The Learn-It-All Podcast 194: Former Shaw President Reveals the One Trait That Built a $10B Company | Peter Bissonnette
What happens when you lead with humility, consistency, and care—instead of ego? In this uplifting and candid episode, Damon sits down with Peter Bissonnette, the former president of Shaw Communications and author of Count on Me. Peter pulls back the curtain on his remarkable leadership journey, from seminary days and military service to helming a $5.5B telecom powerhouse. Together, they explore the habits and values that shaped Shaw’s exceptional culture, why empathy and fairness matter most, and how leaders can be “counted on”—no matter their background.
Jam-packed with real stories, hard-won tools, and lessons from both the boardroom and the bandstand, this episode is a blueprint for anyone looking to become a leader people believe in. Get ready to rethink what makes a lasting legacy—not just for companies, but for families—through the power of values-driven leadership.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The culture-building power of shining a light on others, not yourself
- How Peter’s “Good Shepherd” philosophy (inspired by seminary days) became the foundation of his leadership style
- What it means to truly be “counted on”—and how personal adversity shaped Peter’s drive and fairness meter
- Practical tools for overcoming imposter syndrome and building self-belief, including the science of affirmations and visualization
- Why fit trumps credentials during hiring, and how to handle mis-hires with candor
- Inside Peter’s “leadership toolbox”—relationship-building, chameleon skills, candor, and the art of constructive feedback
- Behind-the-scenes negotiation stories, including a $2B Wall Street face-off and the lessons of win-win bargaining
- How music, photography, and creative passions make you a better leader and problem solver
- Tangible strategies to boost employee engagement—and transform dysfunction into unity
- Why leaders should be hero creators, not the heroes themselves
Timestamps:
00:00 – The power of focusing on the good in others
00:24 – Damon introduces Peter Bissonnette and episode themes
01:38 – How Shaw’s “we company” values fueled its success
03:07 – First meeting with founder J.R. Shaw
04:30 – The legacy-driven origins of Count on Me
08:37 – Seminary days and the “Good Shepherd” approach to leadership
11:09 – Peter’s tough childhood and the drive to be “counted on”
15:57 – Advice for new leaders struggling with self-belief
16:26 – Affirmations, visualization, and owning your own learning
22:25 – How to handle a mis-hire (the “Dead Pillow” story)
26:33 – Building your leadership toolbox: tools and traits that matter
30:07 – How to accelerate leadership experience: Mentorship & reading
32:01 – Lessons from Wall Street: The $2B Goldman Sachs negotiation
44:29 – Taking risks, responsibility and earning founder’s trust
47:57 – Win-win negotiations, fairness, and long-term relationships
49:32 – How music and creativity fuel leadership
54:59 – The role of photography and “extra languages” in solving problems
57:32 – Transforming employee engagement at Shaw
60:08 – Listening and acting on feedback to create belonging
63:56 – Shining the spotlight and building trust-driven teams
66:18 – How Peter personally connected with Shaw’s customers
70:13 – Why Count on Me is a case study for young leaders
72:50 – Where to find Peter and his book
About Peter Bissonnette
Peter Bissonnette is the former president of Shaw Communications, where he helped transform the company into a national powerhouse with more than 10,000 employees and $5.5 billion in annual revenue. Known for his humility, candor, and people-first leadership, Peter’s career took him from boarding school and seminary, through military service, to leading large organizations—all without a traditional academic background. He now serves on the board of the Shaw Family Trust and is the author of Count on Me, a candid memoir and leadership case study.
Resources & Mentions:
- Count on Me by Peter Bissonnette
- Peter Bissonnette on LinkedIn
- Improbably Successful by Juan Silvera
- The Learn-It-All Leader by Damon Lembi
- Brian Lanier’s Learn-It-All Podcast episode
- Peter Bissonnette on Jonny Pardoe Podcast
- Shaw Communications (background info)
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
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