7 Minutes to Better Selling Podcast - S2 - Ep. 14

Thank you

Hey, welcome everybody to the 7 Minutes of Better Selling podcast

I'm your host, Colin Lake. I'm also the president and founder of Developing the Next Leaders

As many of you know, and some of you know well, I'm also the founder of a firm that is on this mission

to enhance the lives of sales executives, sales teams, and sales organizations

it's like really hard to love doing what you do when you're not performing at your highest level

or you're struggling to do it in a way that you know you're ultimately capable of doing it and so

our whole development next leaders program is to help people think about the sales world in a way

that helps them say ah that's how i get to where i ultimately wanted to go so we've had the

opportunity to work with hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals that make up those

organizations and transform them into this world of like doing their job to loving their career

And so we're really proud of that. And this whole show is all about finding these wonderful people

who can help all of us build these higher platforms to spring off from. So from a logistics perspective

as you know, we say we're the seven minutes of better selling podcast, although the live shows last anywhere from about 10 to 12 minutes. We have an amazing guest here coming on in just a second

And so I'm excited to introduce her in just a second here. But after we do the live show, we take all of the work that we did on the show and bring it to the editing floor

Find those pearls of wisdom and we end up with seven minutes of real, real high value, excellent content for you to take into your lives

So all that in mind, I'm going to welcome Megan Thadford to the show. So Megan, so happy to have you. Thank you so much for spending some time with us

Cool. And thank you for inviting me. I'm excited to be here. Yeah, that's great

So Megan, for those who don't know, is the CEO of Elite Meat, which she's going to tell

us a little bit more about. It's an organization that I got connected to through a mutual connection

Mike Cassidy, who works with us, found the connection. And an organization that once I learned a little bit more about, I've become fascinated with

So Megan, tell us how you get to this. You spent some time in the corporate world and how you get to leading this amazing organization

as to doing amazing things for amazing people. And by the way, each one of those amazings, I meant like in the most literal sense, and you'll hear why when Megan tells us a little more about the organization

Yeah, thanks. And it actually was one of our members at Elite Meet, Jonathan Kleck. He's a former Navy SEAL. He was the one that connected us

So I guess that's a really great story about how our organization works

It's all about connections and using the power of your network. So Elite Meet is a nonprofit organization that supports members of the special operations community coming out of service looking for civilian careers

And really we're a network centric organization designed to help people interact with folks in the professional space as they grow their network, come out of service and look for new careers

And the reason why that's so important is because as our members are transitioning and looking for the next career, they really need a little bit of education

What's possible? What's out there? What are things that they may have never considered for their next career, the next chapter in life

and by bringing business professionals into the same space, whether it be in a digital and virtual

environment or in a physical space for a networking event, they're really able to learn a lot about

where they can apply their skill sets. And one of the reasons the organization was created is

simply because as this group of individuals is deploying and training, they don't have an

opportunity to really build their professional network. So that's a critical piece of moving on

to your next chapter. So we provide that for them. And honestly, it's our network of members

that is the most value to those that are transitioning out of service and civilian careers

And a couple of reasons why is they understand the transition experience. They understand the

skill sets, the experience of the person coming out of service, and they can actually translate

that really well to the talent acquisition team or possibly a hiring manager in their company

So they're a great resource for those folks that are transitioning out. And really, that's what we do

So we support a couple different capacities in opportunities and then we have our virtual network And then our network with folks like you and other business partners that are really really eager to give back in terms of supporting our organization

Sponsorship wise, providing opportunities for careers and jobs for our members and just generally helping us spread the message about the organization

So to you, Colin, and your team over there, we're really grateful for this opportunity and also your offer

to be networked and telling people about some value that's being networked to the corporate space

That's great, too. Great, great explanation there. By the way, you know, there's a lot to pull from it

One thing I want to highlight and maybe ask your thoughts on is, so this is a global show

We have people from all over the world listening in. And I think we all worldwide have an appreciation for the people who protect and serve our countries

And then in particular, those people who are like the special forces, those people who do it at the highest level

So your organization works with those folks that are in the special forces

So how did this elite meet, it kind of makes sense, the elite of the elite, the elite in the military

How did the organization come to that, I don't want to call it a niche, but to that group of people to work with and to serve

