CEO.com | Dispatches from the frontiers of leadership

In this episode, Clint sits down with Joe Davis, the former head of BCG North America and author of "The Generous Leader: Seven Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone's Gain." Joe shares his journey, leadership philosophy, and the inspiration behind his book. We dive into what it means to be a generous leader, the importance of connecting with your team, and how to thrive in uncertain times.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction00:17 - Why Joe wrote "The Generous Leader"01:43 - What is a generous leader?02:32 - Joe's leadership philosophy04:02 - Joe's career journey at BCG06:25 - The impact of AI on consulting10:02 - Leadership and personal impact13:27 - Balancing work and family life17:14 - Reading recommendations19:08 - Challenging leadership moments22:07 - The importance of giving chances

Welcome to another episode of our podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Steve Blue, the President and CEO of Miller Ingenuity, a global supplier of diverse technology products and systems. With 26 years at the helm, Steve has grown the company's EBITDA by seven times without using outside capital.Join us as Steve shares his journey from being a divisional general manager to leading Miller Ingenuity, the importance of building a strong company culture, and the challenges of transforming an established organization. He also discusses the significance of cash management, the role of philanthropy in business, and how to effectively manage a board of directors.Steve also touches on the impact of AI in manufacturing, the importance of strategic planning, and his experiences co-authoring books with Jack Canfield. Whether you're a seasoned CEO or an aspiring leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.Timestamps:00:06 - Introduction and Background00:18 - Overview of Miller Ingenuity01:02 - Becoming CEO02:05 - Achievements and Growth02:34 - Leadership and Culture Change03:12 - Funding and Financial Strategy04:36 - Importance of Company Culture06:02 - Building and Sustaining Culture09:12 - Employee Empowerment10:31 - Hiring Process and Employee Engagement11:26 - Profit-Driven Incentives13:13 - Community Engagement and Philanthropy16:44 - Typical Day as CEO18:10 - Managing the Board22:09 - Impact of Tariffs24:46 - Strategic Planning and Cash Management27:27 - Book Co-Authorship with Jack Canfield29:33 - Unlocking Success Book Overview32:21 - Integration of AI34:44 - Reading Recommendations37:13 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?

In this episode, Clint sits down with Ahmed Khattak, the founder and CEO of U.S. Mobile, to discuss his incredible journey from Pakistan to leading one of the most innovative wireless connectivity platforms in the U.S.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:17 - Ahmed's background and inspiration for U.S. Mobile02:11 - Challenges of getting a cell phone as an immigrant03:16 - The role of immigrants in the wireless connectivity space04:07 - How U.S. Mobile operates on top of major U.S. networks06:38 - Funding and growth journey of U.S. Mobile09:18 - Customer base and global reach12:22 - Marketing strategies and the power of Reddit16:20 - Integrating AI into U.S. Mobile19:06 - A day in the life of Ahmed Khattak21:10 - Building a business in the U.S. and New York23:02 - Reading recommendations and the importance of history25:34 - Leadership lessons as a CEO28:29 - The importance of giving and receiving chances

In this episode, Clint sits down with Kerim Kfuri, the CEO of Atlas Network, a global supply chain solutions company with over 20 years of experience. Kerim shares his journey from consulting and regulatory roles to leading a company that helps businesses of all sizes navigate the complexities of the global supply chain.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Atlas Network00:57 - Kerim's journey to becoming CEO03:08 - Leadership lessons in supply chain management05:08 - Navigating tariffs and trade challenges06:35 - The role of AI in supply chains08:31 - Energy implications of AI10:51 - Future of tariffs and trade agreements12:50 - Kerim's daily routine13:52 - Reading recommendations14:45 - Kerim's legacy and moral compass15:35 - The chance that changed Kerim's life

In this episode of The CEO.com Show, Clint Betts sits down with Ken Rusk, a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Ken defied the odds by achieving Wall Street Journal bestseller status with his book, "Blue Collar Cash." He also hosts the podcast "Comfort, Peace, and Freedom" and offers a course titled "The Path to a Successful Life."Ken shares his fascinating journey from being a proud ditch digger to leading a successful company with 200 employees. He discusses the importance of blue-collar work, the value of a clear vision, and the power of goal setting. Ken also touches on the impact of AI on blue-collar jobs and the significance of lifelong learning.Timestamps:00:06 - Introduction to Ken Rusk00:43 - Ken Rusk's Blue Collar Beginnings01:33 - The Importance of Blue-Collar Work03:13 - The College Controversy05:43 - Vision and Goal Setting for Leaders07:28 - Creating Personal Visions09:43 - Response to Blue Collar Cash11:27 - Lifelong Learning and Hard Work13:48 - Focusing on What Truly Matters15:11 - The Impact of AI on Blue-Collar Jobs16:49 - Ken Rusk's Course and Its Purpose18:25 - Motivation for Donating Course Proceeds20:04 - Ken Rusk's Legacy21:03 - The Importance of Giving Chances21:56 - Closing Remarks and Website Promotion

In this episode, we sit down with Jon, the founder and managing partner of Torch Capital, to explore his fascinating journey from the music industry to venture capital.Jon shares his unique path, starting as a drummer and concert organizer in college, to working with legendary bands like Dave Matthews Band, and eventually transitioning into the world of venture capital. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his time at McKinsey, his mentorship under Jack Welch, and his early investments in companies like ZocDoc and Compass.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:07 - Jon's journey from music to venture capital02:01 - Influence of diverse background on leadership and investments03:05 - Mentorship under Jack Welch06:14 - Early stage investing and recognizing talent08:54 - Qualities to look for in startups12:05 - Lessons from McKinsey14:22 - Council of Foreign Relations insights16:26 - Advice for mission-driven entrepreneurs20:15 - Balancing life and work22:15 - A typical day in venture capital23:32 - Reading recommendations24:48 - Surprising elements of the journey26:42 - Mental health and resilience28:09 - AI in early-stage startups30:54 - The role of empathy in leadership32:34 - Mentors who gave Jon a chance

In this episode, Clint sits down with Jason Beem, the former CEO of Panopto, to discuss his fascinating journey in the software industry and his role at Panopto. Founded in 2007, Panopto has become a leader in higher education video capture tools, helping students and faculty enhance learning outcomes through innovative video solutions.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:17 - Jason's career journey and Panopto's mission01:50 - The culture and team at Panopto02:47 - Panopto's customer base and market expansion04:26 - The future of SaaS and AI06:07 - How Panopto uses AI08:38 - The magic of text-to-video technology09:43 - A day in the life of a CEO12:14 - Meeting structures and productivity tips14:08 - Recommended reading and personal interests15:50 - Work from home vs. office dynamics18:13 - Communication strategies in a remote work environment19:39 - Economic outlook and market trends23:01 - The future of education and AI's role26:00 - The tech scene in Austin, Texas28:19 - The importance of mentorship

In this episode of the CEO.com Podcast, host Clint interviews Graham Dugoni, the founder and CEO of Yondr. Yondr is revolutionizing the way we experience live events and education by creating phone-free spaces. Discover how Graham's background in sociology, philosophy, and professional soccer influenced his journey to founding Yondr and the impact of phone-free environments on schools and live events.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:13 - What is Yondr?00:26 - Concept of Phone-Free Spaces00:47 - Implementation in Events and Schools01:36 - Founding Yondr and Initial Vision02:39 - Early Challenges and Validation03:53 - Professional Soccer Experience04:44 - Lessons from Sports to Entrepreneurship05:35 - Thoughts on AI and Technology07:20 - Impact of Phone-Free Schools09:06 - Personal Experience Without a Smartphone10:21 - Mental Clarity and News Consumption12:13 - Reading Preferences and Recommendations12:58 - Economic Outlook and Selling to Schools15:07 - Importance of Giving and Taking Chances16:46 - Collaboration with Dave Chappelle17:59 - Cultural Impact of Phone-Free Spaces18:26 - Closing Remarks and Appreciation

Welcome to the CEO.com Show! In this episode, host Clint Betts sits down with Aileen Alexander, the Chief Executive Officer of DSG Global, the world's largest woman-founded executive search firm. Eileen is also the co-author of the influential best-selling book, "Deliberately Different: 50 Years, Two Generations, Leading in a Changing World."Join us as Aileen shares her unconventional path to becoming the CEO of Diversified Search Group, her experiences in the US Army, and her insights from working in Washington, D.C. Aileen also discusses the evolving landscape of executive search, the impact of AI on leadership, and the timeless qualities that remain essential for leaders today.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:18 - Aileen's background and path to CEO01:00 - The founding of DSG Global by Judy Von Zelnick02:05 - Eileen's career in the US Army and Washington, D.C.03:50 - Transition to the business world and executive search05:29 - The decision to become CEO and the process07:18 - Writing "Deliberately Different" and its significance09:08 - Unconventional paths to leadership10:40 - Leading in today's uncertain environment11:24 - Essential qualities for modern leaders13:10 - A typical day for Aileen15:15 - The role of AI in executive search17:13 - Timeless leadership principles18:49 - The importance of giving and taking chances

Welcome to another episode of The CEO.com Show! In this episode, Clint Betts sits down with Denver Naidoo, the CEO of Zeligate, an innovative Australian startup that's revolutionizing the way businesses operate with AI. With 24 years of experience in the software industry, Denver shares his journey from working with the Commodore 64 to gaining early access to OpenAI's LLMs, and how these experiences led to the creation of Zeligate.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:17 - Denver Naidoo's Background01:16 - The Journey to Zeligate02:30 - Early Access to OpenAI's LLMs03:55 - Building a Startup in Australia06:39 - How Zeligate Uses AI10:07 - Real-Life AI Use Cases19:08 - The Future of Zeligate27:01 - The Role of a CEO in a Startup30:24 - Who Gave Denver a Chance?