Rick Hendrick grew up on his family’s farm and turned his passion for the automobile into several successful business ventures. The first, Hendrick Automotive Group, country’s largest privately held automobile dealership group. With more than 130 retail franchises from the Carolinas to California, the company employs more than 10,000 people with the motto: Prioritize your people over profits. The company’s top 15 leaders have been with Hendrick for an average of 25 years, a record of longevity and loyalty that would be hard to match in any industry. Secondarily, he founded Hendrick Motorsports in 1984. Since then, his team has won an all-time record 13 NASCAR Cup Series championships. His rock-star roster of drivers has included Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Chase Elliott.
This episode explores the ultimate formula for competitors who want to keep their team revved up, including: Keys to proper communication, how to celebrate IMPROVEMENT as much as success, and how to limit mistakes.
“You can only drive people for so long,” Hendrick said, “but you can lead them forever.”
You will learn:
- 5:30 Rick’s childhood and humble beginnings.
- 12:15 The best way to motivate your team.
- 17:00 How Rick’s team leveraged the lessons they learned in the Pandemic.
- 21:00 How to appreciate challenging times.
- 29:30 The difference between driving people and leading people.
- 32:00 How to speak truth to your team.
Resources:
- About Hendrick Motorsports. Stay connected via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
- About Hendrick Automotive Group.
- John Maxwell’s book mentioned: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently.
- Forbes: How Rick Hendrick Built A Motorsports Empire By Valuing People Over Profits
Never Miss An Episode
You will receive a FREE chapter from Don’s best-selling book on GREAT TEAMS when you subscribe.
Bonus Resource
Search episodes
Recommended For You
Love This Podcast?
We would be so grateful if you left us a rating and review!
Greg Brenneman
“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 C. Maxwell
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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.”
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!