What if the winning strategies for your business weren’t locked in the boardroom—but hidden in the minds of your frontline team?
If you’ve ever hesitated to share financials or key metrics with your employees, you’re not alone. But what if open-book management could turn your entire team into business thinkers who drive profit, accountability, and innovation? In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Kylie Jackson from The Great Game of Business about how transparency can transform the way your people play—and win—at work.
By listening, you’ll discover how to:
- Turn financial literacy into a powerful driver of motivation and performance.
- Build a culture of ownership where every employee contributes to results.
- Use storytelling and transparency to strengthen trust and alignment company-wide.
Hit play now to learn how open-book management can unlock your team’s winning strategies—and your company’s next level of success.
Winning Strategies for Open-Book Leadership
[00:00] – Setting the Stage for Transparency
Jim Schleckser introduces the idea of open-book management and why so many CEOs resist sharing financials. He challenges the fear of “opening the kimono” and hints that real winning strategies may start with greater transparency.
[05:10] – What Is “The Great Game of Business”?
Kylie Jackson explains how the concept turns business into a game—with rules, scoreboards, and stakes. By making the financials visible and engaging, employees start to play to win rather than simply show up to work.
[08:42] – Everyone Can Learn the Numbers
Kylie shares how financial literacy empowers employees at every level. She proves that even line workers can grasp complex business concepts when taught in relatable, real-world terms.
[12:55] – Breaking Down Communication Barriers
Jim and Kylie discuss the “language gap” between the C-suite and frontline workers—and how connecting operating metrics to financial metrics eliminates confusion, fostering shared purpose and better decisions.
[18:40] – The Culture of Safety and Trust
Kylie explains that mistakes aren’t punished—they’re treated as lessons. This mindset creates a psychologically safe environment where teams innovate without fear of failure.
Building Ownership and Long-Term Winning Strategies
[23:15] – From Fear to Ownership
The discussion turns to how open-book management replaces secrecy with accountability. When employees see how their actions affect the bottom line, they adopt an ownership mentality and work together toward shared goals.
[28:50] – The Power of Storytelling in Business
Kylie and Jim explore how stories make financial concepts relatable and memorable. They show how storytelling cements values and reinforces winning strategies across an organization.
[33:20] – The Role of Profit Sharing
Kylie explains that sharing profits turns abstract goals into tangible rewards. When everyone has a stake in the outcome, motivation and engagement naturally rise.
[41:30] – Life-Changing Financial Literacy
Real stories of employees using the principles of The Great Game to pay off debt, buy homes, and gain financial independence show how these lessons extend far beyond work.
[49:00] – The Future of Open-Book Management and AI
Kylie and Jim discuss how automation may threaten human connection in business—but with the right balance of data and dialogue, leaders can preserve trust and continue building winning strategies for growth.
About Kylie Jackson
Kylie Jackson is the Learning and Development Manager and internal coach at The Great Game of Business, as well as a dynamic speaker known for her storytelling and practical insight. With a background in theatre and a career that began in talent representation, Kylie helps people grow through financial literacy, leadership development, and open-book management. Whether she’s delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or facilitating a panel, Kylie sparks fresh thinking, builds trust, and inspires people to step into their potential.