That's a great story. So the organization was founded in 2017 by John Allen

He's actually a really good YouTuber. So check him out. we have a chance, an interesting path from his career in the SEAL team to being a tycoon, I guess

is that John was coming out of things earlier than expected and realized he did not have that

professional network to go on to his next chapter. And so really what he said to you is exactly what

I described before. Excuse me, Megan. You're coming in and out a little bit

Would you try switching off your camera? Maybe? Yeah, try that. Better

Yeah, that does sound better. Yes. So go ahead. So you were going to tell us about Jonathan

Yeah, so Jonathan, a part of the organization, coming out of teams was unexpected

He realized that he did not have the threat to network to find his member and really created the concept of bringing elite professionals in corporate environments into the same space with both coming out of elite teams in the military

If there's any, that sounded good. Can you try that? Sure. Can you hear me next

I don't like the variety. It still seems like it's going in and out a little bit

Let's see here. When you say that, it sounded better when you said, let's see here

Better? Yeah, that sounds really good. Right. So, shall I continue? Still having some trouble, a little bit of trouble

I wonder if maybe I just talked for a minute. Megan, you dial right back in

Great. I'll do that. Okay. Okay. All right. So sorry for the technical difficulties, folks

Okay. So maybe two things to consider with what you have maybe heard some of, and maybe some

of it was hard to pull from it, is Elite Mead has found this opportunity to take these folks

who have served our country, in particular in the special forces, and bring them into

like a centralized networking location and then work as like a team, an extended team

throughout the different service organizations, meaning Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and all

the special forces within them. And then they put that networking group together, and then they

help each other find their next place in the world, in the private sector. And these are people who

have been used to performing at like the highest level in all they do And so now you know Megan Elite Meet brings all these folks together gives them this platform to work together

And it's really an amazing group of people to work with. So Megan, you look like you're back and in a better network situation

So there's Elite Meet down the bottom on the left there. So Megan, I was just giving them kind of like an overview and, you know

trying to give like a little bit of a synopsis of what you said. So maybe just if you will, just take one more minute

Like how do you like bring that focus directly to the elite of the elite

How do you like put that whole thing together and then operate going in the way that you guys have been operating

Sure. So it all founded with a Navy SEAL. So, you know, that kind of drove the, I guess, the design of the program and the mission statement and the charter for the organization saying that Elite Meet was going to work specifically in the transition space with folks coming out of the special operations community to include Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Green Berets, 160th pilots, civil affairs and SIOP individuals

So really kind of focusing on that elite market because they really do have a different skill set

And there's a different level of performance and experience that comes with folks that have that military job functionality in the past

And so how that can apply to the elite corporate space is unique

And the caliber of individual coming out of the special operations community is very different

And so trying to keep that together, it's its own brand, essentially. Right

But what really we've learned in the last couple of years is that as folks leave the military, they're really looking for their next tribe

Loss of tribe is a very real thing. And so keeping that tribe aspect in the form of our organization is a very important thing

A lot of folks that will go on to civilian careers want to come back and participate in our events

As I mentioned earlier, they're a tremendous resource for those that are transitioning. but more importantly they want to reconnect with people that understand their experience and they

miss interacting with people from the special operations community so it's really twofold

and so essentially your question is it started in the special operations community because it was

founded by Navy SEAL John Allen and then keeping that close-knit group of individuals with this

high caliber you know performance experience skill set that's really appealing to employers

because they know that they're going to get top tier talent. And so it's a value add on both sides

It's awesome. So Megan, so the whole theme of season two is about selling yourself

Like how do you sell yourself? So I'd be interested in you specifically answering that question as we discussed

But I'd also be interested like if you've seen the Navy SEALs and the Army Rangers

And if you've seen those folks do anything really well in terms of selling themselves to continue to perform at this high level, even though they're performing at like a whole different set of circumstances, right

The military is different than private sector. So both sides of that question

You in particular, do you have some stuff that you want to share and maybe what you've seen some other folks do

Sure. I mean, I think the best way to sell yourself is being authentic, right

I mean, there's a lot of tools, tips, advice that people give you in terms of your social

media, your look, your handshake, the way you present yourself, the way you engage with

people, the things you participate in and believe in. All of those are really important. But I think bottom line is you have to be authentic

And so trying to put out this persona and the things, the checklist that you need to

do essentially for personal branding because someone else said so, that's not authentic

Unless it is authentic to you, you shouldn't be doing it. I'm a firm believer in who you meet in person should be the person that you are portraying

online, you know? And so I think that, that being authentic to yourself and being really kind of critical

about what you're putting out there in terms of your personal brand and how you sell yourself

