338 - Cleaning Up the Competition: How to Lead a Family Business Without Losing Your Mind!
Listening is a Leadership Superpower: How Adam Povlitz Elevates People, Franchises, and Culture
In the latest episode of Listening with Leaders, host Doug Noll welcomes Adam Povlitz, CEO and President of Anago Cleaning Systems, for a deep conversation about leading with intention, listening with purpose, and building a legacy inside a family business. From his start in corporate finance at IBM to his transformative leadership at Anago, Adam shares how a personal values pivot led him to helm one of the most respected commercial cleaning franchise systems in the country. This episode highlights how self-awareness, delegation, and disciplined listening can drive both personal and organizational growth.
How Listening Transforms Leadership and Business Outcomes
Adam’s leadership journey began with a wake-up call during the 2008 recession, when he found himself laying off colleagues in a corporate setting misaligned with his values. That pivotal moment drove him to explore a new path—one that led him to join his father’s business at the ground level, working in roles ranging from franchise support to physically cleaning daycares. That humility and grit now inform the way he leads: with empathy, vision, and a deep understanding of every layer of the organization.
One of Adam’s most powerful insights centers around the practice of listening—not just hearing words, but tuning into emotion, intention, and perspective. Drawing inspiration from thinkers like Jordan Peterson and principles from martial arts, Adam has honed his ability to pause, reflect, and make others feel seen. Whether managing family dynamics or leading a three-tiered franchise system, this emotional intelligence has become a cornerstone of his success.
Adam also shares how he uses delegation to empower his team and protect his focus. Through what he calls a “don’t want to do anymore” list, he identifies tasks that drain energy and reassigns them strategically—allowing him to lead from a place of strength. Combined with his disciplined hiring process and commitment to coaching for improvement, Adam’s approach models what modern leadership can look like: centered, flexible, and deeply human.
About Adam Povlitz
Adam Povlitz is the CEO and President of Anago Cleaning Systems. With a background in finance, martial arts, and franchise operations, he blends strategic thinking with emotional intelligence to lead one of the fastest-growing commercial cleaning franchises in North America. Adam is passionate about values-based leadership, continuous improvement, and empowering others through listening and action.
About Anago Cleaning Systems
Anago Cleaning Systems is a top-tier commercial cleaning franchise organization with a unique three-tier model designed for scalability and support. Operating across the U.S. and Canada, Anago empowers Master Franchise Owners and Unit Franchisees to deliver consistent, professional cleaning services backed by technology, systems, and strong leadership. Their mission is to elevate the standards of commercial cleaning through smart business practices and people-first values.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Key Episode Highlights:
How Adam used a corporate pivot to realign with personal values
The power of “active listening” in building trust and team culture
Why family business success starts with role clarity and boundaries
Adam’s “don’t want to do anymore” delegation strategy
Lessons from martial arts that apply directly to leadership discipline
Conclusion
Adam Povlitz’s story is a blueprint for modern leadership: blend your head and heart, delegate with intention, and treat listening as a daily practice. His evolution from finance professional to franchise visionary shows what’s possible when values align with action.
Explore more about Doug Noll’s leadership and communication strategies at Doug Noll's website.
Interested in sharing your insights? Apply to be a guest on Listening with Leaders here.
