“Leadership is about turning people into doers.”

In this episode, Craig Anderson talks with Marc Rust, CEO and Founder of Consequently Creative, about the intersection of creativity, leadership, and vision. Marc shares his journey from creative director to business owner, highlighting the importance of setting clear standards, fostering initiative, and balancing passion with structure. He talks about how hiring people with strong personal passions leads to stronger teams, why fear holds so many leaders back, and how gratitude can open doors to success. Marc also reflects on leadership lessons from Richard Branson, the power of audacity, and why finishing what you start is just as crucial as starting in the first place.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Marc Rust on LinkedIn

• Visit Marc’s website at marcrust.com

• Check out Consequently Creative

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace audacity and take initiative, even when the path isn’t clear

• Hire people with personal passions and foster an environment where creativity thrives

• Set a clear vision, reinforce appreciation, and don’t let fear hold you back

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro
(01:25) Marc’s early leadership journey
(02:38) Lightning round: leadership insights
(09:08) How creativity and leadership intersect
(16:05) Hiring passionate people and building great teams
(20:30) The role of vision in scaling a business
(24:54) Why gratitude and appreciation matter in leadership
(28:15) Leadership advice Marc would give his younger self

"What you put out as a leader will be heard and will affect every level of the organization."

In this episode, Craig Anderson talks with Ian McCoog, Assistant Professor of Medical Education at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and author of Leadership Bites. Ian explores the challenges healthcare professionals face when transitioning from clinical expertise to leadership roles. Drawing from his book and personal experience, Ian shares how leadership theories can guide decision-making and foster team collaboration. He also emphasizes the importance of self-care for maintaining balance in high-pressure environments and discusses how storytelling can make leadership lessons stick.

After You Listen:

• Visit Ian’s website at ianmccoog.com
• Connect with Ian McCoog on LinkedIn
• Get a copy of Ian’s book, Leadership Bites
• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter
  

Key Takeaways:

• Build confidence by understanding that everything you say or do as a leader has an impact on your team and organization
• Develop competence by leveraging leadership frameworks and reflecting on lessons learned from experience
• Maintain calm by finding moments for self-care, even during hectic and demanding days

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro
(01:38) Ian’s early leadership journey
(02:38) Lightning round: leadership insights
(07:51) Challenges in medical leadership
(16:01) Leadership theories and applications
(18:24) Maintaining equilibrium in medicine
(20:17) Resident leadership as a paradigm

“A good leader is someone who is helping others become the best of themselves.”

In this episode, Craig Anderson sits down with Brook Gratia, President of Edgewater CPA Group, to explore the realities of leadership, scaling a business, and the challenges of integrating new teams. Brook shares her journey from launching her firm to leading a team of 20, reflecting on key leadership lessons—like hiring the right people, adapting to team dynamics, and navigating the emotional complexities of leadership. She opens up about the difficulties of merging company cultures, setting clear expectations, and balancing the demands of running a business while supporting employees.

After You Listen:

• Connect with Brook Gratia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brook-avey-gratia-54275b6/

• Check out Edgewater CPA Group: https://www.edgewatercpa.com/

• Connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpanderson/

• Subscribe to Craig’s "The Evolving Leader" newsletter: https://clearpathcoaches.com/stay-in-touch

Key Takeaways:

• Hire the right people from the start to save time, stress, and money

• Separate your identity from employee decisions while still showing care

• Build structured processes to keep teams aligned and accountable

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:10) Best leadership book

(05:03) Leadership inspirations

(08:45) Defining leadership

(11:42) Early leadership roles

(15:54) Challenges in growing a business

(27:13) Get out of the weeds and lead