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The Core Principles of Building Evergreen Companies: The Seven P’s Framework

The Grit Factor

Release Date: 06/19/2025

Conviction, Capital & Courage: Alexander Friedman on Purposeful Leadership in a High-Stakes World show art Conviction, Capital & Courage: Alexander Friedman on Purposeful Leadership in a High-Stakes World

The Grit Factor

Host: Shannon Huffman Polson Guest: Alexander Friedman, CEO & Co‑founder of Novata; former CFO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; former CIO of UBS; ex‑White House Fellow; board member at Franklin Templeton Episode Summary Join Shannon as she interviews Alexander Friedman, a leader who has navigated high-stakes roles across the highest levels of philanthropy, finance, government, and now tech. In this episode, Alex shares insights into operationalizing purpose, driving change across complex systems, and forging a career of conviction and curiosity. This conversation brings...

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The Grit Factor

What does it look like to lead with grit, purpose, and a fierce sense of responsibility—across the battlefield, boardroom, and home? On this week’s episode of The Grit Factor, I speak with Kiwi phenom Ellen Joan Ford—a former New Zealand Army officer, tech leader, mother, and fierce advocate for Work School Hours. Ellen’s story is one of extraordinary service, from deploying with the U.S. military to evacuating Afghan allies during the fall of Kabul, to now challenging the structural norms that leave working parents (especially mothers) behind. We talk about: • How military...

info_outline Jim Weber’s Long-Term Vision: Building a Brand That Lasts show art Jim Weber’s Long-Term Vision: Building a Brand That Lasts

The Grit Factor

What does it look like to lead with purpose and performance — to stay true to your values while building something that lasts? I so enjoyed talking with fellow  alum , longtime CEO of , for a conversation about leadership, grit, and building a brand rooted in conviction. Jim took the helm at Brooks when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy — and through a relentless focus on purpose, customer obsession, and culture, he helped lead it to become a billion-dollar brand. He did all of this while navigating a personal cancer diagnosis — a chapter that deepened his...

info_outline Building Resilient Communities: Killian Noe’s Vision of Love, Leadership, and Recovery show art Building Resilient Communities: Killian Noe’s Vision of Love, Leadership, and Recovery

The Grit Factor

In this conversation, Killian Noe discusses her journey through leadership, resilience, and community work, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, accountability, and the power of forgiveness. She reflects on her upbringing, experiences in diverse communities, and the founding of Recovery Cafe, highlighting the significance of beauty in healing and the need for loving accountability in organizations. The dialogue explores the balance between control and surrender in leadership, the role of community in personal transformation, and practical steps for engaging in social change. ...

info_outline The Core Principles of Building Evergreen Companies: The Seven P’s Framework show art The Core Principles of Building Evergreen Companies: The Seven P’s Framework

The Grit Factor

In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Dave discuss the importance of purpose and values in leadership and entrepreneurship. Dave shares his early career experiences at Hewlett Packard, the challenges he faced while founding Good Technology, and the profound impact of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey on his perspective. He introduces the concept of evergreen companies, which prioritize long-term sustainability over rapid growth, and outlines the seven P's that define these companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share these...

info_outline Soaring Beyond Limits: The Fight for Women in Military Flight show art Soaring Beyond Limits: The Fight for Women in Military Flight

The Grit Factor

In this conversation, Dr. Eileen Bjorkman shares her remarkable journey in aviation, highlighting the evolution of women's roles in the military and her personal experiences as a flight test engineer. She discusses her family's aviation legacy, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the leadership lessons she learned throughout her career. Dr. Bjorkman's insights provide a unique perspective on resilience, communication, and the importance of representation in STEM fields. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the themes of leadership, storytelling, and the...

info_outline Unlocking the Cockpit: Powerful Lessons in Leadership and Legacy show art Unlocking the Cockpit: Powerful Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

