Below the clouds in Afghanistan, an United States Air Force pilot with the call sign Johnny Bravo dove his A-10 Warthog through zero visibility, popped out less than 1,000 feet above a valley less than a mile wide, and started counting out loud to himself so he wouldn’t fly into a cliff he couldn’t see. Twenty-two American soldiers went home safely that night because he went back for a second run.
That’s how Simon Sinek opens his book Leaders Eat Last — not with data, but with a story.
Simon is the New York Times Best-Selling author and speaker behind the second most-watched TED Talk of all time. On this episode of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, Simon sits down with me six years into our working relationship to celebrate my new book The Business of Storytelling and to talk about why:
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As a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, and 14-time New York Times Best-Selling author, Don Yaeger is one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. From walking into Afghanistan with the Mujahadeen to living with football legend Walter Payton, Don has spent three decades embedded with the world’s greatest "Greats." Now a sought-after executive coach and host of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, he translates the lessons of sports and business legends into actionable strategies for building a culture of greatness.
"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.”
“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.”
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!”
“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.”
“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.”
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