Summary:

This episode features a 'Too Long, Didn't Listen' (TLDL) summary of my conversation with David Madeira, a fellow Penn graduate and former Division One lacrosse player. Key points include how true influence comes through genuine connection rather than titles or authority, drawing from David's experience as a backup goalie who learned to contribute through building relationships and knowing his role. The discussion highlights his pivotal choice between career advancement and family priorities, where he chose entrepreneurship over a lucrative corporate path to be present for his daughter after his divorce. A standout theme is supporting others' passions, as David shares his philosophy of meeting his theater-loving daughter in her world despite his sports background, creating annual Broadway traditions and emphasizing that those struggling need support more than the stars who already receive attention from everyone else.

Show Notes:

01:23 Authentic Leadership and True Influence

03:18 Balancing Family and Career

04:52 Supporting Others' Passions

Episode Links:

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-madeira-66b9908

Summary:

In this episode of The Corvus Effect, David Madeira, a former Division One athlete from the University of Pennsylvania, shares his journey of redefining success on his own terms. From leading significant business turnarounds to prioritizing his role as a father during his daughter Caroline's theatrical journey, David demonstrates how authentic leadership means supporting others' dreams while staying true to one's values. The conversation explores his experience on Penn's lacrosse team that made the Final Four, the leadership lessons he carried into his professional life, and his conscious decision to prioritize parenthood over lucrative career opportunities. His concept of finding one's "North Star" provides a compelling framework for making life's most important decisions. David's creation of enduring father-daughter traditions and his unwavering presence at his daughter's theatrical events exemplify how successful leaders can master the balance between career aspirations and family connections.

Show Notes:

00:32 Meet David Madeira: Redefining Success

01:32 Lessons from Lacrosse: Teamwork and Leadership

03:43 Corporate Turnarounds and Leadership Insights

06:02 Influence Without Authority

09:44 Entrepreneurship and Family Priorities

11:42 Balancing Career and Family

15:36 Supporting Caroline's Dreams

17:30 Balancing Parenthood and Personal Time

19:35 Guiding Through Life's Choices

26:35 Creating Traditions and Bonding

28:28 Supporting Through Thick and Thin

30:11 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Summary:

 This episode features a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TL;DL) summary of my conversation with Ben Finklea, founder of Volacci Marketing and fractional CMO for trade businesses. Ben's journey demonstrates that professional success doesn't require sacrificing family presence, showing how early decisions to design business around family needs can create both business resilience and family strength.

Key Takeaways:

Designing Business Around Family: Ben operates from the foundational principle that "my business, my job is my side gig - my family is the main thing." After witnessing corporate friends who never saw their kids due to early departures and late returns, Ben and his wife Beverly made the deliberate choice to be present parents. They created a tag team schedule allowing both to pursue professional endeavors while maintaining family presence.

Setting Boundaries for Business Success: Ben discovered that clear client boundaries enhanced rather than hindered his success. When clients demanded 24/7 availability, he politely declined, allowing incompatible clients to walk away. This focused approach actually became a selling feature, as his trade clients appreciated seeing someone living the family-focused life they wanted for themselves.

Overcoming Founder's Syndrome: A recent car accident forced Ben to confront founder's syndrome when his spine injury prevented normal business operations. Unable to perform his usual tasks, he had to delegate responsibilities to team members in new ways. His new hire Malala, originally brought on for efficiency work, successfully stepped into marketing coordination, proving that teams often exceed expectations when given the opportunity.

Ben's experience reinforces that sustainable success requires building systems and developing others, not just personal heroics. His approach shows how conscious choices can create business models that strengthen rather than strain family relationships.

Show Notes:

 01:29 Designing Business Around Family

02:41 Setting Boundaries for Business Success

03:56 Overcoming Founder's Syndrome

05:33 Conclusion