3 Keys for Your Journey
Business and Community Leaders sharing key principles.
3 Keys for Your Journey
Unlocking Leadership Potential: Embracing Vulnerability, Purpose, and Collaboration with Jonathan Veal
Jonathan Veal joins me, Greg T. Jones, to share his transformative insights on leadership development in the inaugural episode of "Three Keys for Your Journey." Discover how Jonathan's work at Built to Bridge Management Group encourages leaders, including those from the faith community, to embrace vulnerability and transparency. This episode promises to illuminate the path to personal growth by addressing the hidden challenges leaders face, helping them manage stress, avoid burnout, and achieve professional success. Jonathan's reflections on crafting safe spaces for leaders to voice their struggles offer a fresh perspective on maintaining balance and navigating the complexities of executive life.
Explore the essence of finding purpose and the story behind "Built to Bridge," as Jonathan recounts his transition from a national organization to founding his own venture. This episode unpacks the significance of introspection, revealing how understanding personal value can catalyze a more selfless, impactful life. We also delve into the power of consistency and collaboration, key pillars in crafting a reliable and successful leadership style. By inviting diverse perspectives and fostering trust through stability, leaders can amplify their decision-making prowess and achieve winning outcomes. Join us for this enlightening conversation that challenges the status quo and inspires a journey of growth and self-discovery.
Thank you for listening! YouTube - @3KeysforYourJourney -Tune in for a new episode every Sunday. Connect with us at www.ocfo.info
are you ready to unlock your potential? Tune in to three keys for your journey podcast, where business owners share invaluable insights and empowering strategies to guide you towards success. Based in Oklahoma City, our host, greg T Jones, will inspire and motivate you every week. Get ready to join our conversation as we build community together.
Greg Jones:Man. Good morning, jonathan Veal. Good morning sir. How are you, man? I'm doing well today, so this is a special day, jonathan Veal. Good morning sir. How are you, man? I'm doing well today, so this is a special day, man.
Jonathan Veal:Okay.
Greg Jones:This is our inaugural podcast. What Episode number one? Come on man, Jonathan Veal, Wow man, I feel special privileged. Episode number one. All those good things man, man you know what I'm saying?
Jonathan Veal:There's only one.
Greg Jones:It's the first I was coming back.
Jonathan Veal:Man, you can never do the first again.
Greg Jones:That's it. That's it. So you know this is an opportunity for our listening audience, launching a podcast called Three Keys for your Journey. You heard the intro. I'm your host, greg Jones. The goal of this show really is to introduce influential business leaders in the community and really it's all about highlighting what they, what you, would deem keys for the journey. So it's, it's really, and the way I look at it, podcast is called Three Keys for your Journey and the way I look at it, podcast is called three keys for your journey, and so I'm asking for three things, but I'm also not limiting or stressing you out about three things.
Greg Jones:If we only get to one today. We'll just have two more episodes, right, but the goal is, though, is really just to tell us a little bit about yourself, a little bit about your business, kind of give us the inspiration behind your business, and then we'll just get in conversation about things that you would consider three keys.
Jonathan Veal:Yes, sir, yes sir. So the name of my business is Built to Bridge Management Group. So that's the umbrella, and under that umbrella we have leadership, consultant and training where I may meet with other business owners, executive directors. I also consulted in the faith community as well, so meeting with senior pastors, just creating a safe space for those top leaders, because it's been my experience that a lot of those leaders don't have that safe space to be transparent about some of the things that they deal with on a day-to-day basis. A lot of times, you know, when we look at, you know, top executives, our perception is they have it all together, they have all the answers, they don't experience any of the same things that quote-unquote experience, any of the same things that quote unquote common people experience. And so I've been, you know, granted opportunity to, to, to just be able to create that space where individuals can be transparent, vulnerable, not to take advantage of that, but to allow them the space to be.
Jonathan Veal:You know man just let it out in the same space, cause, if you hold it in, personal erosion will take place, wow, and ultimately it will come to the surface. And so, as best as possible, man, I want to help those top leaders you know, be able to share those things in a safe place. And then not just let it share, but then let's let's give some course correct. We'll get some next action steps for them to get back on the right path, not only for themselves but also for the organization that they lead.
Greg Jones:Tell me how did, how did you come up with the name Built to Bridge?
Jonathan Veal:Yeah. So, man, I would say this this this transition, or felt like a transition, was on the way from being with a long term, long term, visible national organization and I felt like a change was coming. I didn't know if it was a promotion up or being launched out. So, really, man, just started really doing some deep dives and you know some some, some introspective question about man, what's next? What's next, what's next? It's ultimately got to the point where it's time to make that transition and then, even in that transition, started asking the question man, man, I know I've been gifted to lead others, but it would seem like in this company, I was with man, these top leaders would just like we would. You know, I was traveling all across the country, I mean these top leaders within the organization and it would just seem like man, they would just tap me on the shoulder and, just you know, ask a question.
