CEO.com | Dispatches from the frontiers of leadership

Dan Cooper talks to Clint Betts about what return on character means, the data on high character vs low character CEOs, why character matters from an investment standpoint and the science behind behavioral integrity, working with Joe Ritchie, allocating capital on the basis of character, why ESG is controversial, and what CEOs should do to prepare of difficult times ahead. Dan is the founder and CEO of ROC Investments LLC. Dan has worked with presidents of nations, CEOs of large public companies, philanthropists, and a small number of extraordinary leaders.

Douglas London talks to Clint about the image and credibility of the CIA before and after 9/11, Putin and Ukraine, the Russia/China alliance, day to day life of a spy, qualities of transformational leadership, the unique challenges of publishing a book as a former CIA officer, and the ways media is used in the US and abroad. Douglas London is a retired Senior CIA Operations Officer and author of The Recruiter: Spying and the Lost Art of American Intelligence.

Cliff Hudson talks to Clint about the difference between growing a business and strengthening a brand, the advantages and disadvantages of the franchise model, how to maintain consistency and quality in franchises, the evolution of marketing and advertising strategies throughout his 35-year career, and his book on leadership, Master of None: How a Jack of All Trades Can Still Reach the Top. Clifford Hudson spent 35 years of his career at Sonic Corp., an Oklahoma City-based, publicly held company that owns, operates, and franchises SONIC Drive-In restaurants. Most recently, he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of this public company with more than 3,500 franchised and company-operated drive-in restaurants. He left the company upon its sale in December 2018 and joined the law firm Crowe & Dunlevy as Of Counsel in the firm’s Oklahoma City office.

Shane Snow talks to Clint about using teaching as a way to learn, the importance of asking the right questions well, the value of Substack journalism, learning to have hard conversations about work at work, how  to change the game by rethinking the game, the evolution and process of writing multiple books, the credibility stamp, and what his daily deep work practice looks like. Shane Snow is an award-winning entrepreneur, explorer, and journalist. His writing has appeared in GQ, Fast Company, Wired, and The New Yorker—and he is a world-renowned keynote speaker on innovation and human behavior.

Godard Abel talks to Clint about building Big Machines and SteelBrick, merging with SalesForce, working with brands on product visualization in the metaverse with ThreeKit, looking for natural partnerships and building trust when acquiring companies, the benefit of entrepreneurial hubs, the value of speaking up as a leader, and the future of G2.    Godard Abel is the co-founder and CEO of G2. He previously built cloud CPQ pioneers BigMachines (acquired by Oracle) and SteelBrick (acquired by Salesforce).

Bret Rasmussen talks to Clint about how Nike transformed footwear, Kuru’s ideal customer, launching a business in the wake of the 2008 recession, how customer’s experiences and stories shape the future of any company, and how leadership is about shifting the focus from making every basket to winning the game.    Founder & CEO of KURU Footwear. Bret is a passionate, strategic entrepreneur who’s dream to start a footwear company began in 5th grade.

Mary CraftsMary Crafts talks to Clint Betts about her early life as a single mother and CEO, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro at 65, and the limitations of living out of fear and learning to build an authentic, love-based life.     Mary Crafts is the former CEO of Culinary Crafts. She is a consultant, speaker, and philanthropist. Mary also hosts the podcast “Crafting a Meaningful Life” and is the author of the upcoming book, Unbounded: From Sorrow to Summit.

Al Buford talks to Clint about being an Army ranger, how the military creates strong leaders through being in service to something bigger than oneself, working with Glenn Beck’s Mercury One, how private corporations work faster and more efficiently than governments, rescuing and taking in Afghanistan refugees, using his network to help those in need, and how a shared goal is the antidote to division.   Al Buford is the President, Board Member, Co-Owner of Patriot Group International Inc. He also worked as a Senior Director for Triple Canopy and served as an Army Ranger in the US military for 20 years.   If you would like to donate to Asma Paigeer's Go Fund Me to help further her education please visit this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-fund-my-education-in-computer-science

Claire Coder talks to Clint about stocking businesses, venues, and public schools with free organic cotton period products, the Menstrual Movement, applying to Tech Stars 6 times, focusing on period positivity through education on access, sustainability, and awareness when working with legislators and grassroots organizers, and why no one should worry about getting their period in public.    Claire Coder is the founder and CEO of Aunt Flo.Through Claire’s leadership, the company has implemented free period products in 23,000 bathrooms, donated 1,600,000 tampons & pads, and raised $11 million+ in venture capital. She was named Forbes 30 Under 30 and received the Thiel Fellowship by the age of 22. 

Rob ShallenbRob Shallenberger talks to Clint Betts about what he learned about leadership from the high-performance fighter pilot world and what he means by “Do What Matters Most.” Rob Shallenberger is one of the world’s leading authorities on leadership and execution. He’s trained and coached hundreds of companies around the world, including many Fortune 500 organizations. He is also the author of two books, Becoming Your Best and Do What Matters Most.erger