Meet Gregg Potter:

He is an international collaboration coach and the founder & CEO of Project Connect. A marketing firm in Madison, Wisconsin. He has worked in the restaurant industry. As a general manager, district manager, and consultant with a good amount of time spent at Starbucks in Los Angeles. He uses his experience and training as a facilitator, a futurist, and a conflict resolution mediator to support executives and organizations as a collaboration coach. This work deconstructs collaboration and finds the best ways to lead and design the work to be more efficient and create more impactful results. He has a BFS in theatre performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a master’s in public service from the Clinton School of Public Service. 

Kris: So anyway, Gregg, what does a collaboration coach do?

Gregg: Yes, first, I need to go back to episode three of your I have to like gush a little bit of a big fan. Yes. And it's Yeah, so what you're doing is very unique, and it is bringing out strains of information that not a lot of people are talking about. So thank you. Okay, I'll go back to what is it. What is it Collaboration Coach too, essentially, it is to get collaborations, more effective and more impactful, that can be done either if we're working directly with a CEO or someone in the C suite, and having those coaching conversations of like, Okay, how did this go? Where's your ego in this, what's going on, and then the, you know, in practicing going back, while also learning my framework of collaboration, which is the lifecycle of collaboration. The other way is actually bringing a collaboration coach on as a contracted employee for a while, and working side by side as a facilitator and coach to the entire collaborative team. Okay, so that can look like facilitating meetings, while also holding the team accountable to this is work time. This is not a question-and-answer time like this is when we're trying to get this portion of the goal or the objective finished. So then we can all come back and assess where we're at. This also is leadership development, facilitation, skills development, and working conflict resolution into the culture of collaboration, which often will, you know, bleed into the company's culture. But sometimes these collaborations are multi-company or multi-organization collaborations, where then it really gets tricky, or collaborations that have collaborations in them.

Lori: So how does this tie into the manufacturing world?

Gregg: Oh, yeah. There are a few things that Collaboration Coach can specifically help with. And in the manufacturing world, there are two very big ones. One is focusing on silo mentality, and bridging the silos and the communication between silos. Kris, you and I were at dinner one night, we talked big time about the sales team and the marketing team. And, you know, and how sometimes, those two silos are not talking at all. And they are one they are like, together, they're the most important part often, of the collaboration. So definitely that, and then, um, and then increasing productivity. And that's through communication barriers. And if we can create the space, and make sure that everyone trusts and shows up authentically, then we're going to increase productivity ultimately and build a bottom line. So when it comes to manufacturing, those are the two pieces that I see the most.

Kris: So Gregg, we're curious, is there something unique about you that nobody else knows that you could share with us?

Gregg: I think the thing that people often look at as a possible weakness, which is something about me, that I love is that I really do care about how people are being held in spaces. And that shows up with you know, me pulling in integrity, like, Okay, I'm you know, is this person really Okay, in this moment is this, you know, and, and as long as I'm still filling my cup, taking care of myself, all those things can be done and, and that's really, really an authentic piece of me that comes out and people don't always get so.

And so much more… 

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Lori Highby Chris Harrington and Aaron Courtney, three prods, bringing new stories and strategies exploring manufacturing topics that

All right,

we are back. And I'm kind of curious. I first off, I just attended this conference. And you know, you go to a conference, you get

Yes, yes, yes, I'm reading something very interesting. It's kind of mind blowing. It's called God human animal machine. And it is an

recommended to everyone. I just

got to say, I was like, I'm not going to talk about AI, the show, I know, bring that up. I,

I had in my mind, I was like, Oh, we're doing too much. And everybody's doing too much AI. But it is literally what I'm reading. And

listening, not as smart as you, but I would love to just hang out.

But you'd have

a great conversation you're gonna have to tell us how you like the book when you finish? It sounds like it's it's pretty deep and and

it is it is it's really profound. It's over my head. But I think it's important to go there, you know. So, Chris, what about you?

I am reading and listening to they ask you answer by Marcus Sheridan. I've been consumed with this book since I purchased it. So I read the

grass for the weekend. So I am like really consuming everything in this book and now trying to make it very actionable for our team. So oh, I

Very cool. I've

heard really good things about that book from a number of people. Yeah. It's definitely I got to add it to my reading list. But yeah,

you can make your own book out of your way. No. So. So

I haven't been reading as much as I want to be. But I keep buying all these books I keep hearing about so I have to change that habit,

yeah, well, our guest today is going to is going to have some good tips and advice in that arena for us. So

I figured, yeah, absolutely. Well, I'm going to introduce our guest Greg Potter today. So let me do an introduction before we formally welcome

Hey, yeah, you can come to coffee with me and Megan, there you go.

You're formerly invited Greg as soon as Megan response he is. He has worked in the restaurant industry. As a general manager, district manager

are against that. But I am a huge fan of Starbucks. And I'm sure that there was a lot to learn in working with Starbucks. Greg uses his experience and

master's in public service from the Clinton School of Public Service. And Greg Potter is my cousin. So very proud and honored to have him on the show

Welcome, Greg.

