Corporate Competitor Podcast

What if your biggest leadership problem isn't results—but process? In this new mini series, we break down lessons from leaders at Ritz-Carlton, Aflac, and more who transformed performance by refining the details. In this episode you will learn how to identify friction, improve systems, and build repeatable excellence. To listen to each guest's FULL episode click below: Lumen's Kate Johnson Ritz-Carlton's Horst Schulze Perspire Sauna Studios' Caroline Linton T-Mobile's Cameron Janes Aflac's Virgil Miller Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Guillermo Orellana for making this episode possible.

Ep. 256: What if culture isn't built by slogans, but by what you reward? In this episode, you will learn: How Kevin makes values account for 50% of performance on his team When walking away from a deal is the smartest move a leader can make Why calm leadership matters Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Johnathan Levin and Vincent McClellan for making this episode possible.

Ep. 255: The original "No-Stat All-Star" won Teammate of The Year playing alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Here he teaches you why being selfless and studying your opponent are the two secrets to success. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started:https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Johnny Levin and Guillermo Orellana for making this episode possible.

Ep. 254: A black eye in her first Cornell rugby match taught Shannon she could do hard things—and that lesson still shapes her leadership today. A four-time New York City Marathon finisher, she believes leadership isn't about forcing people into the same mold. Like rugby, every role matters, every player brings strengths, and every stride counts. Don't miss: The two questions she asks every mentee Why joy and laughter belong in leadership Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. 📚Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ 🎤Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Chase Nagel and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.

Ep. 253: Baseball shaped this researcher who led the largest growth mindset experiment in history. His work spans from sports teams to global corporations like McDonald's and Walmart, where mindset shifts are boosting performance and reducing turnover. In this episode, you will learn: Strategies for building teams where curiosity, not fear, drives improvement. A two-part mindset shift that can turn performance anxiety into peak performance. How to turn comparison into a catalyst for personal and team growth. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Chase Nagel and Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.

Ep. 252: What do black diamond ski slopes and working with Shaquille O'Neal have in common? For Amy Jo Martin, both became defining lessons in bravery, brand, and leadership. In this episode, you will learn: How to practice "calendar integrity" so your time matches your values. Why deleting, delegating, and divesting are the keys to capacity. A simple strategy for manufacturing bravery in high-stakes moments. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. 📚Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ 🎤Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Chase Nagel and Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.

Ep. 251: As longtime Executive Director of the TB12 Foundation, Lisa helped carry forward Tom Brady's mission to redefine health and longevity. Before that, she spent 18 years leading the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, guiding families through some of life's hardest challenges and helping turn advocacy into action. In this episode, you'll learn: How genuine curiosity builds trust and unlocks performance Why elite leaders redirect quickly instead of dwelling on setbacks How mental fitness becomes the foundation for sustainable leadership Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Andrew Levin and Guillermo Orellana for making this episode possible.

Ep. 250: As captain of his HS baseball and basketball teams, Mark McClain began building a leadership playbook that would one day guide him as founder and CEO of SailPoint Technologies—recently named to Glassdoor's Best Places to Work list. In this episode, you'll learn: How to balance executing in your role with building your career with his 90/10 rule. How to recalibrate goals before you drift too far off course. The three traits Mark looks for in every hire. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Karson Hills and Chase Nagel for making this episode possible.

Ep. 249: Before food trucks were cool, Mike Rypka had a used trailer, a red Vespa for deliveries, and a bold dream of building a taco joint. In this raw and inspiring conversation, he shares how overcoming addiction—and earning respect by leading from the line—shaped the culture behind one of America's most beloved taco brands, now with more than 100 locations. Read our book The Devil Is In the Details: Mike Rypka and the Torchy's Tacos Story: https://a.co/d/96JXGWu Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Anthony Dickinson and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.

Ep. 248: "Sports teams are run better than most businesses," Jack Daly shares. "They practice more than they play—and they never play without a playbook." With 100+ marathons across all 50 states and 7 continents, multiple Ironman finishes, and a business career that scaled companies into the hundreds of millions, Jack brings an unmatched resume—and a powerful message. This episode will challenge you to be intentional about every hour of your week. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Chase Nagel and Lilly Mae Stewart for making this episode possible.

Ep. 247: Swimming and diving instilled a discipline in Sara that she carried into marathon running—qualifying for Boston the year of the bombing, then digging deep to requalify under even tougher standards. That same grit now fuels her approach to business, helping her navigate setbacks and drive purpose-driven growth. Sara is offering a 10% discount to all of our listeners when you visit her website through this link: Hughandgrace.com/ccp Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Abbie Brandt and Joey Morris for making this episode possible.

Ep. 246: Tennis champion and Adidas shoe icon is joined by the President of Stan Smith Events, to share how leaders can Win Trust. With clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to Olympic legends and Michelin-starred chefs, they reveal how thoughtfully crafted moments create lasting impact. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Abbie Brandt and Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.

Ep. 245: From Jacksonville State Basketball to leading teams at AT&T, Oracle, and NVIDIA, he shares how a coach, a friend-turned-mentor, and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang helped shape his leadership mindset, including: Why mentorship that starts with friendship builds trust and momentum How to create a leadership culture where curiosity and vulnerability are rewarded How mission quietly shapes behavior—long before it shows up in performance Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's episode and a reflection question so you can apply today's insights. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started:https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to T.J. Percell and Arianna Aly for making this episode possible.

Ep. 244: From UNC soccer's "Competitive Cauldron" to Cisco's global sales floors, Sophie Stevens has learned that high performers thrive on feedback, not comfort. In this episode, she and Don Yaeger explore how measurable accountability builds great teams, why vulnerability and openness drive innovation, and how gratitude sustains momentum. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher at Forbes Books and with the incredible resources and expertise of their team, we're making it easier than ever to help YOU to tell your story. Send us a message here to get started: https://books.forbes.com/don/ Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness. Special thanks to Abigail Brandt, Andrew Levin, and Sharon Pooley for making this episode possible.