Jordan Montgomery (2:45)

Thank you for having me. And you know what, I just appreciate your friendship and, like, you've just been such a dear friend. And so it's fun when you get a podcast with someone that you just genuinely want to catch up with and hang out with. Anyway, so fun that we get to hang out and you've been such a good friend to me and Ashley and we just appreciate you.

Podcast Host (3:03)

Oh, my gosh. Sadly, we don't get to record all of our conversations for the podcast. We would have much better ratings. All right, but listen, here's what I. Here's what I want to get into today. You shock me. Okay, guys, listening. First of all, I met Jordan. Jordan and I met through David Nurse, who another guest on the show, connected us. Oh, my gosh. A while ago now, back when people didn't see people in real life. So we got to know each other and establish a friendship over the computer, never having met in real life. And then just a couple of months ago, we finally ripped the band aid, met in real life. I didn't know if you were going to be 4 foot tall or 6 foot tall. I didn't know what to expect. And I was so excited. If you guys haven't been going to in person events, like, now is the time to do it. It is pure magic getting to be with people after a couple of years of this isolation. But, you know, getting to hang out with you in real life. I thought I was going there doing you some big favor because I'm such a social media influencer or whatever, and I'm like, oh, that's so nice of me. This is literally what I. Guys, this is so embarrassing that I tell you my true story like this, but I'm really thinking myself. I'm so nice. I love Jordan. He's such a great friend. Love Ashley, love their family, do anything for them. They want me to go to this event. Yes, I will go. Never having been to a Maxwell anything in my life, didn't know what to expect. Walked in there and literally. Guys, and I've already said this, I was blown away by John Maxwell's event. Maxwell leadership team, by him, by Jordan, by the crew. We got to run with for the time we were out there, the incredible, incredible people, the men with the vulnerability, crying in the room, talking about how much they love their wives. I'm talking about God in business. I've never, ever been a part of something like that. Literally changed me forever and just elevated the bar on my expectations for people and reminded me power and proximity is a real thing. It can change your life and the people you surround yourself with not only on your day to day, but also on who you choose to go hang with, even for an event can be game changing. So I just want to say I'm so thankful that you got me there. You invited me there and I'm the lucky one. So how do you get invited to these things?

Jordan Montgomery (5:14)

First off, shout out. Yeah, Maxwell leadership. John Maxwell. And shout out Chad Johnson. It was kind of his, his idea. I mean, so I was having a conversation with Chad, who's the right hand to John, has been chief of staff with John for a long time. Dear friend of both of ours now, Chad Johnson. And we were talking about John pouring into the next generation of leaders. And so the behind the scenes on that one is Chad said, well, what if we invited some leaders to a Maxwell leadership event to pour into the next generation? But here's what's so cool about John Maxwell. Instead of that being a way to generate more revenue and like sell tickets and get more people to buy and increase revenue, John extended an invite via Chad. They found a sponsor to pay for us to be there and we're going to run it back again and do the same thing all over again in August. And you're going to be there and I'm going to be there and it's going to be great. So I think there's an abundance, there's an attitude of an abundance with John and their team. How do I get to be there? I don't know. I feel lucky too, just to know Chad Johnson. You're so good. We're going to talk today about connections and building relationships. You're so good at adding value to people. I don't know that I deserve to be in that room. I don't know that I deserve to know John or Chad. I just try to be intentional about adding value where I can. And sometimes I can add value, sometimes I can't. But where I can add value, I want to be intentional. And so I think that's just an echo. Those opportunities are an echo of the value that you provide. And sometimes the echo is big and sometimes it's small. But I think if you live in a way that you're serving, you're adding value. I think those things just kind of naturally happen to people who are focused on adding value to others and you do that so well. You're doing that I think at the highest level and so you're quick to give away credit. But I think that's been an M.O. for you and how you've led your life and how you've grown your business. For sure, that's been part of your mo.

Podcast Host (6:58)

Meet a different guest each week.

Heather Monahan (7:04)

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Podcast Host (7:44)

Maybe you've got an idea.

