Built With Purpose

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay sits down with Maor Farid, co-founder of Leo AI, to explore how artificial intelligence, military discipline, and heart-centered leadership are reshaping the future of engineering and innovation. From his journey through Israel’s elite defense units and MIT to building a startup transforming mechanical design, Maor shares how purpose and people remain at the center of groundbreaking technology.

The conversation dives into the challenges of scaling fast without losing culture, why founder–market fit matters as much as product–market fit, and how “customer obsession” can cut through the noise in today’s AI boom. Maor’s story is equal parts entrepreneurship, resilience, and a belief that companies built with heart can change entire industries.

Key Takeaways:

• Heart-led leadership builds trust, resilience, and lasting impact.

• Military service instilled camaraderie, accountability, and a startup mindset.

• Founder–market fit is as critical as product–market fit for sustainable success.

• Scaling fast requires hiring for DNA and culture, not just skill.

• Customer obsession helps filter signal from noise in a crowded AI market.

• AI should empower engineers, not replace them; augmenting creativity, not threatening jobs.

• Transparent communication with customers strengthens loyalty during growth pains.

• Empowering teams and shedding ego unlocks true scalability.

• Building partnerships with mentors and industry pioneers accelerates vision.

• True innovation thrives where vision, execution, and heart intersect.

Summary:

In this second installment of Between the Builds, host Chris Fay digs deeper into a theme that resonated in a recent conversation with Ryan Suydam and Tim Asimos from Client Savvy; the power of listening. Drawing from industry data, personal practice, and practical tools, Chris explores why so many leaders miss the mark on client and employee feedback, and what it really takes to bridge the gap between perception and reality. From annual surveys to personalized follow-ups, he lays out actionable ways leaders can humanize feedback, validate their teams and customers, and, most importantly, take action. Whether you lead in architecture, manufacturing, tech, or beyond, this episode is a blueprint for building stronger relationships and creating lasting loyalty.

Key Takeaways:

• Listening is one of the most underutilized growth strategies in leadership.
• Only 1 in 26 unhappy customers will speak up, yet most expect their voices to be heard.
• Structured feedback programs can boost net promoter scores by 10–25 points.
• There’s often a massive gap between what leaders think they deliver and what clients actually experience.
• Feedback must be humanized. Emails and surveys should come from people, not faceless systems.
• Leaders who acknowledge both good and bad feedback build trust and loyalty.
• Taking visible action on feedback is what turns insights into impact.
• Simple steps, like annual surveys, project follow-ups, or personal phone calls, can transform client experience.
• Feedback loops should be iterative, quarter by quarter, improving how you listen and respond.
• Organizations that truly listen and act create enduring partnerships and stronger cultures.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay sits down with Ryan Suydam, co-founder of Client Savvy and now CX Architect at ClearlyRated, and Tim Asimos, Head of Growth at Client Savvy, to unpack how listening, empathy, and purposeful leadership can transform client relationships and fuel organizational growth. From Ryan’s journey starting in architecture to building one of the leading client experience platforms in professional services, to Tim’s perspective on evolving an industry still catching up on CX adoption, the conversation dives into the strategies, stories, and mindsets shaping the future of client-centric firms.

The discussion highlights the recent acquisition of Client Savvy by ClearlyRated, how intentional feedback loops can turn “you sucked” into long-term growth, and why empathy and steadfastness matter as much as strategy in building resilient companies. If you’re a leader in AEC or professional services, or simply want to better understand how purpose and process create thriving businesses, this episode is a masterclass.

Key Takeaways:

• Listening is the foundation of client experience, and of trust.

• Client feedback must be gathered throughout the project lifecycle, not just at the end.

• CX programs transform culture when tied to measurement, accountability, and follow-up.

• Technology enhances relationships when it empowers empathy and responsiveness.

• The AEC industry is behind in CX adoption, offering huge opportunity for early movers.

• Proactive feedback can reveal hidden issues and unlock growth opportunities.

• Leaders must create rhythms of listening, coaching, and communication to embed CX.

• Partnership with ClearlyRated expands reach, resources, and innovation potential.

• Empathy and steadfastness are leadership traits that anchor purpose.

• Building with purpose means aligning vision, people, and process to create lasting impact.

SUMMARY:

In this kickoff episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay sits down with Chad Cousins, CEO of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, to explore how purposeful leadership can transform an organization from a respected regional firm into a high-impact, growth-oriented platform. Chad shares his unconventional path from the tech and consulting world to leading a design firm, the strategic decisions that fueled their reinvention, and how a deeply rooted sense of purpose continues to guide their vision. From servant leadership and culture-building to scaling through reinvestment and strategic partnerships, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with intention while building teams, companies, and communities that last.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Purpose is the foundation for sustainable growth and team alignment.
• Transitioning from a founder-led to a scalable firm requires trust, structure, and vision.
• Reinvestment in people and systems is key to long-term enterprise value.
• Culture must evolve without being diluted—communication is the glue.
• Growth is not just about revenue, but about opportunity, innovation, and impact.
• A “puppy with big paws” mindset keeps organizations agile and ambitious.

Built With Purpose is the new podcast for the leaders shaping the built world. Those rethinking how we design, manufacture, construct, and innovate. The first episode launches on September 2nd! Follow us so you don’t miss out.