Voices of Leadership – The AIM/R Series
Voices of Leadership – The AIM/R Series is a special 18-episode collection featuring candid, powerful conversations with the leaders who are shaping the future of the manufacturers’ rep industry. Recorded live at the AIM/R Conference, each interview dives into the real stories behind leadership: the defining moments, the challenges, the habits, and the visions that drive this industry forward.
Hosted by Chris Atwell, Founder of Mindset-Conquest and a leadership & mindset coach to agencies across North America, this series brings you unscripted insights directly from the people on the front lines of growth, change, and innovation.
Across these short, high-impact episodes, you’ll hear leaders share:
- The pivotal moments that shaped who they are
- The toughest challenges they’ve overcome
- The habits and mindset shifts that elevated their leadership
- Their advice for the next generation of leaders
- Their vision for the future of the rep industry
Whether you’re an agency principal, a sales leader, or simply someone committed to becoming a stronger leader, this series offers wisdom, perspective, and inspiration from voices that rarely get spotlighted.
🎙️ New episodes released weekly
📍 Recorded live at AIM/R
🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform
Brought to you by Mindset-Conquest. Accelerating leadership, clarity, and growth for manufacturers’ rep agencies.
Voices of Leadership – The AIM/R Series
Justin Elis, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Sales, Inc.
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Justin Elis for a grounded, insightful conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership. Justin reflects on a defining moment early in his career, being thrust into a failing property integration and tasked with “fixing it.” What he learned through that challenge continues to influence his leadership today: growth often comes from being thrown into the fire, and effective leaders understand the motivations, strengths, and perspectives of every person involved.
Justin and Chris dive into one of the most common leadership hurdles: gaining buy-in. Justin shares how his organization’s approach to CRM adoption shifted dramatically once they focused on communicating the why, proving that people naturally want to add value when they understand the purpose behind the work.
Throughout the episode, Justin challenges the myth that leaders must be the best at everything. Instead, he underscores the importance of humility, self-awareness, and recognizing and elevating the strengths of others. Looking ahead, he shares his vision for becoming an even stronger strategic partner to manufacturers and developing the next generation of leaders within his organization.
Chris and Justin explore:
- The value of being “thrown into the fire” and learning through pressure
- Why explaining the why drives buy-in and organizational alignment
- The importance of time management, presence, and starting the day with intention
- How self-awareness and humility elevate a leader’s impact
- The shift toward becoming a true strategic partner to manufacturers
- The responsibility and opportunity of developing future leaders within the organization
This episode offers practical wisdom, relatable challenges, and a refreshing perspective for anyone on their leadership journey, especially those in the manufacturers’ rep community.
Chris Atwell is the Founder of Mindset-Conquest, a leadership and mindset coach working with manufacturers’ rep agencies across North America. He helps leaders strengthen their mindset, elevate their leadership, and create the clarity and structure needed to grow their business and their people.