Ever worked somewhere that claimed "we're a family" but treated you like anything but? Stephen Bump has seen both sides—and he's building something different with Persperity.

In this conversation with Cam and Otis, Stephen shares his journey from Air Force leadership to founding a consultancy that's deliberately challenging the "always-on" culture of modern business. "They actually treated people really well and understood that people had a life outside of work," he reflects about a former employer that got it right.

From battling his own "shiny object syndrome" to making tough calls about which opportunities to pursue, Stephen offers a refreshingly honest look at the early stages of building a purpose-driven business. Plus, Otis shares a laugh-out-loud story about military decision matrices that anyone who's ever had their carefully-crafted presentation ignored by the boss will relate to.

Whether you're scaling a business, leading a team, or just trying to find work that respects your whole life, Stephen's practical approach to building a company that values both results and people will leave you with actionable insights.

More About Stephen:
Strategic leader with deep expertise in life sciences, defense, and aerospace. At Persperity, I lead multi-million dollar initiatives for Fortune 500 clients, enabling them to scale within regulated industries. My career spans high-stakes program management with the U.S. Air Force, impactful continuous improvement projects at Eli Lilly, and Lean Six Sigma transformations. I started Persperity for two reasons: to help life sciences companies break through manufacturing and regulatory roadblocks so they can scale fast and meet demand, and to give employees the flexibility they crave without losing sight of meaningful, purpose-driven work.


#10xYourTeam #LeadWithPurpose #PeopleOverProcess #AntiAlwaysOn #WorkLifeRespect #PurposeDrivenLeadership #BuildBetterCulture #FromMilitaryToMission #StartUpWithSoul #RealLeadershipMatters #NoMoreFakeFamily

Chapter Times and Titles:

The "We're a Family" Business Trap [00:00 - 12:00]
Introduction to Stephen Bump
The problem with companies claiming to be "family"
What good employers do differently

Life Outside of Work Matters [12:01 - 17:00
Building flexibility into early-stage businesses
How different life phases change what employees value
Stephen's approach at Persperity

Fighting Shiny Object Syndrome [17:01 - 25:00]
"Just because there's an opportunity doesn't mean you should go after it."
Defining your business focus
Strategic decisions in life sciences manufacturing

When Gut Feeling Trumps Analysis [25:01 - 30:00]
Otis's military decision matrix story
The value of the process, even when the outcome is predetermined
Finding a balance between analysis and intuition

Working On vs. In the Business [30:01 - 40:00]
Stephen's honest struggle with stepping back
"For me, working on the business means doing billable work."
Building fences to prevent founder burnout

Consulting Relationships That Work [40:01 - End]
The challenge of clients who don't follow advice
Building trust through expertise
Final thoughts on creating meaningful work



Stephen Bump
Website: https://persperity.net/

Ever wonder why that "perfect on paper" hire turned out to be a complete disaster? Dr. Reece Akhtar might just have the answer.

In this episode, we dive deep with the CEO of Deeper Signals who's spent his career figuring out the science behind personality and how it affects workplace performance. "Cut me off if I go too far down the pointy head rabbit hole," Reece jokes, but his passion for personality assessment is exactly what makes this conversation so fascinating.

From explaining why traditional hiring methods only account for about 15% of what makes someone successful to breaking down how the best personality tests actually work, Reece brings academic rigor to real-world hiring challenges. Plus, he and Cam explore that intriguing gap between theoretical models and practical application—that human element that data alone can never quite capture.

Whether you're building a team, looking to improve your hiring process, or just curious about the science behind what makes people tick at work, this episode offers both the theoretical foundation and practical tools to make better talent decisions in an increasingly AI-driven world.

More About Reece:
Dr. Reece Akhtar is the CEO and co-founder of Deeper Signals, a company transforming talent assessment through scientific assessments and AI. As an organizational psychologist and data scientist, he specializes in leveraging behavioral science and technology to help organizations make smarter, data-driven talent decisions. With expertise in applied personality assessment and computational psychometrics, he has held academic positions at New York University (NYU) and University College London (UCL) and led product innovation at Hogan Assessment Systems and RHR International. A recognized thought leader, Reece contributes to scientific journals, HBR and Forbes, sharing insights on talent, technology, and the future of work. He also published, The Future of Recruitment: Using the New Science of Talent Analytics to Get Your Hiring Right. Under his leadership, Deeper Signals delivers enterprise-ready assessment solutions that are fast, scalable, and designed to help enterprises find and grow their top talent needed for success in the AI age. His work focuses on empowering leaders with real-time, data-driven soft skill insights to unlock individual and team potential, helping businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

#10xYourTeam #FutureOfWork #TalentAnalytics #PersonalityScience #SmarterHiring #WorkplacePsychology #DeeperSignals #OrganizationalPsychology #DataDrivenDecisions #HiringBetter #AIInHR #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #BehavioralScience #TalentStrategy #HiringInsights #SoftSkillsMatter #WorkplaceSuccess #Psychometrics #RecruitmentReimagined #PeopleScience

Chapter Times and Titles:

Meet Dr. Reece: The Personality Science Guy [00:00 - 03:00]
Introduction to Reece and his background
"This is my bread and butter for you listeners"
Setting up the conversation about personality assessment

The Problem with Traditional Hiring [03:00 - 10:00]
Why interviews alone aren't enough
The 15% variance problem in predicting performance
Building a more complete picture of candidates

Not All Tests Are Created Equal [10:00 - 20:00]
Breaking down different personality models
What makes a good assessment tool
The science behind reliable insights

Personality Flexibility vs. Fixed Traits [20:00 - 35:00]
"Mood elasticity" and adaptability
How people can "turn up" certain traits
The balance between nature and nurture

Bridging Theory and Application [35:00 - 45:00]
The gap between academic models and real-world use
Why there's always a human element that data can't capture
Practical ways to use personality insights

AI and the Future of Talent Assessment [45:00 - 51:00]
How AI is changing the hiring landscape
The im

Ever had a client who just wouldn't take action no matter what? In this conversation with Leslie Hassler of Your Biz Rules, we dive into the real reasons some business owners stay stuck—and it's not what you think.

Leslie shares her 17 years of entrepreneurial wisdom on transforming small businesses from constant headaches into freedom-generating machines. From dealing with clients who think you're "becoming a hassle" to identifying the subtle signs someone isn't ready for growth, this episode gets refreshingly honest about the human side of business consulting.

"Even the most imperfect action is better than inaction," Leslie reminds us, as Otis shares his famous Brazos River experience—a perfect metaphor for why businesses must keep moving forward, even when the current gets tough.

Whether you're a consultant frustrated with clients who won't implement your advice or a business owner wondering why growth feels so hard, Leslie's practical approach to predictable profits and sustainable growth offers a path forward. Additionally, she shares details about her new book, "Scaling Rich," which focuses on aligning teams with change.

Head to yourbizrules.com/co for special resources Leslie created just for our listeners!

More About Leslie:
Leslie Hassler is the powerhouse behind Your Biz Rules, a consultancy firm transforming small businesses into freedom-generating machines. Leveraging 17 years of entrepreneurial experience and a strong background in marketing, finance, and leadership, Leslie guides businesses toward predictable profits and sustainable growth. Your Biz Rules offers comprehensive business audits, the Profitable Growth Incubator program, private consulting, and Fractional CFO services. The firm is celebrated for igniting transformative profitable growth, reshaping businesses to fulfill the owner’s vision, and enabling clients to break through financial barriers. Leslie’s holistic approach prioritizes profitability and a balanced quality of life for business owners. She is the author of First This, Then That and the upcoming Scaling RichTM, recognized on stages across the U.S., including NAWBO and WBENC, Leslie is also a Past President of NAWBO DFW and an alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business program. A mother of two and avid traveler, Leslie brings a well-rounded perspective to her work. Her mission is to ignite the potential within business owners, empowering them to conquer challenges, unlock unprecedented growth, and build a life of abundance and balance.

#10xYourTeam #SmallBusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #ScalingRich #BusinessCoaching #ConsultingLife #PredictableProfits #TakeAction #TribeAndPurpose #FreedomBusiness #ImperfectAction

Chapter Times and Titles:

When Clients Think You're a Hassle [00:00 - 03:02]
Introduction to Leslie Hassler
The reality of client resistance
"Have you had a client tell you you're becoming a hassle?"

Identifying Client Blockers [03:03 - 10:22]
Signs someone isn't ready for growth
The "nobody buys my stuff" mindset
How Leslie screens clients now

The Value Proposition Evolution [10:23 - 22:00]
How Leslie's approach has changed over time
Asking the right questions from the start
Building a business that serves your life

The Fear of Confrontation [22:01 - 35:00]
Working with CEOs who avoid conflict
Getting to the real "why" behind resistance
Actions revealing what words don't say

The Brazos River Experience [35:01 - 45:15]
Otis's metaphor for business momentum
"Even the most imperfect action is better than inaction."
Why can't you just sit in the current

Building Systems for Freedom [45:16 - 50:45]
Leslie's approach to creating business systems
Preview of her upcoming book "Scaling Rich"
How to align teams with change

Resources and Closing [50:46 - End]