Heather Monahan (7:45)

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Podcast Host (11:14)

Lead with values first. That is the key. Too many people and this happens with the podcast guys all the time. I get so many requests to be on the show and I'll get an email like this. Teed up hey Heather, really want to be on your show. I'm unbelievable at blah blah blah blah blah. When do you have time to interview me? Hard pass right to the trash. I don't care who that email came from, it's going right in the trash. However, I'll have someone show up on email to me say hey Heather, here's a picture of the review. I just left your show. I listened to Jordan Montgomery's episode and here's the three takeaways I took that I really loved it. So telling me they're actually consuming my content. They actually care. They get. They told me what they liked about something that we did. They gave me a review which was thoughtful and kind and Took time. I'm going to go read that email. Then they talk to me about how they could add value to my listeners. How they can add value to me. That's adding value to me. Heather, I have never heard you do a show on. Blah, blah, blah. Here's how I think your listeners can benefit from learning this. And here's some of the giveaways that I'll provide for your listeners. Doing more for my listeners. When you bring value to others, it comes back to you. So, so crazy. Two quick examples. And this is like, I hijack my own show. I bring people on my show, and then I interview myself. Oh, good, Perfect. So two quick examples. Back in 2018, I had written Confidence Creator. Didn't know what I was doing. Pitching myself everywhere to sell books. BNY Mellon says, yeah, we'll buy a bunch of books. It wasn't a lot of money. They said, we need you to come in and do a talk for this women's group. Yeah, sure, I'll do it. I go, I show up. I killed it. Like, I made this thing big for them, and I wasn't making a lot of money. I didn't do it for the money. I did it because I knew I need to build something. And I wanted the message of Confidence Creator out there. Wouldn't, you know, I didn't know it at the time. And this is why guys keep showing up. And just believe, believe in yourself, believe in doing good, and those doors will open. Cut to five years later. I met a dinner, a technology dinner, in Miami last week with a bunch of CEOs and founders. I don't know. My really good friend of mine orchestrated this dinner. So it was cool. I'm meeting people from all different industries. You know, I don't know anyone. And all of a sudden, the founder of Emerge Americas, which is one of the largest conferences in Miami, Tom Brady, headlined it this year. It's huge. Walks over to me, extends her hand and says, I don't think you remember me, do you? And I said, I don't. I'm Heather Monahan. I'm introducing myself. She reintroduces herself, says, you spoke at BNY Mellon women's event five years ago. Blew me away. I completely forgot you lived here. I'm wondering, could I get you to keynote next year? And I'm thinking, that lady wouldn't know who I am otherwise if I hadn't shown up at that small event that I really wasn't making any money for. Now, the only misstep is I should have been at the one with Tom Brady this year. But we're going to go ahead and we'll figure that out. All right, cut to another example that just happened yesterday. I was headlining an event from MLM last year in Orlando. They did the event with me. It went great. I left. They called me a week later and said, we have a virtual event we're supposed to be doing. Our keynote speaker just bailed on us, got sick or something. Is there any way you can jump in? It's nowhere near the money that you get paid, but I love the people. They were so great. I'm like, you know, I'm team you. Let's do it. I jump in, I take whatever they give me. Wouldn't you know, that woman ends up leaving that company, goes to another MLM. Last night on DMs, she's messaging me, hey, just took over a huge new company. We'd love to have you come in and headline our keynote this year. My point being, if you work with good people, you show up and go the extra mile for them there. You never know when they're going to open that next door or how they're going to pay it forward. But don't you believe it always comes back tenfold?

Jordan Montgomery (15:00)

Always comes back tenfold. But I think if you expect it to come back tenfold, it changes everything. You know, when somebody is serving to serve and then when they're serving to get something in a return. And if you're serving to get something in return, it's not serving like it actually. You just completely take away from the value that you're adding. So I don't know. I'm. I'm guilty of that, right? I think we all are on some level where maybe there's been a moment or a conversation where you say, hey, I love to help with this, but your motives might not be pure. In other words, you want to help with something because you're hopeful that that person then helps you.

Podcast Host (15:34)

You can't be doing good sometimes. When I asked Gary V's partner if I could help him develop a strategy for launching his wine brand, I hoped in the end he would help me get to Gary. I didn't know if he would. It wasn't a guarantee. He ended up doing it for me, but I was hopeful, but I wasn't expecting. And I think that's to be hopeful.

Jordan Montgomery (15:54)

I think it's totally okay to be hopeful. It just isn't okay to be expected. Like, I did this for you, therefore I'm going to get.

Podcast Host (16:00)

No, no, no.

