571: Jim Keyes - Legendary CEO of 7-Eleven & Blockbuster Shares How To Get Promoted, Turn a Business Around, Learn From Failure, & Why Education Is Freedom
Former CEO of 7-Eleven & Blockbuster, Jim Keyes, shares how to get promoted by focusing on solving company problems, the importance of change & preparation, and how education is freedom. He discusses the power of honesty, authenticity, and seizing opportunities in advancing one's career.
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Quick takeaways
Embrace adversity as an advantage for long-term strength and growth in career.
Prioritize truthfulness, direct value addition, and focus on solving company problems for career advancement.
Transform challenges into stepping stones for personal growth, learning, and resilience in pursuing goals.
Deep dives
Key Learnings from Jim Keys' Career
Jim Keys' career journey highlights key aspects of success, including embracing change, fostering confidence, and maintaining clarity in communication. His insights on the importance of critical thinking, curiosity, and creativity underscore the effective strategies for continuous learning and growth. Additionally, his emphasis on collaboration, cultural literacy, and character development provides a holistic approach to personal and professional advancement.
Navigating Career Progression
Jim Keys' career progression exemplifies the power of truthfulness and focus on adding value to the organization. By telling the truth and directly addressing how he can contribute to solving problems, Keys consistently stood out among his peers. His ability to prioritize the company's needs over personal aspirations and focus on helping them succeed paved the way for his continuous advancement in various roles.
Turning Adversity into Advantage
Jim Keys' transformative journey from adversity to success highlights the profound impact of using challenges as stepping stones to achieve greatness. A product of humble beginnings, Keys demonstrates how overcoming poverty and hardship fueled his drive for lifelong learning and perseverance. By reframing adversity as an advantage, individuals can harness setbacks to propel themselves towards their goals.
Application of C-Suite Learnings
The C-suite learnings presented by Jim Keys encapsulate essential principles for personal and professional development. From embracing change, fostering confidence, to prioritizing collaboration and character building, these insights serve as a roadmap for individuals seeking growth and success in their careers. Keys' emphasis on cultural literacy and critical thinking underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in navigating challenges.
Impacting Others Through Education and Growth
Jim Keys' profound message on education as freedom resonates with the transformative power of learning and personal growth. Through his own experiences and career journey, Keys emphasizes the significance of collaboration, curiosity, and character development as foundational elements for success. By sharing his insights on embracing adversity, fostering confidence, and prioritizing continuous learning, Keys inspires others to embark on a path of self-discovery and advancement.
Notes on my conversation with former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, Jim Keyes:
From adversity to the stars. Per ardua ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "through adversity to the stars.” Adversity is your advantage. The tough moments you’re going through will help you be stronger long term. This is a useful mindset shift.
"Adversity is an advantage."
How did Jim get hired the first time and continually get promoted?
He told the truth.
He was unafraid to tell it like it really was. No fluffy language. He got right to it and let them know how he could help them.
He focused on THEM, not him. They don’t care about why you think you deserve the job. They care about their company and if you’ll be able to help solve their problems. Focus on them, their issues, and how you can help them. That’s what Jim has done his entire career.
The C-Suite Learnings
What – Change, Confidence, Clarity
How - Critical thinking (ask why), curiosity, and creativity (have fun)
Why - Collaboration, Culture literacy (learn from others experiences), and character
Jim became one of the youngest managers in this history of McDonald's.
"The only one that likes change is a wet baby. Change is reality. Change equals opportunity."
CEO = "Change Equals Opportunity."
Confidence is all about preparation. The more you prepare, the more confident you'll be.
Clarity and Simplicity. "The hardest thing in the world is to keep things simple."
"True elegance is in simplicity."
"I can't lead if you can't understand. So, it's up to me to keep things simple and clear."
Nelson Mandela once said, “I never lose…I win, or I learn.”
"There are three prerequisites to a successful business transformation in the face of change: cash management, confidence, and collaboration. Managing cash flow is, by far, the most important but maintaining sufficient cash requires confidence and collaboration."
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