On this week’s free webinar, host and SBDC director Kelly Bearden is joined by Bob Meadows, director of community relations for Valley Strong Credit Union. Meadows discusses elements in the double life of a leader that include how to help make other people successful, leading for accomplishment or development, and how to build professional relationships through bonding on a personal level.

This marks the 366th episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.

The CSU Bakersfield SBDC provides free one-on-one help to small business owners. New and existing businesses can go to https://csubsbdc.com/ for more information or to sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:40 What’s up today December 3, 2025

02:58 Poll question #1: “What is your biggest challenge as a leader in your business?”

05:41 Poll question #2: “What is your most significant barrier to effective networking?”

07:08 Economic Corner

07:38 Private employment dropped by 32,000 in November 2025 according to ADP ADP November 2025 Jobs Report https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adp-national-employment-report-private-sector-employment-shed-32-000-jobs-in-november-annual-pay-was-up-4-4-302631706.html

9:45 UCLA professor’s report lists the top 10 reasons small businesses fail, with leadership and being too stubborn identified as key factors; leadership issues are labeled the primary cause. https://www.wsj.com/business/entrepreneurship/business-failure-reasons-top-10-0762e18b?st=azzA6U&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

What Business Leaders Can Learn from an Economist’s View of Uncertainty https://michiganross.umich.edu/programs/executive-education/insights/what-business-leaders-can-learn-economist-s-view-uncertainty

12:15 Leadership Traits for Accessing Capital

Financial Literacy & Discipline

• understanding financial statements

• cash flow forecasting

• communication and transparency

Strategic Thinking & Planning

• clear business plan with growth direction

• defines ROI for capital use

15:00 Generational Transition Planning and Leadership Family Business Succession Planning https://youtu.be/1gYC3rNR1lQ

16:56 Kelly introduces Bob Meadows, Valley Strong Credit Union director of training and community relations https://www.valleystrong.com/

18:36 Bob Meadows begins his presentation

19:10 Two leadership tracks: leadership for accomplishment and leadership for development

21:03 COACH – Actionable steps for coaching toward accomplishment, including clarifying objectives, owning results and processes, analyzing workflows, and correcting course when needed

22:30 MENTOR – Mentoring is framed as the core of leadership, emphasizing modeling behavior and encouraging growth

22:41 Emphasis on nurturing talent, optimizing strengths, and expanding comfort zones to foster development

25:42 Practical mentoring moments are highlighted as essential, including informal check-ins and recognizing strengths to drive both individual and organizational growth

26:52 Networking – involves building professional relationships internally and externally, with emphasis on bonding personally and finding common ground.

27:28 Practical ways to network: in-person meetings, prepared approaches, and using various avenues like events, calls, emails, and LinkedIn.

32:46 Follow-up is crucial to solidify connections, recommending regular time blocks for outreach and sharing relevant content to nurture relationships.

34:27 Kelly rejoins Bob and they discuss the Clifton Strengths Finder and its purpose to identify top strengths from 34 traits. Clifton Strengths Finder https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx

Free Clifton Strengths Finder Test https://high5test.com/cliftonstrengths-free/

40:53 Questions and Answers with Attendees