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Cultivating Flourishing Teams: Insights from Tevia Holst · Unstoppable Success Podcast

• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Unstoppable Leadership Spotlight, influential leaders and their game-changing insights.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Jacqueline Stumminger, CEO and founder of LeapToyour Success.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: That's LeapToyoursuccess.com.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: We help entrepreneurs, leaders, and CEOs grow their business, become unstoppable high achievers in their careers and life, gaining that 1% edge.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: We believe every professional has the power within them to leap to their greatest success that not only will impact their life, but the lives of the people they touch.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: So stick around to the end of the show and we will share with you how you can be our next guest.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: So stick around for those 15 to 20 minutes and let's be unstoppable.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Hi everybody, and welcome to the Unstoppable Leadership Spotlight podcast, where we hear from influential leaders and their game-changing insights.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Jacqueline Strominger, your host, and today I want to welcome our amazing guest, Tevia Holst.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: So a little bit about Tevia is that she is actually the owner and founder of Dakota Accounting.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: And under her leadership, uh, Dakota Accounting has flourished into a thriving company renowned for its exceptional culture and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction through innovative strategies and forward-thinking solutions.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: Tevia has positioned her company at the forefront of the new generation of accounting services.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: So welcome to the Unstoppable Leadership Spotlight podcast.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: And right there in your bio, it talks about leadership.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: So I am really curious what is your philosophy on leadership?
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_01: Well, first of all, thank you for having me here.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_01: I'm super excited.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_01: I love the show, I love the content.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_01: So I'm I'm grateful to be a part of it.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_01: Um, leadership to me honestly is just about cultivating the best team.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_01: And we focus a lot on psychology in our team and who each person is and really setting them up for success.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_01: So for me, it's getting right person, right seat, and encouraging them to flourish, giving them everything they need to be their best, and just kind of, you know, maneuvering the path and making sure we're in the right direction and everybody has what they need and solving big picture um solutions that we need and uh really encouraging them.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_01: And that seems to work for us.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: You know, I I love what you just said.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: It you know, you said a couple of things that I think are so important.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: Number one, you said the word flourish, which is so important and encouraging your team.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: Uh so I've got a couple of questions about that, but I wanted to ask you where did your philosophy come from?
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: And and sort of a two-part question.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: And did you have somebody in your past or under the leadership of somebody else where you're like, oh, I don't want to do that?
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, I that's the perfect thing, right?
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, I think our best education is what we didn't like.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we all had good and bad parts of work, of home life, of all the things.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_01: And it's much easier to say, I do not want to replicate that.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_01: So what's the opposite of that?
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_01: And that's exactly my background.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_01: I, you know, came from a corporate environment after college, and you know, overall the company was a great company, but my individual management was really struggling in my department.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_01: And my like, I guess, North Star about that, that it wasn't just a me problem is the entire department was completely miserable and nobody wanted to be there.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_01: So, you know, not a me problem.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_01: It was a management issue.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_01: And I just watched that was there for five years and watched it, tried to vocalize, you know, change and they just weren't really open to it.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_01: And so I just learned from there really how to treat people, how to encourage people, how to empower them, and let them show up and and make room for that.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, it really was from the opposing of what what I went through in that scenario.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and I think so many of us, as you said, do have that experience where there's something in our past that we didn't like or that we wish that we could change, and if we could kind of like wave the magic wand and do it ourselves, we would we would do it.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_00: Um do you you know, so in this journey and like and and flourishing and helping people, you know, what is what is one thing that you if if as people are listening to to the podcast, if there's one tip that you could say to anybody as a leader, if you could do an X with your team, it's going to pay off.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Like it's something that you either you instituted or a philosophy or like some process or procedure.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I think it's actually a glaring, like singular answer to in my opinion, which is your the culture.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_01: I I think generally in the workplace across industries, uh companies are so worried about the bottom line, right?
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_01: There's so much private equity stockholders in companies that they're having to just squeeze everything they can out of the company, out of the staff, and you know, to like satisfy the stockholder and make all the profit they can.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_01: That has become a culture where people are just like miserable in the workplace.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_01: So the data supports that.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_01: People, you know, don't want to be in their workplace.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_01: And so being a company that focuses on culture and that our people show up because they want to be there, because they're taken care of.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_01: I own culture in the company, I own the vision for that, I own the accountability for that.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_01: And it's really our basis.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_01: I believe if we take care of our people and they're happy, they will above and beyond take care of our clientele.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_01: And so if you're not focusing on that, you're really missing everything for long-term success in your company, in my opinion.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: You know, it no, I and you and I are you're like you're speaking my language, you know, because you know, first of all, something that you said is first and foremost that you own it.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: Like you, you're the you're the leader, you own it.
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_00: And that I think is like so like pat yourself on the back.
• 6:26
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, like kudos, because I think so many people are a lot of leaders or CEOs, and even you know, a leader of a team, because I always think a team is just like a little mini company within a company, you know, they need to own that and own that culture.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: Um but you also said so uh sharing that you know, that comes down to also your, as I call it, your achievement code, the values, your vision and mission for the company obviously is when you're bringing people in, it also helps create that culture.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: So how do you share your vision and mission with people on your team and also with prospective employ employees?
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_01: A couple of ways.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_01: So we're we're real loud and proud about who we are and we vocalize it a lot.
• 7:15
  SPEAKER_01: So obviously it's all over the website, it's all over our social.
• 7:19
  SPEAKER_01: We strictly only do branding on our social, which is literally to say, here's who we are.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_01: If you like that, you can not only work with us, but you can work for us because it's also for you know engagement of potential employees, is what the way we see it.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_01: So the way that we put that out there is we're very unusual in our job posting.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, we purposely make it really loud about who we are.
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_01: It's not cookie cutter, it's not boring.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_01: We put our values in there.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we really try to be transparent so that we're attracting people that are in alignment with that.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_01: The other thing we do internally with the team, you know, we're constantly posting, we're fully remote.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_01: So we have an office space that's virtual and also like a chat scenario, and we're constantly posting about the values and examples of the values.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_01: But I would say the number one thing that we do is we have a weekly meeting where the team is all together and our mission is obliterating the status quo.
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_01: So in every single Monday morning meeting, we have a section where the team knows they are expected to look for the week prior examples of obliterations.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_01: And it can be that they did and maybe they didn't have recognition for because how many of us do things all day long that nobody sees.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_01: Um, or it can be something that they experienced that someone else obliterated for them or someone.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_01: And so the expectation is they bring those examples and we talk about them every single week.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_01: And my message is you focus on what is in front of you.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_01: You focus on what's on the agenda, what you talk about.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_01: And I want them very easily finding those examples so that each other and our clients benefit from a mindset where like it's the norm to go above and beyond.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_01: So that would be the main thing that we do is we focus on it heavily.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: I absolutely love that.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: So listeners, take that action seriously.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_00: That is, you know, I've um I'm part of a networking group that actually we started a whole new company um about networking that's a whole different topic.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um one of the things that we do is every one of our every weekly meeting, we highlight amazing things that have happened within our hub and the people in the hub and wins.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: You know, it could be that you had a conversation with somebody, it could, you know, whatever it is.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_00: So celebrating those wins and bringing out the things and sharing.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: And I think one of the things that that you uh what you're doing is having your team share those good stories.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_00: And, you know, we always hear facts tell, stories sell, right?
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: So that's those stories are so great, and having people share those are that's absolutely fantastic.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: And I would bet that your employees not only feel heard, they feel valued.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_01: Oh yes, I I would I I don't just hope so, I know so, because we we're constantly checking in with them.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_01: One of our values is respectful candor, not radical candor.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_01: I think it's a very different thing, uh, but respectful candor because I always want it coming from a positive, healthy place.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, it needs to be positive words of encouragement.
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but because of our respectful candor value, they we constantly are empowering them to use their voice and to be heard.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_01: And because of that, we get really good feedback from them because they feel safe that, you know, that feedback, good or bad, is going to be taken in a healthy way and utilized.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_01: So they do let us know that they enjoy the culture and and you know what they want to see more or less of.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_01: And we actively work to make sure we're, you know, uh doing that.
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, that's actually so one thing I wanted to ask you because you said that you guys are all virtual and you have these weekly meetings, as you all went virtual or you you became virtual, what is what is like, I mean, I the weekly meeting I would have to say is absolutely pointed.
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_00: But is there any other tip that you can share from a leadership standpoint with somebody you know with another company as they're listening to the podcast, you know how to create how to continue that culture remote?
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_01: So one thing that we committed to from day one, it was actually my first employee, is um, she was an admin assistant, and then we transferred her because of who she is and what she's good at, and her position is actually our culture manager.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_01: And to put emphasis on that, you know, we have a team of 15.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_01: So we're not a massive company, you know, we're constantly growing and hiring for our growth, but she was employee number one, and the that was me putting my money behind.
• 12:08
  SPEAKER_01: We will always be a culture company first and foremost.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_01: And so that helps a lot.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, not everybody has the bandwidth or the commitment, you know, to have a culture manager, but you can sprinkle in things where her entire job is to not only be checking in with the team regularly, she doesn't even do accounting work, she checks in with them, but she plans stuff for us.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_01: So we regularly get together virtually and we will mail the team.
