Lippert Academy for Leadership

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, talks with Bill Coughlin, Director of the Lippert Academy for Leadership, and Jason Lippert, President and CEO at Lippert. Jason shares why his focus has always been on helping individuals grow personally and professionally through leadership and culture development. He talks about the need to drive continuous improvement, make sure people feel valued, and how serving your community is a powerful way to create change as a business.  Quotes   “An amazing part of the journey that we are on at Lippert with culture and philanthropy is serving our community. If we just inspire a handful of businesses to get involved with their communities and serve, it can change communities, and if communities change we can change the world. The world needs change.” - Jason Lippert [33:57] “Providing the leadership and the resources to help people take their next steps forward personally and professionally, people walk away better. The data is there and it shows that people respond to a coaching environment and they feel satisfied in the work they do.” -Edgar Cabello [07:38] What You Will Learn: [00:45] Intro [02:58] Pioneering leadership programs [08:17] Why leadership development is important to Jason [17:28] Bill’s perspective on thinking positively  [22:46] Taking time to listen [26:34] Highlights over the past two years at Lippert [33:14] Serving and building relationships [37:00] How culture happens [39:25] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, Leadership Development Director, talks with Bill Coughlin, Director of the Lippert Academy for Leadership, and Adam Kronk, Chief Culture & Leadership Development Officer at Lippert. Adam shares his personal journey and passion for helping others form character and develop integrity. They discuss how performance in the workplace follows when you invest in people and give them a sense of purpose and dignity. Quotes   “People want to do the right thing at their core. It is important to figure out how to hire for it, select on character, and foster integrity when there could be competing incentives.” - Adam Kronk [11:23] “The more we genuinely care for people and invest in their lives with the right resources, performance seems to follow that. Performance seems to get better the more we extend ourselves in those ways.” -Edgar Cabello [30:00] What You Will Learn: [00:45] Intro [06:39] Adam’s professional journey [16:26] Leadership and core values [22:58] Speed and culture [29:31] Bringing your whole self to the table [33:08] Purpose and dignity [34:02] Adam’s family [37:15] Adam’s book recommendations  [40:36] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, talks with Bill Coughlin, Director of the Lippert Academy for Leadership, and Matt Jerlecki, Training Manager at Lippert. Matt discusses the importance of working closely with operations teams and investing in individuals to create confident team members. He talks about his desire to change learning environments and experiences for workers so that organizations can be successful.   Quotes   “Anyone who is not as confident in what they are doing is never going to be as successful as they can be. They may be able to do it well enough to get by, but the more confident they can be the more successful they can be. They can start looking around for opportunities and advantages.” - Matt Jerlecki [07:30] “That is part of the cultural transformation. Giving people marketable skills, whether it be at Lippert or the next thing they are doing so they can carve a path for themselves and their families.” -Edgar Cabello [17:26] What You Will Learn: [00:45] Intro [02:09] Matt’s professional journey [05:11] Hard-charging [06:10] Working closely with operations [08:38] Building confident team members  [12:10] Tapping into federal and state funding to train team members [15:45] Adult education [20:12] Prioritizing well as a leader [24:41] End-of-year corporate goals [28:34] Matt’s passion for learning [32:44] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Rhoda Schnitzer, a Leadership & Culture Development Director at Lippert based in Europe. Rhoda shares stories from her own development as a leader and valuable lessons that shaped her passion to lead others well. Rhoda and Edgar discuss how to raise people up in confidence and release them to do their job well.    Rhoda also talks about being authentic as a leader, being an example and winning the trust of people is key. Quotes “Changing culture requires patience and it requires diligence.” -Edgar Cabello [16:15]   “Everything starts with a good leader. If you don’t have good leaders. You can forget about your core values and mission statement. If your leadership is bad you lose people.” -Rhoda Schnitzer [03:19]   What You Will Learn: [00:50] Intro [03:00] Rhoda’s journey [05:00] Leading with a loose grip [07:25] Lippert in Europe [10:22] Being authentic as a leader [12:20] Removing toxic leadership [16:32] Rhoda’s future goals at Lippert  [20:15] Changing culture [20:54] Rhoda’s last thoughts [21:50] Outro    Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Bill Coughlin, Director of Leadership Development at Lippert. Bill shares his vast professional journey and stories about mentors and life experiences that influenced his passion for leading others. Edgar and Bill discuss the importance of knowing your purpose as organization and as a professional.    Bill also talks about the value of professional coaching and how accountability is necessary for growth and attaining your personal and professional goals.    Quotes   “We all need a coach. Someone who is pouring into us. Feeding us. Challenging us. Adding accountability layers to our life.” -Edgar Cabello [08:14] “If you don’t continue to grow and develop yourself it is difficult to bring that to someone else, as a leader.” -Bill Coughlin [07:19] What You Will Learn: [00:50] Intro [02:00] Bill’s professional journey [03:55] Mentorship [06:37] Professional coaching [12:30] Growth at Lippert [15:10] Why a hunger to learn is necessary as a leader [20:26] Knowing your journey so you can help others [24:30] Growing fast and scaling vision as a company [28:23] Sharing ideas and solutions [34:51] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, shares excerpts from the Summit Leadership Conference. You will hear from Garry Ridge, outgoing CEO of the WD40 company. Garry shares his professional journey and many of the lessons he has learned in the past 25 years. He talks about the importance of creating belonging within your company and the humility that is required to lead others.   Edgar also shares an excerpt featuring Michelle Shone, Director of Channel Solutions with the Ken Blanchard group. She discusses the importance of being present in your work every day and talks about her passion for helping people understand how they can grow with the right tools and skills. She shares many of the lessons she has learned working with Ken Blanchard over the years, including the importance of building trust in the workplace.    Quotes “I just want to be a part of people taking their next steps forward. That is how I express care. But there is an execution piece. We want to see growth but we also need solutions.” -Edgar Cabello [22:31]   “We can change the world by creating work cultures where people go home happy.” -Garry Ridge [10:58]   “There are four parts to building trust. - Are you able? - Are you believable? - Are you connected? - Are you dependable?” -Nicole Shone [26:47] What You Will Learn: [02:15] Intro [02:35] Garry’s professional journey [08:25] Mentorship and humility  [11:56] People are escaping toxic cultures [16:24] Nicole Shone [21:35] The right tools to help people grow [26:34] Building trust in the workplace [30:31] The value of Ken Blanchard [35:40] Where do you find innate joy? [40:21] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Nicole Sult, Vice President of Customer Experience at Lippert. Nicole discusses the value of building trust within your team as a leader and how holding individuals accountable can generate confidence. She shares stories about the leaders that took a chance on her and how they have impacted her life over the years.   Nicole also talks about the leadership keys that have been influential in her career: listening to your team and asking them good questions, practicing vulnerability, and the importance of investing in yourself as a leader. Quotes   “When a leader helps me recognize what I am good at and then, on a higher level, turns me loose to do the thing I feel called to do, that is hugely empowering.” - Edgar Cabello [19:20]   “In leadership we have to allow people the chance to try and fail, and try and succeed. We need to give them a safe space to do that.” - Nicole Sult [08:23] What You Will Learn: [01:15] Intro [03:17] Nicole on the value of listening  [07:30] “Trust but Verify”  [12:33] Productive team check-ins [18:07] Discovering a person’s skill set [25:22] Nicole’s mentors over the years [31:45] Identifying someone’s passion [35:25] Stopping to celebrate [41:42] What’s next for CX [45:56] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Cortni Armstrong, Founder of The Flipping Nomad, a custom upfitting company that turns RVs into dream homes on wheels. Cortni shares what led her to the RV life and how she created the concept behind The Flipping Nomad.    Cortni also talks about the freedom she has experienced living a more minimalist lifestyle, her passion for helping people create their dream RV, and the healing nature of her entrepreneurial journey thus far.  Quotes “From a business angle, you identified a good product and then you saw it forward. It opens up opportunity. Outthinking the challenges is a strength” - Edgar Cabello [25:32]   “I have had some of the best experiences and opportunities come out of committing and then figuring it out.” - Cortni Armstrong [34:09] What You Will Learn: [01:05] Cortni’s story [05:56] RV customization  [06:52] The Flipping Nomad origin story  [13:31] The Minimalist movement [23:25] Growing the business [31:14] Renovations [34:40] Valuable lessons Cortni has learned  [35:07] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Tom Laymon and his sons, Austin and Jared. The Laymon family all work at Lippert’s distribution center and hold leadership positions within the company. Tom shares the personal and professional growth he has experienced while at Lippert. Austin and Jared talk about what they have learned from leadership development at Lippert and how it has shaped them as young men.    