0:09-1:49

Steve Van Diest introduces himself, Acumen, and his guest, Justin Donat. Their topic for the day: the possible detriment of "hiring out your weaknesses" in business leadership! Justin speaks about the value of his experience with Acumen and emphasizes that though the classic advice to build a team that fills your gaps is sound, his story is one of twisting and misunderstanding the idea before ultimately leaning on Acumen to address the predicament that misunderstanding created.

1:50-4:30

Steve prompts Justin to share a bit more about his background. Justin and his wife started their company, True North Restoration, in 2015 out in Denver before beginning to scale and open more locations using the branch model. They moved to the franchise model in 2018 and now have 17 franchises around the country. In terms of his leadership journey, Justin points to his MBA and experience in the corporate world as contributors to his "big picture" thinking. In his leadership skills though, he felt the absence of guidance, formal training, and expertise for several years, and filled the gap by simply working as hard as possible.

4:31-6:28

Partially in response to the knowledge that he was learning on his feet without much leadership experience, Justin focused on hiring people who would help him lead. This was not a great strategy, specifically because he found those he hired didn't share his strategic vision, and a couple of the wrong people quickly took the company in the wrong directions. It took support and reminders from the Acumen community to get back on track! 

6:29-10:26

Steve pushes Justin to think about how this journey related to feelings of insecurity or a lack of self-belief. Justin agrees that he did not feel he had the pedigree or background to lead a franchise, but that beyond that, he wanted to avoid being overconfident or arrogant, and so developed a kind of false humility in his role. It took him years to work through those insecurities and confused impulses. Steve fondly remembers the exact moment when an Acumen partner, a wise and influential leader, directly reminded Justin that he was his company's leader, that he was the right person for it, and that it was his role to lead well. Justin shares that this brief conversation proved to be pivotal, changing everything for him personally and for his company in practical and big-picture ways.

10:27-14:27

Steve asks how this shift affected the leaders of Justin's many franchises - does he now see his values and strategy pouring outward to them? Justin affirms the great leadership team he has, and the power of humility among them all. All the leaders ask questions, listen to one another, and continue to learn and grow! Steve marvels at Justin's journey, which began when he was in his mid-twenties, and asks him to share any key advice with leaders experience similar feelings of inexperience or insecurity. Justin speaks to the challenge of tunnel vision as an owner, when you can perceive the problems in your business but possibly not your own personal weaknesses. He affirms the value of having many perspectives around you, particularly from peers outside of the company like Justin found in Acumen. Wise counsel like that, he believes, is a necessity.

14:28-14:48

Justin shares about some upcoming plans he's excited about: True North is growing and scaling fast, and Justin is excited to dive into building out processes, SOPs, and systems. 

14:49-17:17

Steve closes out asking for Justin's contact information.

Website: gotruenorth.com

Email: justin@gotruenorth.com

Linkedin: Justin Donat

Steve summarizes the key takeaway from the conversation: do hire our your weaknesses; but stay true to who you are and don't step back from your leadership; and stay around people outside your work who can remind you of who you are and how to lead well. He shares more information about learning more about Acumen at acumenimpact.com.