Episode 259: Accepting An Early Failure Led to a Resilient Comeback

Episode Notes

I am determined not to give up on what John Paul Lederach calls our basic social contract. At WeMentor, humanization is honored through respect and having honorable disagreements. We encourage taking responsibility for your actions and outcomes to debilitate blame and diffuse shame. We validate emotions through dialogue, healthy debate, and conversation to replace violence and facilitate self-leadership mastery. On January 21^st, 2021, I am starting a virtual Meaningful Conversations LAB you are invited to join. Let’s bind the social fabric of our world together through our businesses. Click here for details. The first conversation is on me.

Not every venture works out. Today’s Guest Mentor, Tim Gilk of Wood & Conn Corporation, runs the history tables on himself in a free-flowing conversation about how he became resilient after his 1^st venture failed. Hear how he mustered up the courage to confront the facts and humble himself after his setback. The old saying, when one door closes, another opens is embedded in Tim’s history and his outlook on life.

Tim became the owner of Wood & Conn Corporation in 2006. A wholesale distributor of grain handling (mainly corn and soybeans) and grain storage products. They sell, service, and deliver to dealers all over Minnesota and the Dakotas. Whatever farmers need to store grain, they find at a dealership connected to Wood & Conn Corporation. DOWNLOAD

Additional things to listen for in our enjoyable conversation:

Five words describing his mother and father.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial home with two sisters and two children from the foster care system.
Perspectives on entrepreneurship as a child and from his adult self.
Accepting a business failure.
Four different ventures and the lifestyles created from them.
Happiness and unshakeable calm and confidence; aspects of resiliency.
Practicing what you are good at and understanding what you aren’t good at.
The power of a role model in business.
Being mentored by Dave Wood.
Upholding core values from one generation to the next at Wood & Conn Corporation.
Finding stability and fulfillment in an adventurous life.

: Tim Gilk & I Flying

: Matthew Foli & Jennifer Gilk, virtual presention,, MN Real Estate Institute, 2020.

: Tim Gilk Horseback Riding

: Tim Gilk Zip Lining

WeMentor Meaningful Conversations LAB

Episode Resources

Jennifer Gilk's Podcast Conversations

Dairy Farm Upbringing Inspired an Entrepreneurial Work Ethic in This Attorney

Well Built Reputation Leads to Start-Up Success

John Paul Lederach

John Paul Lederach: The Art of Peace

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring

After listening, do the following three C.A.L.M. Activities:

Take these two risks: a) Develop an unshakeable core of resiliency. Sign-up for the WeMentor Meaningful Conversations LAB January 21^st, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Click HERE! b) Identify when you have had a failure in your life. How did you come to terms with your failure? What is your comeback story?
Apply Self-Compassion: If you found yourself stuck in perfectionism, fear of grief, sadness, fear, or self-judgment when you have failed at something, move to accept your failure. Own the truth. Let yourself feel the disappointment. Be your best champion and accept what led to the failure. You are not a failure. Take 10 slow breathes in and out. Create space for some joy and appreciation to seep in.
Welcome Appreciation: I appreciate Tim’s joyful demeanor and openness to assess his past, honestly. I appreciate learning the impact of a beautiful mentoring relationship Tim had with Dave Wood. I appreciate the full life Tim is living and how he supports the basic social constructs of human decency and respect, contribution, and responsibility that bind our society together.
Your Turn. Name three things you appreciate learning from Tim Gilk.
a.
b.
c.

“Emotional sickness is avoiding reality at any cost. Emotional health is facing reality at any cost.” – M. SCOTT PECK.

Equip yourself with facts, feelings, and a mentor as you reinvent (or evolve) yourself as you redesign your business. When WeMentor… your life gets better!!! Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Tim Gilk

Tim is the owner and president of Wood & Conn Corporation at Redwood Falls, MN. His company is a wholesale distributor of grain handling and grain storage products. They sell, service, and deliver to dealers all over Minnesota and the Dakotas. Tim began working at Wood & Conn in 1997 and entered ownership in 2006. Wood & Conn serves these farm communities with a staff of 8 to 12 people, depending on the season.

Tim’s personal life is complete but always expanding. He has been happily married to Jennifer Gilk for 29 years, has three adult children (of whom he is immensely proud), and has lived in the same house since 1998. In no particular order, his interests are golf, pheasant hunting, deer hunting, canoe wilderness camping, cold beer, card games, travel, aviation, patio parties, reading (non-fiction), singing, and trombone.

His philanthropic side includes: piloting for Angel Flight Central, donating blood, youth leader, and three tours of duty as a Sunday School teacher.

Episode 259: Accepting An Early Failure Led to a Resilient Comeback

Author: Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.

Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything). Nancy’s compassionate and collaborative approach reinforces resilience while maintaining accountable conversations supporting how you redefine your lead while redesigning your business. Nancy calls this “Dual Innovation Leadership.” Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring in Dual Innovation Leadership. She has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today! Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are while inspiring them to breakthrough into new dimensions:  As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),  As a Competent Business Owner (Practitioner)  As a Mentor (Role Model)  As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master! Start by subscribing to WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and...

Episode 259: Accepting An Early Failure Led to a Resilient Comeback