[ROUNDUP] Long-Term Thinking in a Short-Term World: A CEO’s View on Growth and Culture with Chris...

Simply Trade Podcast: Leadership Growth with Chris Bachinsky

Introduction to the Episode

• Host Anik welcomes listeners back to the Simply Trade podcast, expressing excitement for today's episode focused on business leadership and growth.

• The episode aims to explore how to succeed in a demanding industry, emphasizing resilience and adaptability.

Guest Introduction: Chris Bachinsky

• Chris Bachinsky is introduced as Co-CEO and President of GHY International, with a diverse background in marketing, operations, transportation, and executive leadership.

• Anik shares personal enthusiasm about learning from Chris's journey, highlighting the importance of leadership in evolving industries.

Discussion on Leadership and Career Journey

• Anik notes the similarities between Chris and previous guest Jordan Waly, both being Canadian leaders who navigate challenges in trade.

• The conversation shifts towards understanding what it takes to run a company today while maintaining core values amidst change.

Early Career Insights from Chris

• Chris recounts starting his career at age 12 by working in his father's trucking business, which instilled a strong work ethic.

• After taking over his father's business at 29, he transitioned into a publicly traded company where he learned valuable lessons but faced conflicts due to short-term thinking.

Transitioning into Marketing and Culture Development

• Following his departure from transportation, Chris joined a small marketing agency where he became CFO and COO; they grew significantly during this time.

• He emphasizes the connection between organizational culture and intentional leadership discovered through their work with various clients across North America.

Importance of Culture in Business

• Chris highlights that culture drives brand perception; if internal culture does not align with external branding efforts, companies risk losing credibility.

Understanding Organizational Culture and Leadership

The Importance of Intentional Culture

• The speaker emphasizes that culture exists inherently within organizations, stating, "Culture exists whether or not you just need to be intentional about what type of culture you want."

• They recount their experience with GHY, where they assisted in branding and leadership training to help define and intentionally live out the desired culture.

Transitioning into Leadership Roles

• The speaker reflects on their transition from a marketing agency to a brokerage firm, highlighting the different cultural environments they encountered.

• They describe how understanding existing behaviors is crucial for changing an organization's culture, noting that initial observations were made by interviewing all associates.

Defining and Living Out Culture

• The process of defining company culture involves identifying core strengths and areas for improvement while ensuring leaders embody these values.

• Accountability is key; leaders must hold team members responsible for aligning with the defined cultural behaviors.

Challenges in Cultural Change

• Changing organizational culture can be met with resistance, especially when employees cling to traditional methods. The speaker warns against the phrase "we've always done it this way," as it can hinder progress.

Evolving Leadership Responsibilities

• The speaker discusses their growth from a functional leader to an enterprise-level leader, aided by a CEO coach who helped them recognize shifting priorities.

• They emphasize the importance of looking ahead rather than being involved in every operational detail, focusing instead on alignment and accountability within the organization.

Maintaining Connection with Employees

• Despite transitioning roles, the speaker continues to engage with employees through regular interactions and annual surveys to stay connected with organizational dynamics.

Leadership Insights and Personal Growth Journey

Understanding the Frontline Experience

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of staying connected with frontline employees who deliver services daily, indicating a shift in understanding due to changes in the industry.

• Acknowledges a personal transformation from being an idea generator to recognizing the need for delegation as a CEO, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from an operator mindset.

The Importance of Curiosity and Learning

• Reflects on the journey of growth, stressing that many young professionals desire rapid advancement without appreciating the learning process involved in each role.

• Shares that curiosity and asking questions have been pivotal throughout their career, suggesting that this approach fosters leadership development.

Leadership Reflections Over Time

• Admits that they did not initially aspire to be a CEO but instead focused on gaining diverse experiences through curiosity and inquiry.

• Discusses how early interactions with respected leaders shaped their understanding of effective leadership and culture-building.

Lessons Learned About Intentional Leadership

• Wishes they had been more intentional about their leadership style earlier in their career, noting that hindsight reveals missed opportunities for stronger cultural foundations.

• Reflecting on past business ownership, they express regret over not applying learned leadership principles sooner, which could have altered their career trajectory.

Navigating Changes in Trade Industry Leadership

• Addresses recent challenges within the trade industry due to external factors like customs brokerage and compliance changes, emphasizing strategic adaptation.

• Highlights the necessity of adhering to core values during periods of uncertainty while managing company growth and client relationships.

Business Principles and Leadership Insights

Long-Term Thinking in Business

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking over knee-jerk reactions to short-term setbacks, such as a bad quarter or year.

• Reflecting on past decisions, the speaker admits to a mistake made in 2025 due to panic over tariffs affecting business operations.

• Despite recent uncertainties, the speaker insists on adhering to fundamental principles that have guided the business since its inception.

Handling Mistakes in Leadership

• Acknowledging that mistakes are inevitable, the speaker discusses how workload can lead to errors among brokers and stresses the importance of addressing these mistakes constructively.

• The story of Thomas Watson at IBM illustrates a leadership approach where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities rather than grounds for termination.

• The speaker recounts an incident at GHY where a significant mistake was made by a client care manager; instead of accepting resignation, they chose to learn from it.

Cultivating a Positive Company Culture

• Emphasizing that leadership should focus on maintaining core values despite market uncertainties, the speaker believes this is crucial for fostering resilience within teams.

• The discussion highlights differing perspectives on handling mistakes; some leaders may view them as failures while others see them as growth opportunities.

Perspectives on Leadership Responsibility

• The speaker critiques the notion that allowing employees to make mistakes is an effective leadership strategy, arguing that all leaders must acknowledge their own fallibility.

• Drawing parallels between teachers and leaders, the conversation reflects on how perceptions change with age and experience regarding authority figures.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

• For those aiming for leadership roles, two types of individuals are identified: those who seek power and those who view leadership as stewardship—a responsibility to enhance what has been entrusted to them.

• Emphasizing humility and active listening is vital for personal growth within organizations. Leaders should prioritize empathy during challenging times.

Empathy and Leadership in a Complex Trade Environment

The Importance of Empathy in Leadership

• Leaders must increase their empathy, especially during stressful times for employees and their families. Understanding the emotional landscape is crucial for effective leadership.

• Mistakes should be viewed through the lens of circumstances rather than malice. Strong empathy can elevate a leader's status within an organization.

• Leaders are encouraged to think long-term instead of reacting impulsively. This perspective fosters better decision-making and stewardship.

Navigating Uncertainty in Business

• The current unpredictable environment affects all professionals, not just those in trade. Long-term thinking is essential for career growth across various industries.

• Acknowledging the need for change, leaders must consider how to ensure future success despite uncertainties.

Embracing Technology as a Tool

• Recent changes include establishing a formal board structure to address industry challenges, particularly regarding technology's rapid impact on customs brokerage.

• Technology is evolving faster than anticipated; leaders must adapt quickly to leverage its benefits effectively.

• Combining technology with process improvement requires questioning existing practices and embracing innovation rather than adhering to outdated methods.

Strategic Focus on Innovation

• The primary focus should be on using technology as a tool for enhancing employee capabilities and improving client service rather than reducing workforce numbers.

Conclusion: Growth Through Change

• Effective leadership transcends titles; it involves acting responsibly, demonstrating resilience, and learning to lead through change.