Connection, Trust, and Humility - Critical Qualities of a Good Leader with Larry Vaughn

Game Changers with Jeff Newkirk

Welcome to Game Changers with Jeff Newkirk, where we speak with people who have done something to make this world a better place. It’s simple: inspire, educate and let’s go change this world!

On today’s episode, Jeff welcomes returning guest Mr. Larry Vaughn to discuss all things leadership. This is the very first episode of a series of 3 episodes that will feature conversations with Larry about topics such as collaboration, mentoring and more. Larry has been in the printing business for over 48 years, owned and operated a successful print company for 30 years, and helped found two premier international business cooperatives. He recently wrote and published his own personal memoir Business Cards and Shoe Leather.

To begin, Larry shares about his struggles with dyslexia growing up during a time when most people didn’t understand the condition. He was able to leverage technologies such as spell check and talk to text to write his book. Now, he has travelled the world giving talks about all of his accomplishments within the printing business. Larry details the vast amount of change the printing industry experienced over the course of his career thus far. His company was the first commercial printer in the state of Texas to purchase a digital printing press. First, Larry was invited to be part of HP’s Digital Council Group. Then, HP invited him to help them spread the word about the new printing press and equipment.

At the age of 22, Larry took his very first sales job, which helped prepare him for a life of future speaking. He quickly found that being kind, personable and helpful to potential customers would inevitably lead to success. He applied this philosophy to the way he treated his employees over the years. Jeff prides his company on their high retention rate among employees, something that is increasingly rare today. Your employees want to know that you care about them and about their lives. When they do feel cared for, they take pride and care in their work. Most importantly, this kindness and care has to come from a genuine place.

Next, Larry offers his best advice for young people who want to be strong and effective leaders themselves. First, clearly communicate and articulate your expectations. It’s also important to build trust among your team by delivering on the promises you make. Then, Larry identifies the leadership qualities that he believes are missing in today’s environment. Leaders are not acknowledging that their hard working employees are the ones making their business possible. The most important thing we can do is educate young people to ensure that they are prepared to navigate the world professionally, socially, spiritually and financially.

Learn more about Jeff Newkirk.

Do you have any game-changers in your life? Be sure to let me know so we can celebrate their story and contribution to our world. Go to https://gamechangerswithjeff.com to enter your name to be on the podcast