Patrick: That sounds like a real gutsy move because normally a growth organization wants more sales. They're like, "Hotdog, we got money!" But you had to step in and make some real strategic, disciplined, and even probably painful
Odell: Yeah. It's not easy.
Patrick: Is that something that you help a lot of other businesses with? Is that what you're doing now?
Odell: Yes. Whatever business you're in should be the business you're planning on being in the rest of your life. Meaning that you may have a number of vehicles that you employ, but your "why" should always be driving. Whatever car you're in, your "why" should be driving.
Oftentimes when I come into businesses what I recognize is that they've created a vision for the company without any respect to vision for their lives. So they're off on this course and they're still completely unfulfilled, not enjoying what they're doing, things are problematic, and they're constantly having issues.
Patrick: Is this the executive team or is this the whole team?
Odell: Yes. Because what starts at the top flows down.
Patrick: Right. I believe that management reproduces itself.
Odell: Management reproduces itself. Management sets the tone for the environment. Management determines the attitude of the players. Management controls whether or not things are on track or askew. Management has all of that authority.
Patrick: How do you get a bit on an executive when they're usually wild stallions anyway? Does that make sense? It sounds like that's what has to happen. You have to get them to get a grip on what's really going on in their business.
Odell: That's the hardest thing of all because most business people, including myself, consider ourselves to be successful. Remaining teachable and coachable is not always an easy thing, especially when the dial spins around and the mirror is pointing at you. That's the hard thing because it's always easy to say, "I need a better system. I need a better piece of software. I need better marketing. I need a better team."
But more often than not, that's not what needs to happen. What needs to happen is a change in here, between your ears. Once you get that clear, then everything else can be built on it and it will stay in alignment.