Naomi Kent has been working helping senior executives and leaders find the right company boards to sit on, and then be engaged and productive board members while there. She’s worked overseas and in New York and Chicago, and is now based in Naples. On this episode of From the Corner Office, Naomi and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about the themes and patterns she has seen in working with top executives and leaders, and how leaders can position themselves to get on boards.

3 Takeaways:

1. (07:20) Boards like board members from other industries
2. (10:40) Most people join a board before they retire
3. (18:25) Great leaders hire great people

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Naomi Kent, Founder and CEO, The Boardroom Co.

(03:17) Leadership habits you refuse to comprise on

(05:10) What is The Boardroom Co.?

(07:00) Joining boards outside of your industry

(11:00) How did you get involved with boards?

(13:00) Do’s and don’ts of being a board member

(15:10) Curiosity and clarity

(18:00) What makes a successful CEO?

(20:10) How do you become a board member?

(24:30) What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Owen LaFave has been with The Bank of Tampa for 13 years and in the banking industry for more than 20 years. He also hosts The Bank of Tampa’s The Money Market Podcast. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Owen talked about how he got into banking, his key leadership lessons — they revolve around the three Hs: humor, humility and honesty — and why being a dependable leader matters to him, a lot. And listen for how Owen became known as the “banker with sign” guy.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:50) Employees come first
2. (15:10) Leaders need humility, honesty, and humor
3. (15:45) You don’t always need to have the answer

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Owen LaFave, Pinellas County Market President, The Bank of Tampa

(05:30) What did you learn about leadership from team sports?

(06:10) Owen’s career path

(08:50) The Bank’s leadership philosophy

(10:25) Creation of “Banker with Sign”

(13:15) The success of The Money Market Podcast

(15:10) Leadership characteristics

(15:45) Leadership lessons you wish you knew

(16:30) How do you help employees make a decision?

(18:15) How do you lead with certainty?

(19:45) Best leadership advice

(22:30) Bank of Tampa in 2026

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

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Rick was with Tupperware for nearly 30 years, including stints as president, CEO, chairman and chairman emeritus. He was also an executive with Avon Corp., in Europe and the U.S.. He recently teamed up with leaders at Rollins College in Orlando to launch a new executive education institute: The Rick Goings Institute for Management and Executive Leadership. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Rick talked about his long and varied career, having started two businesses prior to leadership roles with Avon Corp. and Tupperware. Rick also talked about how his first job — being a caddie at a country club — impacted his life and leadership approach.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:40) Real leadership is about collaboration
2. (15:00) Life needs to be an adventure
3. (17:55) “We are today the person we are, and our goal is to become the person we can become”

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Rick Goings, Retired CEO, Tupperware Brands

(04:55) What is the Rick Goings Institute for Management and Executive Leadership?

(06:50) Rick’s life story, meeting the Pope, and starting in the Navy

(09:40) Starting a business and mentorship by Paul Harvey

(12:00) Why did you go to Avon?

(14:20) Rick’s career adventure

(16:00) Becoming CEO of Tupperware

(17:25) Taking feedback

(18:50) Advice from mentors

(22:00) World Youth Clubs

(25:20) Rick’s legacy

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.