Ask More Serve Better with the Art of Purposeful Board Membership

👋 Welcome to the grind

I’m John Harden, and after years in the MSP world, I’ve got a few thoughts—and I’m not shy about sharing them. You might’ve seen me breaking things down on LinkedIn. This newsletter is where I connect the dots: fresh posts, honest takes on what’s really going on in the industry, and clips from recent webinars and livestreams. If you're building an MSP, navigating change, or just want a voice that gets it, you're in good company here.

Coffee Chats Recap: Serving With Purpose 101: So You Joined a Board (with Vicky Bruns from GTIA)

How do you really get connected, build your network, and find genuine purpose on councils and boards? Vicky Bruns dropped a masterclass on engagement, curiosity, and meaningful service. Here’s what you missed:

(Watch the episode)

🔍 What we learned:

Vicky Bruns, a decade-long channel veteran, shared her journey from SDR at ConnectWise to leadership roles on GTIA advisory councils and local nonprofits. She candidly discussed imposter syndrome, the power of starting small, and how true impact comes from purposeful involvement and continuous learning. “Don’t just serve on a board to serve. Find an organization whose mission lights you up,” Vicky advised.

💡Biggest Takeaways:

1. Start Small, Stay Curious: Jump in, ask questions, and be a learner. “You have two ears and one mouth. Use them proportionately.”

2. Network with Purpose: Reach out to current board members, connect genuinely, and understand where you can meaningfully contribute.

3. Time & Mission Matter: Only take on roles you can commit to. Serving with purpose ensures sustained motivation and value.

4. Leaders, Empower Others: “Know your members’ strengths, delegate with accountability, and always recap action items to drive outcomes.”

5. Imposter Syndrome is Common: Even seasoned leaders feel it. Lean into curiosity and humility, not ego.

✅ Recommendations:

• If you’re new to councils and committees, start by meeting members, attend community meetings, and learn before you leap.

• Leaders should set clear agendas, reinforce the mission, delegate, and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

• Respect time. Come prepared and always review action items to avoid wasted effort.

• Say “yes” only if the mission energizes you. Otherwise, it’s okay (and necessary) to gracefully say no.

Huge thank you to Vicky for sharing actionable wisdom with a dose of fun (protein bars beat soup any day)! Want to add purpose and curiosity to your professional journey? Reach out and get involved. Catch us next time as we dive into more stories and strategies from inspiring leaders!

The Curiosity Muscle: Why Asking Better Questions Changes Everything

I’ve noticed something in my coffee chats lately. No matter who I’m talking to, whether it’s a startup founder, a seasoned CIO, or someone just starting out in tech, the conversation keeps circling back to the same theme: curiosity.

It’s the quiet power player in every great conversation. It’s what turns small talk into meaningful connection, and what turns “just another meeting” into an exchange that leaves everyone walking away with new ideas.

The truth is, curiosity isn’t just a nice personality trait… it’s a skill you can sharpen. And in a world where answers are a Google search away, the real magic is in learning how to ask better questions.

When you get curious, you:

• Break the autopilot loop: Instead of running through the same tired scripts, you start noticing what’s different, new, or unexpected.

• Unlock hidden stories: Everyone has layers you can’t see at first glance. The right question pulls those out.

• Find the real problem: Whether it’s in business or personal life, curiosity helps you dig past the surface symptoms to what actually needs solving.

The leaders I admire most all share this habit: they don’t assume they know everything, even when they’re the smartest in the room. They approach each conversation like a student, not a judge.

So here’s my challenge for you this week: treat curiosity like a muscle. Flex it often. In your next conversation, swap one statement for a question. Ask someone how they got to where they are. Ask why they made that decision. Ask what they’re most excited about right now.

Because the people who keep asking, keep learning. And the people who keep learning, keep leading.

🎙️ I’m Live Next Week

Your stack, Your Superpower 🦸 Break the Noise and Deliver Value. (Thursday August 21, 9am ET)

Get ready for some caffeinated insights this Thursday as we join Dan L., Founder of Red Cup IT, and dive into his tech stack superpower

Why this episode is worth your time: Dan is a trailblazer in the world of MSPs with a knack for cutting through tech clutter to deliver real customer value, so expect lively and unfiltered insights!

What we’ll cover:

• The Anti-Buzzword Movement: What is one over-hyped "must-have" tool not living up to its promise?

• Building (and Communicating) Value: How do you transform stack choices into tangible business benefits?

• Differentiation That Sticks: What is Red Cup IT’s strategy to set themselves apart from the competition?

Thursday, August 21st, 2025 at 9:00 AM EST on LinkedIn Live. Bring your coffee and your questions!

Jump into the conversation and comment below, ask questions, or share what your tech stack is made of!

🎧 Register here 

🔗 Stuff Worth Clicking

• NYTimes: Companies Are Pouring Billions Into A.I. It Has Yet to Pay Off.

• The State of Ransomware in 2025: Extortion-Only Struggles and New Tactics

• 25 Profit-driving Solutions Every MSP Should Know About in 2025

📬 Hit Me Back

This week, Vicki Bruns reminded us that real impact doesn’t come from adding titles—it comes from showing up with purpose and curiosity. So let’s pass the mic:

🧭 What’s one board, committee, or community that actually energizes you?
🙋‍♂️ What helped you overcome imposter syndrome when stepping into leadership or service roles?
❓ What’s the best question someone else asked that shifted your perspective—or the one you always bring to the table?

If you’ve ever wondered how to serve meaningfully without burning out, or how to turn curiosity into influence, we’d love to hear your take.

Skip the soup. Bring the protein. Let’s talk purpose.