Ep. 73 : Lenny Stern, Co-Founder of SS+K, On The Transformative Power of Self-Awareness and Hiring Diverse Leaders

In this episode of The Honest Field Guide Podcast, host JinJa
Birkenbeuel engages in a deep conversation with Lenny Stern, a
prominent figure in marketing and communications. They explore
Lenny's journey from his upbringing in Queens, New York, to his
impactful career in politics and business. The discussion touches
on themes of diversity, resilience, and the importance of
self-awareness in entrepreneurship. Lenny shares insights from
his family history, his experiences in high school and college,
and his passion for making a difference in the world through
responsible leadership. In this engaging conversation, Lenny
Stern shares his journey from grassroots political organizing to
becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the importance
of understanding every aspect of a campaign, the characteristics
that define successful entrepreneurs, and the innovative approach
his company took in political consulting. Lenny reflects on his
experience working with Barack Obama and emphasizes the
significance of diversity and self-awareness in leadership roles.
Key Takeaways - Lenny emphasizes the importance
of self-awareness in entrepreneurship. - He believes in finding
what you love and making a difference. - Diversity and different
perspectives are crucial for growth. - Trauma can lead to
resilience and understanding. - Political engagement can lead to
meaningful change. - The lessons from politics are applicable in
business. - Exploration and experimentation are key to personal
growth. - Women play a vital role in supporting and uplifting
others. - Listening to different viewpoints enriches
understanding. - Success in life often comes from connections and
relationships. - Understanding every step of the way is crucial
for success. - Fearlessness and passion are key traits of
entrepreneurs. - Political campaigns are like startups, requiring
creativity and adaptability. - Finding the right partners can
enhance entrepreneurial success. - Diversity in leadership brings
different perspectives and strengths. - Self-awareness is
essential for effective leadership. - Hiring for the future
requires recognizing different lived experiences. - It's
important to embrace change and not fear failure. - Building
relationships with leaders who inspire is vital. - Engaging with
diverse communities enriches business strategies. The Honest
Field Guide podcast, created by Birk Creative and hosted by our
Chief Executive Officer JinJa Birkenbeuel, is for entrepreneurs
and business owners to help you navigate the complexities of
starting, running, sustaining, growing and then scaling a
business. Conversations about business include some of the
world’s most successful behind-the-scenes entrepreneurs. Follow
our show on http://www.instagram.com/honestfieldguide or at
http://www.twitter.com/thehonestfield. The podcast is recorded
and produced by benefit corporation Birk Creative: A benefit
corporation designing strategies and visual identities to help
brands adapt with intelligence to the market. Visit
http://www.birkcreative.com.


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creative @2018 Birk Creative. The Honest Field Guide is created
and written by JinJa Birkenbeuel, CEO of Birk Creative. The
opinions expressed on The Honest Field Guide are opinions only
and only represent the personal views of JinJa Birkenbeuel.