In this conversation, Ric Elias, founder of Red Ventures and a survivor of US Airways Flight 1549, shares his gripping experiences and insights. He opens up about facing death mid-flight and the profound shift in his perspective that followed. Ric discusses the importance of time as our ultimate currency, reevaluating life success, and raising children amid achievement culture. He also shares powerful anecdotes of gratitude, community responsibility, and his approach to business and philanthropy, making it clear that life is about connections and living without regrets.
After surviving a plane crash, the speaker reevaluates priorities, values time, and focuses on what truly matters.
The speaker realizes the fragility of life and emphasizes living in the present moment, cherishing experiences, and valuing relationships over material possessions.
The plane crash prompts the speaker to let go of ego-driven conflicts, prioritize happiness, seek forgiveness, and build meaningful relationships.
The speaker acknowledges the role of luck, encourages a positive mindset in adversity, and highlights the importance of health and personal growth.
Deep dives
The Power of Saying No and Prioritizing Time
After surviving a plane crash, the speaker reevaluates his priorities and places a high value on time. He becomes more mindful of how he uses his time and eliminates activities that do not align with his goals. Saying no becomes easier as he focuses on what truly matters to him, such as his family and growing his company. By reducing travel and increasing efficiency, he maximizes the value of his time.
The Importance of Embracing Life and Appreciating Moments
The speaker realizes the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. He shares a story of being moved to tears while attending his daughter's recital, where he had a profound realization of the gift of watching his children grow up. He emphasizes the need to live in the present, not postpone anything, and value experiences over material possessions.
The Shift from Seeking Perfection to Accepting Imperfections
The plane crash prompts the speaker to reflect on his own imperfections and the futility of pursuing perfection. He learns to let go of ego-driven conflicts, prioritize happiness over being right, and embrace the gray areas of life. He seeks forgiveness, appreciates the value of empathy, and strives to build meaningful relationships with others.
Recognizing Luck and Seeing Unfortunate Events from a Positive Lens
The speaker acknowledges the role of luck in his life and encourages others to view adversity through a positive lens. He shares stories of gratitude and the power of shifting perspectives. He also highlights the importance of recognizing and appreciating the value of one's health and time, valuing experiences over material possessions.
The Importance of Being a Continuous Learner
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the importance of constantly seeking personal growth and improvement. He shares the concept of being a 'competitor' in life, constantly striving to get better and challenging oneself. By focusing on self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-management, individuals can continue to evolve and adapt in a rapidly changing world. The speaker realizes that he is constantly learning and growing, acknowledging that he does not have all the answers. This mindset allows him to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
The Role of Business in Social Impact
The podcast discusses the opportunity for businesses to have a positive impact on society. The speaker believes that companies can be a force for good by addressing social challenges and providing opportunities for those in need. He highlights the importance of creating a culture that values diversity and inclusion, making better decisions, and treating people with kindness and respect. The speaker believes that businesses should focus on leaving the world in a better state than they found it and encourages other business leaders to embrace social impact work.
The Power of Reps and Continuous Improvement
The podcast highlights the value of practicing and repeating tasks to improve skills and decision-making abilities. The speaker describes the business review meetings conducted in the company, where short and focused meetings are held to discuss various topics. These meetings serve multiple purposes, including promoting prioritization, training employees on presentation skills, making decisive decisions, and reinforcing the company's culture. The speaker believes that through constant repetition and self-reflection, individuals can sharpen their abilities and become more effective in their professional lives.
The Challenges of Leading in a Changing World
The speaker discusses the challenges he faces as a leader in his business. With multiple industries and growing acquisitions, he acknowledges being in unfamiliar territory and feeling that he is over his head. However, he embraces the opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-management in leadership, recognizing that there's always room for improvement. Despite the challenges, he remains motivated by the desire to make a positive impact and reverse negative trends, such as improving conditions in Puerto Rico and promoting businesses as a force for good.
In this episode, Ric Elias, founder of Red Ventures, opens up about the fateful day he knew for certain that he was going to die as a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549. Ric dives deep into how that day impacted his life, greatly changed his perspective, and improved his relationship with his family and the broader community. We also talk about his incredible role as CEO of an enormous company, his remarkable work in philanthropy, and all the wisdom he has acquired in his extraordinary life. We discuss:
Ric’s life leading up to the day of the plane crash [5:30];
The plane crash—What it’s like knowing you’re about to die, feelings of regret and sadness [11:15];
The improbable plane landing in the Hudson River [19:00];
Emotions after the safe landing (and a story he’s never told before) [25:45];
A powerful story about Captain Sully [29:30];
Earning his second chance at life, and playing the “infinite game” [38:30];
Why time is the ultimate currency, and how (and why) to say “no” [46:15];
Raising kids in an achievement culture, Ric’s definition of life success, and what Ric wants to instill in his kids [53:00];
What Ric believes is actually worth getting upset, and the organizations that are taking steps to help people [1:09:00];
The core principles of Red Ventures (Ric’s company) [1:19:15];
Ric’s tips for developing business acumen and negotiation skills [1:29:30];
What qualities does Ric look for in people he wants to work with? [1:32:50];
What is the next big problem that Ric wants to solve? [1:35:30];
What is the most challenging part of your business today? [1:37:30];
If Ric could go back and talk to himself in the morning before getting on that plane, what would he say? [1:39:15]; and
