Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)

E4 Former Honeywell chairman and CEO, David Cote is a legendary business executive and now executive chairman of Vertiv Holdings.During his time at Honeywell, shares rose 282%, more than double the S&P 500's growth in that period. And its market capitalization soared from $20 billion to nearly $100 billion. The organization had over 130,000 employees, of which, I was one.He is also the author of the book Winning Now, Winning Later. In the book he writes about how you can hit your short-term goals without sacrificing long-term growth as a leader. He shares a simple, paradigm-shifting method of achieving both short-and long-term goals.Cote was also elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, served as a founding member of the steering committee of the Campaign to Fix the Debt.Cote was named Vice Chair of the Business Roundtable (BRT) in 2011 and chaired its Energy and Environment Committee.In 2010, Cote was named by President Barack Obama to serve on the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (Simpson-Bowles Commission).He holds many awards including being named CEO of the Year from Chief Executive Magazine as well as a World’s Best CEO by Barron’s for five consecutive years.Cote earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of New Hampshire.RESOURCES:Dave's Linkedin ProfileWHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:The surprise when I visited Dave’s office the first time.What sports memorabilia and important reminders Dave keeps in his office.The unexpected moment that Jack Welch accelerated Dave’s career.The two things required for advancement in your career.When’s the right time to “stick to your guns”.Dave’s philosophy on meetings and how to make sure you get the most from them.How to flip meeting protocol to make sure you get everyone’s input.Dave’s story of his first meeting President Barack Obama, and how he ended up introducing the President at a White House press conference despite being a Registered Republican.What to do when you have a lot of ambition but no career direction.The question to ask yourself when you’re at a crossroads.What is short termism, and why it’s important that every leader understands it.How learning to balance short and long term results drove Honeywell’s financial results.How to develop the skill of direct communication and why it’s essential.Key Quotes:“Advancement requires both performance and visibility.”“Make sure you're performing in whatever you’re doing and go beyond.”“Stand for something.”“As a leader It’s your job to be right at the end of the meeting, instead of the beginning of the meeting.”“If you have something to say, say it in the meeting or keep it to yourself.”“Try to picture yourself at 60. What do you want to say about yourself?”---------------------Apply to be on the show: https://www.benfanning.com/the-ceo-sessions/Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1https://www.facebook.com/benfanning

E2 Dr. Paul Fanning on Life Long Learning, Growing Where You're Planted, and Frog GiggingMy Dad, Dr. Paul Fanning, has been in education for 46 years from 1969 to 2015. He was school superintendent for 27 of those years. The school superintendent is essentially the CEO of the school system. Over these years he saw to the education of over 125,000 students in Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky.He led schools systems successfully through big changes such as desegregation, proration, and Title IX, Education for the Handicapped, Migrant and Homeless education, recession, student nutrition, sex education, and technology.Additionally, he led a school system out from under state management. During this same time, the school system had schools in the bottom 25% of the state and under his leadership they rose to be recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools.EDUCATION:Ed.D., Doctorate The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Educational Administration.M.S., Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, Secondary Education and History.B.S., Athens College, Athens, Alabama, Secondary Education/Social Studies and English.AWARDS:Outstanding Superintendent Award, University of MontevalloAlabama District IV Nominee, Alabama Superintendent of the YearService Recognition by Alabama State SenateWHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:The importance of learning to grow where you are.What to do if you don’t have a supportive cast to help you get to the C-Suite.How to get noticed by senior leaders and get “drafted” to move up.How to approach someone who has a lot of potential but doesn’t see it in themselves.Why waking up at 5 am every time can fuel your success to the C-Suite.The surprising cost of waking up at 5 am...it's not just sleep.The essential exercise of establishing a daily and weekly routine for yourself and your team.The time when John Maxwell landed his plane on top of strip mine to speak to his team.The art of "frog gigging" and how it applies to life long learning.Key Points:The one trait he’d instill in every employee...lifelong learning.If you have big idea for the C-Suite make sure understand the policy and process, provide options, and show you’ve thought through the pro’s and con’s.Quotes:"Leadership is not always a loud activity but sometimes is has to be.”"Get in there, do the work, let your actions do the talking.”“I do the very best I can, I mean to keep going. If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me won't matter. If I'm wrong, ten angels swearing I was right won't make a difference.” "If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.” ― Abraham LincolnSources of Inspiration: Judge Frank Johnson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Minis_JohnsonColin Powell https://www.amazon.com/Colin-Powell-Books/s?k=Colin+Powell&rh=n%3A283155John Maxwell https://www.amazon.com/John-C.-Maxwell/e/B001H6NROC%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share------------Apply to be on the show: https://www.benfanning.com/the-ceo-sessions/Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1https://www.facebook.com/benfanning

