Jason Taylor (00:00):
Welcome to this edition of the People's Playbook podcast. I am excited today. I have been able to have the benefit of having Kelly Lefaive in my life. She now leads and is the CEO of a company called Go Direct Solutions. And I wanted her on the show because I know her style and I know how big of a part she plays in culture, in leading teams, in creating momentum, and just doing the right thing. So with that, Kelly, welcome to the podcast.

Kellie Lefaive (00:32):
Thanks, Jason. Great to see you.

Jason Taylor (00:35):
Yeah, great to see you too. You said something in our conversation just prior to actually starting to record. You said, “leaders can't be part of the chaos.” When you say that, what does that mean?

Kellie Lefaive (00:56):
Generally speaking there are ups and downs in every business. Inevitably something is going to break or go off the rails. At that point, a passionate team’s first instinct is to fix it, which can create chaos. As a leader, you can’t perpetuate that chaos. You need to step back, assess, and identify what you can impact. Calmly define the issue, the plan, and the outcome.

Jason Taylor (02:18):
How do you proceed when your business ramps up and stress is high?

Kellie Lefaive (02:24):
You step off, take the foot off the gas, and think through your next moves. Reacting from anger or frustration only compounds issues. It's about measured responses and leading through calmness.

Jason Taylor (03:11):
I love how authentic you are in saying you had to teach yourself not to be part of the chaos. How do you keep people motivated and grounded through all the change your sector has experienced over the past few years?

Kellie Lefaive (04:15):
COVID created unpredictability in supply chains. We've adapted by giving teams the right tools, automating where possible, and communicating proactively. When surprises happen, we analyze the what-ifs and create strong plans to minimize stress. Communication and trust are our pillars.

Jason Taylor (06:51):
When making tough decisions, what values guide you?

Kellie Lefaive (07:36):
Customer-centricity comes first. We ensure our employees are empowered to take ownership and problem-solve. Decisions weigh client needs, employee growth, and sustainable business outcomes.

Jason Taylor (09:40):
How do you align multiple departments to ensure they work toward the same goals?

Kellie Lefaive (10:00):
We over-communicate client priorities, hold weekly senior management meetings, and share knowledge across locations. This alignment ensures everyone understands expectations, supports one another, and executes collaboratively.

Jason Taylor (14:13):
What kind of leadership inspires you most?

Kellie Lefaive (14:25):
Mentorship and nurturing talent inspire me. Great leaders make human connections, hold people accountable, and encourage entrepreneurial thinking. I aim to take lessons from multiple mentors to develop a culture of transparency, candidness, and passion.

Jason Taylor (18:05):
How do you spot future leaders and develop them?

Kellie Lefaive (18:19):
Accountability, passion, and problem-solving are key traits. We identify those willing to take ownership and help them grow through exposure and training, even from unskilled labor to managerial roles.

Jason Taylor (23:05):
What’s one leadership mistake you’ve learned the most from?

Kellie Lefaive (23:29):
Early in my career, I perpetuated chaos and overcompensated in a male-dominated environment. I learned to soften my approach, nurture my team, and lead authentically, which transformed outcomes and opened opportunities.

Jason Taylor (26:00):
How do you stay grounded as a leader?

Kellie Lefaive (26:39):
I rely on a supportive senior management team and stay hands-on with sales and operations. Doing the work alongside employees keeps me connected, informed, and engaged.

Jason Taylor (29:44):
If you had one non-negotiable leadership principle, what would it be?

Kellie Lefaive (29:53):
Respectful engagement and solution-focused collaboration. Challenges are welcome, but negativity and passive aggression are not tolerated.

Jason Taylor (31:16):
What advice would you give to a young, future leader?

Kellie Lefaive (31:22):
Get engaged, show initiative, and take on challenges beyond your role. Demonstrate curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn. Success comes to those who show up consistently and push beyond comfort zones.

Jason Taylor (33:47):
Kelly, it’s evident you show up and get engaged. Thank you for sharing your insights and leadership lessons with us today.

Kellie Lefaive (34:09):
My pleasure. It was great to connect.