Outsource to Profits Podcast

Episode: 144 A manufacturing leadership team hits a wall during a sudden demand surge, convinced that hitting new production targets simply isn't possible. Bringing in outside expertise exposes a deeper divide: one group treats it as a lifeline, the other as a threat to their competence. The conversation digs into why pride and trust, not capability, are usually what keep teams stuck. ABOUT THE HOST:Jamie Shanks founded Get Levrg after building and scaling three separate agencies, learning firsthand what breaks when growing companies try to do everything in-house. He now hosts Outsource to Profits to unpack how founders and executives build leverage instead of bottlenecks. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks/ ABOUT THE GUEST:Ron Harper spent 18 years as President and CEO of JFE Shoji Power Canada Inc., supplying the electrical steel and components critical to motors and transformers, before recently stepping into semi-retirement. His career spans navigating major demand shifts in the electrical equipment supply chain, including the surge tied to grid expansion and EV growth coming out of the pandemic. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjharper4/ EPISODE SUMMARY:Ron Harper shares how a post-pandemic demand spike pushed his team past what they believed was possible and how his own frustration at not solving it alone led him to bring in outside help. He breaks down why two internal teams responded to that help in completely opposite ways, what that revealed about trust and ego in leadership, and how clear goals and proactive communication closed the gap. WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH: The real reason founders resist outside help, and it's rarely about cost What separates a team that leans into change from one that braces against it A 25-year CEO's honest take on where his own pride actually cost his business How to tell the difference between bringing in judgment versus bringing in improvement The low-risk way one consultant structured their engagement so trust could build first What changes when leaders explain "why" before they explain "what" TOP HASHTAGS:#OutsourceToProfits #ElectricalSteel #ManufacturingLeadership #ScalingOperations #OutsourcingStrategy #FounderMindset #SupplyChainGrowth #BusinessConsulting #LeadershipLessons

Episode: 131 In this episode of Outsource to Profits, Chris Corgnati breaks down why founders unknowingly become the biggest bottleneck in their business. He shares practical delegation frameworks that help leaders free their time, empower teams, and scale without burning out. About the Host: Jamie Shanks is the founder of Get Levrg and host of Outsource to Profits. He helps founders scale through offshore talent, operational leverage, and systems that remove founders from day-to-day execution. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestshanks About the Guest: Chris Corgnati is a self-employed EOS Implementer with EOS Worldwide. He works with founders and leadership teams to improve delegation, strengthen operations, and build scalable organizations using the Entrepreneurial Operating System. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/corgnati Episode Summary: Chris Corgnati joins Outsource to Profits to explain why most founders become operational bottlenecks as their companies grow. He shares how habit patterns from early-stage entrepreneurship make leaders hold onto tasks they should delegate. The conversation explores the Eisenhower Matrix, time audits, $5 vs $500 tasks, and the visionary–integrator dynamic. Chris provides tactical steps founders can use to diagnose where their time goes, reframe delegation as a growth strategy, and build leadership structures that scale. What You'll Walk Away With: How to spot when you’ve become the bottleneck Simple delegation frameworks that free founder time The $5 vs $500 task mindset How time audits reveal hidden inefficiencies Why visionary–integrator pairing accelerates growth

Episode 129 Evan Marks, founder of M1 Performance Group, reveals how leaders, founders, and executives can harness mental performance techniques to pause, reflect, and respond intentionally. Learn how to create mental space for smarter decisions, manage emotions under pressure, and transform your leadership approach for higher productivity and impact. About the Host: Evan Marks is a mental performance coach and the founder of the M1 Performance Group. With decades of experience in finance and executive coaching, he trains C-suite executives, business owners, and founders to make conscious decisions, manage emotions, and optimize performance. His work bridges neuroscience, habit formation, and leadership strategy to help leaders respond intentionally rather than react impulsively. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmarks-m1 About the Guest: Steve Sapato is a CEO, speaker, and small business coach with over 40 years of experience. He helps founders and entrepreneurs grow their businesses, master public speaking, and connect with audiences to drive real results. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesapato/ Episode Summary: In this episode, Evan Marks shares his journey from Wall Street executive to mental performance coach. He explains why leaders often react emotionally and offers actionable strategies to pause, reflect, and respond consciously. Evan teaches practical tools like self-exploratory questioning, mental space creation, and tactical communication techniques to improve decision-making, increase productivity, and lead with clarity and confidence. Listeners will learn how to manage their internal state, handle high-pressure interactions, and implement habits that enhance leadership performance. What You'll Walk Away With: Pause, reflect, and respond under pressure Prioritize important ideas for smarter decisions Improve emotional control and focus Build habits for productivity and teamwork Lead with clarity, influence, and efficiency #MentalPerformance #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #Founders #DecisionMaking #ProductivityTips #CeoLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessStrategy #PerformanceCoaching #FounderTips #MindsetMatters #HighPerformanceLeadership #BusinessGrowth #WorkSmarter

In this episode of Outsource to Profits, Joanna Horton McPherson talks about what it means to be an elite leader. She explains that leadership comes from how you act and show up every day. Joanna highlights the importance of caring for your team, focusing on their well-being, and practicing self-awareness. She shares practical tips for founders and leaders to improve themselves, connect with their teams, and make tough decisions with compassion. This episode shows how people-first leadership can create stronger teams and better business results.

In this episode, Jamie and Dr. Buddy Thornton discuss how culture is created within a company and who truly shapes it. They explore what happens when a CEO steps into an existing organization, why leaders should understand the culture before trying to change it, and how much influence a new leader actually has. Buddy shares his own experience stepping into a logistics company and explains why listening, identifying pain points, and removing friction matter more than forcing new rules. They also challenge the idea that culture must come from the bottom up and show how leaders can redesign it through clear expectations, honest conversations, and real buy-in. This episode gives founders and operators a practical look at how to build a healthier culture, whether they are starting from scratch or joining an existing team.

Jamie sits down with Daniel Hammond, president of Business Interrogation and co-creator of Customer Driven Leadership. Daniel explains why founders often choose to struggle alone, how isolation limits growth, and why an outside perspective can create breakthroughs. He shares how mentorship changed his own journey and why the right advisor can multiply your thinking. They talk about building servant-led teams, helping employees surface problems early, and developing real competency in finance, operations, and hiring. This episode highlights how founders can grow into well-rounded leaders and build companies that scale with stability.

Jamie and Meegan explore how leaders can balance human intelligence with artificial intelligence in today’s workplace. Meegan shares insights from her career as a former interrogator and explains why emotional awareness, empathy, and integrity matter more than ever. Together, they discuss using AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement, and how leaders can remain grounded, self-aware, and ethical while expanding their impact in an AI-powered world.