Jonathan Veal:And I'm like man, I'm just you know, I have some space and I have, you know, some authority, but it's not to the level that you have, and we would have maybe like a little five minute conversation and they would not tell me directly the impact, but somebody else would say, man, so-and-so said, man, they had a great conversation with you.
Jonathan Veal:For me it was like three to five minute conversation, and so, man, it really just started dawning on me man, okay, man, um, you know, your track record has has, um, been intriguing to others and now, um, they're, they're, wanting to spend more time with you, um, so then I really started, like man, uh, having a uh, uh understanding of some of the, the pains that leaders go through, even through my own experience as well.
Jonathan Veal:And so then I really just started going all the way back to my, like my childhood. I thought about all the leaders I had in my life and so, and who invested in me, and so that's where, that's where the built comes in, like, I believe, like everything I've gone through good, bad, ugly, indifference it's built me to where I am today, right, and so I believe that my what's been invested in me is not solely for myself, but it's for others as well, and so a lot of times you have individuals that are at one place. They have a desire to go to the other place, the other side, but they don't know how to get there. And so for me, I believe, everything I've gone through through the course of my life, both professionally and personally, is now, or should now, be laid out for others, for them to hear, to see, to use, to get to the other side.
Greg Jones:Thus built to bridge Built to bridge.
Jonathan Veal:Everything I've gone through is not for me, but it's to lay at the feet of others so they can get to where they want. So I'm okay with being vulnerable. So hopefully in my vulnerability they feel like, oh, I could be vulnerable in and sharing man some of my wildest dreams. Oh, I can dream too.
Jonathan Veal:I can dream wildly as well, and so and my hope, my hopeful goal is like to create this space where individuals see man. It's not about you, but it's about you, because if you don't deal with you first, there's no way possible you can lead others at a high level. There's no way you can be successful long term Unless you do the deep introspective work on yourself.
Greg Jones:Now, I'm not sure if that's one of the keys, but it sounds like one to me. You got to do some deep introspective work. You do.
Jonathan Veal:It starts with you. It starts with you, but it's not about you.
Greg Jones:OK, all right, let's work. You do, you do. It starts with you. It starts with you, but it's not about you.
Jonathan Veal:Okay, all right, let's roll into it. What's key number one? Key number one, man, is um add value to every space you occupy okay, add value to every space you occupy.
Jonathan Veal:Add value now? First, you have to know what your value is and and where your value lies. So for me, I understand that my value, my identity, is not based on what I do, but who I am and who I serve. So I do believe in a higher power, and the higher power is God, through his son, jesus Christ, and I believe that everything I do is empowered by him. Okay, and I believe that everything I do is empowered by him, and I do believe that everything I do is representative of him as well. And so, everywhere I would go, I want to be a great ambassador of him. And if I look at the lifestyle of Jesus, he lived a selfless life. Everything he did was investing in others. I mean the majority of his, I would say 90% of his day was investing in others. I mean the majority of his, I would say 90% of his day was investing in others. But also that 10% was key, that 10% was early in the morning he would go to this secret place, this detached place, from everybody else Spend time with God.
Jonathan Veal:Spend time with God, so that's the personal investment, okay. Everybody else Spend time with God Spend time with God, so that's the personal investment, okay. And so when you do the 10% early, the 90% just flows.
Jonathan Veal:Because you know you sound like a t-shirt, brother, it's just who you are, you know. And so for me, actually it took me a while to get to that point. So, you know, grew up as the only child my parents divorced early. So I'm going through man, man, who am I? Because you know how your identity should be shaped is by those you know biological parents, you know, and so some of our listeners, they were like man, my childhood was jacked up. Okay, I can identify with you. So we're not negating that reality or that fact, but let's not live there. Your past is your past, but don't be bound to your past.
Jonathan Veal:And so for me, you know I had some trauma growing up. You know, growing up in a broken home, and it took me a while, man just trying to navigate. You know, early teenhood, playing sports at a high level, you know, my identity kind of went to there for a second. And then, you know, not playing at the highest level in college when I wanted to, and then still trying to wander through that phase, and then just got to a point where, like, something dawned on me that was like man, you're working hard to please others and they have no concern about you, they're not worried about the image that you're trying to project. And so man, about the age of 20, 21,.
Jonathan Veal:Man, really, you know, did a self-examination and, you know, reignited faith in God and that was a game changer man, just really understanding my sonship in him, my identity is fine to him and what his role for me in this world is. Because, you know, I think, man, I'm just this little nobody man, five, eight, you know, 165, soaking wet man. What impact can I can make? Man? And I remember, you know, having this image of a pebble thrown into the Pacific Ocean and initially it looks like that that pebble was not making a tremendous impact. But when it's launched and hits that water, it makes an impact that we may not see right now, but over time it gains momentum and will make an actual uh impact wow.
