In Pursuit of Purpose; Adam Hergenrother’s Leadership Journey
Wealth and success are often misinterpreted. It’s not just about being rich in terms of money. True wealth is about inner peace, not being disturbed by external events, and not feeling anxious about life’s uncertainties. I’ve met many wealthy individuals who are miserable because they’re caught in the never-ending pursuit of more.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Adam Hergenrother. Adam is an entrepreneur at heart. He is the Founder & CEO of the thriving $1 billion organization, Adam Hergenrother Companies, which includes several organizations ranging from a national real estate company to an award-winning development and construction company to leadership coaching and training. He is passionate about using business to transform lives and believes that when you focus on leading yourself first, the business results will follow. When he’s not leading and growing his organizations or working on his inner growth, you can find Adam in the Vermont mountains with his wife, Sarah, and three children, Sienna, Asher, and Madelyn.
Can you share your journey and experiences that have shaped you, particularly in your transition to the world of business?
Sure. Growing up, I was about a hundred pounds overweight, involved in drugs, and failing classes. I wasn’t a bad kid; I was just lost, trying to be someone I wasn’t, constantly lying to fit in. It was exhausting. Then, one day in freshman year, I had a realization — this wasn’t the life I was supposed to live. It wasn’t a spiritual awakening, but a strong feeling. I stayed up all night, reflecting on my life, and decided to change. The next day, I left my old circle, which led to threats and vandalism, but I moved on. I got into football, lost a hundred pounds in a year, and fitness became crucial to me.
In college, I was part of a gap program at UVM, where I had to work harder than most due to my learning challenges. I succeeded and even topped my class, participating in an Advanced Honors Wall Street Seminar. My business journey began in freshman year, flipping cars for profit, which taught me about leverage and contracts. I then moved into real estate, perfectly timing the market. Selling a property led me to the real estate profession, where I started building companies. I focus on leveraging others’ talents, contrary to the usual mindset of small business building. Meeting Gary in 2009 was a turning point, confirming my approach and leading to the growth of my organization with thousands of people
You’ve tried to fire yourself from every position you’ve had. Were you successful?
I still own several businesses, but after selling the majority of one of them I fired myself and found operators who were a great fit. I am much better at hiring and leading others than running the day to day operations of the business.
How hard was that for you and what have you learned after doing it?
When you want to scale your business it’s important to evaluate all roles, responsibilities, and individual core skills to ensure you have the right people in the right seat. Only then, can you focus on scaling the business because growth will always require you to make significant changes.
Talk about your journey with culture in your company.
In the beginning, it was easier to manage culture as the organization was centered around me, which is common in smaller businesses. As we grew, it became challenging to maintain personal connections with every hire. We decided to embed our ethos in small groups to foster overall culture. Core values like ‘win-win or no deal’ and ‘seek curiosity first’ became central. It’s about mutual benefit and dropping ego to see different perspectives. Our growth benefited greatly from this approach.”
This streamlined version retains the essence and key points of the original conversation, making only necessary edits for clarity and readability.
How have you incorporated coaching and mentorship into your journey?
Throughout my life, I’ve had coaches and now more mentors who guide me in making larger decisions. While they’re not pushing for accountability in the traditional sense, their insights are invaluable for my personal and business growth.”
What is your leadership program about?
My leadership program focuses on defining one’s big dream and understanding the ‘why’ behind it. It’s about getting a clear vision and purpose, and then effectively communicating that to your organization, all while building your core identity.”
How did you discover your true identity?
My journey to finding my true identity began as I sold businesses and took on different roles. Identifying as an athlete, CEO, or parent is temporary. I realized the importance of not attaching my identity to these roles. It’s about developing an inner world that stands strong during life’s storms, not just achieving external success.”
How do you view wealth and success?
Wealth and success are often misinterpreted. It’s not just about being rich in terms of money. True wealth is about inner peace, not being disturbed by external events, and not feeling anxious about life’s uncertainties. I’ve met many wealthy individuals who are miserable because they’re caught in the never-ending pursuit of more.
How do you approach the concept of death?
I often think about death, not in a morbid sense, but to appreciate the depth of each moment. People fear death because they think life still owes them experiences. Realizing our mortality helps us appreciate life more and brings peace. It’s about understanding the deeper self within.”
How do you handle a growth mindset in your team?
Managing people with different growth mindsets is always a challenge. I’ve shifted to roles where I can instill culture through teachings and training, like fiscal responsibility. Some people resist growth, and if they contribute positively, we accommodate them. However, those not aligned with our growth-oriented culture eventually find no place in our organization.
How have you incorporated coaching and mentorship into your journey?
Throughout my life, I’ve had coaches and now more mentors who guide me in making larger decisions. While they’re not pushing for accountability in the traditional sense, their insights are invaluable for my personal and business growth.”
What is your leadership program about?
My leadership program focuses on defining one’s big dream and understanding the ‘why’ behind it. It’s about getting a clear vision and purpose, and then effectively communicating that to your organization, all while building your core identity.
How did you discover your true identity?
My journey to finding my true identity began as I sold businesses and took on different roles. Identifying as an athlete, CEO, or parent is temporary. I realized the importance of not attaching my identity to these roles. It’s about developing an inner world that stands strong during life’s storms, not just achieving external success.”
How do you view wealth and success?
Wealth and success are often misinterpreted. It’s not just about being rich in terms of money. True wealth is about inner peace, not being disturbed by external events, and not feeling anxious about life’s uncertainties. I’ve met many wealthy individuals who are miserable because they’re caught in the never-ending pursuit of more.”
How do you approach the concept of death?
I often think about death, not in a morbid sense, but to appreciate the depth of each moment. People fear death because they think life still owes them experiences. Realizing our mortality helps us appreciate life more and brings peace. It’s about understanding the deeper self within.”
How do you handle growth mindset in your team?
Managing people with different growth mindsets is always a challenge. I’ve shifted to roles where I can instill culture through teachings and trainings, like fiscal responsibility. Some people resist growth, and if they contribute positively, we accommodate them. However, those not aligned with our growth-oriented culture eventually find no place in our organization.
Can you describe your daily routine and discipline?
I wake up at 4 AM, not out of discipline, but enjoyment. My morning routine includes meditation, journaling, and exercise, like skinning up a mountain. My workday is structured with specific times for appointments, personal tasks, and leadership duties. I spend evenings with family and go to bed early. My routine is crafted around what I love, ensuring quality in both personal and professional life.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is an accomplished entrepreneur and visionary leader. He started his first company, Choice Recovery, Inc., while attending Ohio State University and grew it to become an industry outlier before selling the business after 25 successful years. With the launch of his second venture, [re]start, a career development platform, Chad aimed to help people find meaningful career opportunities. Under his leadership, his team was recognized as a “Top Workplace” award winner for over a decade, twice being ranked the #1 small and medium-sized business to work for in Central Ohio. Chad sold [re]start in 2023, enabling him to focus on building an online community of high-performing leaders and continuing to make a positive impact in people’s lives
