In this episode of Epochal Growth, Sarah sits down with Craig Crisler, CEO and co-founder of Support Ninja, to discuss the evolution of leadership, the importance of transparency, and how to foster a culture of co-creating value.

Craig shares his journey from startup founder to leading a company with over 2,000 employees across five countries, emphasizing the power of servant leadership and humility. They explore the challenges of managing outsourcing in today’s business world and how focusing on people and purpose can transform both internal teams and client relationships. Craig also touches on his personal experiences in recovery and how they’ve shaped his leadership style, making authenticity and transparency core pillars of his approach.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on building meaningful connections, navigating business growth, and leading with purpose.

Key Takeaways

Co-Creation of Value: Craig emphasizes the importance of creating value collaboratively with clients, employees, and partners. Leadership should focus on how every interaction can provide mutual benefit and growth.

Transparency is Essential Authenticity and transparency are key to building trust within teams and with clients. Craig believes in owning mistakes, sharing challenges, and leading with vulnerability.

Servant Leadership: As a CEO, Craig operates from a mindset of servant leadership, where his role is to support and enable his team to succeed. This approach fosters trust, accountability, and growth.

People-First Culture: Craig’s passion for the people aspect of business is central to Support Ninja’s success. Building a culture that values employees and nurtures their development translates into better results for clients.

Learning and Growth Mindset: Craig talks about embracing humility as a leader. He encourages constantly learning, admitting when you don’t have all the answers, and empowering others to contribute their expertise.

Leading Through Recovery: Craig shares how his personal recovery journey shaped his leadership philosophy, reinforcing the importance of being honest, transparent, and real with both yourself and your team.

Breaking Old Models: Craig challenges traditional outsourcing and leadership models, advocating for a more flexible, innovative approach that puts people first rather than defaulting to outdated systems.

Celebrate Vulnerability: A company culture that embraces vulnerability and allows people to admit mistakes can be a powerful driver of progress and innovation.

Action Items

Embrace Transparency in Leadership: Start practicing transparency in your role, whether you’re leading a team or collaborating with others. Own your mistakes, communicate openly about challenges, and create an environment where people feel comfortable being honest.

Foster a People-First Culture: Focus on the people you work with—whether colleagues, employees, or clients. Ask yourself how you can better support their success and well-being, and look for ways to co-create value in every interaction.

Adopt Servant Leadership Practices: Consider how you can serve the people around you, enabling them to grow and succeed. Whether you lead a team or work with peers, find ways to remove obstacles and offer support where it’s needed.

Encourage a Growth Mindset: Keep learning, even in areas outside your expertise. Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t have the answers, and foster a culture of learning where others feel encouraged to grow and share their insights.

Break Away from Old Models: Challenge traditional approaches that may no longer work in today’s business world. Look for innovative, people-centered solutions that can drive success in your organization or team.

Build Trust through Vulnerability: Cultivate an environment where people feel safe admitting mistakes and being vulnerable. This can lead to deeper trust and more innovative problem-solving.

Define and Deliver Value: Reflect on what value means in your role or business. Think beyond transactional success and look for opportunities to deliver long-term value to your team, clients, and partners.

Initiate a Transparent Conversation: Pick one meeting, conversation, or email where you can practice greater transparency. Whether it’s admitting a mistake, acknowledging a challenge, or sharing an insight you’ve been holding back, take the opportunity to lead with authenticity.

Encourage others to do the same by creating a safe space for open, honest communication. This small action can start building trust and inspire others to follow your example.