Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about empowering people, aligning processes, and leveraging the right tools to create lasting impact. Something today’s guest Beka Shea knows a lot about.
In this Servant Leader’s Library episode, host Nicholas Paulukow sits down with Beka, an executive advisor at Culture Index Co. and founder of Seven Figure Foundation. With a background that spans military service, engineering, and entrepreneurship, Beka brings a wealth of knowledge on building high-performing teams and leading authentically.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just starting your leadership journey, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink your approach and achieve greater success.
Watch the episode above or listen over at Spotify. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next great servant leader’s story!
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Episode Transcript
Nicholas Paulukow
Welcome to Servant Leader’s Library, the podcast where we dive deep into the art and science of leadership, focusing on people, process, and technology. I’m your host, Nicholas Paulukow, CEO of ONE 2 ONE, a leading managed IT and security firm.
This podcast is dedicated to equipping you with the insights and strategies to grow as a servant leader and transform your business. Today’s episode features the incredible Beka Shea, an executive advisor at Culture Index Co., founder of Seven Figure Foundation, and a passionate advocate for building exceptional teams. Beka believes that every business challenge boils down to one of three things: people, process, or technology. “Hire the right people,” she says, “and they will take care of the rest.”
Beka breaks down her philosophy into four core beliefs: Serve First, Results Matter, Focus on Strengths, and Go Further Together. With a wealth of experience in scaling businesses, maximizing ROI, and creating synergistic teams, Beka shares her leadership journey and strategies for designing and developing elite teams that hit targets faster—and have fun doing it.
So whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, tune in. Join us today to explore Servant Leader’s Library and transform your business. Let’s get started.
Nicholas Paulukow
Welcome back. How are you doing today?
Beka Shea
Awesome. I’m very excited to be here.
Nicholas Paulukow
That is excellent. Why don’t you start off by telling the audience a little bit about how you got started in your career and how you ended up where you are now?
Beka Shea
OK. It’s been a winding path, so buckle up.
Nicholas Paulukow
I love it.
Beka Shea
When I was in high school, I wanted to be a Navy pilot, so I started on a journey to figure out how I could get there. I knew a couple of things to be true. First, I wanted to be an officer because that’s the best path to becoming a pilot. Second, to be an officer, you need a college education. And third, certain degrees can increase your chances of getting the slot you want when you’re commissioned.
So, I went to school for mechanical engineering on a military scholarship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. I did consider going to the Naval Academy, but my dad advised me against it. He said it would kill the spark that makes me who I am. Looking back, he wasn’t wrong—I’m glad I didn’t go. In college, I met my husband, and I became an officer for four years. Unfortunately, my eyesight disqualified me from becoming a pilot.
Before we started recording, we talked about the importance of having a direction, right? In your teens and 20s, you might not end up where you think you’re going, but it’s important to keep moving. It opens up doors you weren’t ready for before.
Nicholas Paulukow
I love that. It’s so true. But what sparked your desire to become a pilot at such a young age?
Beka Shea
My dad was a mechanical engineer in the Navy and my hero. He was a navigator but couldn’t become a pilot because of his eyesight. At one point in my career, I faced a similar choice: I couldn’t be a pilot, but I could be a navigator. However, by then, I’d met my husband, and we were thinking about starting a family. I didn’t want to return to duty just 30 days after having a baby, which was the leave policy at the time.
My last duty station was on an aircraft carrier, and it was incredible. I tell young adults, if you don’t know what to do with your life, just join the military. It’ll give you skills, take care of you, and give you experiences you never expected. Four years goes by fast.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s awesome. So, after your time in the service, what happened next? Did you get into mechanical engineering?
Beka Shea
Yes, I decided to use my mechanical engineering degree and really wanted to move back to Boston, where most of my college friends lived. I got a job there, and my husband landed a great job too. We stayed there for seven years.
When my second daughter was born, we moved to Florida to be closer to family. I didn’t want to raise two babies in the city. City life and babies aren’t a great combination. My husband’s company was opening a manufacturing facility in Tampa and offered to move us there. They even let him keep his Boston salary.
At the time, my job involved traveling across the U.S. to job sites, working on energy efficiency projects for federal facilities like VA hospitals and military bases. We’d look for ways to save millions of dollars in utilities through better data and capital expenditures. My company specialized in energy savings contracts, helping organizations finance improvements that would pay for themselves through reduced utility costs.
Nicholas Paulukow
That sounds fascinating. But it must’ve been tough to travel so much while raising a young family.
Beka Shea
It was. While I was pregnant with my third child, I was traveling constantly—six out of nine weeks in my third trimester! I vividly remember climbing onto the roof of a building, visibly pregnant, to inspect the air systems. No one around me dared say anything about it because they weren’t sure what they could say to a pregnant woman. It was exhausting.
After that, I knew I couldn’t keep up with the travel, so I decided to pivot. I started my own company, which let me stay local and spend more time with my family.
