Skip to main content
Award-Winning Leadership Speaker, Executive Coach & New York Times Best-Selling Author

Jim Kavanaugh

World Wide Technology CEO says working hard never goes out of style

Search Episodes

Search by name, company or episode number.
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post

Jim Kavanaugh, the CEO and co-founder of World Wide Technology (WWT), would not have been able to help more than 80 Fortune 500 companies modernize their IT infrastructure had he not spent all night at a Kinkos cramming on a project early in his career.

In this conversation, Kavanaugh shared a defining moment from 25 years ago. Preparing to pitch a proposal to the Marines, he and his team realized the night before their presentation that their proposal wasn’t strong enough.

“We were young at that time, and didn’t really know exactly what we were doing,” Kavanaugh explained. With no time to lose, they found a 24-hour Kinkos and worked through the night to redo the entire proposal. “We put it together, went back to the hotel room, took a quick shower, and got out to Quantico,” Kavanaugh recalled.

Their hard work paid off. The Marines major who received the updated proposal told them, “We really like what you did. It hit the mark.” That made all the difference.

Since that contract, under Kavanaugh, WWT has grown into a global powerhouse with more than 10,000 employees and $20 billion in annual revenue. He was recently named one of Glassdoor’s 25 Best CEOs in America as he continues to lead WWT, helping companies create new digital experiences.

In this podcast, Kavanaugh shares valuable insights on how WWT has earned a spot on Fortune Magazine’s Best Places to Work list for 13 consecutive years, including:

  • The importance of fostering a strong company culture, aligning with values, and maintaining open communication.
  • How success often hinges on going the extra mile and putting in the work.
  • Lessons learned from his time playing professional soccer, including being the second overall pick in the 1986 draft.

Reflecting on WWT’s journey, Kavanaugh attributes much of its success to hard work. “The harder you work, the luckier you get,” he said. “Even where we are right now, you can never take something for granted. You have to be willing to put the time and effort in because it’s a competitive space out there.

Resources:


Never Miss An Episode

You will receive a FREE chapter from Don’s best-selling book on GREAT TEAMS when you subscribe.

Bonus Resource

Download our custom fill-in-the-blank notes and reflection questions.

Search episodes

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post

Share Episode

Never Miss An Episode

Sign up to receive Don Yaeger’s weekly leadership contributions, and be the first to listen to new Corporate Competitor Podcast episodes.

Love This Podcast?

We would be so grateful if you left us a rating and review!

Greg Brenneman

Greg Brenneman

Home Depot Board Director

“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”

John Maxwell

John C. Maxwell

Best-Selling Author, Leadership Expert

“I am a subscriber because you are one of the greatest teachers, one of the best storytellers I have ever met, and I know you will maximize the people you have on the podcast. I’m telling everyone because when you find gold you point everyone to it.”

Simon Sinek

Best-Selling Author, Inspirational Speaker

“Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”

Beth Brooke

Beth Brooke

Global Vice Chair of Public Policy for Ernst & Young

“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”

RIck Hendrick

Rick Hendrick

NASCAR Hall of Famer, Owner of Hendrick Motorsports & Chairman of the Hendrick Automotive Group

“We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”

Bill George

Bill George

Longtime Medtronic CEO, Harvard Professor

“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”

Savannah Gallagher

Producer

Jon Rousseau

Design/Development

Francisco Nunez

Editor

Brett Rutherford

Editor

Special thanks to Dave Moore, Lauren Hafner, Samantha Clark, and the Florida State University Internship Program for consistently supporting our research team.

Join the Greatness Community

Download Don’s fill-in-the-blank notes and reflection questions so you can create powerful, positive change in your organization.

You will receive a new leadership lesson each week.

Apple Podcasts

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Step 1: Open the Apple Podcasts App.

Step 2: Search Corporate Competitor Podcast and click the episode art.

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a rating and review.

BONUS   Screenshot your review, and send to corporate.competitor@greatnessinc.com for a free gift!

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop