Naked at the Top

What Every Founder Gets Wrong About People | Ronnie Lewis

• Aleyx Ward • Season 1 • Episode 3

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What does it really take to lead with heart - without losing your edge?

In this emotionally charged and fiercely practical episode, we meet Ronnie Lewis, a CEO and founder whose leadership philosophy is anything but conventional. Raised on courage and built through loss, Ronnie doesn’t just talk values - he lives them. From moments of sharp self-awareness to radically honest hiring practices, this conversation strips back the facade of modern leadership and invites us into something more grounded, more human.

You’ll hear why he asks interview questions that leave candidates stunned. 
Why he believes trust is everything - and what happens when it breaks. 
And how an unexpected life moment gave him a lesson in priorities that still guides his business today. 

Whether you’re a founder, a team leader, or just tired of the leadership buzzwords, this episode will reconnect you to what actually matters.

We also unpack how to spot the wrong people early, celebrate tiny wins like they’re huge, and build cultures where no one hides behind a title. Ronnie’s stories are raw, funny, and rich with insight. 

This one hits hard and stays with you.

Watch now on YouTube, subscribe, and lead like you mean it: https://www.youtube.com/@nakedatthetop?sub_confirmation=1

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Aleyx:

Hello. Welcome to Naked at the Top. Today's guest is someone whose leadership is powered as much by instinct as it is by heart. Ronnie Lewis is a natural connector, a devoted family man and a leader who doesn't just build businesses. He builds communities. He's built multiple businesses and chaired football clubs, but what really stands out the most is how he shows up for the people around him. Whether that's delivering results at work, showing up with a grandkid and to, or texting you back mid meeting, Ron is there for his people. Ronnie, welcome to Naked At The Top.

Ronnie:

I am gonna get in trouble now for the texting mid meeting,

Aleyx:

I've actually just,

Ronnie:

those things, Aleyx, you for the nice introduction.

Aleyx:

a little anecdote for you, when I was in a meeting with you before, someone called and you always ask permission, can you answer it? But I, think that's great because you are finding out, oh, is this really urgent or can I call you back? And I think that's, testament, to your leadership style and how you like to connect with, other people. So I don't think it's a bad thing.

Ronnie:

I hope not!

Aleyx:

before we start, I really need to know, Ronnie, if I left a mug on your kitchen bunker right now, how many seconds would it take before it disappeared?

Ronnie:

You've done a little bit of research, haven't you, Aleyx?

Aleyx:

Just a bit.

Ronnie:

got a little bit of on things like that. I think maybe 10 seconds be gone.

Aleyx:

before this interview I actually spoke to Nick. Nick Lewis is the GM at one of your businesses and, of course your son. And he told me 30 seconds. So there we go. Ronnie, you've got a few ventures, that you're part of. So could you just, you could just gimme a rundown of, of your businesses and, what your day to day looks like.

Ronnie:

Sure. So I started, life 30 years ago as a an executive search recruiter, which is, Still a very big passion of mine. And, from that, 10 years ago, we started networking business really to connect our clients through the match executive world. And we thought that, be a lot of value to our, customers at the time, which it was. And, fortunately for us, that's grown and it's grown beyond our match executive customers. And so now we have. a, large number of members, many of whom are not match executive, clients. So that's actually really exciting. then, most recently in the last, couple of years, I started a business in the residential safety check space in Victoria, with a partner of mine who in fact was a match executive client. And Greg and I have started this company called

Aleyx:

CheckRight

Ronnie:

which does, safety checks, electrical, and smoke alarm checks for. residential market, and that's, a big passion of ours as well because we know we're doing good for the community and keeping, keeping home safe. So it's, it's a lot of fun. It keeps me busy and, have a growing family. So yeah, there's, a lot of juggling going on.

Aleyx:

So you obviously, see opportunities in what you do. You started with the recruitment firm and then you saw an opportunity for the networking and then you know, someone to partner with for another company. what is it that you're looking for when you're looking at these different opportunities and what makes you think. Let's run with that one because I'm sure there's people listening that think, oh, I've got this idea. I'm not sure, like what's the trigger for you that you think, yeah, go.

Ronnie:

I think it always comes back to trying to find an angle for the customer to make it a value add. And certainly in the Match Alliance one, it was quite easy because what we had is a really great network. But, we were, people with these organizations but not helping them in other ways. So that was a bit of a logical one if you like. It took a bit of, bit of, thought and a couple of, drinking sessions with my then general manager, Anthony, and finally we came up with this concept. In fact, even the name wasn't the name we, we now run with. It was a slightly different name in the first week, but we changed that quickly when we thought it would be a good extension to our recruitment company, which is Match Executive. And we went from Match Executive to. Match alliance on the networking piece. So that was a little bit logical. The other one was a little bit left field, and I think that was really, born out of, really wanting to, I really enjoy doing different things. I find that, interesting. I have a view that life's a bit too short and to do one thing your whole life, not boring, but certainly challenges are created when you do different things. And that was born out of. just looking at the market and seeing what was, what was there. it's a business that, is part of a relatively new industry here in Victoria. And, we thought we could add value and we are, and really exciting.

Aleyx:

So it's really the customers at the heart of it. At the heart of it,

Ronnie:

I think it,

Aleyx:

yeah.

Ronnie:

it has to be, if it doesn't make sense for the customer, there's really no room for you with the market. So that's,

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah.

Ronnie:

that's been always been my t it's always been customer first, and if you can add value to the customer, then you have a business. If you don't, then you're out.

Aleyx:

Yeah, it makes a lot of sense. What I do with clients as well is, what, focus on the customer, what is it the customer needs? and everything else just grows from there. yeah. Makes a lot of sense. So you've got three businesses and you said a, growing family, you've got a few grandkids and things. how do you keep track of everything? How do juggle life?

Ronnie:

I think, for me that's the joy. I think I've been born with a lot of energy. My dad's 104 and still going.

Aleyx:

Wow.

Ronnie:

so hopefully I have his genes. But I think when you have energy and a love for life that these things, in and become very natural. And it might be picking up my grandson at three o'clock and then a meeting at four o'clock, and then something else at five o'clock. So my days are pretty full.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

but enjoyable. I, just love all aspects of life and I, probably, if you see in my view of life is it's all one piece. family, work, social, and there's lines, but the lines are becoming more blurred, particularly as we all, not all, but a lot of us work from home. I think it's just really disciplined and knowing what's important and, making it all work.

Aleyx:

Yeah, on, on that subject, there's obviously a lot of talk of work-life balance. I'd love to hear, your viewpoint on work-life balance and, is there such a thing?

Ronnie:

Yeah, I think there is a thing. I think it's, as I said, blurred lines is harder while a lot of us work from home and, our laptop becomes, chain to it a bit. But, I think it's about prioritizing those things. and I think you need, valves in your life. And so it would rarely be a day where I'm in meetings from, eight till five. There's always something. Whether it's, a little bit of family time or, go to the gym or something. I think it's, I think it's important for body and mind to be fit, be active, but also have those outlets. So I think if you're doing those things, I think you can, squeeze a lot in and, I certainly enjoy my time off, but I certainly go hard when it's time to go ago.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah, so blend, blending'em all together is not a typical nine to five type.

Ronnie:

COVID was, sad and tragic for so many people and in so many ways, but for me, it actually, really showed me the way to work effectively from home.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

pretty much in all our businesses now, we've got blended workplaces and, that works for us. And we, we, see how it does work. And I think fundamentally it comes down to, having good people in your teams. and fortunately I've the benefit of being in recruitment and so HR and, Looking for good people and retaining good people has been something that, I guess I've prided myself on. And I think if you select the right people in your business, it really is half the more, maybe more than half the battle.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah. Because then you can trust them to do the job they need to do, and you don't need to be clock watching them or seeing them in the office. You, know that. Yeah.

Ronnie:

very outcome focused and I think it's. Maybe the pinnacle of my management style, it's all about outcome. It's not about, it's not about ours. It's autonomy over micromanagement. setting high standards with trust. And you can only do those things if you hire people, as you say. And also have hone honesty as a sort of core value.