If, if there's going to be any opportunity for someone to poke holes in that, it's not

it's not selling yourself. You're, you're fooling someone on who you think you want them to, to see

And so I think authenticity is honestly the best way to do it. I think it's the best way you can sell yourself

hard work. And, you know, being good human is really honestly what people want. They don't want

to buy a product, a service or, you know, have a collaboration with someone that isn't genuine

And so that would be my personal advice in terms of how do you sell yourself? Just be you

And that's something that I often give as advice to some of our elite members, because as I

mentioned before it a big shift to go from being in the military to being in the civilian I personally have never transitioned but I had the privilege of working with you with hundreds of members in this space And it is a big identity shift to go from being

a Navy SEAL to a veteran. Now I'm working in a corporate job. It is a big, huge identity shift

And that's why a lot of great programs in the transition space work on what is my purpose

What is my why? Who am I? And where am I going to find that same fulfillment and enjoyment in my

next career because the reality is they're not going to do things that are as purposeful and as

cool as they did in the military. That's just, it's a fact. So there's a little bit of coming

to grips with that was a chapter in my life. It was a big part of who I am, but it's not defining

who I am. And so trying to get to the root of who am I, what's going to give me that sense of

purpose and mission is really important in the transition process. And it helps them figure out

how do they sell themselves in the next role. Now, there are some people that have trouble

you know, kind of leaving that identity behind. And honestly, there are some employers that want

to hire the special operator, you know, they want to hire the Navy SEAL. And they're still

tying that identity to the individual. So there's a little bit of a balance, you know

they know that their skill set is valuable to the potential employer because of their military

experience. And they shouldn't forget about that, but it should not define them totally. So when they sell themselves, for lack of a better way to describe it, they have to use their elite experience in the military and translate that to the value it's going to add to a corporate employer

But the bottom line is they have to sell themselves as a human. They have to show themselves as a contributor to the next team

They have to show themselves as a solid, you know, someone who's going to problem solve or provide solutions for that company

And so they can understand that a little bit of their former identity is valuable in selling themselves in their next chapter, but it should not consume that next identity

And the way that they position themselves is really important. And it takes a lot of work

And that's why some transition programs and finding a mentor are really, really critical for people who are transitioning out of the military

That's great. I love that whole idea of the authenticity. because if you truly do know yourself and you like yourself

it's easy to convince yourself to perform at that unit's highest level

versus what you think someone else is. Well, what is someone else's perception that you try and perform to that level

That's not like your own greatness. That's what you're trying to strive for. And so I think that's a really good point

and it translates beautifully just as you suggested to the – like someone comes out of the Navy SEALs and they come into a corporate world

they perhaps could suggest to themselves every day, they want me to be this

They think I'm that, so I have to try and be that. No, just be who you are and the best of that

So I think that was great, Megan. So let me ask you, if you will share with the listeners how they get in touch with you

or how they find more of Megan Thadford, because I think we all need a little more Megan in our lives

And then Simon will bring the best way to connect with you up there

and then I wish everyone a great day and good selling. So go ahead. Tell us how do we get in touch with you

Sure. So if you want to learn a little bit more about Elite Meat and the folks that are part of our community, it's the website right there, EliteMeetUS.org

If you'd like to reach out to me, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn, Megan Thatford

Happy to have a conversation with anyone looking to interact with our members, looking to learn how they can bring members from the Elite Meat and Special Operations community into their organization

And more importantly, I'll toss out another resource there. I'll send it over to Simon

So if you really want to learn about being authentic, especially in the workplace and especially how it plays into your brand, I highly recommend you check out Erin Hostakoskis

She is on LinkedIn. She's a TEDx speaker. She talks about authenticity and building your brand based on authenticity and moving ahead in your career by being your authentic self

She has a company called The Authentic Inc. And it's been a tremendous resource

And it's something that resonates with folks starting their career. It resonates with people who are in their midway through their career

And then it also resonates with folks coming out of the military. So I think you'll learn a lot from there

And honestly, just truly being yourself is going to be the best way people get ahead and sell their skill sets and their personality

That's awesome. BeAuthenticInc.com. That was awesome. Great share. Thanks for doing that

Megan, again, thanks very much for spending time with us. And good selling, everyone. Well, thank you, Colin

I appreciate it