In this episode of the Refit Podcast, Kyle Killian speaks with Tom Gissler, Chief Executive Officer of Rolling Suds, about his unique journey in leadership and franchising. Tom shares insights on navigating career challenges, the importance of culture in leadership, and the dynamics of hiring for fit. He emphasizes the human element in business and discusses the challenges of scaling founder-led businesses. The conversation highlights the need for accountability and the delicate balance of leadership, especially when transitioning from a founder's vision to a structured operation. In this conversation, Tom Gissler shares his insights on leadership, the challenges of isolation, and the sacrifices made for work. He reflects on the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal life, emphasizing the need for strong communication and boundaries in leadership roles. Tom also discusses his future aspirations in the evolving gig economy and offers valuable lessons for new leaders stepping into established organizations.
Takeaways
Tom Gissler emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes in leadership.
Building consensus is crucial for effective leadership and decision-making.
Franchising provides a pathway for entrepreneurship with support and lower barriers.
The human element in business is essential for navigating challenges and building culture.
Hiring should focus on both skill set and cultural fit to ensure long-term success.
Accountability is a key component of a winning team and culture.
Scaling a founder-led business requires understanding the existing dynamics and staff relationships.
Leaders must be willing to let go and trust their teams to drive the business forward.
The balance between financial goals and human considerations is critical in business.
Navigating the complexities of leadership involves managing expectations and relationships. Leadership requires navigating changes and managing founder dynamics.
Isolation is a significant cost of leadership roles.
Personal relationships can complicate accountability in the workplace.
Sacrifices for work can lead to regret and missed family moments.
Prioritizing family and personal life is essential for overall well-being.
The gig economy is changing traditional career paths and expectations.
Good communication and clear boundaries are vital for effective leadership.
Empathy and servant leadership can lead to better organizational outcomes.
Investing in family culture is as important as professional culture.
Future leadership roles may involve more flexible, gig-based opportunities.
Connect with Tom Gissler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-gissler-5a05a62b/
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– Kyle and The Refit Podcast team
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#TheRefitPodcast #KyleKillian #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #VeteranLeadership #HardThingAboutHardThings #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #CEOInsights #FounderStories #OperationalLeadership The Refit Podcast is where real leadership happens—no platitudes, no polished corporate speak, just honest conversations about the hard decisions that keep leaders up at night. Hosted by Kyle Killian, former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer with nearly 30 years of military, corporate, and entrepreneurial leadership experience, this podcast dives into the moments when the playbook stopped working and leaders had to figure it out anyway.
What is The Refit Podcast?
Welcome to The Refit Podcast, hosted by Kyle Killian.
This is where we talk about leadership the way leaders actually experience it—messy, uncertain, and nothing like the books make it sound.
I'm Kyle Killian, founder of Kohora. I spent nearly three decades leading in military, corporate, and entrepreneurial environments—from intelligence missions in Iraq to senior roles at Nike, Converse, and Fanatics.
And here's what I've learned: every single thing in business is a leadership problem.On this podcast, I sit down with CEOs, founders, operators, and fellow veterans who've transitioned to business leadership. We're not here to recite frameworks or share motivational quotes.
We're here to talk about the hard thing about hard things—the decisions that didn't have a right answer, the conversations you couldn't avoid, and the moments that changed how you lead.If you've ever been in a situation where the playbook stopped working and you had to figure it out anyway, this podcast is for you.