Amanda Goyette

In this compelling episode, we are joined by Cary Hatch, a revered entrepreneur and brand advocate who has transformed MDB Communications into an industry powerhouse and now serves as Senior Counsel at Hart. Cary shares her journey from purchasing her employer at age 30, to leading through numerous economic challenges, and building robust relationships. Recognized among the 100 most powerful people in Washington. She’s been named to the Washington Business Journal's Power 100 and is an American Advertising Federation Silver Medal honoree. Cary offers invaluable lessons in grit, leadership, and influence. From advising on managing corporate reputations to reflecting on the evolving role of consumers, Cary underscores the need for leaders to blend financial fluency with strategic communication to navigate today's complex business landscape. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of marketing, governance, and consumer engagement, and learn why having a communications expert on your board could be crucial for your brand's success.  Takeaways:Fear of failure is a very powerful feeling. Instead of letting it paralyze you, use it as fuel to propel yourself forward. Leveraging this fear can drive your determination and commitment to succeed against the odds.Give yourself permission to try, ask questions, and learn. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and seek new knowledge. Continuous learning and curiosity are crucial for personal and professional growth.Be fluent in the language you need to gain a seat at the table and be taken seriously. Understanding metrics, terms, topics, and even, “board speak” is essential to communicate the value of marketing and communications effectively. This fluency bridges the gap between marketers and others, fostering better collaboration.Overperform to ensure that you're memorable, and overdeliver to ensure that you're taken seriously. Exceeding expectations ensures that you stand out in your field and build a strong personal and professional reputation. Consistently delivering exceptional results will solidify your credibility and influence.Not everything important is measurable and not everything measurable is important. Focus on setting both hard and soft metrics to evaluate success comprehensively. Understand that qualitative impacts can be just as crucial as quantitative ones in driving long-term value.Know the intersection of your brand and your customers' needs, both internally and externally. Aligning your brand's values with the genuine needs and concerns of your audience builds trust and loyalty. Demonstrating this alignment through actions rather than mere statements is key to authenticity.Over-delivering for your customer fosters strong, lasting relationships. Going above and beyond in your service or product offerings can transform transactional interactions into loyal partnerships. Small, thoughtful actions that surprise and delight your customers leave a lasting positive impression.Quote of the Show:“For the people who are always told what they can't do, and then they prevail, that's what inspires me.” Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/caryhatch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryhatch/ Personal Website: https://caryhatch.com/ Business Website: https://www.hartinc.com/ Shout Outs: Spencer Stuart: https://www.spencerstuart.comHarvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/ Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometer RepTrack: https://www.reptrak.com/ Liz WaingerShelley Lazarus: Former Chairman of Ogilvy Mather Cricket Whitton: CEO of SpanxJohn Hedricks: Former Chairman of Discovery Inc. Ted Leonsis: CEO of Monumental Sports & EntertainmentKevin Plank: Founder and Executive Chairman of Under Armour

Allan Golston is the President of the United States Program at The Gates Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities and ensuring equitable academic and economic outcomes for all students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and students of color. Allan's unique leadership approach hinges on the power of influence through reciprocity, authenticity, and storytelling. In today's episode, Allan delves into his career journey from public accounting to philanthropy, the importance of building trusted partnerships, the evolution of leadership styles, and leveraging digital platforms like LinkedIn for reciprocal influence. Stay tuned to gain valuable insights on balancing data-driven decision-making with personal storytelling to drive impactful change and the importance of creating authentic connections in both personal and professional spheres.Takeaways:Treat leadership as a continuous practice, not a destination, and continuously strive for self-improvement. Allan Golston emphasizes that leadership is an ongoing process. He makes it a point to learn and grow each day, preparing to be even better the next day. This practice of self-reflection and ongoing improvement can help leaders stay dynamic, relevant, and effective.Be authentic in your leadership and influence based on genuine interactions rather than projecting a persona. Early in his career, Golston found that employers expected employees to project a certain persona or dress a certain way as part of instilling confidence in clients. However, as his career evolved, he realized that authenticity became crucial for effective leadership as his responsibilities grew. Leaders should focus on genuine connections and interactions, which build trust and authenticity.Embrace a two-way influence model. Listen and be open to being influenced while also trying to influence others. This influence needs to be reciprocal. Authentic listening and a willingness to be influenced are as important as trying to guide or direct others. This approach builds mutual respect and understanding.To drive meaningful impact, deeply understand your audience. This is crucial for making informed and impactful decisions. Leaders must invest time learning about their internal and external teams and stakeholders and broader audiences to tailor their actions and communications effectively.Aim to ensure equitable outcomes in your leadership practice and organizational goals. Leaders should prioritize creating inclusive environments and opportunities that benefit all, especially the underrepresented or marginalized groups.Openly share your personal stories and learn from the stories of others. This practice fosters a deeper connection and understanding within the team, helping to build a cohesive and empathetic workplace culture.Start interactions with personal concerns and show genuine interest in your team’s well-being. Instead of diving straight into work-related discussions, begin with personal conversations. Asking about someone's well-being or family circumstances shows empathy and builds a culture of care and support.Quote of the Show:“I fundamentally believe that influence has two key dimensions. Number one is that it has to be reciprocal. You have to be open to being influenced as much as you are trying to influence. The second is that you have to know when it’s best to influence directly or empower others to influence and carry the critical messages.” - Allan GolstonLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allan-golston Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Website): https://usprogram.gatesfoundation.org/Shout Outs:Stryker: https://www.stryker.com Harley-Davidson: https://www.harley-davidson.com Aspen Institute - The Henry Crown Fellowship Program: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/henry-crown-fellowship The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: https://www.rwjf.org The William Jewell College: https://www.jewell.edu John Lewis: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Lewis-American-civil-rights-leader-and-politician