Hey there, I’m Chris.
Servant leader, coach, entrepreneur, mountain man, and owner of Placers, one of Delaware’s 50 fastest growing businesses with a mission of igniting the spark between businesses and next-level talent.
I’m a firm believer that everyone we come into contact with has lessons to share – from strategies for successful entrepreneurship, to how to live a balanced life – mind, body, and soul.
As a business owner, I encourage my team to operate under one simple yet extremely powerful idea: that the best results come when you push the limits. Last year, I trekked up the glacial landscape of Mt. Rainier – a bucket-list climb. It wasn’t easy. When a blizzard hit at 11,500 feet, we spent a tough night in frigid temperatures with tents blowing and a mix of freezing rain and snow billowing into my tent. While nature ultimately decided it was time for us to descend, we were left with a life-changing experience reserved only for those who dare to step outside of their comfort zones.
Epic journeys wait on the other side of comfort zones. Outside Insights will give you the inspiration, tools, and aha moments you need to get there.
How often do you wonder if you’re truly living the life you want or should be? For years, I’ve been passionate about helping people—job seekers, college students, aspiring entrepreneurs, midlife career changers, and even recent retirees—pursue an earned life they feel proud of at any stage. Today, I’m excited to introduce a new resource: […]
I’m blessed to have many people in my circle that inspire me and push me to become a better version of myself every day just through their example. Some of these people are close to me, like my wife or my father. Others, I’ve met throughout the seasons of life and am honored to have […]
Yes, there is a “right way” to think…that “right way” just depends on the individual. In Outside Insights, we often talk about defining your guiding values and understanding what your personal culture is. Society has guidelines for how we should act, the workplace has rules that we abide by to get paid, etc. But your […]
There is a balance shift between employers who are used to being in control of the workplace dynamic and employees who gained control of it during the pandemic. It’s headlining news and it’s the through-line of this week’s episode of Outside Insights between Placers’ President Chris Burkhard and Placers’ Founder and serial entrepreneur Alan Burkhard. […]
Recently, I read one of my Outside Insights articles from two years ago where I wrote about the importance of appreciating the small stuff around you. Reflexively I thought, who was that guy? And how did he get to a place where he had time to actually appreciate the small things in life? Two years […]
Over the last 50 years, Placers and the Burkhards have coached, interviewed, and listened to thousands of job seekers who want to make a change. They want to follow a new career path or just want something to change in their day to day. Yet, when it comes time to say yes to a […]
For the past few years, a significant focus of mine has been working with my dad to write and publish our first book. In the process, we started a podcast that would turn into our cumulative life lessons, finally recorded. As we started to record, we began to think through what we would […]
Why looking back honestly is the best way to plan what’s next Every year, I set goals. I’ll be the first to admit I have an overcomplicated way of thinking about my year. You don’t need to do it my way. Do what works for you. The point is to choose a path […]
Think about your biggest win from last year. What made it memorable? Was it the goal itself—or the journey that got you there? Chances are, it’s not the metrics or deadlines you recall most vividly, but the moments that brought those goals to life: the stories, struggles, and small victories along the way. At […]
What building, letting go, and choosing life taught Sam Maddula about leadership, values, and what really matters I had the opportunity to sit down with Sam Maddula, a founder whose career does not fit a clean headline. What stood out immediately wasn’t the size of the business he built, but the decisions […]
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. Awakening from the stupefying effects of the vice of […]
The election feels like the exclamation point on the end of a long run-on sentence (otherwise known as the year 2020). We have been through a range of emotions and sticky situations this year. Many of us have gone from fear to frustration, to now what feels like a general sense of anxiety. With so much […]
A reflection on ownership, leadership, and what actually moved the needle this year When you spend a year in conversation with leaders, professionals, and thinkers across industries, as I have through Outside Insights and Placers, you start to notice what actually sticks. Not the trends. Not the headlines. The patterns. And the […]
I am not sure how you’re choosing to distract yourself these days – lately the world seems to be oh so serious all of the time. If you listen to or read Outside Insights content, you’re familiar with my journey and my recipe for living your best life. I read, meditate, do yoga, work out […]
How you conduct yourself along your life journey, determines how your story will unfold. This is a basic law of the universe—we get what we give and, ultimately, we are what we believe. It’s a self fulfilling prophecy. If we think negatively, we open ourselves up to negative experiences. If we lead from a place […]
To be clear, most people have heard of the 80/20 Rule, yet most are not sure what it is or how to use it in their life. The 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, is the way to save time and to improve personally and professionally. In the late 19th century, Italian economist, […]
This visualization represents my work/life story over the past 30 years. I imagine many of you can relate. To me work equaled independence. I started work early. From the age of nine, I had a paper route which I had until I was sixteen. It was hard work; I got up before school to deliver […]
I am frequently asked about what gives me sustainable motivation and energy. How do I continuously keep my long-term goals top of mind and how do I recover from life’s setbacks and get back on track? When it comes to reaching our goals, all of us have setbacks – we get sick, we lose steam, […]
In 2009, many businesses ground to a halt – almost a complete stop. Corporate customers stopped buying. Consumer sentiment was down, and people stopped spending. In the U.S., this was our entire economy. Most leaders found themselves navigating uncharted business waters, and leadership became narrowly focused on one thing: survival. I am proud to […]
Whether you’re celebrating a year of big wins or feeling like 2024 didn’t quite hit the mark, there’s one simple thing you can do to set yourself up for success in 2025: practice intentional reflection. Here’s the exercise I do every year, and I promise it’s easier—and more satisfying—than you might think. 1. […]
Are you where you want to be in your life? Did you cross all the items off your bucket list? Have all of your dreams been chased? If the answer is yes, yes and yes – congratulations! You can proceed with the rest of your day. But, if you’re like me, you probably answered no […]
Why slowing down, listening better, and taking the long way still matters I sat down with Jeff Ton expecting a conversation about leadership and history. What I didn’t expect was how much we’d end up talking about attention, where we place it, how rarely we slow down, and what happens when we […]
If you’ve been part of the Outside Insights community for a while, you know how important I view goal setting and developing actionable steps to make them a reality. We set our sights on outcomes that we want to reach and then act with intention, every day, to achieve them – knocking tasks out one […]
I’d like to start this week’s email out with a question for you. If someone offered you a pill that could decrease your chances of cancer and heart disease by more than half, increase your memory and intelligence, decrease anxiety and stress and make you happier with no negative side effects – would you take […]
When asked about Apple’s “overnight success”, Steve Jobs explained that it was 18 years in the making. Sometimes we make success look too easy and the real gold is in the lessons learned and the many mistakes we make on our way to reaching success. A decade and a half ago Rob Gilfillan and I […]
The world of business is fast-changing. Fickle, almost. Climates evolve rapidly, markets come and go, consumer demand is continually in flux. Any company that navigates these inherent trials and tribulations with grace isn’t doing so because of sheer dumb luck. They have a secret sauce: Their employees. The lifeblood of any company is […]
This week offers a necessary, intentional break. Use the slower pace to reflect honestly, recharge fully, and set yourself up for a focused, powerful year-end finish. The calendar says it’s Thanksgiving. For most of us, that means a few days off from the daily grind, quality time with family, and a well-deserved break. […]
In this insightful chapter of Opposite the Crowd, I had the pleasure of engaging in a rewarding conversation with my dad, Alan Burkhard, on the concept of “right-thinking” and its impact on personal and professional development. Our discussion revolved around the power of aligning one’s thoughts and actions with a clear purpose and set of […]
Imagine you could simply “keep score” of every relationship in life and business. And, for example, if after every interaction your “score” would change depending on how much value you brought to the person you were speaking with.. While for some this idea may be anxiety inducing, it doesn’t have to be! I […]
The “power of knowledge,” the focus of chapter five in “Opposite the Crowd,” zeroes in on a see, think, act mindset and strategy that my father Alan and I advocate. Many years ago, he was introduced as a futurist at a staffing conference. “He always sees what’s coming,” they said during his intro. […]
Group brainstorming sessions are usually the birthplace of a spark of an idea that turns into something big. Whether you’re discussing the next roll out with colleagues or deciding what to name the new family puppy while trying not to shut down the name “cupcake”. While brainstorming, the first wave of responses are often narrow […]
What if the key to success isn’t about what you achieve, but how much you give back? In this week’s episode of Outside Insights, I sat down with Mike Smith, a public servant whose inspiring journey proves that leadership is rooted in service. Currently serving in Delaware’s House of Representatives for the 22nd district, […]
Why setting boundaries matters as much as setting goals “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” — Warren Buffett Most of us have been told to set big, ambitious goals. We’ve read the books, filled the journals, and maybe even posted the […]
In business, there are assets, things that add or increase in value, and there are liabilities, things that must be paid for or are a cost to the business. All employees have the opportunity to be real assets – but not all employees are working to their full potential. Be an asset. Grow yourself, be […]
