What does it take to build an award-winning workplace culture that earns Best Places to Work 2025 for the third year in a row?

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Richard Ollis, CEO of Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors, an employee-owned company in Springfield, Missouri, known for exceptional culture, transparency, and people-first leadership.

Richard shares how he evolved from a “command and control” leadership style into service-oriented leadership, and why that shift transformed everything. You will learn the culture strategies that drive real engagement, including inclusive decision making, company-wide transparency, equity ownership, top-tier benefits, and how benchmarking helps organizations become an employer of choice.

You will also hear how Richard creates a standout employee experience through a purposeful onboarding process, including his “first hour, first day, first week” approach and why meeting new hires personally matters. Plus, Richard explains how humor, curiosity, routines during tough seasons, and personal development create momentum, retention, and team pride.

If you want practical leadership ideas to energize your team, strengthen culture, and build a workplace people truly love, this episode is packed with strategies you can use right now.

Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors: https://ollisakersarney.com/

Richard Ollis LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-ollis-325a417/

CONNECT WITH DESI:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

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Instagram: @Desi.Payne

Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with Tom Douglas of JMARK, a recognized voice in AI, business strategy, and workplace culture. Tom shares insights from his economic forecasting, the changing workforce, and the mind blowing technology that is shaping the next decade. He also reveals why leadership development is more important than ever, especially as middle managers are stretched thin and many employees feel disconnected at work.

You will hear what Tom believes defines an energized leader, why vision creates momentum, and how leaders can build a culture where people feel safe, celebrated, and appreciated. Tom explains how JMARK earned recognition as a top workplace by being intentional about employee experience, including appreciation days, hiring based on core values, and prioritizing employee health and wellbeing.

Plus, Tom shares his personal strategies for staying energized, the leadership lesson he would change if he could go back in time, and a powerful gadget recommendation that helps leaders stay organized in conversations.

If you want to strengthen workplace culture, boost employee retention, and lead with clarity through uncertainty, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration.

Tom Douglas Website: https://www.adaptordie.com/

Tom's Favorite Gadget: Plaud AI Voice Note Pro Recorder: https://a.co/d/ihRQLFX

Tom's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashdouglas/

CONNECT WITH DESI:

https://www.desipayne.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/desipaynemotivationalspeaker

www.youtube.com/c/desipayne

Instagram: @Desi.Payne

Facebook: @DesiPayneMotivationalSpeaker

In this powerful episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne sits down with David Cameron, City Manager of Springfield, Missouri, to talk about a topic leaders cannot afford to ignore: mental health.

David shares the real story behind his high-performance leadership journey, including what he learned from growing up in a small Missouri town, leading city growth and development, and helping secure major projects like Amazon’s million-square-foot facility during the height of COVID. But beyond the achievements, David gets honest about the hidden weight many leaders carry, and why success at work can sometimes mask pain, burnout, and trauma.

You will hear how David discovered the importance of counseling, emotional awareness, and taking intentional time away from work to reset his mind and reconnect with life. He explains his groundbreaking leadership practice called Freedom Leave, a bold approach that requires leaders to take extended time off with no email, no calls, and no work contact, so they can truly disconnect, reflect, and return healthier.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways for leaders, managers, HR professionals, and anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where people feel supported, valued, and cared for both on and off the clock. If you want to lead with energy, courage, and authenticity, this conversation will challenge you, inspire you, and remind you that your mental health matters.