Boards are critical to the success of an organization. They hold the responsibility of ensuring the sustainability and shaping the future of the company beyond the tenure of any one employee. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton welcomes FCCS VP of Governance and Board Development…

Leaders who want to inspire confidence and drive success know that presence is an essential part of their leadership. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Sally Williamson, CEO of Sally Williamson & Associates, speaker, and executive presence expert for a conversation…

A healthy intersection of business success and employee wellbeing has reached an all-time critical high. More than ever before, businesses and managers need to support a workplace where employees feel that their health and well-being are prioritized so they can thrive. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Commun…

Carefully cultivated positive habits have the power to transform our personal and professional lives. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by FCCS Senior Consultant and Director Jeannie Clinkenbeard. Jeannie is also the lead facilitator of the FCCS Leading Self and Leadi…

Welcome to the 50th episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast. Our guest today is THE original guest from episode one, Keynote Speaker Ryan Avery. Ryan has been partnering with FCCS for the Go From A Leader to THE Leader Online Strategic Communications Program and is THE Keynote Speaker at many of the FCCS conferences. Today we’re talking about celeb…

It can be hard to see change coming, but there are patterns in the way change disrupts an industry that, when identified, can help to empower an organization to prepare for what’s coming and be prepared to act. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS sits down with Vance Cro…

Emotional intelligence (EQ) has been identified by 85% of employers as even more valuable than IQ, but it is often seen as something that you either have or don’t have. New science shows that it is possible to increase emotional intelligence with training and practice, which can benefit relationships both in and outside of the workplace. In this ep…

In today’s fast-paced sales environment, sales leaders must possess the agility to adapt to a variety of situations. A rigid approach to leadership may have worked in the past, but it won’t work for companies that are going to succeed in the future. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communic…

Times of uncertainty can make it very difficult to maintain momentum, but it is in these moments it is crucial that we don’t let these disruptions paralyze us. A proactive approach to overcoming challenges is key. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS is joined by Business…

Between emotional factors, unspoken expectations, and ineffective communication, a family business can be exceptionally difficult to navigate. A lack of succession planning can destroy a family business and cost Farm Credit a client. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS w…

Today’s workplace is at a crossroads, and effective leaders need to know how to navigate through change, challenge and chaos. Inspiring hope is the best way to impact meaningful change, and today’s guest is an expert on the topic of hope. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at F…

Customers today have more choices than ever before, creating a flooded market that is filled with commodities. So what can organizations do to stand out in the crowd? The answer is simple, just ask Mickey Mouse. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS welcomes author, consul…

Climate risk is hardly a new concept, and the ag industry is always looking for ways to mitigate and adapt to the ongoing changes and increased risk exposures facing farmers today. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS is joined by Chris Peacock, CEO and founder of AgCor f…

Attracting and developing human capital is more critical than ever in today’s high demand, low supply talent market. With the help of data assessments, hiring managers can feel confident that they are making the best decisions about who they are bringing onto their teams. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of…

Culture makes all the difference between teams that thrive and those that struggle. We look to leaders to set the example of culture, but culture is really the responsibility of every member of the team. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS welcomes speaker and consultant…

Your effectiveness as a leader is only as strong as your ability to influence others. Unfortunately, too many companies aren’t giving their leaders the ability to positively influence their teams and workplace culture. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS sits down with l…

Traditional business success has been defined by profits, but the businesses that are going to succeed in the future are the ones that are thinking more about their people. Team members are humans with human needs and are motivated by so much more than just a paycheck. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Ma…

The rapid pace of change and uncertainty in the past few years has brought with it unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety in both professional and personal settings. Leaders know that employees have been operating in crisis mode for years and the impact of that stress can’t be ignored any longer. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast,…

How, when, and where we buy has changed dramatically in recent years. Winning companies in today’s competitive marketplace are the ones that are fast and easy to do business with. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS welcomes back author, speaker, and customer experience …

Successful leaders continually learn, reinvent themselves, and stay open to new and different ways of doing things. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS, is joined by Michele Padilla, Director, and Senior Leadership Consultant for FCCS and instructor and facilitator for t…

In this special edition episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Jean Cantey Segal, Chief Learning Officer, FCCS welcomes Jay Lux, Vice President of Leadership & Organizational Development for FCCS, Leslie Hilton, Vice President of Governance and Board Development, and Angie Coleman, Organizational Development Consultant with FCCS. In a roundt…

In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton is joined by Joe Somers, Director of Consulting in Agribusiness, Chris Varvares, VP and Co-head of US Economics and Paul Bingham, Director, Transportation Consulting all with IHS Markit, now a part of S&P Global. They have come together for a conversation about three critical to…

In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Jean Cantey Segal, Chief Learning Officer, FCCS, is joined by Scott Klososky, Founding Partner, FPOV and Annette Klososky, Founding Partner, Senior C-Suite and Executive Leadership Consultant, FPOV. Together Scott and Annette lead a leading technology strategy firm that focuses on helping organi…

In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS welcomes Steve Curtin. Steve has 20 years of experience between hotel operations, sales and marketing, training and development, and customer service roles. He's the author of Delight Your Customers, and his most recent book coming out…

A connected leader is one who is present, vulnerable, and inspiring, and today’s digitally distracted and emotionally burnt out teams are looking to their leaders for purpose, authenticity, and connection. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP Marketing and Communications, FCCS at FCCS welcomes human behavior ex…

Regardless of your position in your organization, you are in sales. As a representative of your company’s brand and a customer service representative in projects and processes, you are in sales and relationship management. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP Marketing and Communications, FCCS at FCCS is joined…