The Grit Factor

In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Tom discuss the importance of service, personal journeys, and the impact of role models. Tom shares his experiences in aviation, his humanitarian efforts, and the ongoing project to honor his fallen classmate, John Connors. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of community, learning, and active participation in democracy. In this conversation, Tom and Shannon explore the themes of community, legacy, purpose, leadership, and success. They discuss the importance of role models and the impact of legacy on individuals and communities. Tom shares...

info_outline Mastering Human Performance for Lasting Success show art Mastering Human Performance for Lasting Success

The Grit Factor

This conversation explores the remarkable journey of a woman who transitioned from baton twirling to becoming a combat pilot and military leader. She shares her experiences in the military, the challenges she faced, and the importance of mental resilience and self-trust in high-stakes situations. The discussion also highlights the biases she encountered as a woman in a male-dominated field and how she navigated these challenges to achieve success. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields, emphasizing the importance of excellence, mastery...

info_outline Building Next-Generation Leaders: The Power of Experiential and Purposeful Education show art Building Next-Generation Leaders: The Power of Experiential and Purposeful Education

The Grit Factor

Ross Wehner shares his journey of discovering and uncovering his purpose through experiences in Chile and teaching. He emphasizes the importance of following intuition and stepping into one's own story. Ross discusses the impact of traumatic events and the role of darkness in shaping purpose. He highlights the influence of philosophy, solitude, and fasting in gaining clarity. Ross also explains the mission of World Leadership School in partnering with K-12 schools to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders. He advocates for purpose learning and the integration of thinking,...

info_outline From Peaks to Purpose: A Narrative of Growth and Authenticity show art From Peaks to Purpose: A Narrative of Growth and Authenticity

The Grit Factor

In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her experiences as a mountaineer and the lessons learned from her climbs, particularly on Everest. She discusses the internal struggles faced during high-stakes situations, the importance of team dynamics, and the journey to finding a sense of belonging. The conversation delves into the nature of leadership in perilous environments and the responsibilities that come with guiding others. Melissa emphasizes the significance of consistency, honesty, and understanding individual strengths within a team. In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares...

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More Episodes

In this conversation, Shannon Huffman Polson and Dave discuss the importance of purpose and values in leadership and entrepreneurship. Dave shares his early career experiences at Hewlett Packard, the challenges he faced while founding Good Technology, and the profound impact of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey on his perspective. He introduces the concept of evergreen companies, which prioritize long-term sustainability over rapid growth, and outlines the seven P's that define these companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share these values and principles. In this conversation, Dave discusses the importance of partnerships, particularly his relationship with Jessica Herron, and how it shaped his understanding of building evergreen companies. He emphasizes the need for a deliberate approach to innovation and growth, focusing on sustainability rather than quick profits. The discussion also highlights the significance of aligning personal purpose with professional goals, especially in the context of employee engagement and satisfaction. Dave envisions a future where a new generation of entrepreneurs can redefine business success by prioritizing purpose and creativity over traditional funding models.

Takeaways

  • Purpose and values are crucial for effective leadership.

  • Early experiences shape our understanding of corporate culture.

  • Personal challenges can impact professional journeys.

  • The hero's journey offers valuable insights for business leaders.

  • Evergreen companies focus on long-term sustainability.

  • Community support is vital for like-minded entrepreneurs.

  • The seven P's provide a framework for building lasting companies.

  • Introverts often have a strong internal compass for their goals.

  • Rewiring our thinking is necessary for new business models.

  • Hidden evergreen companies exist and need recognition. Partnerships can significantly influence business development.

  • Evergreen companies prioritize long-term sustainability over quick profits.

  • Innovation requires a deliberate approach to risk management.

  • Personal purpose alignment is crucial for employee satisfaction.

  • Companies should measure personal purpose during recruitment.

  • Growth rates impact the capacity for reflection and development.

  • Evergreen companies can thrive without external capital.

  • The true purpose of many companies may differ from their stated mission.

  • Investors often prioritize financial returns over authentic company purpose.

  • A new generation of entrepreneurs can redefine business success.

 

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