Ben Firebaugh, Sales Representative at Smith & Stevenson

In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Ben Firebaugh to discuss his journey into leadership within the manufacturers’ rep industry and the lessons shaping his growth.

Ben shares how stepping into leadership has required him to find his voice,  especially while working alongside colleagues with significantly more years of experience. Despite not holding an official leadership title, he has embraced the responsibility to lead, building confidence in his knowledge and ability to guide others.

One of the defining challenges Ben highlights is shifting from being the person who always provides answers to becoming a leader who develops problem solvers. After implementing the 1-3-1 model, he began pushing challenges back to his team members, encouraging them to think through options and propose solutions. That shift helped build independent thinking and reduced reliance on him for every decision.

Ben also discusses the importance of leading himself first. He reflects on the impact of developing consistent morning and evening routines, protecting time with family, limiting distractions like “doom scrolling,” and being intentional with rest and energy management. For Ben, discipline, consistency, and character,  especially doing the right thing when no one is watching, are foundational to leadership.

Looking ahead, Ben is excited about creating a ripple effect within his company by investing in coworkers, setting goals together, and helping others grow. He recognizes that this requires stepping out of reactive daily tasks and being proactive about mentoring and connecting with others.

Chris and Ben explore:

• Finding your voice as a young leader
• Moving from giving answers to developing problem solvers
• The power of the 1-3-1 framework
• Morning and evening routines as leadership foundations
• Leading yourself before leading others
• Building discipline without external pressure
• Creating a positive ripple effect within a team

This episode offers a practical and honest look at leadership growth, personal discipline, and stepping into influence, even without a formal title, within the manufacturers’ rep industry.

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.