Jonathan Veal:So value within yourself, understanding what your value is you know, key number one is add value to every space you occupy, but the value, the first value, must know the value of your value itself. Wow, yeah, okay. What's key number two? Key number two is consistency wins, and you're like man.
Greg Jones:What does that mean?
Jonathan Veal:What does that mean, man? So if you determine to be a bum, don't do anything. Don't do anything today, don't do anything tomorrow, don't do anything this week or next week, and so whatever you commit to doing, commit to it, and whatever the end result is Is the end result Is the end result, and so I want to win.
Jonathan Veal:I just have a fire in me to win, but I'm not moved by my highs and I'm not not moved by my lows. I haven't what I call an even keel, that I want to show up, and when I show up, people know what they're going to get from me. And as, as leaders out there, people need to know what they're going to get from you emotionally, physically, from your presence, from your output. They need to know what they're going to, because a lot of society is just, they're just on an emotional rollercoaster. And so for top leaders, like if you're leading at a high level, like the people need to know what they're going to get from you.
Jonathan Veal:They don't, they can't come into your organization or to the organization on pins and needles not knowing how the leader is going to respond today, or how he's going to act, or what mood he's in or has he had his coffee today. You know those things and so I mean, if you know, if you, if you take that mindset, that consistency wins, it should create some structure to your life. I'm going to wake up at a certain time. I'm going to have this when I wake up. I'm going to eat this for breakfast, I'm going to read this, or I'm going to be around this certain group of people, or I'm going to stretch myself.
Greg Jones:Those types of things are key components to consistently winning and also, as you're talking about, that consistency also creates balance.
Jonathan Veal:It really does, not only for yourself but others as well is a huge boat right and people get on like they know if I'm behind the steer, whatever the little thing I can't remember what it's called. They know that, man, we're going to be all right. Even though we may run into some tough waters, you know we're going to be all right.
Greg Jones:It's interesting when you say that I started thinking about different examples. But you know, in family my family sometimes you know we take road trips and my wife will say something like well, I know, greg, he can drive. And it's not that he can drive. I think what she's trying to say is he's consistent. So, you know, he likes to get there on time, he likes to be there on time, he likes to get there on time, he likes to be there on time, he likes to leave early, like, and that consistent.
Greg Jones:When you talk about wins, then it shapes the environment that you're in and people, not only what you just said, come to know what to expect, but you also know what to expect from yourself and especially as people of faith you know, I believe in god says I know what to expect from him or her. Right, yeah, because they've been consistent, they strive to be consistent, they strive with a degree of excellence and you know you can be consistent, but also it helps you develop a degree of excellence, and then we talk a lot about you know what to say yes to, what to say no to, and so, anyway, just thinking about being consistent, when I, when you say it wins, it's an opportunity for not only yourself but others to understand that there's a roadmap yeah and when I know that, uh, you know, if we're starting something at eight o'clock, you're going to be there at eight o'clock it brings comfort.
Jonathan Veal:Yeah, yeah. And for me, man in my life's journey, think about consistency wins. Like I want people to trust me.
Jonathan Veal:I want them to know that if Veal is a part of whatever, you know he's going to show up, he's going to bring his very, very best, um, and with that trust, like it, it it. For me, it benefits the other person, cause it's one thing, one less thing on their mind that they'll think about if I'm included in the situation. So now, how much much more comfort? Bring, bring some comfort, relief. But how much more margin does that does that person have, knowing whatever was weighing on them, a piece of that is gone because I placed it into his hands. So for me that's key. For me that's a key. It may not be key for somebody else, but it's key that I can create margin for somebody else just by being consistent.
Greg Jones:Thus consistency wins. Consistency wins. What's?
Jonathan Veal:key number three, sir. Key number three is understanding. I am a limited resource and I need others around me. Okay, I'm a limited resource and I need others around me. Okay.
Jonathan Veal:So a lot of times, as top leaders man, we feel like it's about me, I have all the answers, I don't need any support, I don't need any help until you need the support and help.
Jonathan Veal:But for me, I go into the mindset knowing I am a, I'm a, I'm a limited resource, I'm a limited subject matter expert, so I may have expertise in this area, but I have in front of my mind that I'm limited, so I'm inviting others around me. Now, ultimately, the decision falls with me to make you know if we're going right, we're going left, but I want to bring a council of people around me to help contribute their thoughts, their goals, and now I have a different perspective. If I have a different perspective on the thing, our capacity to make a decision increases. If our capacity increases to make a decision, I believe we're going to make the best decision we can on this thing, because we've got different vantage points, different views, different eyes on this one thing and the chances of success increase because we've had multiple eyes on it and I don't want to say it this way, but I'm going to say it this way.