The Laymons also discuss how the core values of Lippert have affected their lives beyond work, improving their relationships and overall outlook on life.    Quotes   “It is amazing how small gestures and expressions of interest and intrigue in the lives of the people you work with, can open up relationship avenues. It takes work to put yourself out there.” - Edgar Cabello [20:28]   “This has really made a difference in my home life and my personal life. If I would have found this job at Lippert back when the kids were young, I wouldn’t have been such a mean coach. This teaches you how to coach positively.” - Tom Laymon [41:04]   “I always try to find my team’s “Why”. It is not about “What are you doing right now?” It’s more so, “Hey, how are you doing and what is going on in your life?” - Austin Laymon [20:05]   “We want people to leave Lippert in the right head space and with a positive attitude. We want them to go home to their families the same way they came in.” - Jared Laymon [17:04]   What You Will Learn: [01:30] The Laymon family story [05:30] Tom’s background [08:35] Core values at work and home [15:35] Lessons on leadership [18:44] Being a young leader [29:50] Leadership development [33:15] Understanding the business side of things [40:50] Final reflections [41:52] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

  In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with John Ravenscroft, Outbound Operations Manager at Lippert. John shares his journey from hospitality and tourism management to leading and managing warehouse teams. He talks about how impactful the leadership training program at Lippert was to him and how it began to transform him personally.   John also talks about healthy conflict skills, self-awareness, and intentionality that he has learned as a leader along the way.   Quotes   “I took the Enneagram personality test. I got to see how I react to other people. It really helped me understand how I deal with other people and handle people. It became a point of self awareness.” - John Ravenscroft [19:43]   “We have transformed leaders that are leading people into more transformation. We are either gonna be miserable when we go home or we are gonna go home and add life to our family. ” - Edgar Cabello [30:46]   What You Will Learn: [01:30] John’s story [04:53] Addiction and depression [08:07] Finding Lippert [15:15] Transformation and growth as a manager [19:02] The enneagram as a tool [21:25] Goal setting [27:13] Transformation and discovering potential [29:20] Work and personal life balance [31:45] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Cory and Jessie Nickerson, founders of Find Our Someday. In 2017, the Nickersons sold their home and most of their belongings to live life on the road in an RV.     Cory and Jessie share stories from their journey so far, how they are building community while traveling and their experiences volunteering as a family with Lippert Cares.    Quotes   “I think intentionality across the board with this lifestyle is a really great point. We are living very small so you have to be very intentional… we are being very intentional about the time we spend with each other. We are also being super intentional about the time we are spending with our children.” - Jessie Nickerson [08:59]   “You have to get out there and you have to put yourself out there. That is when the opportunities come and when experiences happen. ” - Cory Nickerson [18:39]   What You Will Learn: [01:10] Cory and Jessie’s story [06:08] Finding community on the road [08:37] Intentionality   [12:06] Big dots and little dots [13:29] Lippert Cares and giving back to the community [18:18] Get on the road and opportunity will come [19:10] Finding your someday [20:20] Outro   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com Finding Our Someday

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Andy and Leti Rossi. The Rossis moved to the U.S from Argentina in 2002 and decided to pursue their dreams. They discuss how they decided to sell their home and live life on the road in an RV, with their two children.    Andy and Leti share their passion for the Hispanic community and the RV lifestyle while sharing why they believe risks are worth taking.   