Thank you so much. And I think it's so cute that Aaron even thought I was invited. I already invited myself while I was sitting here

Be Amazing. Maybe we should record it, Greg, and we can make our own podcast out of it.

Oh my gosh, I'm already in love with it.

Okay, we're gonna do it. We're gonna do it.

Well, yeah, it's so interesting, because I, you know, when we first recorded the three episodes that we did together, when I was talking to

Yeah, remember that? So yeah, I was really thinking

about collaboration and coopetition. And how they kind of are in the same vein. So anyway, Greg, what does a collaboration coach do? Can you

Yes, first, I need to go back to episode three of your I have to like gush a little bit of a big fan. Yes. And it's Yeah, so what you're

those coaching conversations of like, Okay, how did this go? Where's your ego in this, what's going on, and then the, you know, in practicing going

team accountable to this is work time. This is not question and answer time like this is when we're trying to get this portion of the goal or the

collaborations, where then it really gets tricky, or collaborations that have collaborations in them.

collaborations. Just a real quick clarification question, what I'm hearing from you and tell me if I'm right, is that a Collaboration Coach

Completely. The facilitator is the most important and hired part of collaborations in the Lifecycle Collaboration. We talked about the

be rebuilt. Before we can even continue on the work that we're doing.

I really liked that I think we've all been in these situations with a facilitator that just wouldn't grab the reins here.

Right. And when that a model, and when that doesn't happen, then you do lose that trust. And if in the most important thing to all

Yeah, I've never heard of a Collaboration Coach before. I mean, there's coaches, I feel like for every thing, and this is one thing I

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. There's a few things that Collaboration Coach can specifically help with. And in the manufacturing world, there's two

often, of the collaboration. So definitely that, and then, um, and then increasing productivity. And that's through the communication barriers. And

Yeah, you know, when you talk about silos, that is something that almost every organization I've ever worked with, or better part of myself,

divisions or subsidiaries. And so often, so we we will think about the internal organization structure a lot like sales and marketing, which is a

Yeah, I think part of that when I'm thinking about manufacturing, just like the history of manufacturing, there was a lot of efficiency in

process. It's actually an internalizing, I would imagine, do you see that happening with your teams, Greg?

Completely, completely, I think of one client that was a bread manufacturer, a bread Baker, but it was for a really like for a huge

this in with what Laurie said, this is this is brand new, no one is really looking at Collaboration Coaches. It's a very, very infant, new career to

with it with being so new. Just help us understand how the executive suite is entertaining these ideas. What are some of the questions you get

definitely. The first one always goes the most popular always goes to the space creation and the trust building. You know, if you especially

collaboration? We're getting there. And this is why because each one of these humans show up to contribute to this. And that's why it's important

time do they start? And just having those conversations of like, well, you know, is this feasible? Or should it be moved to lunch? And, you know,

my gosh, I love it. And then often, because it's the when we start a collaboration, we always have to start with the self, it's so important

the right person, they were hired to this job. They were brought on they have, you know, like, we have to scoot the imposter complex out of the way

Wow, that's heavy work that?

Oh, yeah, I feel like this is something that the merger and acquisition world needs a lot of, because I see so many companies just

all, I actually, one of my really good friends who lives in Scotland was in Cape Town when I was just there. And we had a lot of time

that rhetoric with it. But at the end of the day, I do believe that everyone wants the best for their employees and the people that they're

yeah, I think that's a great example to Laurie. That's so good. Is there before we kind of change topics, Greg, is there anything else you'd

as an outcome?

Well, I will do want to say, first that I want to identify the courage and the braveness that it takes for someone to say, oh my gosh, we

the culture and there will be habits changed that show up in in different portions of the company or the companies if it's a larger multi

it just has to include it because you're already starting with yourself. And each individual that is coming to the table. I hope that makes sense.

Yeah, absolutely. For me it didn't a lot. And it goes back to a word that you use earlier that trust, I would imagine Trust has really

of that.

Oh, yeah, I hate to use the phrase win win. But it it really is because you win as a person. Because you grow as a person, you become a

I want you to and this is a little sneak preview to what I do in the lifecycle of collaboration. But the next time you're in the grocery

that I AM, thank you so much for bringing that to this conversation because I yeah, that's, that's an experience we take for granted. But maybe

You're welcome. And now you'll never look at the grocery store checkout line, the same.

Self Service are the lines. No, that's great. I love that example. It's too So Greg, we're curious, is there something unique about you that

know? i Sorry, you asked me this once and I did not do a really good job. listeners. They asked me right when I got on. So I just got a

this, you know, and, and as long as I'm still filling my cup, taking care of myself, all those things can be done and, and that's really, really an

That's great. That's great. Thank you for sharing that. Yeah. Thank you.

