NWA C-Suite: Kurtis John

What’s the top challenge you have faced as a leader, and how did you overcome it? The one that keeps me up at night is staying abreast of an ever-changing landscape of legal and regulatory matters for a firm that is experiencing exponential growth into new markets and services. Thankfully, this is a challenge that I am tackling together with an incredible team. It’s not lost on me how blessed I am to work with remarkable people both within Garver and elsewhere.

What are some aspects of leadership you are still working to improve? Delegation. While oftentimes I gravitate toward the finite details of a project and find satisfaction in that work, I’ve learned that looping others into those areas offers both parties the opportunity to learn and grow.

How do you stay current with industry trends and changes? While I am an avid reader, I believe I absorb the most from my relationships with others. The articles and information we read oftentimes spark the conversations that explore those topics at a deeper level. It’s these conversations that teach me about what is going on in our industry, where it’s headed, and how we can work together to best serve it.  

What is the best business advice someone has ever given you? I’ve received a lot of helpful advice over the years, but perhaps the best is to do whatever it takes to be undeniably good without sacrificing your values. The rest truly falls into place.

What advice would you give someone wanting to be a leader in your industry? While running the risk of sounding repetitive, I would offer them the same advice I received years ago: Do whatever it takes to be undeniably good without sacrificing your values. Tackle the big decisions with your values at the forefront, and the rest will work itself out.

Do you use artificial intelligence (AI) software in your work, and if so, how so? I only have a toe in the water at this point, but I’m eager to see where AI is headed and how it can serve my industry. 

How significant to you is developing a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) culture within your organization? I believe any organization needs to recruit and retain the best talent available to it. From there, it’s essential to work within your company and your industry to ensure an equal opportunity for those seeking to participate in the work you’re doing. At Garver, we continuously strive toward this goal through our Garver Partners mentorship program, our Garver Connect networking program, and many other initiatives.

How do you relax? I relax through a combination of time with my family and friends, charitable and religious endeavors, and spending time outdoors. You can find me recharging my batteries through serving with our firm’s corporate giving program, GarverGives, or Lighthouse Recovery NWA, or catching a bass on one of the great lakes in Northwest Arkansas.