In this episode of Culture From the Heart Podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by John Howe, the CEO of American Pipe and Supply, a wholesale distributor of pipe, valves, fittings, plumbing fixtures, and fire sprinkler materials. John shares his journey with the company over the past 12 years, emphasizing the critical role that a positive company culture plays in performance improvement. He discusses the importance of hiring the right people, recognizing and developing informal influencers, and promoting from within. John also highlights their successful internal promotion and retention strategies, including the implementation of a sales and management training program. He emphasizes giving back to the community as a vital component of their culture. Throughout the conversation, John provides valuable insights and practical advice on building a heart-centered workplace that not only retains talent but also serves clients and uplifts communities. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable strategies for leaders looking to cultivate a thriving, inclusive, and productive culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Culture: John's experience shows that company performance improves as the culture improves
• Identifying Influencers: Recognizing and working with informal influencers within an organization is crucial.
• Internal Promotions: Promoting from within boosts employee morale and retention.
• Employee Development: Investing in employee training and development pays off in the long run.
• Community Engagement: Giving back to the community enhances company reputation and employee satisfaction.
• Leadership Mentorship: Early mentoring in John's career helped shape his leadership approach

QUOTES

• "And the key is doing what you say you're gonna do."
• "If you make one bad hiring decision and you don't recognize it quickly... one person can bring 10 down quickly."
• "It all starts and ends with culture."
• "We're looking for if they fit with our culture and if they are someone everyone likes working with."
• "Promoting from within enables you to keep your folks and show the rest of the team that they too have opportunities for growth."
• "Growth occurs from the inside out."
• "I do not feel better ever in my work life than walking out of that school every week."

Learn more about Darrell and Larry.

Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

Connect and learn more about John Howe.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-howe-528a133/

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