Leadership Journeys [184] - Graham Goodkind - "The Fosbury Flop Mentality"

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Graham Goodkind, chairman and founder of Frank PR, shares his 24-year journey of transforming the PR landscape with his innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Discover how Graham navigated the dot-com boom, built a distinctive brand with a frank and honest approach, and steered his company through various challenges to maintain its creative edge.

Learn valuable insights on balancing business growth with maintaining a passionate and resilient team, and why he believes in hiring youthful enthusiasm over experience.

Graham also opens up about the importance of mental well-being and his unique experiences, including a surprising stint on Baywatch.

Tune in for a candid conversation filled with leadership lessons and inspiration for anyone looking to make their mark in the creative industry.

You can find Graham Goodkind at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/goodkind/
• https://www.welcometofrank.com/

In the interview, Graham shares

• "I've always been as interested in business as I was in PR, and Frank PR is the fusion of those passions."
• "In 2000, I saw the dot-com boom as an opportunity to create a fun, innovative email service. It was the precursor to launching Frank PR."
• "From day one, Frank PR was about being down-to-earth, open, and honest in our approach—a stark contrast to the industry's perceptions at the time."
• "Managing a growing business can shift your role from being a PR expert to a problem solver for staff and operational issues, which isn't always the fun part."
• "Buying back Frank PR in 2021 was a turning point. We shifted our focus from cost maintenance to reigniting creativity and doing things differently."
• "To maintain our creative culture, we moved away from having a structured creative department and embraced a more nimble and proactive approach."
• "The challenge is to keep the hunger for the next big idea alive. Recruitment of the right people who share this passion is key."
• "Our current focus isn't growth at all costs. We choose clients who align with our disruptive and creative approach."
• "Mental resilience and a balanced approach to work are crucial. I've learned to disconnect after work hours to maintain my well-being and lead by example."
• "Most people wouldn't guess it, but I starred in an episode of Baywatch alongside Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff."