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In this episode of The Leadership Vision Podcast, host Nathan Freeburg and Dr. Linda Schubring welcome Constantinos Apostolopoulos, also known as Coach Kon. As the founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions and author of The Engagement Blueprint: Building a Culture of Commitment and Performance, Coach Kon brings decades of experience to the conversation. Together, they discuss his immigrant background, unique approach to leadership, and his commitment to fostering human-centric workplaces.

Key Topics:

1. Coach Kon’s Immigrant Background
   • Coach Kon shares how his immigrant roots and Greek heritage shaped his leadership journey and resilience.
   • He discusses how hardship taught him to view adversity as an opportunity for growth, fueling his passion for creating exceptional workplace cultures.
2. Human-Centric Leadership as a Competitive Advantage
   • Emphasizing the importance of human connection, Coach Kon challenges the notion that fostering employee engagement is “soft” work, advocating instead that it’s critical for outperforming competitors.
3. The Importance of Valuing and Engaging Team Members
   • Coach Kon breaks down the four drivers of engagement: feeling valued, connected, productive, and supported. He explains why these are universal human needs, applicable across generations and industries.
4. Insights on Generational and Cultural Intelligence
   • Reflecting on his work with diverse industries, Coach Kon highlights the need for generational and cultural intelligence to bridge gaps in the workplace, particularly between younger employees and those preparing for retirement.
5. From Military Service to Corporate Leadership
   • A former military instructor, Coach Kon shares how his diverse background—from construction to higher education—has informed his approach to leadership development and culture building.
6. Practical Tips for Leaders to Foster Engagement
   • Coach Kon provides actionable advice, including creating a psychologically safe environment, offering specific praise and feedback, and recognizing the strengths of each team member.
7. Applying Human Skills Beyond the Workplace
   • Coach Kon discusses how leadership principles he’s used with youth soccer teams are equally effective in professional settings, illustrating the value of positive reinforcement and setting clear expectations.

Key Quotes:

• “The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s greener where you water it.”
• “When leaders think that engagement is soft, I can tell you it is the difference between being average and being exceptional.”

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.