Real Leadership

Most leaders spend the early years of their career trying to accelerate forward. Carles Farré stepped away. Just a few years into his career at HP, he and his wife made an unconventional decision: they left the corporate world to spend several years in Latin America working with microfinance nonprofits—helping entrepreneurs in remote villages access small loans to start businesses. S03 E04 Carles Farre Some communities had no electricity. Getting there often meant navigating rivers, riding horses, or walking between villages. What looked like a detour would become one of the defining leadership experiences of his life. Carles eventually returned to HP, where he built a global career spanning engineering, research and development, worldwide operations, and commercial leadership. Today, he serves as Division President of HP Solutions Hybrid Systems, leading teams focused on building the integrated technologies shaping the future of work. But the lesson that stuck with him from those early years isn’t about hardware, software, or AI. It’s about people. In this episode of Real Leadership, Carles reflects on the leadership journey that shaped his philosophy—from stepping away early in his career to leading global teams across multiple countries and business units. He shares why culture is the true foundation of sustainable success, how leaders can build trust and empowerment at scale, and why the future of work must balance technological advancement with human connection. In this episode of Real Leadership, we explore: 🔥 Why stepping off the traditional career path can reshape a leader’s perspective 🔥 The leadership lessons learned from working in remote communities across Latin America 🔥 Why culture is the bedrock of successful organizations 🔥 How trust and care inside teams drive speed, agility, and results 🔥 The balance leaders must strike between AI-powered productivity and human connection Key Moments 03:02 — Introducing Carles Farré and HP’s evolving mission 06:20 — Measuring employee experience and human connection at work 11:31 — The future of collaboration and ambient technology 16:45 — Early leadership influences and personal values 19:31 — Leaving corporate life to work in Latin America 24:54 — The leadership lessons that experience created 27:43 — Why culture becomes the bedrock of organizations 33:10 — AI, productivity, and protecting human connection 37:01 — Advice for the next generation entering the workforce Show Notes Carles Farré — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carles-farre-hp/  HP — Website: hp.com/ HP — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hp/  HP Careers: jobs.hp.com/  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients

Shawn Khan’s entrepreneurial journey started from the ground up in a way most founders never experience.  He didn’t inherit a company, raise venture capital, or even understand the industry he was stepping into. Shawn bought a one-truck furniture delivery operation in New York City, rented the truck every morning, and learned the business by riding in the back making deliveries himself. Two years later, he was ready to shut it down. What changed everything wasn’t a new strategy. It was mentorship, perspective, and the willingness to stay in the fight long enough to evolve. Today, Shawn leads Metropolitan Warehouse & Delivery, a company with 47 facilities nationwide, 3 million square feet of warehouse space, and partnerships with retailers like Costco, Amazon, Walmart, and Target. But if you’re a leader, this episode isn’t just about logistics. It’s about:  How businesses actually scale. Surviving the early years when the numbers don’t work. Knowing when to expand and when expansion will hurt before it helps. Shifting from being the operator to building the system. Turning labor challenges into ownership opportunities. Key Moments 01:37 – The search for a business 03:42 – The near-failure and the partner who changed everything 06:06 – Riding the e-commerce wave with Costco and Anthropology 07:56 – Doubling the business during the chaos of COVID-19 16:27 – Turning drivers into business owners through the contractor model 25:29 – Why logistics is now a technology business Show Notes Shawn’s Company: GoMWD.com Metropolitan Warehouse Website: https://www.metropolitanwarehouse.com/  Shawn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-khan-38711187/  Metropolitan Warehouse & Delivery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metropolitan-warehouse-delivery-corp/  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients 

Zac Elkins didn’t wait for the supply chain to fix itself. He built his own. As COO of LFG Manufacturing, Power Design’s specialty manufacturing division, Zac is leading one of the boldest vertical integration bets in the electrical industry. When COVID-era backlogs pushed switchgear lead times from 12 weeks to nearly two years, most contractors adjusted. Zac and the LFG team invested millions, bought the equipment, stocked two years of copper and steel…and started manufacturing their own. LFG stands for “Let’s Freaking Go.” And it’s more than a name—it’s the mindset behind a company that refuses to blame the market. In this episode of Real Leadership, Zac shares how a billion-dollar “mom and pop shop” is disrupting the electrical supply chain, why apprenticeship programs are the future of skilled labor, and how a scarcity mindset is the fastest way to lose. In this episode, we cover: 🔥 Turning a 90-week supply chain crisis into a manufacturing company 🔥 Why holding two years of inventory isn’t risk—it’s opportunity 🔥 The data center boom and what it’s doing to construction economics 🔥 Reinventing apprenticeships (and cutting dropout rates from 80% to 20%) 🔥 Lessons learned from burning bridges early in your career 🔥 Building competitive, culture-driven teams that don’t think small From digging ditches in his dad’s electrical business to overseeing 85% in-house switchgear production, Zac’s story is about ownership of mistakes, of opportunity, and of the entire supply chain. If you’re in construction, manufacturing, workforce development—or just trying to build something that lasts—this one’s for you. Key Moments 07:28: The Decision to Manufacture Switchgear 10:56: LFG's Manufacturing Journey and Innovations 14:15: Inventory Management and Financial Strategy 16:39: Industry Evolution and Future Outlook 24:15: Addressing Skilled Worker Shortages 28:56: Innovative Apprenticeship Programs 31:20: Lessons from the Family Business 36:40: Cultivating a Competitive Mindset 39:42: Setting Goals in a Growing Organization   Show Notes Zac Elkins — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyelkins/  Power Design Inc. —  https://www.linkedin.com/company/power-design-inc-/  Contact Zac: zelkins@powerdesigninc.us  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients

Tom Shoupe never planned on a career in manufacturing. He started in public service, working in Washington, D.C., far from factory floors and production lines. Then Honda called. At the time, the company was still a young experiment in American manufacturing — betting that people, not just product, would determine its future. Tom said yes to the opportunity.  That decision shaped the next 33 years of his life. Over three decades, Tom became the first American to lead a Honda manufacturing facility and ultimately served as EVP & CEO of Honda of America Manufacturing, overseeing operations that touched nearly 40,000 people across North America.  He spent years living and working in Japan, helping translate a deeply Japanese leadership philosophy into a U.S. manufacturing context — without diluting it. But this episode isn’t about titles or scale. It’s about how leadership actually works when the stakes are real. In this episode of Real Leadership, Tom breaks down what it takes to build organizations that last — not just through growth, but through leadership transitions, cultural strain, and constant change. In this episode, we cover: Why a leader’s most important job is building an organization that can outlast them How “every interaction is an opportunity” became a daily leadership discipline What going to the gemba really looks like — and why proximity beats position Why leadership development fails when it becomes theoretical How faith, humility, and curiosity shaped Tom’s leadership across cultures Key Moments  03:28 – From Washington, D.C. to Honda 06:15 – Respect for the individual and the “Three Joys” 17:08 – Leadership on the factory floor 32:41 – Every interaction is an opportunity 44:27 – Why leadership development is a CEO responsibility 53:10 – Lighting the spark Show Notes Tom’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tom-shoupe-10a90311/  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients 

What happens when a CHRO with an actuary’s mind, a leader’s heart, and a survivor’s grit steps into one of the world’s most complex global marine companies? You get Jill Wrobel — Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Brunswick Corporation — and one of the most refreshing voices in modern leadership. Jill oversees culture, talent, and operating strategy for 15,000 employees across 25 countries and 60 household-name marine brands. Under her leadership, Brunswick has become a magnet for top talent, a recognized Best Place to Work, and an engine of innovation that’s redefining what’s possible on the water. But it’s Jill’s story — from actuary to HR transformation leader to stage-four cancer survivor — that reveals the depth behind her philosophy: gratitude is a strategy, and continuous improvement is a way of life. In this episode, Jill shares the moments that shaped her—from rolling under cars as a kid to help her dad, to navigating billion-dollar M&A chaos with humor and countdown clocks, to rebuilding her life after a medical miracle. And through it all, she shows why joy, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making might just be the ultimate leadership combination. In this episode, we cover: How a math-and-finance brain became a superpower in the people business Why culture and performance aren’t opposites—they’re accelerators How Brunswick uses AI and advanced tech to solve real customer pain points The leadership lesson Jill learned from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (yes, really) The power of listening sessions, boat shows, and “what’s something I don’t know?” How surviving stage-four cancer reframed her leadership, her energy, and her purpose Why “Next Never Rests” isn’t just a tagline—it’s a mindset Jill is the rare leader who seamlessly blends analytics and empathy, resilience and optimism, business strategy and human truth. Her philosophy of continuous improvement—at work and in life—offers a blueprint for leaders navigating transformation, uncertainty, or simply the next right step. This is an episode about boats, yes. But it’s also about courage, culture, curiosity, and what it really means to lead with purpose. Key Moments 07:36 - The Impact of a Math Background in HR 14:09 - Connecting Employee Experience to Business Success 18:07 - Staying Connected in a Large Organization 20:36 - The Power of Open-Ended Questions 23:03 - Leadership Lessons from the FTC Experience 24:55 - Innovative Leadership and Resilience 26:57 - Lessons from Family: A Father's Influence 31:21 - Overcoming Adversity: A Cancer Journey 38:01 - The Joy of Continuous Improvement Show Notes Book - Lives Lost and Leadership Found: https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Lost-Leadership-Found-Somebodies/dp/1032949856/  Jill — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddy-bekele-b48219/  Brunswick Corporation - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brunswick-corporation/  Brunswick Corporation: brunswick.com/  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients 

