Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold Ep. 534 - FAN FAVORITE | Mindvalley Co-Founder Kshitij Minglan - Fail-Proof Strategies Gen Y Leaders Really Love
Ever wonder why most companies struggle to scale real culture as fast as they grow? What if the right blend of purpose, freedom, and radical alignment could make your team unstoppable?
In this Fan Favorite episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Kshitij Minglani, co-founder of Mindvalley Quests and serial entrepreneur, to unpack the proven playbook behind building a revolutionary “cult-like” workplace where high-performers thrive, politics die, and radical innovation flourishes.
They explore OKRs that spark action, mantras that force clarity, remote team magic, and how Gen Y talent fuels explosive, sticky growth. You’ll hear mind-blowing lessons on hiring, self-driven learning, and operational rhythm that you won’t get in any MBA.
Listen now, because the pain of missing these atomic insights is real: most companies will burn out, fragment, or plateau if they skip what you’ll learn here. This is your exclusive shortcut to building a thriving team before you get left behind.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – The real secret to “Second in Command” chemistry and why skillset complement matters more than ego
[00:03:33] – How Mindvalley went from selling meditation courses to teaching 10 million people a year
[00:07:00] – Proven tactics to attract Gen Y talent from 54 countries—bootstrapped, not VC-fueled
[00:09:45] – Why career pages, values, and strategic interviews pull “cult-like” high performers (and kill politics)
[00:12:16] – The radical power of OKRs, failing 50%, and how competition keeps teams sharp
[00:16:14] – Outward thinking and self-driven learning: fueling growth with global hackathons and TED talks
[00:18:05] – How “OODA Loops” from the military weaponize CEO-COO alignment
[00:21:05] – The epic failures: when Mindvalley ignored customers and missed the subscription revolution
[00:29:09] – Minimum Viable Product mentality—shipping fast, fighting perfection, and keeping teams hungry
[00:35:08] – How Lifebook and conscious parenting keep remote teams human, connected, and loyal
About the Guest
Kshitij Minglani is the Co-Founder of Mindvalley Quests, a global leader in education and personal growth, serving millions from 54 countries. Known for his mastery in scaling startups, building culture-first organizations, and strategic innovation, he’s been behind some of Mindvalley’s most explosive pivots. Kshitij specializes in operations, growth, and high-velocity hiring, giving him unique authority for COOs and aspiring leaders alike.
Resources & Mentions
- Mindvalley University
- Mindvalley Quest
- WildFit
- Lifebook (by John and Missy Butcher)
- A-Fest
- OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act)
- Google (corporate practices)
- Intel, PwC, Malaysian Government (corporate training partners)
- Blue Ocean Strategy (book)
- “Plan, Brief, Execute, Debrief” (Air Force concept)
- TED Talks
Important Links
- Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
- Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
- Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
- Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
- Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi
Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.
The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.