Aleyx:

Yes.

Ronnie:

if you do those things, know that loyalty is a two street. Performance over perfection. There'd probably a few of things that I'd probably say underpin my, leadership and management style.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah. So on, on that one, then obviously you run a recruitment business. And you talk about hiring the right people and building trust. I hear that you have quite curly interview questions that you like to ask to get people to think differently. could you gimme an example of what would a curly interview question be?

Ronnie:

You've spoken to my team, haven't you, Aleyx?

Aleyx:

maybe.

Ronnie:

I, curly. Yeah, so have a lot of curly questions, but I do throwing one or two in because. a resume's great. I rarely recruit on a resume. I'll always, go a bit deeper and, I think people can prepare well for interview and I, think most people that come to meetings are well prepared. But I think if you throw in, a curly one, as you say, I think what you get is an understanding of how these people think on their fees. And for me, that's really important. I like people that are adaptable. so, one of the questions I ask, which is ridiculously silly, is, three reasons why a giraffe is not tall. Ridiculous, right? I know it's ridiculous. and there's, there is no answer to that question'cause the giraffe is tall. some of the answers I've had are completely blank faces, I think,

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

well just freaking out and sweating, but problems thrown. That is a problem. And so some of the answers that I've, heard and that I love are, a giraffe is not tall when it's lying down. a giraffe is not tall when it's standing next to the Empire State Building. a giraffe is not tall, just it's neck is tall, whatever it is. but it creates conversation and I think it, it shows you how these people think under pressure. And so they're the ones I, I like.

Aleyx:

I love that. There we go. If you need some advice on recruitment and asking some curly questions, give. this is obviously a, podcast all about leadership. So I, spoke to a few people who are close to you around, your leadership. Style and I wanted to share with what some of them said. Liz, your bookkeeper of seven years told me that you take everyone's point of view on board and make things happen without a fuss. And Lauren, who's the director of Match Alliance for over three years said, your leadership is warm and human centered. You trust fast and it makes everything fun and easy. And then lastly, Nick, the GM of Match Executive said, you've never been the micromanaging type. And you are the yes men. The yes men, the yes man, who delegates powerfully and lets people rise. How does it feel hearing some of that back?

Ronnie:

Yeah, that's, that's a nice 360. Well done Aleyx. it's interesting and nice to hear for me. don't act. I just, I am who I am. I wear my heart on my sleeve. And, for me, I said, work is an extension of my family, so I treat the people that work with me. Essentially like their family. That's a bit of an over the top statement, but there's, there's trust both ways. There's, I don't, love conflict. It's, I don't think conflict needs to exist when it needs to happen. I'll take it on, but I personally like listen to people's views, take them on. you hire smart people, they have great ideas, so I'm very open to them. It may not always be the final decision, but, I'll always take those things on board. And I think if you act in that way, it just makes life very simple. You don't have to come to work with a facade. It's just you, are who you are. that's who I am. And I think you mentioned also that I was involved, as a president of a local footy club for nine years and I was the same there as well. it's just all an extension and those players who played in our club, just respect both ways, a bit like family and I think it's just, the way I like run my life, to be honest.

Aleyx:

Yeah, I, on the football, I heard that, you were often, you'd be, cleaning the work, the cleaning the football boots and things like that. So you're not afraid to get your hands dirty. What, what, kind of inspires you to be doing all these parts so you don't need to be doing it?

