Dan Flowers, CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank joins us on episode three of The Nova Communities Podcast and I’m thrilled for you to hear his insights on leadership and team culture. After reflecting on his leadership style and how it impacts his team, Dan and I dive into the importance of building a strong, collaborative environment to successfully empower employees and help organizations reach their goals.

This conversation with Dan has me fired up. As someone who has had the opportunity to lead a variety of teams – and sometimes have my own cringe-worthy leadership moments, I appreciate Dan’s willingness to be real and share his lessons learned. He breaks down his leadership philosophy into two parts – part science and part art. Science focuses on the practical side using the skills you’ve developed over time. But, as he notes, the technical skills aren’t enough, that’s where the art part comes in as people and building relationships are what matter most.

Dan and his team recently received their third consecutive NorthCoast99 award, being recognized as one of Northeast Ohio’s best places to work. The speech I reference in this episode can be watched here. It’s a powerful three minutes you won’t want to miss.

Highlights

• Welcome and Intro (0.00)
• Community (2.15)
• Tools a Leader Needs (5.30)
• Collective Intelligence of Teams (8.00)
• Early Leadership Experiences (10.00)
• A Defining Moment (11.30)
• Part Science, Part Art (14.30)
• Take Care of Your People (22.40)
• Be Nice! (25.00)
• Fear in Management (26.00)
• Heart Alignment (33.15)
• Final Questions (36.00)

Guest Biography

Dan Flowers

President and CEO, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

Dan Flowers has been the President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank since 2003. During his tenure, the Foodbank has experienced significant growth, increasing food distribution to more than 32.9 million pounds in 2017. Dan led the Foodbank through a building expansion project and into a newly renovated facility in 2007. Under his leadership, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank became the 2012 Foodbank of the Year, the highest recognition achievable by food banks across the nation in the Feeding America network. Most recently, the Foodbank received its third NorthCoast99 award, recognized as one of Northeast Ohio’s best places to work.

Dan is the former vice-chairman of Feeding America’s elected National Affiliate Council (NAC) and is the immediate past Chairman of the Ohio Association of Food Bank’s Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Aultman Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, WKSU Community Advisory Council, and the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Directors. Dan is a proud graduate of Leadership Akron Class XXII.

After serving as a Congressional Intern for U.S. 5th House District Rep. Dale E. Kildee, Dan was hired as a Grant Writer by the Foodbank of Eastern Michigan where he was to later become the Director of Agency Relations. Prior to moving to Ohio, he was employed by the Northrop Grumman Company as Director of Administration for the federally funded Job Corps Center in Flint, MI.

Dan resides in Akron with his wife, Holly, and their three children, Andrew, Jonathan, and Mary. He is an avid reader, runner, bow hunter, video gamer, and martial artist (holding a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu) and award-winning columnist for Smart Business Magazine.

Contact

• LinkedIn
• Email: dflowers@acrfb.org