I recently went one-on-one with Chase Locke, CEO of One Country.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Chase: I grew up on a ranch in rural Kansas, where my parents instilled in me the values of hard work and kindness. My dad always told me that there would be people with more knowledge, experience, or talent in the room, but it’s up to me how hard I’m willing to work. My mom taught us the difference between being nice and being kind. These values have been foundational to everything I’ve done in my career.

Early on, my biggest challenge was simply getting in the room and in front of the right people. I’ve always operated with the mindset that the worst thing someone can say is no. That approach has opened many doors for me, and it still amazes me how many people never ask because they assume the answer will be no. Along the way, building new things has come with its highs and lows, and those lows can feel overwhelming. But I always lean back on my upbringing and my faith, and when I do, it realigns my perspective. Ultimately, it’s about what I’m building and the people I care about. As long as my team and loved ones are healthy, I’m in a good place. But do I want to win? Absolutely.

Adam: In your experience, what are the key steps to growing and scaling your business? Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?

Chase: I tend to overthink the pieces that need to align to take the next step. Fortunately, my partner and our President, Patrick Harris, is great at pushing us forward, often when I might hold back. His ability to take the next step and trust the process has been key to our success. When it comes to leadership, I believe the best leaders are steadfast and steady. They’re calm, committed to the vision, and determined to see it through, even when things get tough. They might reassess the strategy, but their focus remains clear. It’s something I strive for every day, though I admit I’m still learning.

 Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Chase: Be open to feedback. I have a confident personality and I’m always up for an honest, collaborative conversation. But that’s not always easy for others who may be quieter or more reserved. I’ve learned to be mindful of that, to speak less, and listen more. The best growth comes from surrounding yourself with people who are better than you in certain areas. It’s my job to listen and learn from their insights. That’s how I evolve as a leader.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders? 

Chase:

1. Surround yourself with good people. Find individuals who make you and the team better. Hire into your culture, but also make space for different perspectives and backgrounds. The right people make all the difference.

2. Be true to who you are. Never try to be someone you’re not. Don’t hide where you come from or the journey it took to get there. The leaders who succeed in the long run are those who stand in their truth.

3. Do the right thing. We all have an internal compass that tells us right from wrong. Often, the hardest decisions are the ones where we know the right answer but don’t want to face it. Do what’s right, and the rest will follow.

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Chase: Surround yourself with leaders who complement your skillset and share the same vision. It’s exhausting to have multiple competing visionaries at the top. The team doesn’t need that tension. The key is to put the right people in place who can then build their own teams with the same commitment. I’m still working on this, but I know it’s what will make the vision successful. It’s about creating an environment that supports the vision, and that foundation should be rooted in respect, collaboration, and a collective push forward.

 Adam: What are your best tips on the topics of sales, marketing, and branding?

Chase: I believe great brands come from real belief in the vision. Sales and marketing naturally follow. Authenticity is essential — brands built solely for the purpose of profit may do well for a time, but the ones rooted in passion for the product and the customer are the ones that endure. Be steadfast in your vision, and your brand will follow suit.

 Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Chase: Listen. Listen to your team, mentors, and consumers. For me, my faith is the cornerstone of everything, and often, the answers or guidance I need are there if I slow down enough to hear them.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

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