About the Guest(s):

Brent Pohlman is the CEO of Midwest Laboratories, a company that has grown exponentially in the agriculture, environmental, animal, and human health sectors under his leadership. Brent is a second-generation business owner who has been part of Midwest Laboratories since his teenage years, following in the footsteps of his father, who founded the lab in 1975. Brent is also the author of the book "Leaders Look Within," an introspective guide on leadership and personal growth.

Episode Summary:

In this riveting episode of “Growing Your Business with People,” host Jeff sits down with Brent Pohlman, CEO of Midwest Laboratories, to delve into the intricacies of leading a family business towards success. Brent shares invaluable insights into his leadership journey, the significance of self-care in effective leadership, and the challenges and triumphs he's faced in scaling Midwest Laboratories to its current status.

Brent recounts how his father's legacy built the foundation for the company's growth and elaborates on the importance of internal systems, staff retention, and the pivotal role of technology and benefits in maintaining a strong workforce. The discussion covers the struggles and strategies inherent in managing a medium-sized, hyper-growth business, particularly in less publicized sectors like agriculture and pet food testing. Brent provides a deep dive into how Midwest Laboratories has managed double-digit growth by balancing innovation with tradition.

Key Takeaways:

People, Process, Technology: Brent emphasizes the importance of prioritizing people, followed by processes, and then technology in that specific order to ensure sustainable growth and stability.

Change Management: Too much change too quickly can backfire. Brent learned the hard way that effective change management requires prioritization and careful consideration of the company’s unique culture.

Employee Retention through Benefits: Rich benefits and a profit-sharing plan are critical components of Midwest Laboratories' employee retention strategy, making workers feel valued and invested in the business.

Maintaining Faith and Core Values: Integrating faith into daily business practices can strengthen leadership and company culture. Brent's faith plays a crucial role in his management style, offering a moral compass and fostering a caring workplace environment.

Journalizing and Self-Care: Brent's daily routine includes journaling and self-care activities, such as writing down intentions, tracking wins, and acknowledging discomforts to mitigate their impact, which he attributes to his leadership success.

Notable Quotes:

“You got to take care of yourself if you're going to lead others. And you've got to be in a good frame of mind if you're going to lead others.” – Brent Pohlman

“People, process, and technology; it's always in that order.” – Brent Pohlman

“Gratitude for my breath and gratitude for what I've been given for the day where I'm at in this current place. Because I think that's so critical.” – Brent Pohlman

“I will not leverage or borrow from XDev. I don't want outside money or funds or outside ownership in this piece.” – Brent Pohlman

“Faith is a key component of that. And you have to be, if you're living it every single day, you will see the hand of God. I guarantee you that.” – Brent Pohlman

Resources:

Midwest Laboratories Website

Leaders Look Within - Book by Brent Pohlman

Paradox AI

Join us for an inspiring episode that serves a rich blend of leadership wisdom and practical strategies from Brett Pullman. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your approach to business growth with insights from a leader who intertwines personal growth with company success. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from “Growing Your Business with People.”