Yesterday I read a meme that referenced the never-ending pandemic. “The new normal” had gone on so long that I had time to get in shape once…and then get out of shape again. I know this is how many of us feel right now. It’s like the pandemic 15 (which is a real thing), not […]
Staffing Entrepreneur Bob Larson on his Near-Death Experience, Finding Joy in the Craft, and the Simple Power of Being Present. I had the honor of hosting a long-time mentor and friend, Robert Larson, CPC. Bob’s journey is one I’ve followed since the start of my first business, and he even inspired my own […]
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (For Me) My all-time favorite holiday is New Year’s Day – it offers the opportunity to reset. I set a new tone in the new year by journaling. It clarifies what I’ve done, what I didn’t do, what I want, and how to get there. I highly recommend […]
Small Habits. Big Shifts. Why Reading Might Be the Reset You Need I’ve noticed a pattern, maybe you have too. There are moments when I feel stuck or uncertain about what to do next. Not overwhelmed, just a little unclear. That’s when I reach for a book. Over time, […]
“Recently, I was meeting with our recruitment consultant, Freddy, over lunch and I shared this story. Back in the early days of Placers 1.0 and the CBI Group, we set out to propel one of the key tenants of our culture: employee empowerment. We asked ourselves how self-directed our teams could really be. Would they […]
In a world of self-service portals and customer service lines that proudly announce “that your call is important to us. There are just 48 callers in front of you, and your wait time 1 hour and 6 minutes” there has to be another way. You know real service when you see it. But how can […]
Why Trust, Relationships, and Real Value Still Take Time in an On-Demand World These days, we want everything now. Technology has stripped away what we used to call friction—those natural pauses that gave us space to think, learn, and grow. Need dog food? It’s delivered to your doorstep before you’re home from your commute. […]
Ditch the excuses, track real progress, and start making things happen—one step at a time. Ever feel like there’s a gap between the life you want and the one you’re actually living? You’re not alone. Maybe you want to get in shape, start a side hustle, finally write that article, or switch careers—but somehow, […]
Leaders spend a lot of time thinking about strategy, hiring, and growth. But culture is often shaped by something much smaller: the expectations we reinforce every day. Over the course of my career, I’ve sat through more bad meetings than I care to count. Meetings with no agenda. Too many people in the […]
Hello, This next Outside Insights podcast is one that I am very excited for our community to listen and learn from. For this episode, I sat down with Todd Bavol, CEO of Integrity Staffing, a firm that has won Clearly Rated’s Best of Staffing Award for five consecutive years. I am proud to call Todd […]
Where does our confidence come from? How do I “fake it till I make it”? How do I know I am doing the right things with my life? I spend a lot of time with good people, customers, employees, friends, family and outside-inners that find value in our words and podcasts. The questions above are […]
The Greatest Holiday Gifts To Yourself: Time And Space Many of us spend all day on the go. If we’re not busy at work, we’re working for our families with domestic activities. The list is never-ending. Sometimes it feels challenging to fit “living” into the constant rush. It’s contrived of me to even mention that […]
All businesses share a fundamental goal: finding buyers for their products and services. In today’s dynamic marketplace, where competition is fierce and noise is abundant, it’s crucial to differentiate yourself and connect with prospects on a deeper level. This is where consultative selling comes into play—a powerful approach that goes beyond traditional sales techniques. […]
In life, we encounter a diverse cast of characters. Among the cast that surrounds us, there are characters that particularly stand out, such as energy vampires – individuals who, knowingly or unknowingly, sap our vitality and leave us feeling drained. These individuals aren’t confined to our social circles; they can also reside within us, […]
Summer time is about fun, travel (finally) and spending time outside with friends and family. The season also presents an opportune time for self reflection, to learn and to grow. A favorite Outside Insights topic, I have often asked you all: How much time do you set aside to work on and get to know […]
It’s time to stop drifting and start charting your own course. I had the great fortune of welcoming back Marnie Stockman, Ed.D. and Nick Coniglio, the brilliant minds behind Lead It Like Lasso, to discuss their phenomenal new book, The Business of You: Ask the Right Questions, Tell Your Story, and Lead Your Life. […]
Here’s the thing – quitting shouldn’t be a bad word. But why does it often feel like it is? At Placers, we champion values like results-driven performance and relentless hustle, epitomized by Winston Churchill’s wartime call to “never, ever, ever give up.” This motto resonated so deeply with me that it found its […]
Why solitude is a gift, not a punishment This past weekend, my house was quiet for once, as everyone headed in different directions—shopping, the beach, errands. And I realized something surprising: I was actually excited to be alone. For some, that idea is terrifying. They fill the silence with noise and the […]
