Are you ready? Yes. The answer is, yes, they are both made and born."

• Kevin Akelberry [12:30]: "The value of the experience comes from reflecting on it and acting on what you did that experience as the seeds of your future growth."

• Lara Schmoisman [21:00]: "Companies or employees believe that in order to grow professionally, they need to get a leadership role, which I completely disagree with."

• Kevin Akelberry [25:06]: "Start observing leaders and start observing what they're doing. Find a mentor that you can say, well, I saw you doing this. Why did you do it that way?"

• Lara Schmoisman [27:56]: "When you become a leader, be kind to yourself. Don't everything is that black or white. There is a lot of grace."

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, aspiring leaders, and anyone interested in honing their leadership skills to build and sustain successful businesses.