The importance of cultural alignment often becomes clear only after making the wrong hire. For Meg Carpenter, CEO and co-founder of Ficomm Partners, this realization hit when she noticed her first Integrator™ wasn’t the right fit for the role. Fortunately, she had already been talking to her longtime friend, Katie Johnson, about stepping in.
In this episode, Meg and Katie share their journey as business partners and friends. They delve into the significance of core values in business and the importance of hiring for cultural alignment, offering insights from their own experiences.
Key Takeaways:
- How to manage the intersection of business and friendship.
- Why the V/I Duo™ is not about hierarchy, but about accountability.
- How to manage an Integrator™ hire that doesn’t work out.
Some Questions Asked:
- How did your EOS® implementation change when you hired your second Integrator™?
- What has been the biggest difference in your life since having an Integrator™?
- How has being a V/I Duo™ changed your friendship?
From Missteps to Success: Why Hiring for Core Values Matters
The importance of cultural alignment often becomes clear only after making the wrong hire. For Meg Carpenter, CEO and co-founder of Ficomm Partners, this realization hit when she noticed her first Integrator™ wasn’t the right fit for the role. Fortunately, she had already been talking to her longtime friend, Katie Johnson, about stepping in.
In this episode, Meg and Katie share their journey as business partners and friends. They delve into the significance of core values in business and the importance of hiring for cultural alignment, offering insights from their own experiences.
Meg’s understanding of leadership transformed when she began implementing EOS® with the help of an Implementer®. Though she had always believed she was a strong manager, she soon realized she wasn’t—and needed to hire an Integrator™ to fill that gap. After an unsuccessful first hire, she brought in Katie Johnson, a trusted friend, to take on the role.
[38:22] “It took me a long time in my career to recognize that my inherent strengths were strengths and that it was okay to double down on them. And it was also okay to have weaknesses, and that I didn’t have to be good at everything.”
Meg’s and Katie’s highlights the impact of fostering a healthy workplace culture and taking a human-centered approach to business in an industry historically known for toxic work environments. They also reflect on the unique challenges of managing a friendship within a professional setting.
[16:45] “We had to find our way over the last three years and be very intentional. The first year, we would catch ourselves acting like friends, and have to remind ourselves to put on our business hat on.”
This episode provides practical lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders, offering valuable insights into enhancing partnerships, strengthening organizational culture, and driving overall business performance.
Learn More:
- Katie Johnson | LinkedIn
- Meg Carpenter | LinkedIn
- Ficomm Partners
- Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters
- Traction by Gino Wickman
- Rocket Fuel University™
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