Barnana is a brand with a great back story who is fulfilling a need in the food industry while addressing a food waste issue. We recently had the opportunity to talk to Matt Clifford, Co-founder of Barnana, more in depth about their humble approach to leadership and dedication to their people—and how that plays a role in every step the brand takes.

Matt shared the four uncommon truths that leaders should consider.

“Leaders should serve.”

The moment Matt shifted his leadership approach to a more servant one was in the initial stages of business. One of their sales associates shared they were pregnant and starting a family. “It hit me, people are depending on me.” Matt said, “Families are being created.” He realized that there’s so much more to leadership than simply leading the charge. It is about caring for people, providing support and sometimes putting their needs above your own.

“If you ask a lot of your people, you need to give them a lot.”

“There’s so much more to business than making money and doing good. It’s about taking care of people and providing for their wellbeing. It’s about appreciating them and keeping them fired up and energized about what they do.”

“The experience is all about your people.”

Barnana approaches their brand experience from a macro level. “It’s more important for us to have a brand experience that’s connected at each touchpoint—a common ethos, congruent.” Matt said, “It’s all about people. You have to hire the right people that believe in what you’re doing. If you do the people thing right, you have an unstoppable company.

“If you want to change, change your people.”

“You can’t fake who you are. Embrace your brand. It’s about being real. It’s something you believe. Everyone on your team needs to have ownership of the product. Consumers are smart, they intuitively know when a brand is being authentic versus trying to sell them something. Brands are only as creative and authentic as their people are.”

Photo: Barnana