Ep 53: Decoding Motives that Drive Better Teamwork

Guest Bio:

Cary Prejean is the founder and CEO of Strategic Business Advisors, with four decades of experience helping over 400 small to mid-sized businesses systemize operations and double net income within 9–12 months. A CPA with a degree in accounting, Cary provides real-time KPI dashboards and monthly reports to simplify financial management. He is a certified ontological coach, a Predictive Index partner, and has taught at four Louisiana universities. Cary also speaks publicly, has authored three books, and works with clients across the U.S. in industries ranging from e-commerce to healthcare. Cary is also a cyclist, baker and married with 4 kids and 6 grandkids.

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Follow Cary Prejean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryprejean/

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Episode Highlights

Cary Prejean brings four decades of experience as a CPA and certified ontological coach, having worked with numerous small to mid-sized businesses to improve their financial outcomes. His perspective emphasizes that strong financials are deeply connected to the human element and the prevailing culture within an organization. A leader’s approach significantly influences the bottom line of a business.

Business often mirrors the personal habits and values of its owner, advocating for a high degree of accountability where leaders are ultimately responsible for the environment they cultivate. Employee behaviors can be shaped by the management style, sometimes leading to disengagement if micromanagement is prevalent or empowerment is lacking. Instead of focusing on blame when issues arise, Cary proposes an approach where business owners engage staff in more collaborative discussions, aiming to foster an environment where team members feel a sense of ownership and are encouraged to contribute meaningfully.

Everyone interprets the world through their own unique "narratives," which in turn influence their beliefs and reactions. For communication to be effective, particularly between management and employees, it's beneficial to acknowledge these differing viewpoints. Entrepreneurs are often characterized by their risk-taking and fast-paced nature, and may need to adjust their communication style to better connect with employees who might prefer more stability and clear guidelines.

Business operations can be viewed as a series of interactions, highlighting the importance of clear declarations, requests, offers, and promises. Many businesses could improve in these areas by being more precise in their communication. Emphasizing the utility of written communication and consistent follow-up, he outlined how these practices can streamline processes, build trust, and ensure tasks are completed efficiently, ultimately benefiting overall productivity.

To provide deeper insights into individual communication preferences and team dynamics, Prejean describes the Predictive Index assessment. This brief tool helps individuals understand their behavioral traits across several dimensions: independence, extraversion, pace, and precision. The results can offer valuable self-awareness, showing how individuals perceive themselves and how they might be perceived by others. This understanding, along with guidance on managing different personality types, can be a useful resource for improving workplace relationships and fostering a more engaged and effective team environment.

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Additional Resources:

• Strategic Business Advisors website: https://strategicbusinessadvisors.org/

• Predictive Assessment: https://assessment.predictiveindex.com/8aa2d377-7023-450a-a8fa-502797a45e03#page0

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