ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro asks: Are you aligned when your team leaves the huddle?
Release Date: 12/11/2024
Lincoln Equities Group CEO Lance Bergstein says: Keep your eyes up!
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 236: Tennis & racing cars shaped Lance’s belief that decisiveness is a leader’s most powerful tool. As a nationally ranked tennis player, he learned to make high-stakes decisions alone. That same mindset now fuels his success as a CEO and professional race car driver—where speed, risk, and preparation define every outcome. Don't miss: • His “eyes up” strategy for forecasting in business • A behind-the-wheel story that saved a race (and inspired a deal) • with quotes and reflection questions to apply today’s insights 📚Do you want to write a book? In my...
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Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade found her birth parents at 47— now she leads with vulnerability
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 235: Softball shaped Kelli's belief that great leadership is about setting others up to win. In this heartfelt episode, she shares how her time as a scrappy leadoff hitter inspired a team-first mindset—and how embracing her adoption story became the key to building trust and loyalty as a leader. Don't miss: Her simple 1–10 check-in that helps leaders truly understand how their team is doing How Kelli scouts the competition by building authentic relationships with fellow CEOs Our for this episode with my favorite quotes and reflection question so you can apply today’s...
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Flexjet CEO Mike Silvestro was teammates with Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana— now he’s revolutionizing private aviation
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 234: Notre Dame Football and having “Rudy” as a coach shaped the way Mike views “grit” and “grind” today! In this episode, you will learn how to turn personal wins into shared victories. “If you have a great day, make it a point to share that feeling with your entire organization,” he shares. “That way everyone can enjoy it and feel proud.” Our 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...
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eXp World Holdings, Inc. CEO Glenn Sanford says: Opportunities are rarely missed, they are just given to someone else
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 233: This CEO’s high school was so tiny that it didn’t have a track team, so he started a squad from scratch, built up the roster and even coached them, all while running a swift 4:25 mile along the way. That mindset—identifying a challenge and pursuing a solution—never left him. Years after starring on the team, Sanford saw an opening in the real estate market. He realized that the future of the business was online. So, he acted. Today? 📈 85,000+ agents 🏆 Publicly traded 🏅 Named one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work Our for this episode includes Don’s favorite...
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CEO of EF World Journeys USA Heidi Durflinger on How to Stop Treating Customers Like Transactions
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 232: Training for her ultramarathon in Spain helped Heidi break big goals into small, achievable steps. Her approach offers a compelling blueprint for building trust, inspiring teams, and elevating the customer experience. Rooted in small-town Kansas values and shaped by global experience, you will learn in this conversation how to stop treating customers like transactions. 1. Our for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. 2. Do you want to write a book? In my new role as Publisher...
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The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark - Featuring Gen. Bernard Banks
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 231: How does a moment become momentum? You will learn the model to capture, accelerate, and reverse momentum as featured in my new book with Gen. Bernard Banks. From commanding in Desert Storm to teaching at West Point and Rice University to transforming organizations, Bernie’s perspective is battle-tested, data-backed, and built to help leaders at every level create their own momentum shift. 2. Our for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights. 3. Do you want to write a...
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Acrisure President John Tuttle encourages you to be a student of excellence
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 230: From college football to the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, John Tuttle has always thrived in competitive arenas. Now as President of Acrisure, he leads 19,000 employees in one of the fastest-growing fintech companies on the planet. Our 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...
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Kitson & Partners CEO Syd Kitson asks: Are you willing to drive in the storm?
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 229: Playing for The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys shaped the creator of Babcock Ranch—America’s first solar-powered town. You will learn: Why Syd requires every team member to sign a Team Agreement—and what happens when they don’t. How a quarterly Day of Service strengthens company culture and community impact. Why great leadership means turning observations into innovations. Our 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...
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Technology Executive and Thoroughbred Owner Mark Kornegay encourages you to run your own race
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 228: Get excited for the Kentucky Derby with Spectrum Vice President Mark Kornegay! “Horses are like people—they can burn themselves out trying to keep up with the fastest ones, instead of running their own race,” he shared on this episode. Mark’s career also includes leadership roles at Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, and he served as a Special Agent for the FBI and an Assistant U.S. Attorney. You will learn why preparation is everything and the best performers understand their strengths and craft a strategy that suits them. Our for this episode includes Don’s favorite...
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Former Cal Rugby Player Robert Paylor asks: What is paralyzing you?
Corporate Competitor Podcast
Ep. 227: A devastating injury during the National Championship game left Robert paralyzed from the neck down. Told he’d never walk again, he began a new journey, one fueled by his three-word mantra: “Compared to what?” Robert shares how that question helped him shift from victimhood to victory—and how you can use the same mindset to lead through adversity. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why asking “Compared to what?” cuts big challenges down to size. How to reframe your pain into purpose and lead from a place of strength. What it means to truly forgive—and how it frees...
info_outlineEp. 210: Cornell Football shaped Jimmy Pitaro who honed his leadership skills as a wide receiver! If you ask him what he misses most about his playing days, it’s not the competition or the glory—it’s the huddle. Why? Because the huddle is where you come together, make decisions, and leave aligned.
In this episode, Jimmy shares how he applies his “Discuss, debate, decide, and align” model to his weekly leadership meetings.
Our free 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 Ana Anzolin and Brian Schnorr for making this episode possible.