With an average of 120 emails received by employees every day, the ability to share information and ideas in an effective way is critical. But what makes an effective email, and how can you know if your writing style needs a little tweaking? In today’s episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Heather Sang is joined by author and founder of KDV…

The FCCS Accelerator of the Year Award is presented to a forward thinking leader who is working to make a difference in their organization by accelerating them beyond the norm and into the future. The award recipient focuses on growth and development within their organization and within the community at large. In this episode of The Forward Thinkin…

With four generations in the workforce, a talent pool that has been shrinking for over 30 years, and over two years of uncertainty and increased stress, it is no surprise that today’s employers are having to alter their one-size-fits-all approach to recruiting and retention. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP…

It’s been two years since the pandemic required a complete transition to online work, and the benefits and lessons learned from this shift have been expansive and long-lasting. But what does it take to be an effective leader in today’s remote and hybrid environment? In today’s episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP Marke…

It’s that time of year again. Performance reviews are upon us, and without the proper preparation, even the best leaders can miss this valuable opportunity to make meaningful connections with their team members. In today’s episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP Marketing and Communications, FCCS is joined by Jeannie Clin…

All that has really changed recently is everything. 2022 is a year of new opportunities, and it’s all about pressing forward to the future. On today’s episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Jean Cantey Segal welcomes Leslie Hilton, Jay Lux, and Lisa Cavanaugh to introduce the consultants from the FCCS Consulting Network and kick off the new …

The last ten years has seen rapid changes to processes, projects and positions. And as essential as it is to keep up with change, it’s even more essential to ensure that your team is on board with you. People care about how change is going to impact them personally, and leaders need the tools and strategies that will help them and their team naviga…

The future of digital transformation is the future of business, the workforce, and the world. Today’s host FCCS Chief Learning Officer Jean Cantey Segal welcomes Future Point of View thought leader and speaker Scott Klososky, for a conversation about the future of digital transformation over the next five to ten years. Scott works to help companies…

Surrounding yourself with wise mentors and a strong network can be the key to a successful career. But how can you develop these relationships? Today’s host John Regentin, Senior Consultant at FCCS is joined by the 14th President of Gettysburg College, faculty of Women of Distinction at Gettysburg Janet Riggs for a conversation about the power of n…

Conversations — whether you love them or hate them, we all have to participate in them. What feels like a gift to some can be torture for others, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our guest today believes that anyone can learn how to be an exceptional conversationalist. Today our new host Michele Padilla, Director & Senior Leadership Consultant a…

Is customer loyalty dead? With constant disruptions in today’s marketplace, companies have to work smarter than ever before to maintain loyalties and meet the expectations of today’s customers, clients, and staff. Our guest today understands how forward thinking companies make this happen. David Avrin is one of the most in-demand Customer Experienc…

How we communicate is how we operate. What does your communication style say about you? Returning to the podcast, our guest Ryan Avery is here to discuss THE communication strategies that make great leaders. Ryan Avery is THE Keynote Speaker, and he has continued to partner with FCCS for the Go From A Leader to THE Leader Online Strategic Communica…

Courageous leaders are in greater demand today than ever before, but what exactly does such a powerful leader look like? What do they say and how do they interact with their team? On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications, Stephanie Barton welcomes Mike Stavers, executive leadership coach, author of Lea…

An overly agreeable board of directors may sound nice, but it is exactly the opposite of what a forward thinking company wants in their boardroom. To help explain what the board of directors should be striving toward instead, on this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Jay Lu…

The pandemic has impacted every facet of the US economy, leaving economists wondering what exactly the long-term impacts might be. To answer some of the most pressing economic questions, this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast joins FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Joel Prakken, Chief US Economist, IHS Markit, for a…

Over the past year, the pandemic required that nearly every aspect of life be put on hold, but the time has come for forward thinking leaders to resume looking to the future. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications, Stephanie Barton and the Futurist and founder of The Foresight Academy, Jared Nichols…

What are you doing in 2021 to accelerate the success and growth of your organization? Effective leaders have a win-win mindset that shows in every aspect of their work, and today’s guest has proven that this mindset makes all the difference. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS CEO Chad Moller is joined by Byron Enix, former CEO of…

How can the stories we tell create distinction with our clients? On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton welcomes author, speaker, and distinction expert Scott McKain to identify the value of stories and creativity in setting ourselves apart. Scott will be speaking in the upcoming FC…

Company culture has moved to the forefront of every organization’s efforts over the last year, and the results have been both valuable and insightful. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, we’re exploring what it takes to align strong culture and purpose. FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton is joined by Andy Goldman-…

Accountability builds trust, creates consistency, and drives success, but how can you increase accountability in your employees? On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, we’re exploring the critical role that accountability plays in the productivity and efficiency of individuals and teams. FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie B…

What does it take to take your team beyond motivated to fully activated? The ability to activate the prey drive in your team is the key to building a winning culture and leading any team to greatness, and today’s guest will show you how. On this episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton interv…

As leaders continue to guide their teams into the unknown of the future, the most essential leadership skills they need can be found in the past. On today’s episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton interviews Jeff Ton, speaker, author, IT professional, explorer, host and guest of numerous pod…

In this time of pandemic and constant change, today’s leaders need to be prepared to face a future that is largely a mystery. There is no greater example of effectively leading a team into the unknown than that of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. On today’s episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Ba…

Leadership skills and strengths are more important today than ever before. Increased complexity and volatility in today’s world demand that leaders navigate constant changes and intense challenges, leaving some leaders feeling unsure of how to effectively proceed. On today’s episode of The Forward Thinking Podcast, FCCS VP of Marketing and Communic…