Author Archives: Kevin Janiec

“Today’s a training day, Officer Hoyt. I’ll Show you around, give you a taste of the business… But I ain’t holding no hands, okay? I ain’t baby-sitting. You got today and today only to show me who and what you’re made of…You stick around with me, you’ll make it. Unlearn that [stuff] they teach youContinue reading “29: Training Day”

I don’t know if it was the spirit of 4th of July weekend, or all of the Bruce Springstein and Zac Brown music, or the consistent chorus of U-S-A chants, or Charlie’s first beach trip, or the Women’s World Cup Victory, but it felt like a great weekend to be an American. During the otherContinue reading “28: My “Chicken Fried””

A few weeks ago, I saw Stew Friedman speak for the second time. When I initially saw Friedman’s Work/Life Integration keynote at the 2017 Vanguard Leadership Symposium, I was a new leader, a new husband, and about to be a new homeowner. When I saw his keynote three weeks ago at the 2019 Vanguard NationalContinue reading “27: 4-way wins”

Historically, I haven’t been a great “new guy.” People that have gotten to know me would probably commend me for being eager, ambitious, and attracted to the spotlight. But as I’ve transitioned into new environments in the past, these same three qualities have often upset the apple cart. For example, entering middle school as aContinue reading “26: The New Guy”

I don’t know if my experience as a new leader shaped how I am as a dad, or if my experience as a new dad shaped how I am as a leader. Either way, the combination of navigating both at the same time brought more fulfillment and personal growth than anything I’ve ever experienced. FridayContinue reading “25: Leadership and fatherhood”

Dear Leila, For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be known as the “Godfather.” For years, “Godfather” meant being recognized for my social and recruiting efforts as a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) at Penn State. There was no greater honor than a freshman pledge asking, “Is Janiec the Godfather?” AfterContinue reading “24: The Godfather”

There aren’t many things as exciting as when all of your friends and family begin checking into the hotel for the big weekend. There aren’t many moments as special as the final minutes spent with your fellow groomsmen before the ceremony. There aren’t many words as moving as an officiant’s speech, an exchange of vows,Continue reading “23: Wedding Season”

I spent last week at work delivering Mid Year performance reviews for the advisors on my team. The review’s objective is to reflect on first half accomplishments, analyze what’s going well and what’s not going well, provide clarity on progress relative to the goals set at the beginning of the year, and establish an urgentContinue reading “22: Mid Year Review”

In our daily grind, we set ambitious goals. We fear failure. We hate losing. We stress about meeting expectations. We make sacrifices. We burn ourselves out. Then, we get our results. After briefly acknowledging the results, we move on, and we repeat the process all over again. Something seems to be missing from this neverContinue reading “21: Celebrate the wins”

It’s hard to believe it’s Jordan’s first Mother’s Day. In Charlie’s first six months, the little bear has brought Jordan more joy than anything has in the previous 28 years. I had no doubt Jordan would be a good mother, but I’m still awed by how great she actually is. The truth is, she learnedContinue reading “20: Mother’s Day”