Ronnie:

I think in, if I look at the three businesses that I'm involved in, they're all startups. So I've always been on my own, initially and I've always had to do it all.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

And I think leading from the front is, a great way to lead. You can do their job, they can, one, get value from, you, but also talk to you about that. and so if it's sweeping the sheds and I've read the book about the All Blacks, rugby team that sweep their own sheds. I think it's a great leveler. It's a, great way to take accountability. and so if anyone can do it, why can't I? Now I'm. The CEO of BHPs who might be looking at this, he is probably going, that guy's crazy. And, sure when you're running an organization of that size, you can't be sweeping the sheds. But, I'm running small to medium sized businesses and I think leading from the front in those of businesses is the best way to lead.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

that's just me. and that's my style. And it also runs with a little bit of my ADD, I like things cleaned, I like things done. yeah, I pick it up and I was there actually no longer as a president, but I was there. Watching my son play a couple weeks ago, and as I was walking out, I noticed that there was a boy who actually picked up a broom and started sweeping the sheds. That's something I haven't seen for while. And that means those messages are getting through, and I think that how you build organizations. It's how you build culture and it's how you build communities.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

I'm strong on those things and, that's just, that's how I operate.

Aleyx:

Yeah. And it comes back to that mutual respect. if they see, you doing it and leading from there, then, they're more likely to, want to do that as well. Yeah. Yeah. So looking back at just the past week, could you think of a moment in time over the last week where you've maybe had to pull yourself back from an idea and trust someone else to run with it?

Ronnie:

yeah, a good one. there, there's, those things happen all the time and I think, in our, in our, match alliance business, in conversations with Lauren about, certain ideas around, or management of our existing members, it's, I've got ideas all the time. It's one of the things I love doing. I, think I just ponder in the shower and in other places, and, I'll come up and I'll just, Ring Lauren with six ideas. and they don't all fly and they don't all work. and so bouncing those things off. And so we had one, last week in relation to a marketing idea. And, she, won. good. That's good. It was a bit left field, but yeah, they, I just, they're the things that I, they happen probably every day and I don't, I don't phase on them. I think it's great to have ideas generation from, two ways and, some get up and, some don't. But yeah, that's a,

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

a.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Lauren, one, so how does one win you over with their idea running? what do they need to do?

Ronnie:

I think it just, it needs to be, focused. It needs to make sense, it needs to be commercial, needs to add value to our customer. and it needs to be relatively easy to implement. I don't wanna take my eye off the ball implementing a new idea that's gonna completely take our eye off the main game.

Aleyx:

Yes.

Ronnie:

they need to be, I think they can be grandiose, but they need to be done in bite-sized chunks.

Aleyx:

Yes. Yeah, absolutely.

Ronnie:

and that way they happen. They happen on time and, we're not taking our eye off the ball, which I think is really critical.

Aleyx:

yeah. have a grand idea, but have it broken, down into a way that makes, sense.

Ronnie:

Yeah, I'm really big on that and I think when you have targets and have stretch targets in a business, which is really important, I like breaking'em down to, quarterly and, monthly. activities and, result measurements so that we can see how we're tracking and get a sense, and if it's not working, adapt and make the changes. But I think they need to be done in bite-sized chunks.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah. You just talked there about, running ideas past, people within your team, and then, taking up their ideas. So there'll be a lot of people listening to this that may struggle with delegation and just entrusting the team a little bit more. what's your secret to that and what can you share with the listeners when it comes to delegating?

Ronnie:

I think I put any idea out, I understand, the, options and, I'm aware that one of the options is we don't do it. And I'm actually comfortable with that. If it's something I'm really passionate about, I'll obviously drive it harder than, something that I think is, just a ho-hum idea. But, just not everything can be a win. and that's sometimes hard for people. and I do get that, but I think it's. It's a win sometimes if it's a no, if it makes sense and it's about backing your people and listening to your people and rather have that than, make all this expenditure or spend some time on, something that's just not gonna get up.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

I think, if you're not listening to your people, you either don't have the right people or you just not coming with the right frame.

Aleyx:

yeah. And any, tips for those that are just. Gun home, what they wanna do, and any kind of listening skillset that you can give. Because as somebody who works in the communication space, I would say listening is actually more important than speaking, but not everyone's great at it. have you got any tips?

Ronnie:

My business partner in, in Checkr, Greg is massive on two ears, one mouth, and we've all heard it, but when he says it, you get reminded of it, it's actually really good. and he uses that often in, in meetings.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

And I think, when we are entrepreneurial or we really have that growth mindset and we want to. It's really, you gotta be really careful and just make sure.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're, doing a great job of listening, Ronnie. Alright. What's been, over the last week, we won't go too much further. I won't, test your memory over the last week, what's been, what's just been a great high for you? What's been the, a really standout moment for you in the past week? And that can be in your personal life or at work.