E3 Former Dollar General Chief People Officer, Bob Ravener, on How to Find Great Mentors and Effectively Communicate Your Ideas to the CEOBob Ravener is a highly accomplished and widely recognized business leader, author and speaker.He has served in executive roles with several organizations including the Fortune 200 companies of PepsiCo, The Home Depot, Starbucks, and most recently Dollar General, where he retired after serving as the Chief People Officer from 2008 to 2019.During his time there, the company essentially doubled in size to $26 billion in revenue with more than 140,000 employees.Prior to entering the private sector, Bob served in the U.S. Navy as a submarine officer. He finished his active duty service at the United States Naval Academy where he served in the athletic department as the academic liaison officer and as an instructor, coach, and recruiter. He also spent time in the Naval Reserves following active duty.He graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he earned distinction as a leader, intercollegiate varsity baseball player and is past president of his class. He also earned an MBA from New York University.He currently serves with several organizations including, Goodwill Industries International Board, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Human Capital Advisory Council, Franklin Civil War Historical Commission, Friends of Franklin Parks Board, Downtown Neighborhood Association Board, and the Tennessee Congressional Service Academy Selection Boards.Previously, Bob served as chairman of the Tennessee Workforce Development Board, chairman of the Human Resources Leaders Council for Retail Industry Leaders Association, the President’s National Hire Veterans Committee, and the Secretary of Labor’s Advisory Committee for Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach.RESOURCES:Bob Ravener's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobravener/Bob’s book is called UP!, The Difference between Today and Tomorrow is YouBook Link: http://amzn.com/1938499700WHAT YOU WILL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:How to write your book even when you’re in the busy C-Suite life.Where his motivation came from to write his book even in the midst of busy C-Suite life.The most important advice for any employee who wants to “be in the room where it happens”.Bob’s tough childhood and what helped him get moving in the right direction and persevere.The critical attribute that Home Depot CEO, Bob Nardelli, and Dollar General CEO, Richard Dreiling had as mentors.What Bob learned about handling failure from his interactions with Starbucks CEO, Howard Shultz.The simple playbook for finding a great mentor.The must-have conversation when you’ve made a big mistake.The common trait that he’d instill in every employee (this will surprise you).Three key communication strategies to presenting your idea to the C-Suite.What to do first when an employee says they’re quitting.The key resource used by many leaders on the Board and C-Suite.How he “read” 25 books in a year with little effort.Key Quotes:“Don’t get caught up in the drama.”“One you’ve made your case, you still need to be able to get behind the decision and move forward with the team.”“Focus on what you can control.”“The best way to get a mentor is to go ask them.”“Focus on being interested instead of being interesting."Tools:Overdrive https://www.overdrive.com/Audible https://www.audible.com/Books Mentioned:Developing the Leader Within You, John Maxwellhttps://www.amazon.com/Developing-Leader-Within-You-2-0/dp/0718074084Recommended Biography Authors:Doris Kearns Goodwinhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=doris+kearns+goodwin+biographiesDavid McCulloughhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=david+mccullough+books-------------------Apply to be on the show: https://www.benfanning.com/the-ceo-sessions/Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1https://www.facebook.com/benfanning

E1 How this Show Helps You Get To or Stay In the C-Suite.In Ben's inaugural episode, you'll discover:-Where the idea of The CEO Sessions came from.-What this show is about and what to expect.-Why it boosts your effectiveness as a leader.-How its saves you time and frustration.-The primary sources of inspiration for the show.Special shout outs to:https://tim.blog/podcast/https://chrisbrogan.com/business-podcast/https://productivityist.com/category/podcast/https://pamelaslim.com/Apply to be on the show: https://www.benfanning.com/the-ceo-sessions/Connect with Ben:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfanning/https://www.instagram.com/benfanning1/https://twitter.com/BenFanning1https://www.facebook.com/benfanning