Before Teddy Bekele ever thought about AI or agricultural transformation, he watched his father lose the family farm overnight—a moment that stayed with him from Ethiopia to Italy to an engineering career in the U.S. That moment didn’t just change his life. It hardwired his obsession with resilience, ownership, and making sure the people who grow our food don’t get left behind in the next wave of “innovation.” Today, Teddy is Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes, a 100-year-old, farmer-owned cooperative that touches everything from seed and agronomy to animal feed, dairy, and the “invisible” ingredients in your favorite snacks.  His job? Wire this massive, farm-to-fork system for an AI-powered future without losing the soul of the farm or the voice of the farmer.  In this episode of Real Leadership, Teddy pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to evolve an iconic co-op —navigating democratic governance, global supply chains, and communities that still depend on rain, soil, and trust…in addition to technology.  In this episode, we cover: How Land O’Lakes actually works as a farmer-owned, farm-to-fork cooperative—and why that ownership model changes every tech decision Teddy’s “four buckets of AI” framework for cutting through the hype and focusing on what actually moves the needle How generative AI is turning decades of agronomy data into real-time, field-level insight—and giving agronomists superpowers instead of replacing them Tech-enabled sustainability: cover crops, reduced tillage, and carbon programs that help farmers do right by the planet and stay in business If you care about where your food comes from, how AI lands in the real world, or what it means to lead when the stakes are literally global food security, this conversation feels less like a tech talk—and more like a front-row seat to the future of agriculture. Show Notes Teddy Bekele — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddy-bekele-b48219/   Land O’Lakes — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/landolakesinc/ Land O’Lakes Inc.: landolakesinc.com/  Land O’Lakes - recipes and more: https://www.landolakes.com/  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients 

What separates a project from a company? And what makes some organizations scale effortlessly—while others stall out under their own ambition? Few people have lived that question more deeply than Mike Oakman. With three decades of experience spanning startups, private equity-backed growth, and billion-dollar enterprises, Mike has led everything from scrappy engineering teams to 400-person global operations. Most recently, as CTO of RVO Health, he helped unite some of the world’s most trusted health and wellness brands under one mission: making healthcare personal, at scale. Now, after exiting corporate life, Mike is helping industrial leaders reimagine what’s next—at the intersection of people, process, and intelligent technology. His philosophy is deceptively simple: growth isn’t about more; it’s about better. In this episode of Real Leadership, Mike and host Jim Weaver unpack the lessons learned from a career spent scaling complexity into clarity. In this episode, we cover: Why most startups fail before they even begin—and how to tell if you’ve built a project or a company The power of knowing your “why” and how purpose becomes a competitive advantage How to connect 400 engineers around one mission (and why connection beats communication) Why “boring” companies are often the most effective ones The four gears of AI adoption—and how industrial companies can finally shift out of first How technology done right brings leaders closer to their customers, not further away Listen for: a rare conversation that moves seamlessly from tech strategy to human behavior—from agile frameworks to the art of focus. Time Stamps 00:03:21 — RVO Health at scale and why consumer trust starts with experience and security. 00:07:56 — Personalization in action: “I’m here—do you see me?” and serving the next best action. 00:11:41 — Team at scale: 300+ engineers, 60 data scientists, and the org around them. 00:13:18 — The Engineering Summit: aligning builders to mission (and why it matters more in remote work). 00:15:02 — From waterfall to flow: a plain-English explainer of agile that leaders actually use. 00:20:26 — Project vs. product vs. company: the hard truth about TAM/SAM/SOM and repeatability. 00:30:31 — Industrial reality check: automation on the line, spreadsheets in the back office—opportunity hiding in plain sight. 00:31:49 — Three questions for leaders: Are we visible, attractive, and responsive when buyers find us? 00:37:52 — The maturity path for AI/automation and how to assess your org—fast. 00:42:12 — Free your customer-facing teams: where automation creates human time that actually grows revenue. 00:44:53 — How to reach Mike (and why leaders are calling him now). Show Notes Mike Oakman — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoakman/  RVO Health: https://www.rvohealth.com/  Content Logistix: contentlogistix.com/  Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com  Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients 

