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Corporate Competitor Podcast

Corporate Competitor Podcast

By: Don Yaeger
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What do most Fortune 500 executives have in common? They learned important lessons on the fields and courts of their high school and collegiate sports teams. This is true for both men and women. Ernst & Young found that a whopping 94% of women holding a C-suite position, played sports. Join 12-time New York Times Best-Selling Author Don Yaeger on his journey to sit with some of the brightest executives in the world as we discuss how sports shaped their professional trajectory in life.Copyright© Greatness LLC, 2020. All Rights Reserved. Economics
Episodes
  • Lincoln Equities Group CEO Lance Bergstein says: Keep your eyes up!
    Jul 23 2025

    Ep. 236: Tennis & racing cars shaped Lance’s belief that decisiveness is a leader’s most powerful tool. As a nationally ranked tennis player, he learned to make high-stakes decisions alone.

    That same mindset now fuels his success as a CEO and professional race car driver—where speed, risk, and preparation define every outcome.

    Don't miss:
    • His “eyes up” strategy for forecasting in business
    • A behind-the-wheel story that saved a race (and inspired a deal)
    • Our BONUS RESOURCE with quotes and reflection questions to 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 Anthony Dickinson and Andrew Levin ​for making this episode possible.

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    38 mins
  • Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade found her birth parents at 47— now she leads with vulnerability
    Jul 9 2025

    Ep. 235: Softball shaped Kelli's belief that great leadership is about setting others up to win. In this heartfelt episode, she shares how her time as a scrappy leadoff hitter inspired a team-first mindset—and how embracing her adoption story became the key to building trust and loyalty as a leader.

    Don't miss:

    • Her simple 1–10 check-in that helps leaders truly understand how their team is doing
    • How Kelli scouts the competition by building authentic relationships with fellow CEOs
    • Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode with my favorite quotes and 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 Alissa Pupich and Lilly Mae for making this episode possible.

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    49 mins
  • Flexjet CEO Mike Silvestro was teammates with Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana— now he’s revolutionizing private aviation
    Jun 25 2025

    Ep. 234: Notre Dame Football and having “Rudy” as a coach shaped the way Mike views “grit” and “grind” today! In this episode, you will learn how to turn personal wins into shared victories.

    “If you have a great day, make it a point to share that feeling with your entire organization,” he shares. “That way everyone can enjoy it and feel proud.”

    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 Anthony Dickinson and Karson Hills for making this episode possible.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
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