Jordan Montgomery (16:03)

Gosh, that person didn't do anything back for me. It's like, well, then that wasn't really service. So, okay to be hopeful. Just don't be expectant. But I also think, here's one thing you're good at that I want listeners to hear. I think there's two things. I think, number one is slowing down the conversation about service. So how many times do we say something like, hey, love to serve, love to help you? Like, it's like we just. Those are, like, throwaway comments that we use in everyday conversation. You're good at, like, slowing people down and saying like, hey, I really want to help you. Like, let me give you my heart behind the matter, or let me give you some additional thoughts, like, you've done that with me time and time and time again where you're like, hey, I really want to help you. And then here's the second part of it. Get specific and I want to help you in these areas, or I think I can add value to you in these areas. So specificity and then slowing it down. Help somebody to feel like, wow, Heather is being genuine and like, service. Like, she means it. This isn't a throwaway comment. Like, she's giving me her heart behind the matter, and she's getting specific with me and the ways in which she wants to serve her help. Those two things are a complete game changer because I used to say all the time to people like, who are on our podcast, I'd say, hey, Heather, if there's anything I can do to help you or support you, I'm all in. I'm in your corner. Let me know how I can help. And what do people say to that? They always say, okay, sounds good. You know, I'll think about that and we'll talk down the road. We changed that. And now we say, look, our company, our team, has made a decision to serve the 50 guests that we'll interview on our podcast this year. We're really committed to that. I think there's some specific ways that I could add value to you and to serve you. So if something hits you right now where you're like, I got a book or a project, or I need this specific connection, then let's talk about that. But I also want to give you permission just to sit on that, think about it, and get back to me in the coming days on one way that the Montgomery companies could come alongside you, serve you, add value, and help you. We mean it. We're excited about that, and I really want to serve you this year. Now Somebody feels like, okay, there's a strategy. They shared their heart behind the matter. They're intentional, they're getting specific. So if you're listening to this and you're thinking, well, Heather makes it seem so easy, like, you know, she adds value and doors just open wide. Well, it's because of specificity and it's because you slow down to share your heart behind the matter. When we started doing those two things, everything changed in terms of the opportunities that got created and the impact that comes with it along the way. And you're good at that. You could speak to that because that's something you do so well when you serve and when you reach out to help people. Do you see it that way or are you just like, no, that's just who I am. And I've never really slowed down to think about how I do that.

Podcast Host (18:41)

Yeah, no, I don't really slow down and think about how I do a lot of stuff. Right. I just show up. But, but I've been connecting those dots recently, thinking about the same things that made me successful in corporate are the same things that make me successful as an entrepreneur. And, and really it's about creating community and allies and contacts of people that you're elevating and helping and connecting and then they're out there spinning up that same stuff for you. Like again, back to really just being around good, like minded people who you know, are willing to help others, are, want to do good and being aligned with people like that. When you're around people like that, I don't know, it's just, I find it so easy to help somebody else because I trust, right. Like I trust that if I'm going to connect someone with you, they're going to love you. You're, you always do the right thing. You're always working, you know, towards good. And if I'm around people like that, people I trust, it's so easy to open doors and connect other people. But you know, the first time you and I met, when I did your show, I was a guest on, on your podcast, you at the end you said to me, I'll never forget, we were off air. You guys, the best conversations happen off air. I need to do a show just of the off air stuff is so good. But you said to me when we got off air, you're like, listen, Brene Brown is out there killing it. I'm going to do everything that I can to get you to that level because you deserve to be at that level. And I, oh, no one had ever Said, I say that to myself all the time, but nobody else had said that to me, right? And I'm like, oh my, I love that you gave me like this genuine compliment. I could tell you were passionate about helping others. I love anyone. And you mentioned there aren't enough women out on big stages. And I'd like to play a role in advocating for you. And you've done it. So the connections you've made for me, I mean, it have been incredible. So again, back to serving first, you know, and being honest, noticing, always complimenting people with an honest compliment. That's an easy way to make a connection very quickly. That helped me huge on the Steve Harvey show when I was like the one guy that didn't belong there. Giving an honest compliment to another person made a fast connection, allowed people to start smiling. So always lead with, with an honest compliment and do your homework ahead of time on people so you can see the ways that you could benefit them, that you could help them, and that maybe that you may already have connections in common.

Jordan Montgomery (20:59)