Ronnie:

It is, a good question. It's interesting. One that stands out. we were talking, I was talking, we were doing something in our Checkr business using a, an outsourced provider. And I was speaking to this, this person and could sense that there was something up with it. And, actually called that person on it and I had a, phone call offline with'em later and. That was a bit of a buzz. There was nothing in it for me, and I just really wanted to help that person. And I look for those moments. I, think I'm, being a Virgo, I'm a natural, wanting to help. that was a nice one. I got a nice text message from that person later that day. So their opportunities to look for and not every opportunity is a commercial one. And I'm actually really fine with that. I just like helping people. And when you do that, I know that good things happen. And, I know in our networking business, I tell our members. if you give first and receive second, it's it's the best way to do business.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah. And it's a big, it brings a great joy, doesn't it? When you know that you've been able to help someone out. Yeah.

Ronnie:

Yeah.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

giving charity, giving, helping people. It's, probably the biggest buzz I get and that's why I spent nine years community football in a, in an unpaid president gig.'cause it was just. Gave me so much energy and, to see, work you can put in and the difference you can make. I think it's a, it's important, particularly if you're in a business that doesn't necessarily have that or yield that on a regular basis. I'd really encourage anyone listening here do, work or do some charity. It's, it really is a feel good and it helps you in so many aspects of your life. So

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah.

Ronnie:

big believer of that.

Aleyx:

Beautiful message. Talking about energy, I hear your very high energy. In fact, Nick actually told me that you, bounce from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep. But was there a low over the past week for you? You just, it just, really exhausted. Your just was just quite a down moment over the past week or is.

Ronnie:

anyone who says they're up all day, every day is, is is probably not telling the truth. I look, I actually sleep badly. I suffer from sleep apnea, I actually don't sleep well. And so most mornings when I wake up, I do push myself to get going, there are some times where it's a bit harder. but I have a routine. I'm only doing gym or going for walks or doing something. me it's just one, when you're having those moments, it literally is one step after another.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

I've got a few mental cues. One of'em is look up. Literally, if you look up. Try that. If you look up, good things happen. think something happens to your brain. So I'll look up a bit or I'll, just breathe through a bit. But, I think there's a lot to, be happy for in, in, life. And I think you gotta find those moments and yeah, you gotta work through pain. I'm suffering from a knee, issue at the moment and it's painful, but, I just try and compartmentalize it and move forward. And I think all of us have those, pains, mental, physical, in our life. And it's just a matter of, the outlet, something to look forward to. I'm a massive believer on having a holiday booked,

Aleyx:

Yep.

Ronnie:

even if it's for two days, in the country. I think that's something that we all should look forward to in, in most stages of our years. So I think they're the outlets that I really push forward to. Get to get me through. But yeah, I think I'm, I might be blessed with, I don't do coffee, I, just have natural, I don't do coffee. I do the, the odd diet Coke, actually maybe a bit more than the odd Diet Coke, which is a bit of a caffeine hit. But I just, I just, I just get it from, I don't know, beer.

Aleyx:

I'm gonna be trying this looking up. Now. Another one, I don't know if you've heard of Mel Robbins, but she, wrote a book called the 5 4 3 2 1. And it really simple. But anytime you're just like, oh, you don't wanna do something, you just gotta do it. You just count back from one. So say you've gotta make call just five, four, three, two, one. Just pick up and it works. It does work. Yeah, yeah. alright, so you, love to show up for other people and help people out, as I said in, in the intro. How do you always show up for people without, burning out?