Nicholas Paulukow
Starting your own company must have been a big leap. How did you transition into that?
Beka Shea
Honestly, I didn’t initially plan to start a company—I just wanted to flip a house. I thought it would be a fun local project. But one thing led to another, and it got out of hand. One house turned into three, then six, then 12. Eventually, I’d done over 200 real estate deals.
During that time, someone introduced me to Culture Index, a behavioral analytics tool. It was a game-changer. It spoke to the engineering nerd in me—I could collect actionable data about people and use it to understand how they’re wired and how to lead them effectively.
Eventually, Culture Index invited me to join as an advisor to help small businesses. They promised it would be the most fun I’d ever have. While they lied about how fun business development is, I love the work itself. It’s rewarding to help leaders understand their teams and build stronger organizations.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s incredible. How do you apply behavioral analytics in leadership?
Beka Shea
Behavioral analytics helps you understand how people are naturally wired—what motivates them and what they need to thrive. At Culture Index, we categorize people into three main motivational traits: sharks, sunshines, and shepherds.
Sharks are driven by competition and results—they want to hit their goals, no matter what. Sunshines value relationships and bring positive energy to teams. Shepherds focus on quality and precision—they thrive on getting things right.
Understanding these traits allows leaders to tailor their approach to coaching, managing, and leading. It’s about aligning people’s natural strengths with their roles.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s fascinating. So, how can leaders balance those traits to create a cohesive team?
Beka Shea
It starts with self-awareness. Leaders need to understand their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, a shark might excel at casting vision and driving results but struggle with details or relationships. That’s where shepherds and sunshines can fill the gaps.
The key is to surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. When everyone plays to their strengths, you can go further together.
Nicholas Paulukow
That makes so much sense. It’s also interesting how this aligns with leadership styles. How do you see this working in organizations where people are placed in roles that don’t match their natural traits?
Beka Shea
That’s a common challenge. Sometimes, people are placed in roles based on necessity or seniority rather than fit. When someone’s natural wiring doesn’t align with their responsibilities, it can lead to burnout or frustration.
For example, I once worked with a leader who was trying to force themselves into a role that didn’t suit their strengths. It wasn’t working, and it was exhausting for them. We were able to use behavioral analytics to identify the mismatch and adjust their role. Once they were in a position that matched their strengths, their productivity and happiness improved dramatically.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s powerful. It also highlights the importance of self-awareness. Do you think people can develop traits outside their natural strengths?
Beka Shea
Absolutely. Leadership is about growth. While you may naturally excel in certain areas, you can learn to improve in others. For instance, a shepherd might not naturally enjoy casting vision, but with coaching and intentional practice, they can develop that skill.
However, it’s important to recognize that growth takes time and effort. Leaders need to be honest about their limitations and build a team that complements their abilities. You don’t have to be great at everything—you just need to create an ecosystem where everything is covered.
Nicholas Paulukow
You’ve mentioned your core beliefs before—Serve First, Results Matter, Focus on Strengths, and Go Further Together. How do those principles shape your approach to leadership?
Beka Shea
They’re foundational to everything I do. Serve First means putting others’ needs ahead of your own, whether it’s your team, your clients, or your community. Results Matter reminds us that leadership isn’t just about intention—it’s about delivering meaningful outcomes.
Focus on Strengths is about recognizing and leveraging what people do best. And Go Further Together emphasizes the power of collaboration. No one achieves success alone. When we align our strengths and work as a team, we can accomplish so much more.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s inspiring. As we wrap up, what advice would you give to leaders who are just starting their journey?
Beka Shea
Leadership is a journey, and it’s normal to hit ceilings along the way. Whether it’s hiring your first team member, conducting a performance review, or firing someone, there will be challenges that push you out of your comfort zone.
My biggest advice is not to fear those challenges. Instead, recognize them as opportunities for growth. When you encounter a problem, seek out resources or mentors who can help you navigate it. And remember, you’re not alone—others have been through the same struggles and can offer valuable guidance.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s great advice. I also love how you emphasize reflection and growth. At the end of the year, many leaders set goals for the future, but you’ve mentioned the importance of looking back as well. Can you share more about that?
Beka Shea
Absolutely. At the end of each year, I take time to reflect on my accomplishments and lessons learned. It’s easy to focus on what didn’t go well, but it’s just as important to celebrate your wins and acknowledge how far you’ve come.
I use a goal-setting worksheet that starts with questions like: What were your goals this year? What did you accomplish? What are you most proud of? By starting with reflection, you build confidence and set the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Nicholas Paulukow
That’s such a powerful practice. Thank you so much for joining us today, Beka. You’ve given us so much to think about.
Beka Shea
Thank you for having me! This was a lot of fun.
Nicholas Paulukow
To our listeners, thank you for being part of the Servant Leader’s Library. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Remember, leadership is about serving others, focusing on strengths, and going further together. Until next time, I’m Nicholas Paulukow, reminding you to lead with purpose and passion.
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