Quotes   “I don’t know if you call what we are doing revolutionary, but it is a lot of risk taking. We said let’s try to break the barrier that the RV lifestyle is just for rich, retired white people. Let’s do something about it.” - Andy Rossi [21:01]   “People understand that we are a family. We aren’t celebrities.” - Leti Rossi [13:23]   What You Will Learn: [01:17] Andy and Leti’s story [08:09] Living life as a full-time RV family [10:00] Sharing with a community of 100,000 followers  [11:15] How they decided to change their lifestyle [15:37] Building relationships with their children [19:23] Working with the Hispanic community  [24:05] Lippert and The Rossis [35:47] When to take risks   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com Connect with Totalmente Perdidos: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Michelle and Justin Russell of the Restless Russells. Michelle and Justin share what it’s like to live full-time on the road and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. They discuss what motivated them to sell their house and purchase an RV. They also talk about how they form “speed relationships” with fellow travelers as well as become an ambassador for Lippert.   “It’s so easy to really talk about a company that we really do care about to other people, because we know they’re being taken care of. When we send people to the Lippert team, they’re being helped.” -Justin Russell [18:11]   “People always ask, ‘When are you gonna get a real house?’ And we have a real house. It’s on wheels and the environment is ever changing. So as far as when we’re gonna get a real house, when are we going to get a stick and brick house? Who knows.” -Michelle Russell [34:31]   What You Will Learn: [01:02] About Justin Russell [03:40] Why they went on the road full-time [06:12] What they’ve learned on the road [12:05] How the community has changed their lives [14:09] Being an ambassador with Lippert [22:04] Some of the projects they’re involved in [24:11] Parenting on the road [30:06] Educating her children [33:18] The future for the Russells   Resources: Visit our website: lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com Visit the Restless Russells on Instagram: instagram.com/restless_russells Visit the Restless Russells on Facebook: facebook.com/Restless_Russells-107176518622226/

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Dominick Fultz, Safety Coordinator for Lippert Plant 58. Dominick talks about his time at Lippert and how he got into mentoring, first discussing his experience with his mentee, Kara Heckaman, and how he leads others in his current role.   “I’ve never been a part of a company that puts the people first like Lippert does, and the culture is just amazing.” -Dominick Fultz [14:10]   “My anecdotal theory about listening is that the reason it’s so effective is because most of us haven’t genuinely been listened to by others.” -Edgar Cabello [21:59]   What You Will Learn: [01:17] Dominick’s background in manufacturing [03:34] What it was like working with his dad [05:48] How he got into the safety mindset [10:51] What it was like to move into Lippert [15:15] Dominick’s introduction to Lippert’s mentoring program [19:08] Kara’s takeaways [20:32] Why listening is an important quality [24:38] How he’s leading others in his current role [27:55] What he sees for himself and Lippert for the future   Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Jeff Colin, a Plant Manager at Lippert’s Plant 58, about many of the positive changes he has witnessed at Lippert over the years and the valuable lessons he has learned. He shares the importance of intentionality and support when setting goals and building relationships as a leader.    As a musician, Jeff talks about how music has helped him connect with his team and the community while helping him develop courage personally. “If you go about things unintentionally, you’re not driving action and you will have trouble succeeding. Unless you are setting intentional goals and working toward something.” -Jeff Colin [06:24]   “Holding people accountable can sound like a negative thing sometimes. But, it is positive. It is really hard to reach a goal by yourself.” -Jeff Colin [17:18]   What You Will Learn: [01:21] Jeff’s background and history with Lippert [04:35] Leading people [06:30] Being intentional [11:20] The Leadership Action Plan [16:53] The positive side of holding each other accountable  [20:33] The challenges of building a team [22:31] Connecting with people through music Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Pat Moore, one of the leaders in the Chassis Division. Pat has worked in the same division at Lippert for 20 years, so he discusses what it was like to live through the cultural transformation at the company. He also shares how he transforms to DJ Nitro outside of work.   “We went through those battles not to walk away from that, not to give the keys to somebody else. We went through those battles because we truly loved our team, loved our business of what we did, and we wanted to see it through to the next level.” -Pat Moore [21:11]   “During this time, you’re changing the entire profile for what a Lippert leader is.” -Edgar Cabello [21:46]   What You Will Learn: [01:09] Pat’s background and how he ended up at Lippert [05:52] What it’s like to be the Chassis Division [08:55] Lippert through the first 10 years [13:25] “License to Care” [14:51] The second 10 years at Lippert [19:02] How he changed the profile of a Lippert leader [24:34] What he does outside of work [29:54] Pat’s final thoughts   Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with twin sisters, Ruthie Wiley and Ruby Wiley-Fields from Plant 58. Ruthie and Ruby discuss their 30 years working in manufacturing and how they ended up at Lippert. They also share how the culture at Lippert has inspired them to pay it forward to their team members.   “Coming here, it was so refreshing.” -Ruby Wiley-Fields [15:28]   “We feel when our leaders get poured into, then the work can still get done.” -Edgar Cabello [17:33]   “They care enough about me advancing at work and doing well outside of work. So that right there is something that you don’t see where they want you to do well outside of work.” -Ruthie Wiley [17:59]   What You Will Learn: [01:13] Meet Ruby and Ruthie [03:27] Where their careers have taken them [08:19] What brought them to Lippert [12:34] How they feel cared for at Lippert [16:02] Changes they’ve seen [20:37] A typical work day [24:53] What they see going forward [26:28] Final thoughts   Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, Leadership Development Director, speaks with General Manager, Steve Slowke, and Isaiah Taulbee, a former football coach who made a career shift into manufacturing as an LIT at Lippert. Slowke talks about the positive changes he has witnessed within Lippert’s culture over his 19 years with the company. Taulbee shares his life-altering experience with COVID-19 and the incredible support he received from the team at Lippert, despite being new to the company and industry.     “It really is just like football. You have your guys and with your guys, you have to build those relationships and be able to have fun and still with having fun get them to believe in you and listen to you… it’s the same type of comradery, type of atmosphere. ” - Isaiah Taulbee [06:29]   “What we do in the workplace, it emanates out into our home life and into the community with the different things we are doing and we work hard at it.” -Edgar Cabello [23:27]   “It was more so keeping him motivated to get out of that hospital and keep him going because I think as athletes that is truly what we need when we are in a rough spot, you just need that motivation and encouragement from the outside.” - Steve Slowke [16:09] What You Will Learn: [01:30] Steve’s backstory  [02:31] Isaiah’s journey with Lippert [06:25] Building relationships  [08:24] Isaiah’s COVID experience [11:11] Support for Isaiah [13:55] Lippert’s care for Isaiah’s family [18:13] Recovery [20:43] Steve talks about Lippert’s evolution as a company.  [24:05] Isaiah’s future at Lippert [25:39] Living out of Lippert’s core values Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com Visit The Purpose Summit 2022: https://www.thepurposesummit.com/

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Bill Coughlin, Director of The Lippert Academy of Leadership, and Mike Terlep, General Manager at Forest River. Coughlin and Terlep talk about their leadership styles, how they’re improving work culture and building relationships with each other and the community.    “We all have these storms of life happening to us. But, we believe that when you come into the office we’ll check that at the door. It doesn’t happen for people that way. If you know your people, if you build those relationships, then you can see it in them when they aren’t in the game.” - Bill Coughlin [17:22]   “People are everything. It’s what it all comes down to.” - Mike Terlep [05:37]   “When you become the leader, whether it is a team of 4, of 40 or 400, you immediately become one of the most important people in their life. You do and they’re going to talk about you at dinner time and it’s up to you to control what that narrative sounds like.” -Edgar Cabello [31:55] What You Will Learn: [01:40] Bill’s leadership journey  [03:30] Mike’s leadership journey [08:55] “Rotate Before Eliminate” [12:02] Building relationships [15:50] Having difficult conversations [18:25] Core Values at Lippert [21:23] Vulnerability as a leader [25:00] Book recommendations on leadership [27:12] The importance of mentorship Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com Visit The Purpose Summit 2022: https://www.thepurposesummit.com/

In this episode of The Lippert Built to Lead Podcast, Edgar Cabello, leadership development director, speaks with Rosie Rowley, the Quality Lead at Plant 58. Rowley shares her journey with Lippert, starting as a bender for compartment doors at Plant 45 with a rough reputation. The evolution of her career has been furthered by her desire to restore humanity in business and to find meaning in everyday tasks.    “Everything you do should have meaning in one way or another.” -Rosie Rowley [12:28]   “To show up in a better, new and improved version of yourself, I don’t think that is being inauthentic- it is taking care of yourself for the good.” -Edgar Cabello [17:52] What You Will Learn: [02:02] Rosie’s journey [06:19] Stepping into a leadership role [12:03] Before and After Rosie [13:24] Reading and leading by example [14:40] Hiring to Lippert’s culture [18:30] What Rosie is hopeful about [25:09] Benefits of LSW and LAP [27:51] Rosie’s closing thoughts   Resources: Visit our website: https://www.lci1.com/academy Email us: academy@lci1.com Visit The Purpose Summit 2022: https://www.thepurposesummit.com/