Kevin Barona’s leadership journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose. In this episode, Kevin shares his path from Capitol Hill to becoming the founder of Cycore Secure, a cybersecurity firm. He emphasizes the critical role leadership plays in shaping a company’s culture, particularly in high-pressure environments like cybersecurity. Drawing from personal experiences, Kevin reveals how leadership is not just about making decisions but also about empowering others to take ownership. He believes in building a collaborative team where success is a collective goal, not an individual one. This mindset has driven his company’s success, even in industries as complex as nuclear security. Kevin also discusses the importance of leading with integrity and creating a culture where team members feel connected to the company’s mission, ultimately fostering long-term growth and innovation.

Want to learn more about Kevin Barona's work? Check out his website at https://cycoresecure.com.

Connect with Kevin Barona on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbarona.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Lori Saitz is the founder of Zen Rabbit and the Zen Leadership Program. Lori shares how leaders can enhance productivity, reduce stress, and improve retention through intentional actions and workplace well-being practices. Drawing from her experience, Lori emphasizes the importance of grounding exercises, deep breathing, and gratitude to foster a calm, productive environment. She explains how being a leader who embodies calmness influences the team’s energy and engagement, and ultimately, leads to success. The episode also highlights the powerful impact of gratitude on productivity, citing research that shows grateful leaders inspire more loyalty and effort from their teams. Lori’s message is clear: true leadership begins with self-regulation and showing up as the person your team wants to support.

Want to learn more about Lori Saitz's work? Check out her website at https://zenrabbit.com/.

Connect with Lori on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews’ work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Christian Brim, founder of Core Group, talks about the realities of leading a business through growth and financial challenges. Christian shares his journey of scaling back to grow intentionally, emphasizing the importance of sound accounting processes and focusing on margin improvement. He dives into the role of a leader in guiding a company towards meaningful goals, not just growth for its own sake. Christian offers actionable insights on managing labor efficiency and building a sustainable business model that balances profitability with purpose. His leadership philosophy centers on creating value for others, staying true to your unique strengths, and making tough decisions that steer the business in the right direction.

Want to learn more about Christian Brim's work? Check out his website at https://christianbrim.com/.

Connect with Christian Brim on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianbrim/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew’s work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.