Only in 2020 would we run out of Christmas trees! Yes, 12 foot pines are going for more than a grand if you can find one. We are all so desperate for some normalcy many started bringing in the holiday cheer a little early this year. We are all looking to lift our spirits, have […]
Ten Ways To Empower People In chapter four of the book my father and I co-authored, “Opposite the Crowd,” my dad, Alan, chronicles his early years — from his first memory to his first “grown-up job.” Alan was only 15 when he lost his dad, Carol, to cancer. The family-owned business, Burkhard Hardware, burned […]
As we step into 2024, it’s a time for reflection and planning as we work to consider the endless possibilities of the new year. Many New Year’s Resolutions involve honing our skills, new and old, advancing our careers, and nurturing our dreams. Self-improvement is crucial for getting to know ourselves. Understanding our desires and aligning […]
Have fun listening to Dave Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic mascot and author of “The Power of Fun,” and Placers President Chris Burkhard as they remove the stigma from fun in the workplace. Sharing positivity in life and in the workplace “turns off negative brain biases,” explained Dave during this hour-long podcast that takes a […]
I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can live my best life: Do I have good habits? In what areas can I improve? Is my morning routine optimized? Did I meditate three times this week? Did I go through my ten-point morning checklist? Is it […]
In the world of social entrepreneurship, few stories are as compelling and full of teachable moments as Scott Beale’s story. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Scott on our Outside Insights podcast, where he shared his personal journey from an aspiring changemaker to a global leader in fostering youth leadership and international volunteerism. […]
Let’s face it, the general concept of “selling” has developed a bad rap over the years. We all hate to be sold to. If I asked you to picture a salesperson right now, what image would come to mind? Most people likely have the same exaggerated caricature pop up. In recent years, the selling landscape […]
The Placers 500, the race to our critical number, and how we win by putting people first Every year at Placers, we choose a theme that’s more than a phrase on a slide or a poster on a wall. It becomes a lens, a story, and a way to see our work, our people, […]
From Hustle to Highway — The Willards’ Story of Living Intentionally “It didn’t ruin anything. This was the most incredible memory—one I’ll take to my deathbed that can never be taken away.” – Rose Willard In Episode 63 of Outside Insights, I talk with Rose and Glynn Willard—entrepreneurs, parents, adventurers, and creators […]
Why Your Network Matters More Than Your Job Title “Your résumé opens doors, but your relationships keep them open.” We spend years perfecting our résumés, polishing bullet points, updating titles, and listing achievements. But here is the truth: your relationships tell a more honest story than your résumé ever could. When you look […]
At many points in our lifetime, we’re put into positions where others depend on us to be a good teammate. You’re a teammate to your colleague at the office, your partner on a college partner, your roommate, and your significant other. These people depend on you. How do you know that you’re upholding your end […]
Join host Chris Burkhard in an exciting conversation with Steven Pivnik, who is both a successful entrepreneur and an athlete. They will take you on a fascinating journey that combines adventure, business, and financial freedom. Get ready to be inspired as Steven shares his amazing stories of challenging races, business achievements, and valuable life lessons. […]
In this episode Outside Insights, I sat down with Nick Wilkinson, Founder and CEO of Wilkinson Advisory services. Prior to launching his own consulting firm, Wilkinson built a successful career spanning various industries and has collected multiple hats over the years, including CEO, entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker – more on that later. Nick and […]
Leading Delaware staffing and recruiting agency launches Outside Insights podcast Newark, Delaware – For the past two years, Placers President and Founder Chris Burkhard has shared his thoughts from more than 20 years in the staffing industry to help people do the work necessary to achieve the life they’ve been dreaming of. Using his […]
Film producer turned philanthropist shares how to live with meaning, lead with love, and write the story of your own life This week’s episode of Outside Insights is a special one. I had the opportunity to sit down with Peter Samuelson, film producer, philanthropist, and now, the author of Finding Happy: […]
When I was 19, I was the assistant manager of a late-night sub shop on the beach. I served customers, managed employees, and reconciled any issues. At 21 I was the manager at a sporting goods store. With this position, I was tasked with managing a team of ten people, running the budget for a […]
As a member of the Scaling Up community, a strategic coach, and a business owner of a growth-oriented mid-market company, I have had the pleasure of learning life lessons from some of the best leaders and entrepreneurs on the planet. I discuss one of my favorites below – and how I’ve used it to better my life […]
Recently, I connected with a dear friend and my first business mentor over breakfast – former radio executive, Cynthia Morgan. Cynthia was the first business leader I met that “took me seriously” and set a high standard for the type of leader that I wanted to be. We met in a Dale Carnegie class […]
