Meet Mike Pospischil of johnson machinery
Tell us about yourself and your organization.
Michael Pospischil, General Sales Manager of Johnson Machinery, husband of my bride and love of my life Susan, father of six awesome, god-honoring children, leader of arguably the finest Caterpillar sales organization in the world, and most importantly, a focused follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Johnson Machinery is the first ever “Platinum Dealer Award” recipient for Caterpillar Tractor Company and its number one dealer in North America for the past three consecutive years. Johnson Machinery is a Team of highly qualified, passionate and caring professionals focused on exceeding customer expectations through out extraordinary offerings. Our dynamic and consistently high level of customer support excellence makes us an indispensable resource to our valued customers. It is our belief that when we believe enough in our people to invest in their lives, the fruit of that investment is lives that are committed to building other lives and continuing the cycle.
Johnson Machinery is one of 51 Caterpillar Dealer organizations in North America and has 5 locations in Southern California.
How did you and your organization get introduced to Rapport Leadership International?
I lead a Bible study with a group of men at my church. A group leader from another study group, Scott Alden, of Empire Oil Company asked me to lunch one day to tell me about a leadership training program which he had been through that truly helped him to reach his full potential in life. He nominated me for this experience and I embraced the opportunity based upon my love and respect of Scott as a true leader. Following my Leadership Breakthrough One experience, I nominated my entire sales force for Leadership Breakthrough One as well as my wife and six children. To date, all whom I nominated, with the exception of my son Max, have completed Leadership Breakthrough One - Max will attend this summer.
How many Rapport graduates does your organization have?
Every member of our sales team is now a Master Graduate. We have also held a Power Communication class locally and filled the entire class with Johnson employees. Currently our product support group has begun sending people to Rapport, and we are excited to see some interest within Caterpillar, Inc. as they are sending their first Leadership Breakthrough One candidate through in September. It is our dream and ambition to spread the good news of our Rapport training experience to others in our industry and so that they too have the opportunity to reach their full potential in this world.
Tell us about your Rapport experience?
To say that I was stretched would be an oversimplification. I am truly a different person today as a result of my Rapport Leadership training. Rapport training took me way outside my comfort zone - but not simply to make me uncomfortable. The objective was to take me to places to which I had life appointments that I was yet, unwilling to meet. Through Rapport training, I was freed from my own self-inflicted constraints that held me back from reaching my full potential. I was liberated from the shackles of restraint and given a clear view of a boundless future. Having the opportunity to share this with my family and my co-workers and with other businesses has added a whole other dimension to relationships in my life; an enthusiasm and a synergy that is empowering and refreshing.
How has Rapport impacted you personally?
Personally, I am more focused and more approachable. I am more interested in building into others and in taking responsibility for my impact and influence in this world and in the lives of others.
How has Rapport impacted your business?
Well, in 2006 Johnson Machinery was named the first ever “Platinum Dealer” for Caterpillar, the qualifications for which are so stringent, that it has been said to be a goal which may never be attained by any dealer. This is not to say that our sales group attained this milestone alone, we did not, however we do feel that our contribution was no doubt an important factor in our companies’ success and that our enthusiasm and ambitious can-do attitudes helped. For this we are most grateful.
What is the most surprising benefit you or your organization received from Rapport Training?
We are confronted with serious and potentially paralyzing obstacles each day in our very competitive and changing market place. Our sales team has been empowered to kick obstacles out of our way as we lock arms together and focus on resolution. Through the enthusiastic and creative synergy of our unstoppable team, we just “Get ‘er Done!”
How do you keep Rapport alive in your organization?
We talk about what we learned, hold one another accountable and we quit “trying” and instead plan out our strategy for success in our endeavors and then move forward to make it happen! On a continuum, we will continue to look for opportunities to refresh through On Team opportunities and through future Rapport offerings.
What class had the greatest impact on you and why?
Leadership Breakthrough One. This was the foundation upon which everything else was built. It was through this class that I decided that what I experienced was so powerful that I could not simply keep it to myself. I felt it my duty to share the wealth and to take it on as my mission to offer the same opportunity to others in my life that I respect and care about.
When you face a challenge in your organization, what tools from the training do you call on first?
Both my team and I lead. By this I mean that we identify opportunities, we communicate them well, creatively think though alternatives and we expect the very best from our efforts. We are not satisfied with just “good nuff,” but rather aspire to excellence in all that we do.