So good. And here's the thing. This, the art of what we're talking about here doesn't get taught. And so I would love to get a little bit practical here because here's what I think happens. We teach sales, we teach communication, Teaching like the art of promotion or teaching connection. People just say, oh, go connect or go promote or go serve. But it's like, okay, well then, well, how do I do that? Like, what are the steps? What do I do? What do I not do? And so I think teaching that, like, again, there's things that you do. So naturally here's three things that you do really well. I was thinking about this before we talk because I know we're going to have this conversation today. There's three things that Heather Monahan does and you probably don't know that you do this, but any like world class, connector, communicator, anybody who has a lot of relationships is probably doing all three of these things really well. Number one is you promote people. So this is obvious. Like even on your social media brand. A lot of people post a lot on social media, right? Like, oh, I'm building my brand and they're sharing all their own content and they're posting stuff and they're consistent and they're intentional, but they never comment on anybody else's posts and they never share anybody else's content. You are constantly sharing other people's content. You're commenting, you're encouraging, you're checking in. Like you're advocating for People. So you're building a brand, whereas a lot of other people are building a brochure. If you're only posting your own stuff and you're expecting people to come to you and build relationships, it's like, you're not building a brand, you're building a brochure. The only stuff you ever post is about you and you never take the time to comment or share. Like, you're constantly commenting on our stuff and sharing. And you're an advocate and you're an encourager. So, like, one is, I think you promote people really well. Two is I think you connect like crazy. Like, you're always trying to find good people who deserve to know each other. We've said it this way, that connecting people are connected people. Like, if you want to get more connected, start connecting. And you're great at that. And I think you connect people to people. I also think you connect people to opportunities. So you just randomly say, like, hey, here's a thing, a thing that's going on. You should be a part of this. You know, And I'd like to think we do that too, where it's like, hey, there's this event that's coming up, but you should be a part of this, or you should drop in on this, or, hey, I want to make you aware. David Nurse does that. You do that. Brad Lominick does that. Like, the best connectors that I know are always trying to connect people to people and people to opportunities. We were just talking about a couple opportunities offline. One of them I think we're going to talk about here in a bit more specific way with John Gordon and Pat Lencioni, which is part of the reason we're having this conversation today. And then the third thing you do we just talked about is serving this idea that living is giving and you're trying to find ways to serve and add value. You're hopeful, but you're not expectant that it will create impact and opportunity. But I think if you do those three things, I think if you ask yourself a question every Monday or once a week, it's like, okay, who can I promote this week? Who can I connect this week? And who could I serve this week? I think over time, you wake up in a world where you've created so much impact, but you've also created a ton of opportunity. And you have all these relationships. That's been your story and your journey over the course of your life. And I think you naturally do that. You promote, you connect and you serve. But nobody, like, slows that down, to talk about it, to teach it, to train on it. Like, I'd love to hear what you have to say about that. Because, like, you're. You're teaching your training, you're living this out. Do you think that gets overlooked? Like the art of connection and the art of promotion? Don't you feel like that needs to be taught more often?

Podcast Host (24:18)

Yeah, absolutely. Or not. Maybe that. That's how we keep. That's our unique value proposition. I want to own that. No, we're sitting here breaking it down for you because I want everyone to own it. Here's the thing. Jordan just gave you very specific steps to take. People lose. They. They have this intention that they want to connect, and it sounds good, but then you lose it in the details. Right? It's so easy to say, oh, I guess I'm not good at that, and chalk it up. No, take the specific step. Like you said, stop on a Monday. Put it in your calendar. A reminder. Who are you connecting this with? Be intentional, and you just are thoughtful about it. Before you jump on the zoom, call with the next. Before you go to that next event and there's, you know, 50 people that you're meeting for the first time there, go on your Instagram and see who you know in common. Start trying to understand who you already have in connection together and then how you could add value in some other way. When you start leading with that approach, that intentionality, start asking how you can help others. Start doing your homework. Oh, my gosh. You will see that magic will just begin to happen. But Jordan, you brought up, and it's so interesting, yet again, another incredible opportunity that you brought me into. Not wanting anything to support our friend John Gordon and something really special and unique that he's doing. Can you break it down for everybody?

Jordan Montgomery (25:33)

Yeah. So John's got a series that he is kicking off. It's called A Day with. And then he's going to invite other thought leaders for a full day leadership really experience. It's not an event. It's a. It's a gathering. It's an experience. And so you apply to get in. There's 75 leaders that will show up to a full day experience. And these 75 leaders. So, like, if you're a CEO, if you run a company, or maybe you're a community leader, but you're somebody who really wants to take your influence to the next level, and you've got a lot on your plate, a lot of responsibility. You'd be a great fit for this event. It's not meant to be exclusive, but we do want to bring people together who are committed. And so the first event is with Pat Lynchione. Heather, I think you'll be a part of a future event. It's been tossed around that maybe Ed Mylett would be a part of the future event or Irwin McManus, but it's really John's event. It's a day with the first event's going to be November 2nd this year in Dallas, Texas, Kimpton Hotel. There'll be 75 leaders getting together for a full day leadership event. And then there's a VIP dinner the night before. Heather, you and I were joking that like, you could remove John and Pat from the event and it would still be a huge win just based on the caliber of people that are going to be in the room. So we've got some pro athletes come in, some coaches, some CEOs. Again, you don't have to be a CEO to attend. You could be a young professional that just wants to expand your influence. But we do really want people in the room who are committed so people can go to A Day with John and pat.com to get more information. We'll add, I think that link in the show notes. But it's A Day with John and pat.com to get more information. You can apply to get in. We'd love to have you November 2nd in Dallas. And again, this conversation is happening because you said, I have an idea. Let's host a show on my podcast to help John and Pat, you know, drive some folks to their event, increase awareness. So another example of serving, like that's literally you and I are friends, so we talk often. But that's literally the reason that you and I are having this conversation today is because you had an idea to add value to John and Pat, thought we could do something kind for them. So it all comes back to promoting, serving, connecting, another example of that. And you know, this time, hopefully to the benefit of John and Pat in.