Ronnie:

that's a very good question. I think it's just, for me. I'm actually, bit of a voyeur of life, so I'm really interested in people.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

And so when I'm interviewing, when I'm recruiting, when I'm talking to our members, when I'm talking to clients on the check right side and, our trade people, I'm actually just generally interested in, what they're about. that actually gives me the energy. So I think for me, I've gotta be in situations where I'm in, around people and in people businesses, which is, if you look at the common denominator of. The business I'm in, and let's face it, the businesses that most people in, my role has gotta be somewhere towards the front. So I'm seeing customers, seeing suppliers, with staff, because that's where I personally get my energy. I know there are some people who, love to be alone and on the computer and, programming all day, and that's, get their energy another way. But for me, I literally get it from people. So I, just, Full of that sort of energy on a daily basis because of the interactions. And again, there are times, you gotta work through that. But in the main, just find that, very natural and, yeah, I felt blessed to be in businesses where I can I. Be myself and, and not be too formal. And I think having fun's important, so I like, that's coming across, but I like to have a little bit of fun whether I'm interviewing and talking about giraffes, or I'm working in my check write business. I think, ultimately we're actually all big kids. I've got a view of that. And I think, what you do so well, telling stories and building brands and, being, communicative. Communicative in that way. Is a great way to be. And, personally, I think I'm, I think I'm a big kid and often I think I'm just talking to big kids, it light, keep it fun and like to tell messages in story format.

Aleyx:

yeah, we are all, big kids and I think, business is much more fun if you could, if you don't take it too seriously.

Ronnie:

Yeah. I think I said at the top, we're not here for a long time. We're here for a, a.

Aleyx:

unless you're,

Ronnie:

Except for my dad, but it means, trying to work and not necessarily have fun, but enjoy it at the same time and create, and wins for people to enjoy it. So in all the businesses I'm in, we always celebrate wins. it's a really important thing to do because you can just go through days and weeks without any celebration and sometimes in a business where you have a very long lead cycle, don't make a sale every day.

Aleyx:

yes.

Ronnie:

gotta celebrate those small things when they occur. And, we definitely do that.

Aleyx:

How do you celebrate the wins? Can you give us an example?

Ronnie:

It's, if I'm away from the office, it's a, really nice message. If I'm in the office, it's, it's a bit glib, but it's a high five or it's a bit of a raw, we have a bell in our office that we used to ring. It's a bit passe now, there's a whole range of things we do. But I just think you need to seal the moment. I think it's in life as well, celebrating your 30th or your 40th, or your grandkid or it is. You gotta punctuate life with those moments, otherwise. you're gonna get to, old age really quickly and, and not have celebrated much.

Aleyx:

Yeah, talking about, you just brought up your grand, your grandkids there and having fun and what do you do with your grandkids? for, fun? and I'm particularly, I've heard you dressed up a certain way for one of their birthdays, is probably what I'm getting at.

Ronnie:

Yeah, I was, I was the blue wiggle for Oscar's first birthday. that was a lot of fun with a few other family members. It was my idea. And, they all came along for the ride and it was brilliant. And, the kids loved it. I just try and resonate at their level and, I've got one grandchild, grandson who's eight months. I've got a Oscar who's four years, and, there are different things, for Oscar it's running around and through a sprinkler. And for Henry it's taking him to the ducks

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

but I maybe just do that naturally.'cause as, again, I, think I'm a big kid. I think I.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

it's just having fun and knowing that, being part of their development is, really important and, having fun and working with them in that way, is important. And, probably the pinnacle of, everything for me is family.

Aleyx:

Yes.

Ronnie:

that's my starting point and everything I do in life and in business is for family. starting point, I also find that pretty easy.

Aleyx:

Yeah. And that,

Ronnie:

I think, I think, we have values, but I think once you have your values for life, you've gotta. Believe in them and, run towards them. And if you do them consistently, becomes pretty easy because you just, living your, your true

Aleyx:

yes.

Ronnie:

and your true life.

Aleyx:

Yeah, and that came, about really clearly when I was speaking to people before this interview. family, they said is your number one priority, and I think Lauren actually said that you turned up to her house one morning with a grandkid in tow. So I think that's, it goes back to the way you talk about blending, Work and life and being able to bring them all together. do you, I know it sounds a bit cliche, but do you often see your businesses and your team as, family as well, is.