All right. This is the section of the podcast or the broadcast where we move into, I just learned that. So Laurie, can you finish the sentence?

Yeah, and I'm just gonna go back to saying I intentionally did not pick an AI topic. But I went a totally different route. I saw this

Now, I agree.

I somewhat think it's a publicity stunt that they're pulling right here just to get some attention to headlines, but

it's going to be

the Frank mobiel Oh, because they have a new hot dog recipe that they're promoting this year. Oh,

is it his wiener? Is it is it like it's you know, over a year I mean, like what or is it you know what I mean?

Sure. But to lean into the like summer grilling thing with Jacob Bob or her do is also now the chicken is selling a limited edition

and Oh, special beer that you put up. Yeah, so

Purdue is making their own like,

chicken Beer. Beer

is happening this summer. Weird. Really weird.

All right. I wonder if you Yeah. Okay, can you drink it? Or all? Right? I

mean, do you really want to drink chicken beer? I don't

know, probably. Frankly, if it was cold, I'll drink it does

not sound appetizing at all.

But sure, once it's been in the chicken, does it come in the chicken? Like do you buy?

Questions? It's, I want to ask you what you learned Aaron. So you can stop asking questions. What did you just learn?

This is very important topic. Okay. You know, I'm this is I'm cheating a bit. I didn't necessarily learn it, but I experienced it. There

just to all the different things that we think about like our bins, the light and the sun is orange, how it cools the temperatures. And so yeah,

learning.

I'm always learning. Yeah,

I just I did have a question about the Wienermobile first. I have to put you back. No, I was just curious. Do you think everybody in the country

I think that that's, well, the Wienermobile that's been its name for a long time. 7080 years or whatever along with that thing's been

I just remember when I joined the Navy, and I kept asking for, for where the Bubbler was, and I thought that everybody called the water.

Oh, no. And

I uncovered that people did not know what I was talking about. So I was just curious to everybody call because

you're gonna have to translate that for our listeners Chrystia cheesehead. What's the Bubbler

above litres of water a water drinking fountain? You press the button and we get the water flows and we drink it that that's a bubbler here in

Okay. All right. Yeah, I suppose I should say wiener a few more times though. I just inserted wiener. Okay, my alright. Wiener AI wiener.

I have questions too. So

go back to AI for sure to ask me I want to ask.

Oh, this is good. This is a clip. Pull the clip. Wiener clip. Okay, great. Well, if you haven't heard when

I was like, I don't think Chris shared hers. Yeah.

Right. Sorry, Chris. Wheatley, just

Yes. So back.

All right. Dandelions, I just learned why people make a wish around dandelions.

Oh, this is more fun. Yes.

Oh, leaders. If you can blow all the seeds off of dandelion with a single breath. And the person you love will love you back. Oh, there are so

Haha. That's lovely. Much better than the winners. All right.

I think I'm being cynical. I'm like, okay, dandelion. Let's talk about the winners. The Oscar winner songs in my head. Of course, I'm not

the trashier breweries like when we were you know, freshmen, nearly ice you know, like, they would have thought of a beer can chicken or beer can flip.

Top notch anyway. Yeah, yes. Good thinking. What

I have learned recently is there is this plant it is called the desert skeleton. There's a more appropriate word. But this little ugly

Wow. Is it? Is it a big place?

Sometimes it has tentacles and it will grow out. But the ends of them are always brown. It's very, yeah. And I was Yeah, I was recently in

It is the secret to immortality.

I'm googling it right now. And I have like bones, like a skeleton bone laying on the sand.

Oh, no, that's all fine. And I'll email it to all of you. So you can put it in the show

notes. Just put a big one. Yeah, I think we need to study that for longevity.

Early life. It's really pretty though. And maybe maybe the one that you saw was like 1800 years old. Because it

was was 1800 years old. I and even the young ones. But I'm impressed though. I'm so impressed by this plant like, way to go like

right? Yes, indeed. I wonder when it reproduces to wait until like, it's 1000 years old to have little skeleton desert babies, or is that

I will, I'll send you the Wikipedia page as well.

Perfect. I feel wow. You know, I always feel like I'm a smarter person when we're done with this podcast, but today, PhD level going on

all graduated here. Excellent. Well, Greg, could you please tell our audience how they could reach you if they wanted to reach out to you after

Yes, yes. My website is Gigi Potter, pod er.com Gigi Potter. You can also find me on all the socials at Gigi Potter. And my email is Greg.

Wonderful. Thank you so much for being here. I personally love you. is the first time I got to interview a family member for our broad. Thank

you ladies.

Thanks. I'm gonna go to your family reunion. I've You guys are awesome. I can only imagine what the entire crew looks like he must be

All right. This is three broads wrapping up, reach out. We want to hear from you.

This wraps up today's broadcast. If you're looking to shake up the status quo at your organization, or just want to connect with the brides