
School of Hard Knocks Podcast Jim Keyes | Former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster on What Always Happens Before a Company Crash and How He Ran Multi Billion Dollar Busines
Feb 6, 2026
Jim Keyes, former CEO who led 7‑Eleven and Blockbuster, draws on turnaround and global expansion experience. He recounts how crisis propelled his career and why fear collapses companies. He discusses cultural literacy for international growth, the CEO’s 45,000‑foot view, people as the top asset, earning equity, and cutting toxic culture to save a business.
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People Are The Top Asset
- The single most valuable company resource is people, not assets or equipment.
- Misplaced loyalty to longtime employees can drag the organization down if roles don't fit.
Humility Means Knowing Limits
- Stay humble by recognizing what you don't know and learning from everyone you meet.
- Actively ask people what you can learn from them, from janitors to CEOs.
Use Education As Leverage
- Get a degree as a career lever even if you plan entrepreneurship later.
- Use education to enter environments where you can learn, pivot, and differentiate yourself globally.







