Most people quit when the path gets tough. Barry Slaymaker did the opposite.

After leaving engineering school, Barry found himself on the back of a pickup truck in Georgia, digging silt fence in 100-degree heat. Instead of viewing it as rock bottom, he saw it as his starting point.

In this candid conversation with Mike O'Neill, Barry shares how persistence shaped his journey from construction worker to President and CFO of ATC Development.

Key moments include:

• Why Barry chose manual labor over sitting in his parents' basement

• The pivotal decision to work full-time while pursuing multiple degrees

• How failure became his greatest teacher in leadership

• The cost of persistence on family life and work-life balance

• Why creating your own setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities

Mike brings out crucial leadership insights through thoughtful questions about distinguishing productive persistence from stubborn determination. Their discussion reveals how authenticity in leadership - including admitting failures - builds stronger teams.

The conversation takes an intimate turn when Barry acknowledges how his drive impacted his role as husband and father, showing that persistence comes with real trade-offs.

For leaders struggling with setbacks or questioning their path forward, this episode provides a raw look at how staying in the game - even when you're not the smartest or most talented - can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.unstuck.show/194