For today’s Meet the Team blog, we get to meet Thomas. Thomas Butler joined LeadingResponse as Director, Affiliate Marketing, and in his time here, he has become a go-to voice for how we grow and manage our affiliate partnerships.
He’s brought a sharp, data-driven approach to the role, building out processes that help our affiliate relationships perform at a higher level. His quick impact is a good reminder that great instincts and a collaborative mindset can make a big difference, even in a short amount of time.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
Relationships, operations, and creativity all blend in a really unique way in my role. You can’t ignore one for the sake of the other two – there’s almost always a way to evolve or grow the business from different angles. The plurality of relationships is also fun. Some relationships are purely X’s and O’s, but others require the dance of “scratch my back so I can scratch yours” in a way where both their business and ours can win.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Bigger picture, having kids and working with my wife to have a home for them that is loving and fun. Our boys are at ages where they love to play with each other, and that makes family time sweet. On a personal level, I’ve worked really hard to improve my physical health over the last four years. Finding out that my wife was pregnant with our first child really forced me to look hard in the mirror and accept that my lifestyle wasn’t healthy for myself or my future kids. I’m by no means a fitness freak or on a crazy diet, but small changes over time with some disciplines have added up over time in a way that’s better for myself and my family.
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear would be failing to give my kids opportunities to take risks. I had a safe/sheltered upbringing, and it took me a long time to break out of that mold. I hope my boys can learn from a young age to take risks, be brave, succeed and fail, and live life to the fullest. It takes a lot of intention to do that with them now, and I hope my wife and I have the persistence to keep it up for their sake.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
I’m not a great storyteller. My life isn’t all that interesting, but I find it challenging to tie together a good story with the funny things worth sharing about. It would be awesome to be a good storyteller.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, I have a very hard time not giving maximum effort to something that is my responsibility. That focus shifts from time to time depending on the need, but I’m generally uncomfortable with myself if I know I left effort or ideas on the table.
Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?
I’m not typically big on surprises, but I’m learning to appreciate them more as I get older. If someone is willing to go to the length to surprise me, it shows intention and thoughtfulness, and that’s something we should all get behind and be appreciative of.
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Coffee. Easy answer. Next question.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
It’s hard to think about tomorrow, let alone five years down the road! A few milestones I hope to have hit within five years would be running a world major marathon (like Chicago, Boston, or New York), own a truck (currently rocking a 2012 Honda Odyssey), and visit the Pacific Northwest with my wife and/or kids.
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I really like to play disc golf. It was a hobby I picked up during Covid with some buddies and we still play often. It’s a unique sport where you start out really bad, but it doesn’t take exponential effort to get to be an above-average player. It’s also relatively inexpensive and very accessible, which makes it a fun sport to invite others to try.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
A disc golf basket, a disc, and a kayak. Entertainment on land and sea!
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
There are some college traditions that were very daring, but they will not be specified!
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Jim Halpert for sure. Not John Krasinski… Jim Halpert. Some of his mannerisms from the show have stuck with me for years.
What’s your favorite movie?
Interstellar! I won’t pretend to understand the science behind it, but I really like McConaughey, the score, and the concepts at play. My youngest son is named Murphy, which isn’t after the character in the movie, but the bookshelf scene does loop in my mind from time to time (“Don’t let me leave, Murph!!”)
Thank you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today, Thomas. It’s been great getting to know you better. If you would like to learn more about our team, you can view more LeadingResponse Meet the Team blog posts or visit our Team page.