Podcast Host (27:39)

That event, meet a different guest each week. Confidence, creator. Confidence created.

Heather Monahan (27:48)

I asked you to try to find your passion.

Podcast Host (27:52)

My goal is to add value to our listeners. Shout out my peeps listening right now. But here's the thing. I really thought when you brought me into a behind the scenes about this upcoming event with John and his team and a bunch of other people that want to support the event because this is an incredible opportunity, I just thought to myself, if there's anyone in my community that could benefit from this, that would love being in that room. And it was Coming off the heels of us just having been at the Maxwell leadership event, where you could have pulled John Maxwell out of that event, it still would have been the most incredible event that I've been to. Right. So it isn't just about the headlining personality. It's about being around really high caliber great people who inspire you to go for more, who show you what's possible for you, who speak life into you and possibility and encouragement. And to me, that's everything, right?

Jordan Montgomery (28:46)

It is everything. And we're going to sign off this way. I'm going to say this about you with, with your peeps listening. So I live in Iowa, fairly small town, about 100,000 people. We have four children. My wife and I run this business together. In the world of, like, leadership, I am further behind. Right. I'm not where you're at. Like, I'm 35. I live in the middle of nowhere. And for some reason, you decided to take an interest in our business, our company. You decided to take an interest in my wife and I. And you've been, like, over the top, generous and so encouraging. We've been through some family stuff and you've prayed for my wife and I and you've sent stuff to our house and you've, like, texted a scripture and you followed up with us and you checked in, like, when so few people checked in. Like, you were still checking in. I just think that is so rare in today's world, especially when people make it to a certain level, right? Like, that they have a lot going on and they're busy and you have all these opportunities around you, and yet you're checking in on the Montgomery School in the middle of nowhere in Iowa. Like, you. You made a post about us, like, our friendship on social media. And I'm like, that doesn't even make sense. Like, how. Like, there's no. I didn't ask you to do that. There's no, like, business angle there. Like, you were just trying to be kind. But here's the reason I say all that. And I'll leave our. I'll leave all listeners with this. Like, the true test of somebody's character is how they treat people who can't do anything for them. And you've just treated Ashley and I so well and been so kind, and we're just thankful for that. So somebody's listening and they're thinking, man, I'd love to be that way for other people. Like, I would love to have somebody say that about me. And the good news is, like, you can be a Heather too. You can go out of your way to serve, to connect, to promote. There doesn't always need to be a string attached. And when there's not, there's this really beautiful thing that you're going to do. For somebody who looks at you and goes, like, you changed my life, you open doors. Like, I don't understand why you were radically generous with me, but you were. And I'll never forget it, but I'll do everything that I can to pay it forward. And so Ashley and I both just want to say thanks to you for the ways in which you've blessed us and been kind to us. And we're just like super, super grateful for that. So just know that. Wanted to share that with your audience.

Podcast Host (30:52)

Listening now you guys know why I love the Montgomery's. And you know what's interesting is I'm meeting you in my late 40s. So I hope that inspires all of you. Be open minded that there are other great people that you're going to love and know and support you in this world. Be open to people and go to new places. Talk to people in Iowa who would know that I would be such Team Montgomery. But I am ride or die for life. So you got me. Guys, until next week. Keep creating your confidence. You know I will be.

Heather Monahan (31:22)

I decided to change that dynamic. I couldn't be more excited for what you're gonna hear. Start learning and growing. Inevitably some may will happen.

Podcast Host (31:33)

No one succeeds alone.

Jordan Montgomery (31:36)

You don't stop and look around once in a while. You could miss it.

Heather Monahan (31:39)

I'm on this journey with me.