Built Not Bought: Earning Respect and Leading with Backbone – Jim Ziminsk Artwork

Be Authentic or GTFO!

Hey everybody, I'm Eric Oberembt. I want to thank you all for following and tuning into my new podcast, Be Authentic or GET THE F*CK OUT! If you know me, you know that I value keeping it real and leading with authenticity. That’s what this podcast is all about. 👊🏼 The only requirement to be a guest is that you are being authentic to who you are. If you're not, I'll shut It down and ask you to leave. "When you show up authentic, you create a space for others to do the same. Walk in your truth!"

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Be Authentic or GTFO!

Built Not Bought: Earning Respect and Leading with Backbone – Jim Ziminsk

April 01, 2025 • Eric Oberembt • Season 6 • Episode 18

When your name carries weight in the trades, it's not because someone handed you a title — it's because you earned it. Jim Ziminski brings that kind of legacy to the table. In this raw and honest episode, we unpack how to command respect without ever raising your voice, how to lead without the ego, and what it really takes to build something worth a damn.

From grinding it out in the field to leading global teams, Jim drops hard-earned wisdom on dealing with entitlement, raising the bar, and keeping your soul intact in a world full of shortcuts. If you're ready to shut up, listen, and actually learn something — this one’s for you.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro: Who Is Jim Ziminski?

02:00 - Working With Family & Holding Your Own

06:50 - Earning It vs. Entitlement in Today’s Workforce

11:30 - Leadership Without Ego

16:15 - Bringing People Together Through Service

19:00 - The Shift from Roofing to Private Equity

22:40 - Building a Strong Culture on the Jobsite

27:00 - Authenticity as a Leadership Currency

31:15 - Creating Value That Outlasts Your Role

34:20 - Getting Real About Mistakes and Growth

38:00 - Jim’s Core Leadership Philosophy

42:30 - Wrap Up: Don’t Just Lead — Build Something That Lasts

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