• 12:35
  SPEAKER_01: Like a couple weeks ago, we did a craft together.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_01: And, but we also engage the team.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_01: We'll either bring in a speaker, like some we all love animals.
• 12:43
  SPEAKER_01: So sometimes we'll do like a virtual tour of a little zoo, and the person will like walk us around and we'll, you know, meet the animals.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_01: Other times we'll lean on our team skills.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_01: So the couple weeks ago, one of the gals on the team is really good at macrame, which I didn't even really know what that was.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_01: And we shipped the whole team a macrame kit and we sat together for an hour and she taught us how to do macrame, and now we have like a little takeaway.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_01: And, you know, a couple weeks from now, we're doing Christmas cookies.
• 13:14
  SPEAKER_01: One of the gals is like a phenomenal baker, and this is the second time we've done this with her, and she teaches us all how to make these yummy cookies, and we all go on Zoom and we set our computers, you know, out and we bake and we do that, and it's just a great time.
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_01: And we make that commitment.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_01: We'll get together and stream, not required, we'll but we'll stream movies and we'll have like a movie night together or a game night.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_01: We love games, so game night is well attended.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_01: And I love it.
• 13:43
  SPEAKER_01: So we just, you know, give opportunity and they don't they don't have to come and we do it in varying times.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_01: We don't always do evening stuff.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_01: Sometimes we'll do it during the workday, uh, because that way people that you know want to have dinner with their families have a different time to engage with us.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_00: So that's I absolutely love that.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_00: It is such a great idea, and I love that idea of having somebody on your team being like you know, they're the culture creator.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: And that's you know, and and and and helping with that.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_00: So uh as you think about your leadership, um what what aspect do you feel that you're that you want to work on and how are you challenging yourself?
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_01: I love this question because I think about it all the time.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_01: I I'm constantly aware of where the vision is and where we want to go, and that acknowledging I am not the leader today that I need to be for the company tomorrow.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_01: And I am constantly engaging in that conversation.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_01: And what rooms do I need to be in?
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_01: What education do I need to have?
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_01: What thought process do I need to be aware of to be prepared for the next stage of the company?
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_01: And because I think it's a big thing in the entrepreneurial community, you know, it's really talked about about how, you know, at different stages, the same entrepreneur is not necessarily prepared.
• 15:13
  SPEAKER_01: Some are made for real small business and not not beyond that, and some are made for running huge companies, but they would not be successful, you know, starting from scratch of their own small business.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_01: And I've always run the company.
• 15:27
  SPEAKER_01: In my mind, it was never small.
• 15:29
  SPEAKER_01: It was never one person, it was never two people.
• 15:32
  SPEAKER_01: I always planned for what decision do I need to make, what software do we need, what processes do we need, so that when we're, you know, hundreds of people, this will work, or we at least have the mindset to shift to something that will work.
• 15:45
  SPEAKER_01: So I've just always had my eye on the long term and who do I need to be, what do I need to be doing?
• 15:50
  SPEAKER_01: And I think that's helped keep us on a growth path.
• 15:54
  SPEAKER_01: That's that's absolutely fantastic.
• 15:56
  SPEAKER_00: So, all right, so tell us how our listeners can find you, connect with you, because everybody you're gonna want to connect with Teviah.
• 16:05
  SPEAKER_00: Um, she's awesome.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: So, how can we find you?
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we've got you know all the regular socials.
• 16:11
  SPEAKER_01: Our website is all Dakota Accounting, so real easy to find.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_01: Um, we're we're out there, we're rocking and rolling, you know, we're not hiding.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_01: So if you want us, we're there.
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_00: No, that is absolutely fantastic.
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_00: So, listeners, seriously, connect with her.
• 16:27
  SPEAKER_00: I love everything that you have said.
• 16:29
  SPEAKER_00: We're a lot of on the same mindset.
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so this is the Unstoppable Leadership Spotlight podcast.
• 16:35
  SPEAKER_00: And thank you guys all for listening.
• 16:37
  SPEAKER_00: If you want to be a guest, please go to my website, leaptoyoursuccess.com, and click on podcast and apply.
• 16:43
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and we will be helping every leader be the best that they can be.
• 16:49
  SPEAKER_00: And as I always like to say, be unstoppable.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_00: So thank you guys all for listening and thank you for being on as a guest.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, thanks, Jacqueline.
• 17:01
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Jacqueline Strominger, and I want to thank you so much for listening to the Unstoppable Leadership Spotlight, Influential Leaders and Their Game Changing Insights podcast.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_00: If you are a successful CEO, entrepreneur, or leader in your industry, and you have insights you would like to share, we want you to be a guest on this program.
• 17:19
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• 17:25
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• 17:50
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• 17:55
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• 18:12
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• 18:17
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• 18:26
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• 18:38
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• 18:40
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