What happens when a CEO trades the corporate script for a hard hat…and wins? Greg Ramfos, CEO of DURA Shiloh, is leading one of the boldest turnarounds in the automotive world. With 16 plants, 4,000 employees, and a mission to bring manufacturing back to its roots, Greg’s not following the playbook. He’s rewriting it. Raised in poverty and foster care, Greg learned early that resilience beats pedigree. By 28, he was a millionaire. By 50, he was rebuilding a global automotive supplier—one plant, one person, one process at a time. He believes leadership starts where the noise ends: on the factory floor. In this episode, he shares how accountability, honesty, and ownership can turn chaos into a comeback story. In this episode, we cover: How to turn around underperforming plants—without massive capital Why “own it like your name’s on the building” is Greg’s leadership mantra The lost art of partnership between OEMs and suppliers How tariffs and regionalization are reshaping the auto industry Why the next generation of builders—not bots—will drive America’s revival What it takes to lead with truth, grit, and zero corporate fluff Time Stamps 05:41 – The state of the auto industry and the EV reality check 10:02 – Why manufacturing revival starts with people, not policy 16:48 – Building the “Ready to Work” pipeline for the next generation 23:15 – Rebuilding trust and performance, one plant at a time 29:40 – The 10-step playbook for leading a global turnaround 37:22 – From corporate conditioning to entrepreneurial accountability 45:18 – Why real leadership begins on the factory floor Show Notes Greg’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregramfos/  DURA Shiloh Website: durashiloh.com DURA Shiloh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dura-shiloh/  Jim’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com Real Leadership LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients

What does it take to lead real digital transformation—while keeping food on shelves across the globe? At Schreiber Foods, that question isn’t theoretical. It’s the work of SriRaj Kantamneni, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer at Schreiber and the architect behind an ambitious digital overhaul in one of the most critical global industries — food and ag. But Sri didn’t come up through Silicon Valley. He grew up under the hood of his family’s auto shop in Iowa. That beginning shaped everything: how he leads, what he builds, and why he believes transformation isn’t about chasing shiny tools. It’s about solving the hard stuff: Making food more affordable, more accessible, and more reliable on a global scale. In this episode of Real Leadership, Sri walks us through how Schreiber is building a digital system that doesn’t break the business—and why food and ag is quietly becoming one of the most advanced tech fields on the planet. How to balance transforming the core and disrupting through digital without losing focus or breaking the business What it takes to turn internal tools into market-ready products How AI is becoming the great equalizer, helping food and ag leapfrog entire tech cycles instead of playing catch-up Why culture is the make-or-break factor in innovation and how curiosity, hackathons, and fusion teams drive lasting change Plus: facial recognition for cows and shrimp that signal when they’re hungry—the unexpected edge of food tech that’s getting very real, very fast. Time Stamps 02:50 - Digital Transformation Vision and Strategy 08:53 - Future of the Food Industry 11:58 - Local vs Global Food Production 15:01- Innovations at Schreiber Foods 17:47 - The Hive: A User-Friendly Software Solution 20:52 - Digital Adoption in Agriculture 23:47 - AI and Technology in Agriculture 26:54 - Fostering a Problem-Solving Mindset 29:59 - AI's Impact on Workforce Dynamics 32:48 - Upskilling and Navigating AI Transition Show Notes SriRaj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriraj/  Schreiber Foods Website: schreiberfoods.com/   Schreiber Horizon: schreiberhorizon.com  Contact Schreiber Foods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schreiber-foods/  Jim’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com Real Leadership LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients

What if the future of logistics isn’t about bigger fleets—but about smarter connections? Chris Condon grew up with the grit of farm country and the drive to fix what’s broken. After decades in the freight industry, he realized the real opportunity wasn’t in moving more freight. It was in empowering the small and mid-sized freight forwarders who move 80% of the world’s cargo. In this episode of Real Leadership, Chris shares the journey that led him to found Aircon, an AI-powered platform reshaping how freight forwarders quote, book, and manage cargo. From sleepless nights building early-stage tech to rethinking how the industry uses capacity, Chris unpacks the lessons he’s learned about leadership, adaptability, and the power of putting people—and partners—first. In this episode, we cover: Why small freight forwarders are the “linchpin” of global logistics How AI can help companies compete at scale without massive infrastructure The leadership mindset shift from operational execution to strategic advisory What it really takes to navigate the ups and downs of early-stage growth The future of air freight—and why capacity, not cost, will define success Time Stamps 04:10 - Understanding AirCon's Role in Freight Forwarding 06:56 - The Decision to Start AirCon 07:11 - The Importance of Freight Forwarders 08:03 - AI's Impact on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses 10:11 - The Future of the Logistics Workforce 11:54 - Leadership Lessons from Farming Background Show Notes Chris on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chriscondon/  Aircon Website: https://www.airconai.com/  Contact Aircon: sales@airconai.com  Jim’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com Real Leadership LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/ The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients