Leadership Starts with Core Values: Mike Frommelt
“THE BEST LEADERS ARE COMPETENT, CONFIDENT, AND NEVER COCKY.”
Episode Description
In this episode of Leadership Matters, host Kaylee Thompson sits down with Mike Frommelt, Co-Founder of Strategic Talent Partners, to explore what authentic leadership looks like in real life. Drawing from decades of experience in executive search, Mike shares why core values, humility, and consistent communication matter more than titles or executive presence. The conversation covers culture fit from both the employer and candidate perspective, the role of ego in leadership success, and why the strongest leaders find their own path instead of following a script. This episode offers practical insight for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking meaningful, values-aligned work. Values cards mentioned: https://a.co/d/eH1KHop
Chapters
- 00:00 Intro: Meet Mike Frommelt
- 02:37 Authenticity and Recognizing We're All Struggling With Something
- 03:41 The Strongest Traits in Great Leaders
- 05:51 What Keeps Leaders From Communicating Consistently
- 07:07 Getting Into the World of Search
- 09:11 The Client That Shaped His Focus on Cultural Fit
- 14:16 Getting in Touch With Your Own Core Values
- 19:47 Founding Keystone and the Story Behind the Name
- 21:33 What He Learned Starting a Business
- 26:47 His "Why" for Pushing Through
- 27:52 What Differentiates Leaders Who Thrive
- 30:31 Ego, Elevating Others, and 14,000 Interviews
- 34:50 Getting to the "Why" Behind an Answer
- 37:40 A Values Mismatch From His Own Career
- 40:06 Getting Introduced to EOS
- 44:53 Succession Planning for Entrepreneurs
- 47:16 The Merger of Keystone and Core Talent
- 52:03 The Most Overrated Leadership Trait
- 53:19 The Invisible Force Inside Organizations
- 55:47 Final Advice: Define Success for Yourself
More In The Series
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