Greg Jones:And I don't want to say it this way, but I'm going to say it this way. It's a learned skill to be able to lean into that, because I think you're absolutely right. Most people that I know shy away from that. They don't want what they would deem controversy or somebody feeling this way or that way. But, man, when you lean into that, it such value. People's voices are heard, their opinions are heard. They feel like they're a thought leader. They feel like they have an equal space at the table and when you talk about the best answer now, there's buy-in from that entire team. Whoever's involved with that. There's buy-in because their voice was actually heard. You talked about earlier being a you didn't necessarily say this word but a selfless leader. Part of that is serving. How do you serve where it's not just about your voice, it's about the collective voice, it's?
Jonathan Veal:about the collective voice and just setting the realist expectation that ultimately, I have to make the decision. But guess what? I value your voice so much that I know I can make this decision by myself. But it's going to be a limited perspective and so, man, this decision is so important to me, I'm going to invite others around it. I've seen and I know when you do that you get the best possible outcome. But also you, you create a different perspective for those. They're like oh, my voice does matter, oh, wow, they included me on this, oh, wow, and it may not be intentional, but they can walk away from the table saying man, I want to do this the next time. I have a project. And what are you doing for your organization? Just creating greater and greater capacity. You just you're organically pushing a culture into your, your, your organization that will just continue to help your organization grow and thrive over time.
Greg Jones:Man, this is fantastic man, Three wonderful keys, but tell us, like what are you up to now? What's kind of your next project? What are you working on right now?
Jonathan Veal:Yeah, so a lot of you know what we're talking about today and what I've experienced over time in dealing with leaders. It's just, and I believe that this conversation, this subject, is important for others to engage in, because they may be experiencing some of this at some different level, because we're all at different stages of our leadership journey At some different level, because we all are different stages of our leadership journey, and so man, I, I, I, as a leader, have been challenged to stretch out of my comfort zone to really leave a lasting investment for others, and so the best way to do that is to write a book.
Jonathan Veal:And so, man, I'm a great communicator orally, but written is not my strong suit. And so, as a leader, I have to stretch myself. But I believe this is great content. And so if I want, if I want this content to outlive me, I have to put it in print. And so I've been working on a book called Leading on E, making it an event, not a lifestyle. Because a lot of leaders, man, they're just top leaders just on fumes, man, and it pains me. It pains me, but once again, I'm a limited resource. I can't go to a thousand people. I can, but what am I going to look like at the end of a thousand individual meetings? And so this book is my whole goal is to be, um, a reference point for, for leaders to locate themselves, um, and not only locate themselves, but do the long, hard, slow, gradual work of uh, slow, gradual work of redirecting living on, just like man I got to get up again, living off fumes to creating and cultivating patterns, rhythms, cadences, where they're always refueling.
Speaker 1:If you're doing it right.
Jonathan Veal:You should hit E every now and again If you're doing it right. We talked about driving. And now and again If you're doing the right. We talked about you know driving, those types of things. When you go to the gas station, you're going to fill up because you're on a destination, right, and if possible, you want to make as few stops as you can because you have a destination you're going to. But if, if you're going on a destination, you know you, you, you're going to run out of fuel, you have planned places where you're going to stop and refuel. And so, for top leaders, I want this book to begin to help these top leaders form and shape and create these rhythms, these cadences where they are pausing intentionally to refuel. Some say, oh man, yeah man, I was in the hospital last week, man, so that was my rest. No, no, that's not rest, that's recovery. Yes, rest, not done intentionally, is recovery. We have to be intentional about rest, not only for yourself but those you. Man, this is exciting.
Greg Jones:So this book wow, you're working on this book right now.
Jonathan Veal:Yes.
Greg Jones:Oh fantastic, yes, man, so okay. So for our listening audiences out there, I mean you know how do people track with you? I mean are you LinkedIn, Are you on social channels? I mean, how do folks get track with you?
Jonathan Veal:Yes, I'm on LinkedIn Jonathan Veal, v-e-a-l. I'm on all social media platforms without all three Facebook, instagram and X at Jonathan, at Jonathan Veal, or on Facebook at Villianaire. On Instagram and and X yeah, oh fantastic.
Greg Jones:So hey, man, so that's great, man. I appreciate you being on this inaugural episode.
Jonathan Veal:I appreciate you for man just this is great just put me, put me on this man. Listen guys, greg t jones has a huge rolodex and he could have called, he could have, he could have chosen anybody I got jonathanville baby, he got he chose me man I got ville man man the billionaire. I'm humble.
Greg Jones:Thank you guys, so much for joining us on this inaugural episode. Again, tune in for more episodes of Three Keys for your Journey. I'm your host, greg Jones, and again, as we had, our special guest, jonathan Ville. Please tune in next time and we look forward to talking to you soon thanks for joining three keys for your journey.
Speaker 1:Tune in next time for another episode.
