This podcast started in 2014 to serve leaders on their journey of growth and significance with their work. It is conversations with leaders for leaders. My name is Gene Hammett, host of the show. I am proud to be recognized by Inc Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine for our impact on leaders that are evolving to better serve their teams. Currently we are ranked #13 on the 100 Best Leadership Podcasts on Feedspot and listed as a top leadership podcast on TheeDigital.
This is the one and only podcast that interviews founders and CEOs of Inc 500 companies. The interviews uncover the key principles of fast-growth. You will find topics of growth, culture, leadership and other areas of growth for leaders.
Every leader faces problems, and founders carry more than their share. In this episode of Growth Think Tank, Gene Hammett breaks down the leadership mindset shifts that separate leaders who get buried by their problems from those who grow because …
In this episode, we explore why teams sometimes struggle to execute without leadership involvement and why leaders may be too quick to blame execution itself. Often, the real challenge lies in unclear ownership, limited resources, competing priorities, or a lack …
In this interview, Matt Pierce, co-founder and CEO of Immediate, shares the story behind the company and its mission to give employees early access to wages they’ve already earned through a simple, flat-fee alternative to payday and title loans. He …
In this episode, Joshua Lifrak shares how leadership and performance are shaped by mental preparation, self-awareness, and the choices we make in everyday moments. Drawing from his background in sports psychology, he discusses the importance of setting daily intentions, preparing …
In this episode, we explore the hidden downsides of open-door leadership and how it can quietly impact productivity, focus, and team performance. While the intention is to create accessibility and strong communication, constant interruptions can derail priorities and create unintended …
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Hughes, co-founder and CEO of Solid Road, for a real conversation about how AI is reshaping customer experience and what that means for leaders today. We explore how tools like the Claude …
In this episode, I share how competing against a two-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shaped my understanding of leadership and personal growth. I highlight the significance of hard work and preparation, drawing parallels between competition and leadership challenges in …
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Rampolla, co-founder of Ground Force Capital and the brand behind Zico Coconut Water, to unpack the inner and outer work of leadership. Mark shares how the stories we tell ourselves can quietly …
In this episode, we break down how CEOs and founders can take back control of their time to become more effective leaders. If you’re stuck doing everything yourself, it’s likely costing you growth, creating bottlenecks, and leading to burnout. You’ll …
In this episode, we sit down with Chris Gonzalez, Co-Founder and President of A-G Associates Inc. (Ranked No. 717 in 2025), to explore his powerful concept of precise leadership, a leadership style centered on clarity, accountability, and understanding what truly …
This episode explores the essential role of leadership in challenging business environments. I reflect on my journey as a founder and coach, emphasizing resilience and the importance of maintaining vision during turbulent times. Through personal anecdotes, including a significant setback …
In this episode, I sit down with Andy White, co-founder of Closinglock (ranked No. 135 on the 2025 Inc. 5000), to talk about what it really means to “scale trust” as your company grows. Andy shares how trust isn’t just …
In this episode, I explore a challenge many growing companies face: founder dependency. Once a business grows beyond about 20 employees, founders often find themselves stuck in the middle of every decision. While that level of involvement helped in the …
On this episode of Grow Think Tank, Gene Hammett talks with Matthew Rooda, Founder/CEO of SwineTech (ranked No. 247 on the 2025 Inc. 5000), about the real challenges of scaling a business while keeping culture and customers front and center. …
In this episode, I address key person risk for founders and CEOs, highlighting the importance of not having the business hinge on a single leader. I discuss strategies for creating robust systems and empowering teams to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance …