The Inner Work of Leadership in a Family Business with Kevin Hancock

The Enlightened Family Business Podcast

Ep. 147: The Inner Work of Leadership in a Family Business

with Kevin Hancock

In this episode of the Enlightened Family Business Podcast, host Chris Yonker interviews Kevin Hancock, Chair of Hancock Lumber, about his journey and transformation in leadership. Kevin shares his personal and professional challenges, including losing his father to cancer, navigating a significant economic recession, and coping with a rare voice disorder. Kevin's experiences led him to initiate major cultural changes at Hancock Lumber, focusing on putting employees first and fostering authentic, meaningful work environments. He also discusses his connection with the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where he found inspiration and a new perspective on leadership and the human experience. The episode delves into themes of self-discovery, healing, family business governance, and preparing future generations to lead with heart and authenticity.

·       00:54 Meet Kevin Hancock: A Legacy of Resilience

·       03:42 Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges

·       13:36 The 2008 Economic Crisis and Its Impact

·       18:58 A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing

·       27:25 Finding Purpose at Pine Ridge

·       32:22 The Emotional Draw to Pine Ridge

·       36:25 The Power of Presence and Authenticity

·       40:21 The Impact of Prioritizing Employee Experience

·       50:47 The Role of Ownership and Family Legacy

·       59:24 The Importance of Inner Work and Self-Discovery

Websites:

·       fambizforum.com.

·       www.chrisyonker.com

·       hancocklumber.com

·       doortwo.com

 

Kevin’s Books

• Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse
• The Seventh Power: One CEO’s Journey into the Business of Shared Leadership
• 48 Whispers from Pine Ridge and the Northern Plains

Kevin’s Bio:

KEVIN HANCOCK is the Executive Chairman of one of America’s oldest family businesses as well as an award-winning author and nationally recognized public speaker.

Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber Company is led by its 720 employees operating 12 lumberyards, 3 sawmills, a truss manufacturing facility, and timberlands in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.  Since 2014, Hancock Lumber has been recognized with the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’ award. The company is also a recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, the ProSales National Dealer of the Year Award, and the Maine Retailer of the Year Award.

Kevin is a past chairman of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, and the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees.  Kevin has also served of the Board of Directors for the Hussey Seating Corporation in Maine, the Seneca Sawmill Corporation in Oregon, and the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission.

Kevin is a recipient of the Ed Muskie ‘Access to Justice’ Award, the Habitat for Humanity ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Award, the Maine Development Foundation ‘Ken Curtis Leadership Award’, and the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame ‘Directors Award’.

Kevin also partners with the executive coaching firm DoorTwo to provide senior management training programs around the concepts of shared leadership, dispersed power, and deep employee engagement.

Kevin is a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community —through listening, empowering, and shared leadership.  He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and lives in Maine with his wife Alison.