April 19, 2023

Episode 37: Finding Joy in Networking with Foundry’s Kurt Schmidt

In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Kurt Schmidt challenges the negative connotations associated with networking, which is often viewed as a burdensome task. Host Dane Groeneveld, CEO of HUDDL3, engages in a conversation with Kurt, who spearheads the digital transformation of businesses at Foundry. Kurt shares his unique perspective on networking, highlighting the importance of enjoyable and mutually beneficial interactions. He also emphasizes the value of hiring individuals with intriguing hobbies, colleagues who support career growth, and taking decisive action. Kurt also outlines his personal networking tracking system in the discussion.

Episode 37: Finding Joy in Networking with Foundry's Kurt Schmidt

Guest Bio

In 2016 I took my 20+ years of agency experience and helped build Foundry, a revolutionary software design agency.

Since becoming Foundry’s President, the company has quadrupled in revenue and is listed in the 2020 and 2021 INC 5000 Fastest Growing Companies report.

As the host of Schmidt List, I moonlight (shh), doing weekly Podcast/YouTube interviews for the last four years featuring the movers and makers in technology and design.

I also coach digital agency owners to determine what is missing in their company’s marketing, sales, and operation.

You can view my Amazon author page here: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B0BPDJL94X

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Recap & Takeaways

[00:11 – 02:37] Kurt’s journey from BMX rider to designer to founder
[02:37 – 06:02] Team incentives that unknowingly cause conflict when everyone is trying to have an impact
[06:07 – 08:24] Side gigs and people with interesting hobbies
[08:28 – 10:30] Lifting all boats, people who help others in their careers
[10:34 – 13:39] Creating validation in our roles and creating value
[13:42 – 16:08] Taking initiative and making goals relevant to the vision
[16:13 – 17:29] Bias for action, emotional labor of working with people uninvested in vision
[17:36 – 19:18] Networking and success in a career versus a job
[19:18 – 20:22] Networking can be fun when you have a system and think of it as a lifestyle as opposed to a task
[20:23 – 21:11] The purpose of Kurt’s book on networking
[21:15 – 25:37] Kurt’s system for networking, categorizing a spreadsheet
[25:41 – 27:51] “People understand you are a connector”
[27:53 – 28:49] Active listening in life and business
[28:52 – 33:45] You’re offering someone access to your network
[33:46 – 34:53] People want to help but don’t always know what helps
[34:53 – 36:09] Build your own user guide
[36:11 – 37:36] A team vision statement
[37:40 – 40:27] You are in control of your career
[40:29 – 41:59] Psychological safety starts with you
[42:12 – 45:27] Web3