Good Leaders: Are you ready to hear some good news?

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

The Good Leadership Breakfast was born seven years ago in the throes of the Great Recession when a group of good leaders gathered together to ponder the question: Do we believe goodness still pays today? What transpired was an inspiring conversation in the midst of somber times. In short, it was a great meeting filled with hope and good news.

And today, we are so grateful the good news storyteller Colleen Needles Steward is the kick-off speaker for the 2016 Good Leadership Breakfast Series. She is the founder and CEO of Tremendous! Entertainment.

A few tickets still available

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Many Minnesotans remember Colleen as the charming and razor-sharp co-anchor alongside Don Shelby during most of the 1990s. Today, she is a TV programming guru whose wholesome, family-oriented programming has created a very special, profitable niche in the dramatic dog-eat-dog world of Hollywood.

I interviewed Colleen by telephone in early January – her carmel syrup voice made me smile inside. And she shared some really good news:

“The mission of our production company, Tremendous! Entertainment is Where Character Matters, and that is significant in an industry that is driven by programming that shines the light on the lowest common denominator in our society,” she shared. “Our business is thriving because we are storytellers who tell good stories about good people in the world.”

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

It’s very likely you have not heard much about Tremendous! Entertainment, because they produce programming that other organizations broadcast. It’s very likely you’ve heard of some of their hits: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Rock the Park, State Fair Foods, Bama Style, Delicious Destinations.

She created the business almost by accident. When raising young children, she became increasingly frustrated at the lack of wholesome, stimulating TV programming for kids. So she created a TV program and sold it to Animal Planet. Her timing was perfect – she rode the wave of non-scripted programming during the rise of cable TV. “I left WCCO TV to create stories that were longer than 1.5 minutes…deeper, more positive and not designed to be sensational,” she recalls.

It’s all about family

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Colleen is a shining example of our “Blending the Seven Fs” philosophy for goodness in leadership. For obvious reasons, her business is located in Hollywood. Her children have all moved to California, so she keeps an apartment in West Hollywood to stay close to all the action.

She regularly vacations at Sanibel Island in Florida – a place that naturally nurtures her Seven Fs: faith, family, finances, fitness, friends, fun and future. They have been hosting family and friends for more than 30 years on the beach. “Although I spend way too much time at work, its a really good life,” she explained. “I am grateful for the WCCO TV days where I learned so much and I am so blessed by family and friends who allow us to do good work, with amazing people, in amazing ways. It’s a really good life.”

Good leaders build thriving organizations where character matters. And they let their curiosity be the pathway to their life story.

What good news can you share with us?

A handful of tickets remain for the Good Leadership Breakfast this Friday. Will you join us?[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]