Real Leadership The Podcast

Many people told Mike Porter he'd never succeed. Today, he's a visionary leader driving others to reach their full potential. Expelled twice and labeled a troubled teen, Mike wasn’t your typical candidate for success. But today, as President & COO of New Horizons Baking Company Company, he's a top leader for one of the baking industry’s top companies—thanks to resilience, a people-first approach, and an unshakable belief in the power of transformation. In this episode, Mike opens up about his unconventional journey to leadership and the strategies behind his success—building trust, embracing flexibility, and creating a thriving team culture. Why Listen Now: ?? Unlock Resilience: Turn challenges into stepping stones for success. ?? Lead with Empathy: Discover how putting people first drives results. ?? Innovate Through Flexibility: Learn how to boost productivity and retention. ?? Build Winning Teams: Get actionable tips for fostering a culture of excellence. Key Lessons: ? Resilience transforms obstacles into growth. ? Empathy is a game-changer in leadership. ? Flexibility creates happier, more engaged teams. Hear Mike’s inspiring story and take your leadership to the next level. Listen Now: https://lnkd.in/eyQQWcHr #CommercialBaking #FoodIndustryLeaders #InspiringLeaders #LeadershipInspiration #WorkforceDevelopment #TalentManagement #FlexibleWork #RealLeadership

How do you navigate supply chain crises and turn logistics challenges into opportunities? Drew Herpich, Chief Commercial Officer of Nolan Transportation Group (NTG), shares his approach on the latest episode of Real Leadership. Drew has been instrumental in transforming NTG's operations and leading its growth as one of the largest transportation brokerages in the U.S. Why You Need to Listen Now: ?? Navigate Industry Disruptions: Learn how NTG stays ahead of supply chain disruptions, even in the face of potential crises. ?? Unlock the Power of Technology: See how automation and AI are giving NTG a competitive edge. ?? Master Leadership with Radical Transparency: Drew’s approach to open communication is building stronger teams and boosting performance. ?? Build a Winning Company Culture: Hear lessons from Drew's time at Coyote Logistics on scaling a business and fostering a high-performing culture. Ready to strengthen your leadership in logistics? Tune in to hear Drew Herpich share insider strategies for navigating disruptions, leveraging technology, and building a culture of radical transparency at NTG. ?? Listen Now: https://lnkd.in/dJPbRjkw?

Sometimes others see our potential before we do. Carolyn Comer shares how a mentor pushed her toward trading when she couldn’t see the fit herself. See how embracing new opportunities can lead to unexpected growth. Full episode out now! ?? Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eDgjjrnF #Leadership #EnergyTransition #ShellEnergy #Sustainability #WomenInLeadership #FutureOfEnergy #RealLeadership #Inspiration #DiversityAndInclusion #BusinessLeadership

Powering the Future: Leadership in the Energy Transition ? How do you steer one of the world’s largest energy giants through a transformative shift toward cleaner, sustainable energy? Carolyn Comer, President and CEO of Shell Energy North America, discusses how it's done. In this Real Leadership episode, Carolyn takes us behind the scenes of leading Shell through the most significant energy transition in history. From her role as a trailblazer in an evolving industry to her leadership on the Shell Trading Risk Management Board, Carolyn’s journey is full of powerful insights that every leader can learn from. Here’s what to expect: ?? How Shell is balancing clean energy goals with reliability and affordability ?? Carolyn’s unique approach to leadership in uncertain times ?? A deep dive into her experience as a pioneering female leader ?? Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eDgjjrnF #Leadership #EnergyTransition #ShellEnergy #Sustainability #WomenInLeadership #FutureOfEnergy #RealLeadership #Inspiration #DiversityAndInclusion #BusinessLeadership

Bill Canady’s leadership focuses on the fundamentals: learning, resilience, and action. These qualities have been key in driving growth for both OTC and Arrowhead, proving that success often comes from mastering the basics and staying committed to improvement. In this episode of Real Leadership, Bill shares the leadership principles that have fueled his career and helped him guide two billion-dollar companies to new heights. ?? Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eBF-ve7j #ContinuousLearning #Resilience #BusinessGrowth #RealLeadershipPodcast

True authenticity can be a challenge, even for leaders. But as a leader, when you show that authenticity is a value that the company celebrates, even when it means showing vulnerability, then you start moving from a culture of fear to one where people feel safe and secure to be their best, most productive selves. #RealLeadership #Authenticity #Culture

Paula Marshall’s leadership defies convention. Instead of setting hard financial targets, she focuses on sustainable growth driven by customer needs and continuous improvement. This approach has taken Bama from a regional player to a global powerhouse. True leadership is about focusing on what matters most, and for Paula, that’s creating lasting value through consistent innovation and customer-centric strategies. Listen Now: https://lnkd.in/erDa-ZRa #RealLeadership #ContinuousImprovement #CustomerFocus #SustainableGrowth?

He’s driving operational excellence in a world of milk runs, cross-docks, and lean practices. Richard DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Logistics at Carter Logistics LLC, combines financial acumen with operational expertise to lead one of the top logistics firms. Drawing on his wealth of experience as CFO and COO, Richard has propelled Carter Logistics into a period of expansion, fortifying their presence in markets considered challenging to navigate. In this episode, you will: - Learn the strategies behind a 200% revenue increase in Mexico operations - Uncover how lean practices and continuous improvement can boost your efficiency - Discover how Carter Logistics evolved from a local player to a major force in transportation - Gain insights on navigating cross-border logistics and the impact of infrastructure development in Mexico Check out the episode here: https://lnkd.in/eQsq8nvw #LogisticsLeadership #SupplyChainExcellence #OperationalEfficiency #LeanPractices #CrossBorderLogistics

Wes Carter isn’t just leading a company—he’s leading a movement that’s set to change the packaging industry forever. As the President of Atlantic Packaging, Wes is driving the sustainability revolution, tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. This isn’t Atlantic’s first foray into taking bold action, either. As a third-generation leader, Wes has channeled his lifelong passion for the outdoors into transforming Atlantic into a pioneer of sustainable innovation. In this episode of Real Leadership, we dive into: - Atlantic Packaging’s journey from a weekly newspaper to one of North America’s largest packaging companies - The decision to push the boundaries of technical innovation with new packaging solutions - How sustainability is poised to transform the packaging industry and beyond - The often-overlooked but crucial element of building a winning company culture - The New Earth Project’s groundbreaking work to reduce plastic pollution Join us for an eye-opening conversation. Listen now on all major platforms: https://lnkd.in/eATKMg_T #SustainableLeadership #InnovationInPackaging #WorkplaceCulture #NewEarthProject #RealLeadershipPodcast

The transcendent career of a recovering politician.? Before Steve Ammons became the CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, he served as a Jefferson County Commissioner, focusing on economic development and information technology. Steve’s journey from entrepreneur to city council member to a key figure in regional economic growth has left a lasting impact on the Birmingham region. In this episode of Real Leadership, we discuss: - How Steve is transforming the Birmingham Business Alliance amid leadership instability - The critical role of workforce development in attracting major employers like the JM Smucker Company - Navigating the challenges of regulation and workforce participation at both local and national levels - The great reads that have shaped Steve’s outlook on leadership Listen to the episode: https://lnkd.in/eKuruzT6 #LeadershipEvolution #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceGrowth #BirminghamBusiness #TransformativeLeadership #Alabma #AlabamaGrowth