In Search Of Excellence

The episode today is a special one – I took the best segments about Extreme Preparation to highlight the importance of using preparation as the key to our success. Extreme Preparation was the most important determinant of my success, as it was for all my guests – they out-prepared their competition by always being the most prepared person in the room!As you can see, Extreme Preparation is something very close to my heart – it has opened doors that were closed and even closed doors that would’ve ended in disaster – deals that would’ve gone wrong if I had prepared 1 hour less. Let Extreme Preparation be the one factor that leads to your success – harness it and out-prepare all your competitors.Thank you for joining us for this incredibly special episode. Some of our best guests ever found their success through preparation and hard work. Tell us what you think about this kind of episode in the comments below!(5:04) Mark Cuban(10:43) Ed Mylett(11:48) Sharon Stone(17:55) Jimmy Pitaro(25:04) Rachel Zoe(28:54) Kevin O'Leary(35:30) Daymond John(39:33) Giada DeLaurentiis(41:25) Mike Horn(46:32) Sammy Hagar(51:43) Bob Pittman(53:42) Sarah Friar(57:31) Caryn Seidman-Becker(1:01:01) Tony FadellCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Tony Fadell is an amazing and successful engineer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is the father of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, founder and former CEO of Nest Thermostat, and the founder of Future Shape, a global investment and advisory company.In 2014, Tony Fadell was one of the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He is also a NY Times bestselling author with his book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Work.It’s a true pleasure to have Tony on our show and hear how he searched and found his excellence!(00:24) Leaving the Silicon valley and inventing Nest ThermostatA trip around the world with his familyDesigning a new home on Lake TahoeRealized there were no good thermostats to remotely controlNest Thermostat was born in ParisThere is no need for Silicon Valley anymore, the game has changed(05:35) Money as a motivation to start a companyIt was never about making money, it was about solving a problemFocus on the inventions that fix real problemsYour success drastically changed the lives of your employees(10:14) Steve Jobs and when is the time to quitBook mention: Tony Fadell, Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things WorkWorking for Steve – one of the most important things in his lifeRumors about Steve Jobs are just rumorsSteve cared about customers and products, he demanded excellence, and he wasn’t going after people for no reasonWhen is the time to quit? (When you don’t grow anymore, when you work for someone you don’t respect, and when you work in a team with serious flaws)If you’re working for an jerk, do you quit?(18:32) The importance of Extreme PreparationWhat is Extreme Preparation for Tony?VC pitch meetingsTED talks(21:10) The importance of mentors in search of excellenceEveryone needs a mentor (even Steve Jobs)The best mentors know human natureCoaches are something different(24:25) Fill in the blank to ExcellenceWhen I started my career I wish I had known – more about understanding the customerThe biggest lesson I learned in my life – when to say no and say it more oftenNo. 1 professional goal – to help people and mentor themThe greatest innovation in the next 50 years – Artificial IntelligenceResources Mentioned:Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, Tony FadellNest ThermostatAppleCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Tony Fadell is an amazing and successful engineer, entrepreneur, and investor. He is the father of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, founder and former CEO of Nest Thermostat, and the founder of Future Shape, a global investment and advisory company.In 2014, Tony Fadell was one of the Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He is also a NY Times bestselling author with his book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Work.It’s a true pleasure to have Tony on our show and hear how he searched and found his excellence!(00:28) IntroductionLearning from his dad about building trust in business (relationships, not transactions build trust)50% is what you know and the other 50% is who you knowWhen rejected for a job, don’t take it personally (send follow-ups, keep the line open create the conversation, ask how to improve)(10:18) Tony’s childhoodSelling eggs to neighbors as a young kid (money = freedom)Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science studiesAs a sophomore, made an improved processor for Apple 2 – offered it to Apple and Apple bought it!(16:44) The value of cold calling skillsThe first job in Silicon Valley – got it through cold calling (overcome the fear of cold calling)Know how to tell your story to engage people – what value you can bring?(21:13) Is education worth it?Most people attend college in the wrong wayTony’s mantra "Do, Fail, Learn"The importance of internships (do a lot of things to know what you don’t want to do)After college, go and learn from experts(28:30) Turning disappointments into opportunitiesGeneral Magic – failed6 years in Silicon Valley of failureIn 2000 Internets stocks tanked, the market frozeCalled to work for Apple when the company was about to bankruptApple was developing a new generation of WalkmanRandall’s experience with Apple(40:25) Tony at Apple6-week contract to research and design the iPodThe importance of constant improvementInnovation must never stop, even if you’re #1 (you must be ahead your competition)(48:59) What is an entrepreneur?Someone who disrupts the marketResonate with people in the first 30 secondsStart with a pain and offer the painkiller (the development of iPhone – solved the issue of taking three devices with you)Resources Mentioned:Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, Tony FadellNest ThermostatAppleCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Brian Lee is a rock-star serial entrepreneur and incredibly successful venture capitalist. He is also a great philanthropist dedicated to leaving and impact and giving back to the community.He is a co-founder and ex-CEO of LegalZoom, a co-founder and ex-CEO of ShoeDazzle, a co-founder and ex-CEO of the Art of Sport, co-founder and current CEO of Arena Club, and co-founder of the incredibly successful venture capital firm, BAM ventures.Brian Lee is also an amazing person, dear friend, and a mentor and I am very grateful for having him on In Search of Excellence!(01:04) – Working with Celebrities (Kobe Bryant and Kim Kardashian)Learning about the power of influencers(08:45) – The Importance of PassionArena club: Passion not only about the mission, but also the serviceThe idea was to digitize the physical and build a community(14:43) – The Entrepreneurial Desire to Fix What is BrokenEntrepreneurs are not happy with the status quo – change themGood preparation is extremely important to be successful (sometimes it doesn’t work, but that’s ok)(17:40) – Extreme Preparation at LegalZoom(54:15) – Advice to Students Who Want to Pursue Venture CapitalToday we have all kinds of venture capitalUse a unique approach if you do not have industry contacts (go to events and meet people, go to LinkedIn, find mutual contacts)Raising capital for LegalZoom (persistence is the key, you are literally begging for money) – you have to be that annoying person(29:06) – What’s the Secret of Work-Life Balance?Working around 100 hours a week, no social life, things are different nowTip for organizing emails(34:20) – The Most Important Elements of SuccessWork and work ethic, being empathetic and understanding people, having a good support networkEveryone has a different path, and every company culture is different(39:43) – Philanthropy and Giving Back to the CommunityBrian’s philanthropic workThe importance of doing good and making an impactResources Mentioned:LegalZoomThe Honest CompanyCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Brian Lee is a rock-star serial entrepreneur and incredibly successful venture capitalist. He is also a great philanthropist dedicated to leaving and impact and giving back to the community.He is a co-founder and ex-CEO of LegalZoom, a co-founder and ex-CEO of ShoeDazzle, a co-founder and ex-CEO of the Art of Sport, co-founder and current CEO of Arena Club, and co-founder of the incredibly successful venture capital firm, BAM ventures.Brian Lee is also an amazing person, dear friend, and a mentor and I am very grateful for having him on In Search of Excellence!(00:00) – Brian Lee's backgroundWho is Brian Lee?Brian’s parents and their coming to AmericaHow Brian’s dad built a successful business(06:59) – Can you learn to be an entrepreneur?It can be learned, but most entrepreneurs are born with that DNAEntrepreneurs don’t wait, they seize opportunitiesIf you have an idea and want to peruse it, go and do itEntrepreneurship is mostly a young person’s game(09:09) – The advice to people who are afraid of failureIt’s ok to fail, failing is learningYou have to get back on the horse and keep going, many entrepreneurs failed several timesYou have to be focused and work very hardNothing happens out of itself(14:25) – Brian’s education and the importance of attending a collegeHigh school - wanted to be a rapper, tried it and it didn’t workCollege - went to UCLA School of LawSalesmanship is a key for everything you do in life, whatever you do, you are sellingCold calling is one of the best skills to learn(21:09) – Are grades important when hiring someone for a job?No one pays attention to the grades, but it’s important to finish what you startedWhat is important are commitment and driveImportant traits – dedication, loyalty, ability to see things throughWhat to do when you are unhappy on your job – stay or leave? A little bit of pain in life is inevitable, sometimes you have to suck it up!(21:09) – The grass is always greenerStick it out and do well with what you are given (28:02) – LegalZoomThe late-night call with Robert Shapiro at 9:00pmLegalZoom's goal was to bring trust to people, not steal informationResources Mentioned:LegalZoomThe Honest CompanyCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Since he was a child, Colin O’Brady dreamt of becoming an Olympian, but when a terrible accident burned 22% of his body, doctors told him he would never walk normally again. Luckily for Colin, he didn’t believe in being “realistic”, so 18 months later he won the Chicago triathlon, and a year after that he represented Team USA at the 2010 World Triathlon Championships. Through intense focus, intuition, and a possibility-focused mindset, Colin has continued to shatter world records at groundbreaking speeds while proving there is no such thing as impossible.Colin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam and the 50 Highest Points in all 50 states and the youngest person to row on the Southern Ocean. He has climbed Mount Everest twice, completed marathons in over 50 countries, and crossed Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days. In this episode, Randall and Colin discuss:- Creating large goals while facing insurmountable challenges- The importance of being all-in on only one project at a time- Why being “realistic” can limit your success- The extreme preparation Colin endured for the Explorer’s Grand Slam- How Colin beat an ex-British Special Forces polar explorer across Antarctica- The concept of the “possible mindset” to unlock new opportunities- Colin’s new book and movement, The 12-Hour WalkColin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete what is known as the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which includes climbing the seven summits and skiing to both the North and South Poles. In addition to this, Colin was the first person on record to cross Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days and has completed more than 50 marathons on six continents.Aside from scaling mountains and racing at unprecedented speeds, Colin has authored two books, the New York Times bestseller The Impossible First and his most recent release, The 12-Hour Walk. He is also a dedicated philanthropist and creator of Beyond 7/2, a registered non-profit with the mission of inspiring kids and communities to live active, healthy lives and pursue their dreams.Resources Mentioned:The 12-Hour Walk, by Colin O’BradyThe Impossible First, by Colin O’BradyThe 12-Hour WalkBeyond 7/2 non-profitCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Since he was a child, Colin O’Brady dreamt of becoming an Olympian, but when a terrible accident burned 22% of his body, doctors told him he would never walk normally again. Luckily for Colin, he didn’t believe in being “realistic”, so 18 months later he won the Chicago triathlon, and a year after that he represented Team USA at the 2010 World Triathlon Championships. Through intense focus, intuition, and a possibility-focused mindset, Colin has continued to shatter world records at groundbreaking speeds while proving there is no such thing as impossible.Colin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam and the 50 Highest Points in all 50 states and the youngest person to row on the Southern Ocean. He has climbed Mount Everest twice, completed marathons in over 50 countries, and crossed Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days. In this episode, Randall and Colin discuss:- Creating large goals while facing insurmountable challenges- The importance of being all-in on only one project at a time- Why being “realistic” can limit your success- The extreme preparation Colin endured for the Explorer’s Grand Slam- How Colin beat an ex-British Special Forces polar explorer across Antarctica- The concept of the “possible mindset” to unlock new opportunities- Colin’s new book and movement, The 12-Hour WalkColin O’Brady is an American professional endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, and 10-time world record holder adventurer. He is the fastest person to complete what is known as the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which includes climbing the seven summits and skiing to both the North and South Poles. In addition to this, Colin was the first person on record to cross Antarctica solo and unassisted in just 54 days and has completed more than 50 marathons on six continents.Aside from scaling mountains and racing at unprecedented speeds, Colin has authored two books, the New York Times bestseller The Impossible First and his most recent release, The 12-Hour Walk. He is also a dedicated philanthropist and creator of Beyond 7/2, a registered non-profit with the mission of inspiring kids and communities to live active, healthy lives and pursue their dreams.Resources Mentioned:The 12-Hour Walk, by Colin O’BradyThe Impossible First, by Colin O’BradyThe 12-Hour WalkBeyond 7/2 non-profitCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Bob Pittman desperately needed $10 for his first flying lesson but was turned down for a job at a retail store and another at Piggly Wiggly. Refusing to take no for an answer, he walked into his local radio station and managed to snag a position that paid $1.65 an hour – never imagining that this perseverance would set him up to become not only a pilot, but the co-founder and former CEO of MTV Networks, COO of AOL Time Warner, CEO of Six Flags, CEO of Century 21, and a co-founder and CEO of iHeartMedia – the leading audio company in the United States whose broadcast reaches over 250 million Americans every month. In this episode, Randall and Bob discuss:- Bob’s experience growing up in the segregated South- Leaving your comfort zone to identify problems and find solutions- How Bob’s passion for aviation led him to the radio industry- The necessity (or not) of a college degree- Moving a company from a $20 million operating loss to turning a profit within 18 months- How companies can create a brand without spending millions on marketing- Why success and failure are the same thing- The critical importance of marketing- The great opportunities in working for a company nobody’s ever heard of- 3 key elements to success- And other topics…Bob Pittman is a rockstar radio and TV programmer, marketer, investor, and media entrepreneur. He is currently co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in the United States. iHeartMedia owns 863 radio stations, reaches over 250 million people every month, and had $3.85 billion in revenues over the last 12 months.Bob is also the former COO of AOL Time Warner after its $180 billion merger, the former CEO of Six Flags Theme Parks, the former CEO of Century 21 Real Estate, and the former CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies. He is a founding member of the Pilot Group, a New York-based private investment firm whose investments include Huffington Post, Zynga, and Facebook. Bob is also a co-founder of Casa Dragones Tequila, a host of a podcast called Math and Magic Stories from the Frontiers of Market, and is also a dedicated philanthropist among many other organizations.Resources Mentioned:Incognito, by David EaglemanNew York’s Public TheaterRock and Roll Hall of FameTime Magazine’s Man of the YearCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Bob Pittman desperately needed $10 for his first flying lesson but was turned down for a job at a retail store and another at Piggly Wiggly. Refusing to take no for an answer, he walked into his local radio station and managed to snag a position that paid $1.65 an hour – never imagining that this perseverance would set him up to become not only a pilot, but the co-founder and former CEO of MTV Networks, COO of AOL Time Warner, CEO of Six Flags, CEO of Century 21, and a co-founder and CEO of iHeartMedia – the leading audio company in the United States whose broadcast reaches over 250 million Americans every month. In this episode, Randall and Bob discuss:- Bob’s experience growing up in the segregated South- Leaving your comfort zone to identify problems and find solutions- How Bob’s passion for aviation led him to the radio industry- The necessity (or not) of a college degree- Moving a company from a $20 million operating loss to turning a profit within 18 months- How companies can create a brand without spending millions on marketing- Why success and failure are the same thing- The critical importance of marketing- The great opportunities in working for a company nobody’s ever heard of- 3 key elements to success- And other topics…Bob Pittman is a rockstar radio and TV programmer, marketer, investor, and media entrepreneur. He is currently co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in the United States. iHeartMedia owns 863 radio stations, reaches over 250 million people every month, and had $3.85 billion in revenues over the last 12 months.Bob is also the former COO of AOL Time Warner after its $180 billion merger, the former CEO of Six Flags Theme Parks, the former CEO of Century 21 Real Estate, and the former CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies. He is a founding member of the Pilot Group, a New York-based private investment firm whose investments include Huffington Post, Zynga, and Facebook. Bob is also a co-founder of Casa Dragones Tequila, a host of a podcast called Math and Magic Stories from the Frontiers of Market, and is also a dedicated philanthropist among many other organizations.Resources Mentioned:Incognito, by David EaglemanNew York’s Public TheaterRock and Roll Hall of FameTime Magazine’s Man of the YearCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

David Solomon is the CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs, the second-largest investment bank in the world – but this position was far from handed to him. As a teen and young adult, David raked leaves, babysat, flipped burgers at McDonald’s, and worked at a summer camp, learning the importance of work ethic and perseverance early on.David’s career trajectory had its highs and lows just like any other, but his hard work, resilience, and self-awareness led him to become a leader for over 43,000 employees at a firm that manages $1.5 trillion in assets.In this episode, Randall and David discuss the importance of adaptability and persistent effort amidst challenges, the characteristics of leaders, how success and work-life balance are defined, and much more.Topics Include:-       How consistent difficulties create resilience-       David’s advice for dealing with limiting and frustrating bosses-       Whether or not luck and timing impact success-       Defining success-       The 3 most important aspects of leadership-       The connection between time management, preparation, and accomplishments-       The characteristics of a Goldman Sachs employee-       How to establish your work-life balance-       The biggest lesson David has learned-       And more…David Solomon is the CEO and chairman of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Last year alone, Goldman Sachs managed $1.5 trillion in assets, had $60 billion in revenue, and employed 43,900 employees.David began his career with the firm in 1999 as a partner, soon becoming the Global Head of the Financing Group. In 2006, he was named the joint head of the investment banking division, where he doubled profit margins over the next decade. He later served as president and COO of the firm before succeeding Lloyd Blankfein as CEO in 2018.In addition to his work at Goldman Sachs, David is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamilton College, serves on the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and serves on the Robin Hood Foundation, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization.Resources Mentioned:Memos from the Chairman, by Alan C. GreenbergCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn