There's a fundamental difference between being busy and being effective. You can have a team that hits every activity metric and checks off every box—but if revenue isn't growing, are they really succeeding?

This week's commentary explores a powerful shift: moving from loyalty-based cultures to accountability-based ones. It's the difference between rewarding people for showing up versus rewarding them for delivering results that actually move the business forward.

We dive into what it means to build a culture where everyone understands how their role contributes to business goals and has the tools to deliver real outcomes. This isn't about micromanagement—it's about creating an environment where success is clearly defined and team members can see the direct connection between their work and company growth.

When done right, this shift doesn't just transform businesses—it transforms lives.

The full episode is here.

Carolyn Lagermasini is President and Founder of Association & Conference Group (ACG), which she launched in 2005 after experiencing lackluster service as a volunteer board member and recognizing the industry's potential. With over 25 years of event and association management experience, including launching a successful division at a premier conference production company, Carolyn has grown ACG from an idea to a thriving firm employing over 20 professionals across 13 states. She holds a BA and BS from Rutgers University, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, and actively serves on the Rutgers University Alumni Association Alumni Leaders Council and as a member of the AMC Institute.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/

COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/

COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/

WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com

LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/

X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders

FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders

DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell

Twenty years ago, when Carolyn Lagarmasini launched her association management company as fully virtual, industry veterans said it was impossible. Today, her company spans 13 states with 26 employees, and COVID proved she was decades ahead.

"I once had a coach who said, the minute you start to shrink, you die," Carolyn reflects. Her story embodies this philosophy: jumping off cliffs without knowing where you'll land, seeing broken processes instead of broken people, and shifting from a loyalty-based to an accountability-based culture. From her mother, who ran for Congress, to her own leap from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur, Carolyn turns uncertainty into opportunity.

She reveals how she's preparing for industry disruption as five generations collide in the workforce and what she's learned about building culture when teams never meet face-to-face.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lagermasini/

COMPANY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/association-&-conference-group-llc/

COMPANY WEBSITE: https://associationconferencegroup.com/

WEBSITE: https://chiefoutsiders.com

LINKEDIN PAGE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chief-outsiders/

X HANDLE: @chiefoutsiders

FACEBOOK HANDLE: @ChiefOutsiders

DEBORAH FELL ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfell

Deborah Fell reflects on one of the most powerful leadership insights from her conversation with Jonathan Moody: the radical humility of a CEO who built his success by recognizing he didn't need to be the central force driving everything. When Jonathan became CEO of Moody Nolan in January 2020, just before the pandemic, he made a crucial decision to create an executive team structure rather than trying to fill his legendary father's singular leadership role.

In this brief yet impactful commentary, Deborah explores how Jonathan's approach challenges the traditional CEO archetype and why his vulnerability and team-first mindset have become the foundation for navigating unprecedented uncertainty. For leaders struggling with the pressure to be perfect or those building their executive teams, Jonathan's story offers a refreshing alternative to the lone-wolf leadership model.

The full episode is here.

ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:

Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”

CONNECT: LINKEDIN | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM