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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

As Kobe Bryant once said, “There is power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own.” That’s why the Learning Leader Show exists—to understand the journeys of other leaders so that we can better understand our own. This show is full of learnings taught by world-class leaders—personal stories of successes, failures, and lessons learned along the way. Our guests come from diverse backgrounds—CEOs of multi-billion dollar companies, best-selling authors, Navy SEALs, and professional athletes. My role in this endeavor is to talk to the most thoughtful, accomplished, and intentional leaders in the world so that we can learn from them as we each create our own journeys.
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Now displaying: July, 2018
268: Allen Gannett - How To Create "Aha" Moments And Spark Creativity 0
Jul 29, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #268: Allen Gannett - How To Create "Aha" Moments And Spark Creativity

Allen is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a marketing analytics platform that enables creativity.  Marketers use TrackMaven to measure and improve performance across every channel  Some clients are: The NBA, Microsoft, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many more modern marketers.  His book, The Creative Curve, was published in June 2018 from Currency, an imprint of Penguin Random House. It is all about how anyone can learn to have moments of creative genius. 

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader.  For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me 

"Learn how to learn. View the world as being a less fixed place.  Anyone is capable of making it happen."

Show Notes:

  • Sustaining excellence:
    • Surround self with others who are great at what they do.  A very social phenomenon
      • Collaborate with those who support their weaknesses
    • Be aligned with an executive sponsor
    • Live at the creative center -- Move to corporate headquarters if you work for a big company
      • Need to build relationships outside of 9:00-5:00
  • The importance of building generational friends (friends from all age groups)
  • What makes a hit? -- "Familiar but also novel."
  • "As humans we're fearful of unfamiliar.  It's the brains' elegant way of risk and reward."
    • A balance of the novel and the new
  • The truth about Mozart
    • He didn't create his first music until he was 17
    • He had a helicopter Dad. He practiced music for three hours a day from a very early age
    • He became great because of deliberate practice
  • JK Rowling spent five years writing the first Harry Potter
    • She was extremely deliberate in her process.  It wasn't just a light bulb moment on a train.
  • Paul McCartney spent years to write the song, Yesterday
  • How to create "Aha" moments for self? -- Go for a run, drive, take a shower, lay down.  Need to calm the brain.
  • Writing a "descriptive" and "prescriptive" book:
    • Consume a lot about your topic of choice
    • Need to build prior knowledge
    • Not just "what," but "how much"
  • Ben Franklin -- He outlined previously written articles
  • Andrew Ross Sorkin consumed mass amount of literature and worked to "copy" the style in which other greats wrote
  • Confidence building - "Learn how to learn."  View the world as being a less fixed place.  Anyone is capable of making it happen.
  • Creativity is something you can learn.
  • How to get cast of "Wheel Of Fortune"
  • TrackMaven is a marketing analytics platform
  • Making the shift from individual contributor to manager -- A "communicator and coach" to others
  • Mistakes new managers make:
    • Need open lines of communication. "I was conflict averse initially and that's not good."
    • Remember when hiring.  It's hard to fire people. "It's brutal."
    • Not everyone has all the answers.  Get advice from people with different perspectives and incentives
    • "You need to hire slow AND fire slow.  Give people a chance."
  • Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
  • Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"A great manager must be a great communicator and coach for others."

267: Louie Anderson - How To Crush It on Stage From One Of The Greatest Stand-Up Comedians Of All Time 0
Jul 22, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader.  For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me 

#267: Louie Anderson - How To Crush It on Stage From One Of The Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time

Show Notes:

  • Louie's approach to stand up comedy -- It appears as if he is just "riffing off the cuff," however it is highly structured and prepared
  • The pain of growing up with an alcoholic dad and how that fueled him as a professional
    • This helps him pull from any of it at anytimeCreating a catalog of material
    • It takes years to develop
    • "I'm in complete control."  That gives Louie the ability to handle a heckler in the crowd or go with a comment and tell an additional joke
  • Going on Johnny Carson or Conan
    • "They don't step on your lines, but they are prepared for where the conversation is going to go."
  • "Just like you, I've worked hard to create freedom with my work."
  •  Sustaining excellence:
    • "Be who you are"
    • Ask yourself, "Does this mean something to you?  If it doesn't mean something to you, why would it mean anything to someone else?"
    • Confidence
  • Nervous before a performance?
    • "It depends on the event and how much importance I put on it." -- Saturday Night Live was a nerve racking experience
  • Advice to keynote speakers?
    • Be prepared
    • Know your message
    • Surprise the audience
    • Piggy back on a great introduction -- Listen to the room prior to your time on stage
  • "I'm always tilling the ground for comedy bits."
  • Storytelling:
    • "Tell them something they don't know.  Humanize the story.  Give a piece of yourself.  Don't lecture."
  • How did he get his start as a comedian?
    • "A dare.  I was a social worker and went up on stage for an open mic night and it went great."
  • "I volunteered to be the emcee for experience."
    • "Don't be afraid of trying new things"
    • The importance of "getting the reps:" "I did seven nights a week, four shows per night.  I was creating who I was."
  • "We don't see all the work that goes into being great on stage.  It takes years and years of work."
    • "You need good friends who will tell you the truth."
  • His mom's best advice: "Be nice to people.  You never know what they're going through."
  • Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
  • Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

266: Ryan Caldbeck - CircleUp CEO: How To Build The Frameworks Of Your Life & Career 0
Jul 15, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #266: Ryan Caldbeck - CircleUp CEO: How To Build The Frameworks Of Your Life & Career

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader.  For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me 

The Learning Leader Show

"What we look for in a person: Horsepower, Integrity, Work Ethic, Teamwork, Pride."

Show Notes:

  • Sustaining excellence:
    • Persistence - regardless of skill, willing to run through unlimited doors with no light at the end of the tunnel. It can be soul crushing
    • Identified focus passion - an understanding of the passion that is identifiable.
    • Drive - A motor. Really good at email and/or communication. Can't take too long. "Have a motor." Always moving
    • Values - "I don't say that lightly." You can't sustain excellence without values. "A framework to understand you."
  • Isn't it hard to know what your passion is? "Yes. I got scared about the treadmill that I saw others get on."  However, people don't think they can leave the corporate job that pays well.  But you can.  Begin by thinking about the framework to make it happen.
  • "Silicon Valley is a hard town to talk about challenges."
  • What it's like to lead 60 employees
  • What mistakes were made in the hiring process?
    • "We took too long to make frameworks."
    • "Frameworks show others what to do."
  • What traits/values do you look for in hiring?
    • "The airport test doesn't make sense to me. I don't have to want to spend a day around them in the airport."
    • "We have crystallized what we look for in a person."
      • Horsepower - intelligence over experience
      • Integrity - don't talk negatively about others
      • Work ethic - must be willing to work hard
      • Teamwork - need to work well with others
      • Pride - Care
  • How to gauge work ethic in a job interview?
    • "It starts with everyone knowing we are looking for that."
  • Advice for the individual contributor making the leap to manager...
    • "Figure out framework for your specific role. Get clarity on what each person's role is."
    • "Learn how to develop empathy for what your team goes through. Sit with them without micromanaging them."
    • "Make sure you have a resource (person) to talk to about being a manager. Hire a coach. Get a peer group outside of your company."
  • Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
  • Ryan has a coach and a group of 12 CEO's that he meets with regularly
  • Building culture:
    • Focus on your mission
      • "To help entrepreneurs thrive by giving them the capital and resources they need."
  • Their Values:
    • Do it right
    • Be brave
    • Be a solution
  • Constantly reinforce the vision
  • Most useful advice:
    • Winston Churchill - "Never give up."
    • "Do what you're passionate about"
  • How to have balance at home?
    • Two kids and his wife is a senior leader at her company
    • Mediation after the kids go to bed
    • Online working from 8:30-10:00
    • Spend time with spouse only
  • Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"If you don't keep growing, you will become irrelevant."

Social Media:

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

265: Clay Mathile - Self Made Billionaire Shares His Keys To Success 0
Jul 8, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #265: Clay Mathile - Self Made Billionaire Shares His Keys To Success

Former CEO and owner of The Iams Company, Clay is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Aileron. He believes strongly in free enterprise and has a high respect for business owners who risk their capital to employ others. Clay attributes professional management as one of the key reasons he was able to grow Iams to a $1 billion organization. In 1999, the Mathile family sold Iams to international conglomerate Procter & Gamble for the sum of $2.3 billion.

The Learning Leader Show

"I bought the business with borrowed money. I was scared to death. I didn't know how to run a business.  I had to learn." -- Clay Mathile describes his feelings after buying Iams

Show Notes:

  • Sustaining excellence:
    • Vision of what they want to do and where they want to go
    • A good idea of how to get there
    • Committed to their vision and idea
    • Clay's 4 things he wanted
      • Own his own business
      • Have that business be something that was excellent and stood for something
      • To help entrepreneurs grow
      • To use technology learned to help develop food for indigenous people
  • Was hired at Iams in 1970 as the 7th employee
    • It took five years to figure out the problems and five more years to fix it
    • Convinced Paul Iams to sell Iams to him in 1975 (half) and the rest in 1981
    • Borrowed money to buy it
    • Why Clay?  "Paul had seen me work and seen me make an impact on the business.  I spent a lot of time on the sales and marketing strategy."
      • Focused on the breeders and vets. The people who influence the actual user.  Clay was ahead of his time.
  • Went to President's Course in 1982 at American Management Association
    • "I'm scared to death, I don't know how to run a business.  I needed to learn."
    • The key was hiring a President and super charging their growth
    • What went in the decision to sell the company?
      • Sat down with his family to decide what each child wanted to do - "They all wanted to chase their own dreams, their own passions. They didn't want to own Iams."
    • The CEO of Procter & Gamble called...
      • Clay takes us inside the room to negotiate the deal: "We told them what our number was... And they exceeded it. It ended up with $2.3 billion."
  • Starting the family office in anticipation of the sale of his business -- To build a new organization for the future.
  • Aileron started as the center for entrepreneur organizations in 1994
  • Aileron - "We give lift and guidance to the business owner."
  • "How can I possibly repay you?" -- Clay said to his mentors.  They said, "Don't pay me... Just pass it on to others."
  • "People are looking for immediate help for a problem they are having right now.  And we've designed this place to help them solve those problems."
  • Been married for 55 years, have raised a successful family... How?
    • "When I was home, I was home. I was present. I wasn't playing golf or out with the boys."
    • Keys: "Trust... You have to like the person too.  Like hanging out with them."
  • Why everyone should have a board?
    • "They see things that you don't see. A strategic overview. It's something you can't do yourself."
    • "After you've been in business for 10 years, 75% of all problems are because of you."
  • Having a "Personal Board of Advisors"
    • "I recommend all senior executives have mentors.  All you have to do is ask. I've never had anyone turn me down when I've asked them."
    • "Build trust and mutual respect."
  • Culture
    • "I built it so I could work in it."
    • "I had strange things in my management style. I was promoting empowerment before it was popular."
    • "Most people do the right things for the right reasons if you put them in the right environment."
    • "The value of the individual is so important. Treat them with respect.  They feel important and special. I saw every single employee at least once per year all over the world."
    • "People are inherently good."
  • Bad leaders = "Big egos, not trusting of others, insecure people."
  • "When you push people outside of their comfort zone, you can't beat on them when they fail. You have to let them make mistakes."
  • Individual contributor to manager jump... Advice:
    • "You have to accept the fact that management is a profession as anything else is a profession."
    • "Just because you're the best sales person doesn't mean you'll be the best sales person."
  • "As a manager, you're job is to develop others."
  • "You need to manage spontaneity, responsiveness.  Don't react, be proactive."
  • A good example of a proactive leader is a fire chief: They analyze the situation prior to making decisions. Manage in crisis
  • "In 1984, we built Iams University to help people learn..."
  • Most passionate about? "Teaching people, focus on the dreams of the people.  Read the book Dream Manager. That's what we're all about."
  • Example of a typical day: "I do about anything I want to do."
  • One dream for Aileron -- "It will survive forever."
  • Learning Leader = You have to be a continuous learner
  • How much of his success is luck?
    • "60% luck. Be in the right place at the right time."
  • "Your listeners need to think about passing it on. To help others."
  • Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"We give lift and guidance to the business owner."

Social Media:

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 234: Jocko Willink -- Why Discipline Equals Freedom

264: Liv Boeree - The Three Life Lessons From The Poker Table 0
Jul 1, 2018

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #264: Liv Boeree - The Three Life Lessons From The Poker Table

Liv Boeree is a poker player, television presenter and speaker. She is a World Series of Poker and 2010 European Poker Tour champion, and is the only female player in history to hold both titles. Born in Kent, Boeree studied at Ashford School before going on to earn a First Class Honours degree in Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Manchester. Livis a three time winner of the Global Poker Index European Female Player of the year and currently sits at #5 on the female all-time live poker winnings list.

We are hosting a workshop on developing YOUR personal excellence as a leader.  For details and availability, go to RyanHawk.me 

The Learning Leader Show

"Our instincts are built off our life experiences."

Show Notes:

  • Sustaining excellence:
    • Humility to continue question themselves
    • Growth mindset
    • Confidence
    • Curiosity to try new things
  • "My hyper competitive mindset propelled me to do well in school... Even though I wasn't as naturally smart as others.  I had to work at it."
  • There are two people that exist in the world: Those who are humble and those who are about to be humbled.
  • Why poker?
    • "I wanted to be a musician and a rock star, but I wasn't good enough.  Poker was even better.  I'm able to play a great game and travel the world."
  • The mental framework of Poker: The foundation:
    • Rational decision making
    • Communication skill
    • Read LessWrong.com
  • How does poker thinking apply to life?
    • "Our instincts are built off our life experiences" -- The Jesse Itzler model for decision making (trust your gut) vs the analytical approach... They are more similar than you think
  • How can you tell when someone is bluffing? (lying)
    • "It's rare that people have physical tells"
    • Most of the time it's based on the math and your knowledge of how that person has played in the past (you see what they have played)
  • How poker relates to the interview process... How can you spot when someone isn't telling the truth in a job interview?
    • "Ask them to re-tell their career story... But this time do it backwards" --- It's hard to do this unless you are telling the truth
    • Look for baseline behaviors when you meet someone and they don't feel like they are in the "interview process" yet
      • Walking in from their car, checking in, going to happy hour, dinner
    • Thoughtfulness -- Are they willing to admit a mistake
  • Three life lessons from the poker table:
    • Quantifying - Increase granularity in thinking. Willingness to work in uncertainty. What action will achieve the best response?
    • Intuition can be great with lots of data, but it's not magic
    • Don't let a run of good luck make you think you're good
      • But how can you know the difference? -- Find a great set of peers who will tell you the truth
  • Advice to an amateur player in the World Series main event of poker
    • Recognize the other players at the table. Who is great? Who isn't? Watch closely when you are not in the hands to see the showdown value and gain information.  Balance your play based on who is in the hand with you
  • Read WaitButWhy.com from Tim Urban
  • "There is no other leader than The Learning Leader."
  • Use the "Get To Know You Document"

"If you don't keep growing, you will become irrelevant."

Social Media:

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