The 10 WE's that will Drive Excellence in Your Company

“When I saw that grocery cart drifting in my rearview mirror, I realized—I was still a hypocrite. You can’t live one way at work and another at home and expect anyone to take you seriously.”

 

TL;DR

Kyle McDowell joins The Relentless Pursuit of Winning to reveal how his 10 principle-based “We” leadership model transforms toxic teams into high-trust cultures. Learn how to lead with authenticity, drive performance, and build a company that wins—without losing your soul.

 

Show Notes

Hey, it’s Rick Meekins, and in this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning, I’m sitting down with Kyle McDowell—former corporate exec turned bestselling author of Begin with WE. Kyle didn’t just climb the ladder—he built ladders for others, leading organizations of 15,000+ people and managing multi-billion dollar P&Ls. But somewhere along the way, success stopped feeling like winning. That’s when he asked the question that changed everything: Is there a better way?

Kyle walks us through how apathy, dysfunction, and a failing marriage forced him to flip the script—not just on leadership, but on life. He didn’t write another book of theory. He codified a movement—10 simple (but not easy) principles that reshape how we lead, live, and win.

We unpack why trust is a product of authenticity and relatability, how “We Challenge Each Other” redefines accountability, and why striving for excellence beats chasing perfection every time. If you lead a team, a company, or just yourself—this episode is a blueprint for transformation that starts with you.

 

Key Takeaways

• Principles beat platitudes: The 10 “We’s” aren’t corporate fluff—they’re a daily, repeatable standard for high-performing cultures.
• Trust = Authenticity + Relatability: If you're not living it, don’t expect others to follow it.
• Challenge isn’t conflict: “We Challenge Each Other” builds excellence—not egos.
• Perfection is failure in disguise: Aim for progress. Reward it. Build momentum.
• You don’t need permission to lead: You can be the spark—even without the title.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kyle McDowell and His Journey

02:56 The Awakening: From Corporate Success to Apathy

05:58 The 10 Principles of Leadership

08:29 Challenging Each Other: A New Leadership Paradigm

11:19 Striving for Excellence Over Perfection

14:14 Overview of the 10 Principles

17:01 The Importance of Accountability and Support

19:56 Embracing Challenges in Leadership

21:12 The Power of Obsession with Details

23:27 Implementing Principles in Organizations

25:56 Leading by Example: Building Trust

28:55 Transforming Organizational Culture

31:24 Creating Momentum for Change

33:33 Strengthening Client Relationships

35:19 Practical Steps for Individual Change

38:35 Vision for a Movement Beyond Work

45:43 New Chapter

 

Bio

Kyle McDowell, a former Fortune 10 executive turned inspirational speaker, bestselling author, and leadership coach, is on a mission to transform organizational cultures and reignite leaders' passion. With nearly 30 years of experience leading tens of thousands at some of America’s largest firms, Kyle’s philosophy centers on his trademarked 10 WEs principles, emphasizing the power of "WE" over "I" to tackle dysfunction and inspire excellence.

His Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, Begin With WE, explores the root causes of workplace dysfunction and provides a practical framework for cultural transformation. Through empowering leaders and driving change, Kyle challenges organizations to prioritize collaboration and shared accountability. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Inc. Magazine, and he’s a sought-after speaker at top institutions.

 

About Kyle
Company Name: Kyle McDowell Inc.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemcdowellinc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleMcDowellInc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylemcdowellinc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KyleMcDowellInc