E301: Laura Martin - Choosing your own adventure
What if the real key to leadership wasn’t authority, but curiosity? In this energizing episode of Back2Basics, Leticia Latino sits down with Laura Martin—co-founder and CEO of The Glinda Group—to explore how choosing curiosity over conventionality has shaped her bold, purpose-driven career. From her early days dreaming of entrepreneurship in rural Minnesota to walking away from a lucrative client that didn't align with her company’s vision, Laura shares how she’s navigated each career chapter like a “choose your own adventure” story—guided by values, fueled by curiosity, and committed to building meaningful connections.
Back2Basics: Reconnecting to the essence of YOU · Laura Martin, Leticia Latino Van Splunteren, Leticia Latino, Leticia van Splunteren, Ross Kleinberg
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Show Notes
Learn more about Laura at: https://glindagroup.com/
Highlights include:
💡 The courage to walk away: Why Laura and her co-founder turned down a massive client—and what they gained.
🔄 From rivals to collaborators: How trust turned competition into a game-changing partnership.
🧠 Why culture is performance infrastructure: Laura explains why investing in team dynamics isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s business-critical.
🧭 Leadership without titles: How everyday choices shape team culture more than org charts ever could.
🌍 Volunteering and humility: Laura shares how working with refugees reshaped her view of leadership, resilience, and humanity.
Packed with practical insight, personal stories, and powerful reframes, this episode is a masterclass in designing work—and life—that aligns with who you are.
"When people are involved, things get complicated. But that’s exactly where the magic happens." — Laura Martin
Time Stamps:
Show Notes with timestamps
👧 [01:53] Growing up in rural Minnesota: big dreams about entrepreneurship from her six years.
🎯 [04:18] Her epiphany in highschool: growing career in corporate, then later in startups.
👩💼 [07:30] Choose your adventure: being curious and choosing interesting areas of business.
🔑 [09:34] Cooperating is the key: creating Product of the Year in 2017 with Jordan Birnbaum.
‼️ [13:54] It takes courage to choose your vision over big revenue: don't sacrifice your peace of mind serving clients that are not aligned with you.
‼️😇 [17:32] Leader development challenges: solving problems crafting messages, team and culture performance in organisations.
⚠️ [21:58] When people are not interested in the work, or caring enough: Business thrives when workers are happy.
😍 [23:08] Her volunteering in mediation: now working with refugees and immigrants.
🥅 [27:15] Don't underestimate the importance of the human experience at work.
⚡ [28:24] Sense of adventure makes Laura tick: looking forward to exciting things in life.
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