Ronnie:

Yeah. Yeah. Very much. Yeah, I do. Yeah. Yeah, I think I mentioned that earlier. I think it is, and I think it's, it's the way you just, build relationships. I think if you wanna be treated as, you wanna treat someone as you wanna be treated, and I think in family you do that, and I think in business you do the same. that's, I just find that a really easy way to, to manage, people. I might be, it might become over the top when you're bringing grandkids to, to meetings, but, it's on a regular and I'm sure, Lauren enjoyed that moment. And, she didn't,

Aleyx:

She did, and she, also told me actually that sometimes you need to be reminded you're the granddad and not the dad. But I, think that's a testament to, just how much you love your family.

Ronnie:

maybe I'm a relatively young granddad. I don't know. But yeah, that's, it's a funny one. I often say to my kids that I love my grandkids more than them, but, I think in reality, being a grandfather is actually just being a father again. And so sometimes that gets ad it's. in your thirties, in your, twenties and thirties when you're raising kids, and quite often it's a, pretty stressful time at life and bit later in life, you can maybe enjoy it a bit more. And so maybe I'm enjoying my grandkids just that little bit more because maybe I'm a bit more relaxed or what it is. But yeah, I feel like it's, coming a fatherhood.

Aleyx:

Yeah, it's a really special relationship you have with your, grandparents. I have a very special relationship with my, grand and we live obviously at the other side of the world, so we don't have, our parents around. if you're looking for, any adoptive grandkids and you fancy babysit, and I've got a few for you, you can dress up as a wiggle anytime at a birthday.

Ronnie:

just, just know we'll be there. I've the shirt, I've kept the blue shirt.

Aleyx:

Fantastic. so to keep up with your grandkids and all the three businesses and things like that, like what do you, like to do to keep yourself, fit and healthy?

Ronnie:

I've got a, I've got a few obsessions. I've got a infrared sauna at

Aleyx:

Uhhuh.

Ronnie:

so that's one of my obsessions. I've been there nearly every day. I love pickleball. It's my newfound love. I started out about six months ago and play once a week, and that's amazing fun. If you haven't tried that. get on a pickleball court, social, fun, competitive, good workout, then I go to gym three times a week. So it's a bit to fit in, but, yeah, they just, it just happens. And, yeah, I love, all their, probably my three obsessions at the moment. And, they're all part of what I do, so That's good.

Aleyx:

Yeah. And I think it's really important to, especially, with weights and things, keeping your body active and strong. And actually Nick told me that, your personal trainer's got a nickname for you. Do you, know what the, your, the nickname is? Can you recall it?

Ronnie:

Go on shock me.

Aleyx:

I think it's Ron. It was Ronnie Biceps Louis, or.

Ronnie:

She actually had a t-shirt made for my birthday, which was exactly that. I'm not sure if the viewers can see. They're not that massive, so I'm not sure what that's actually quite about. It's all, it's all a bit of fun.

Aleyx:

So do you think, like the keeping fit and things helps with, your leadership and how you run your businesses?

Ronnie:

Yeah. I think people need to present, themselves and not necessarily, fitness, but I think they need to present be in a way that is, conducive to, being good and good examples to your family and good examples to your team. And, I think that is. living healthy lifestyles, which includes, an element of and fitness. And certainly from my perspective, the more I work out and the more I do sauna and those things, the more energy and the more, This is probably the better I am, to be honest. And so I think those things people say, how do you find time? I would argue how do you not find time? it's, a bit of a, in your diary and it happens. And, there have been times I've been called out of a gym session for an urgent phone call, but if that's the worst that happens,

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

you take it and you do it. But in the main, it works well. And, yeah, I would recommend anyone listening to this if you're not. Active lifestyle and you're able to, then you should definitely, even if it's walking, I think it's so important. And I talked to, we were involved in the, trade business in our Checkr business, and I talked to, our trade teams and, some of those guys, particularly in management roles are, at the desk all day and they're, taking calls and stuff. And I said, why don't you just go for half an hour walk and take while. so if you're in a position where you're able to do that, you, that's something I'd really recommend. I think it's a great way to start the process

Aleyx:

Yeah. walk walking meetings as well. I remember in my old job, we used to have a walking meeting where we would just

Ronnie:

Yeah. It's

Aleyx:

walk and chat. yeah.

