Creating Opportunities: The Power of Inclusive Hiring with John Rush

Building Better Business

Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode. I'm your host, Glenn Bryan, and today we continue our enlightening discussion with social entrepreneur John Rush.

Tune in as John focuses on the indispensable need for intentional engagement with individuals from diverse backgrounds. We explore how listening, learning, and understanding others can foster personal growth and enhance leadership. John shares how these practices can aid in building more inclusive teams that drive entrepreneurial innovation.

John delves into powerful initiatives, such as Matt Palmer's organized prison visits for business leaders, promoting firsthand exposure to different environments. He advocates starting small in making connections and the importance of stepping outside comfort zones to unveil hidden opportunities.

Through his ventures — 180 Demo, CleanTurn, Third Way Cafe — John emphasizes providing supportive employment to those with past incarceration challenges, highlighting that over 1,200 individuals have found opportunities through his businesses. He stresses the significance of hiring based on potential and providing a second, or often first, real chance at life.

We discuss the economic insights around incarceration costs and how reinvestment into education could benefit society. John highlights the effectiveness of integrating core values and life skills into comprehensive training for employees. He argues for a compassionate approach to leadership, saying, "Those who have been forgiven much are more inclined to extend forgiveness to others."

So sit back and tune in as we uncover how genuine engagement, innovative hiring practices, and a community-focused approach can transform both lives and businesses. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button to join us for more in-depth stories on building better businesses that prioritize human values and community impact.