Steve Gund, third-generation CEO of The Gund Company, shares his leadership journey shaped by family legacy, humility, and a deep commitment to people-centric culture. With a focus on servant leadership, Steve highlights how trust, intentionality, and developmental systems drive remarkable business outcomes. He speaks candidly about coaching with compassion, transforming company culture through acquisitions, and aligning leadership with human flourishing.

In this episode , we discuss:

• Creating psychologically safe environments for growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• How family legacy and intentional culture-building shape generational success.

• The power of humanistic leadership in business transformation.

• The role of leadership as coaching—and how to develop every individual through values-based conversations.

Check it out.

P.S. To explore how we can support your leadership journey, book a free, 15-minute call here: https://calendly.com/marcdbraun/15-minute-ceo-intro-call

Nolan Ruiz, CEO of FF&G McDonald’s franchises, joins the show to share how leading with values like faith, fortitude, and generosity fueled his growth from a handful of restaurants to 33 thriving locations. His story highlights how personal faith, a focus on team empowerment, and a commitment to community can drive both business success and meaningful impact.

In this episode, we discuss:

- How faith, fortitude, and generosity became the pillars of a thriving business

- The leadership lessons learned through rapid expansion and challenges

- Why developing people is central to long-term organizational success

- How embracing courage and humility accelerates personal and business growth

Check it out.

P.S. To explore how we can support your leadership journey, book a free, 15-minute call here: https://calendly.com/marcdbraun/15-minute-ceo-intro-call

Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, believes leadership is about trust, learning, and helping people grow. In his new book, Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, he shares real stories—some funny, some profound—about building a culture where people love what they do and feel safe being themselves. In this episode, we discuss:• Why psychological safety and trust are the foundation of strong leadership.• How to turn mistakes into valuable learning moments.• The importance of hierarchical values in guiding decision-making.• How a coaching approach fuels engagement and performance.• The role of business leaders in shaping a happier world.Check it out.If you are the kind of dumb-ass who’s ready to lead, you can grab your copy of Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It: https://a.co/d/bjQISmYP.S. To explore how we can support your leadership journey, book a free, 15-minute call here: https://calendly.com/marcdbraun/15-minute-ceo-intro-call