Ronnie:

if you've got something hard to talk about.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Ronnie:

can just, you're not in, across the desk in this confrontational way. It's, you're sitting side by side and you're looking across and you go, buddy, what do you, think of this idea or. we redo that? I'm not sure. It's much easier when you walking. Think flowing. Your heart's pumping are.

Aleyx:

And you're more, you open up more. I think there's something about walking side by side and having a chat. Maybe it's'cause you're not face to face, you're more likely to open up and get more out of it. yeah, I think as well driving in the car as well, there's something about, people are more likely to open up when it's side by side.

Ronnie:

There's to go.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Alright, we're nearly towards the end. Ronnie. I'd like to play just a quick fire game with you, if you don't mind. so I'm gonna ask you a couple questions. You can either answer Dodge or throw it back to me.

Ronnie:

Oh, good.

Aleyx:

Okay. All right. Who was the last person you called and what did you chat about?

Ronnie:

it was Nick and it was in relation to a potential candidate for our business.

Aleyx:

Great. Did they get the job?

Ronnie:

we'll know later today, I think.

Aleyx:

Alright. Pickleball, infrared, sauna, or gym?

Ronnie:

I will run with infrared.

Aleyx:

Infrared. All right, great. And what, do you listen to in the infrared sauna?

Ronnie:

Oh, it's not meditation stuff. It's all, my eighties. My eighties. So I find that, it's time for meditation for me in the sauna. Actually. A bit of movement, a bit of tapping the feet actually makes the time pass. So yeah, I'm a, I'm more of a, my eighties hitless is out on the sauna,

Aleyx:

I've never heard of that. I'm gonna have to.

Ronnie:

Very,

Aleyx:

What was the last thing you giggled?

Ronnie:

How to rehab my meniscus.

Aleyx:

what was the answer?

Ronnie:

a lot of, unfortunately, a lot of boring rehab and exercise, walking in the water and stuff like that.

Aleyx:

Yeah. My, my husband's done his ACL and his meniscus and he is in the middle of physio at the moment and operations and. Neither is he. What's your go-to at Georgio's?

Ronnie:

Ah. Soy hot chocolate. There you go.

Aleyx:

Lovely.

Ronnie:

I don't do coffee. I told you that.

Aleyx:

Alright, fantastic. That was the end of our game. I'm glad,

Ronnie:

extra hard questions in there, Aleyx. Thank you for that.

Aleyx:

I'm glad you didn't, throw any of them to me, so thank you.

Ronnie:

No, I.

Aleyx:

just to end, Ronnie, I like to just end on a gift for all the listeners. something where you can pass on your insight. And from everyone that I spoke to about you, they just said, Ronnie shows up, he's loyal, he's heart first, and he lifts others and he really means it. Now, there's gonna be a lot of people out there that are just struggling. They're stretched, and they're just like, oh, I don't, have time to be showing up for other people. What, advice would you pass on to them today?

Ronnie:

I think showing up for other people is probably one of the most important things we can do as a leader. And, we're talking about, in, in the management role, and in leadership roles. I think you just need to be present, be really interested in your people. I take a really personal interest in my people, so I know their kids' birthdays. I know the kids' names. I know what footy teams they're up for. But I do that because I have a genuine interest. And I think if you do that, you can, you can take your management and leadership style to a, different level and. Actually becomes fun and rewarding. So I would just say be present. Be out there and, yourself.

Aleyx:

Beautiful. thank you so much, Ronnie. It's been, wonderful to have you on. And if anyone does want to connect with you, like where's the best place for them to, find you.

Ronnie:

Now you can see me on LinkedIn, Ronnie Lewis, and, I'm always responsive and so please drop me a note. I'd love to hear from you.

Aleyx:

Thank you. Thanks Ronnie.

Ronnie:

Thanks, Aleyx. Have a great day.

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Aleyx Ward

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