The Third Layer
The Third Layer
Podcast Description
The Third Layer is a podcast crafted for family-owned business owners and leaders who truly understand the intricacies of navigating a business where family and leadership intersect. Hosted by Marshall Lockton, who has lived the family-owned business experience from various leadership viewpoints, guests share what they’ve learned about what makes family business leaders uniquely able to lead with culture. The podcast zeroes in on the greatest leadership lessons about culture learned throughout the career of a seasoned family business leader. We uncover how that one pivotal insight transformed them and influenced everything they do. We go beyond the first layer and ask the leader to help the audience really understand why the lesson was so important to them and how it applies to different facets of their business(es) and life. Through personal stories and expert reflections, listeners gain practical wisdom and inspiration to lead with impact, create cultures that connect stakeholders, navigate challenges unique to family business, and carry forward the legacy of their family business.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Key themes of The Third Layer include leadership development, culture building, personal stories, and legacy creation within family businesses. Episodes feature discussions on critical topics such as the transition of leadership in family business after loss, the significance of purpose-driven leadership, and fostering high-performance cultures, exemplified by episodes like 'Building A Legacy: Leadership In Family Business With Tyler Nottberg' and 'The Heart of a Caregiver with Andy Eby'.
The Third Layer is crafted for family-owned business leaders who understand the intricacies of navigating a business where family and leadership intersect. Host, Marshall Lockton zeroes in on the greatest leadership lessons.
William Etnyre, a fourth-generation owner and current Chairperson of Etnyre, shares the compelling evolution of his family’s business, from its 1898 roots in farming equipment to a leading road construction manufacturer. Despite a period where his direct family branch was not involved in operations, William, a social worker with a deep commitment to human well-being, unexpectedly ascended to lead the board. Under his leadership and in partnership with a non-family CEO, Ganesh, who shares his social impact vision, Etnyre has undergone a significant transformation.They’ve championed a people-first culture, prioritizing fair wages, diversity, and community engagement, rooted in the company’s long-standing ethos of caring for all stakeholders. This purpose-driven approach has correlated with remarkable business growth, with revenues nearly tripling in seven years, demonstrating that doing good can also mean doing well. Etnyre’s journey highlights the power of intentional governance and intergenerational engagement to secure a family business’s legacy and ensure its relevance for future generations.
Key Themes:
Purpose-Driven Leadership Strategic Non-Family CEO Partnership Intentional Family Governance & Education Culture of Dignity and Fair Compensation Profit with Purpose (Conscious Capitalism) Continuous Learning and Adaptation
Additional Resources:
William Etnyre, Chair Of The Board Of Directors, Etnyre International
Connect with Marshall on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Timestamps:
01:16 – The origin story of the Etnyre family business 11:00 – Early work experience at Etnyre during high school and college 12:40 – Choosing social work over business school and military service 17:25 – Mini MBA and continuing education for board preparation 18:27 – Re-engagement with the family business from Seattle 21:31 – Structure and history of the Etnyre company board 28:13 – Recruiting a new CEO shortly after becoming board chair 36:43 – Integrating social impact into the business structure 48:26 – Commitment to authentic, value-aligned leadership 52:32 – Family member engagement and next-generation involvement 01:00:20 – Guiding the family toward shared purpose and ownership 01:02:36 – Reflections on fulfillment and legacy as board chair
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