What if your biggest leadership problem isn't results—but process? In this new mini series, we break down lessons from leaders at Ritz-Carlton, Aflac, and more who transformed performance by refining the details.

In this episode you will learn how to identify friction, improve systems, and build repeatable excellence.

To listen to each guest's FULL episode click below:

• Lumen's Kate Johnson

• Ritz-Carlton's Horst Schulze

• Perspire Sauna Studios' Caroline Linton

• T-Mobile's Cameron Janes

• Aflac's Virgil Miller

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 Guillermo Orellana for making this episode possible.

Ep. 256: What if culture isn't built by slogans, but by what you reward? In this episode, you will learn:

• How Kevin makes values account for 50% of performance on his team

• When walking away from a deal is the smartest move a leader can make

• Why calm leadership matters

Our 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 Johnathan Levin and Vincent McClellan for making this episode possible.

Ep. 255: The original "No-Stat All-Star" won Teammate of The Year playing alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Here he teaches you why being selfless and studying your opponent are the two secrets to success.

Our 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 Johnny Levin and Guillermo Orellana for making this episode possible.

Ep. 254: A black eye in her first Cornell rugby match taught Shannon she could do hard things—and that lesson still shapes her leadership today. A four-time New York City Marathon finisher, she believes leadership isn't about forcing people into the same mold.

Like rugby, every role matters, every player brings strengths, and every stride counts.

Don't miss:

• The two questions she asks every mentee

• Why joy and laughter belong in leadership

• Our 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 Chase Nagel and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.

Ep. 253: Baseball shaped this researcher who led the largest growth mindset experiment in history. His work spans from sports teams to global corporations like McDonald's and Walmart, where mindset shifts are boosting performance and reducing turnover.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Strategies for building teams where curiosity, not fear, drives improvement.

• A two-part mindset shift that can turn performance anxiety into peak performance.

• How to turn comparison into a catalyst for personal and team growth.

Our 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 Chase Nagel and Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.

Ep. 252: What do black diamond ski slopes and working with Shaquille O'Neal have in common? For Amy Jo Martin, both became defining lessons in bravery, brand, and leadership.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to practice "calendar integrity" so your time matches your values.

• Why deleting, delegating, and divesting are the keys to capacity.

• A simple strategy for manufacturing bravery in high-stakes moments.

Our 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 Chase Nagel and Andrew Levin for making this episode possible.

• How genuine curiosity builds trust and unlocks performance
• Why elite leaders redirect quickly instead of dwelling on setbacks
• How mental fitness becomes the foundation for sustainable leadership

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to balance executing in your role with building your career with his 90/10 rule.

• How to recalibrate goals before you drift too far off course.

• The three traits Mark looks for in every hire.

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 Karson Hills and Chase Nagel for making this episode possible.