In this episode, Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit, shares his remarkable career journey, emphasizing the key lessons in leadership and negotiation he learned along the way. Starting his career as a Marine platoon commander, Don transitioned to Silicon Valley, working at Google, Facebook, and Pinterest during their early and hyper-growth phases before leading CrossFit. The discussion covers his leadership approach, negotiation tactics, and the strategies that helped transform CrossFit into a global fitness powerhouse.

Whether you're interested in the dynamics of leadership, the intricacies of negotiation, or the evolution of a fitness brand, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in to learn about the negotiation principles Don applied both internally and externally and the importance of understanding and aligning with people's motivations.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Guest Don Faul

01:04 Don Faul's Career Journey

02:38 The CrossFit Experience

08:39 Challenges and Changes at CrossFit

19:56 Management and Innovation at CrossFit

27:20 Reflections on Leadership and Negotiation

28:05 Reflecting on Negotiation Lessons from the Marines

28:30 Managing Emotions in High-Stress Situations

29:52 The Importance of Taking a Step Back

30:29 Early Career Decisions and Learning from Mistakes

31:22 Navigating Free Speech Challenges at Facebook

32:15 Internal Negotiations and Policy Conflicts

41:23 Lessons from Pinterest: Scaling and Structuring

46:47 Overcoming Challenges in Equity Compensation

52:31 Negotiating with Big Brands as a Small Company

56:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Chad Hutchinson, one of only seven individuals to have played in both the NFL and the MLB. Chad was both a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. But he didn't just hang up his boots and call it quits after his pro-sports career: he went back to the bottom of the finance world and worked his way to becoming a Partner at the successful PE firm Arctos, pioneering sports franchise acquisition.

Discover how Chad transitioned from the ultra competitive world of sports to a thriving career in finance. Chad shares insights on his decision-making processes, from choosing between MLB and NFL offers to navigating complex negotiations with sports team owners in private equity. Learn about the values and lessons Chad acquired from his mentors and the pivotal moments that shaped his path. Don't miss Chad's inspiring story and his practical wisdom on achieving success in multiple high-stakes arenas.

00:00 Introduction to Winning and Success

00:19 Meet Chad Hutchinson: Dual-Sport Athlete

01:03 Chad's Early Life and Sports Beginnings

01:58 High School Breakthroughs and College Decisions

04:32 Negotiation Lessons from Scott Boris

08:19 Transition to Professional Baseball

10:24 Steroid Era and Lessons from Mark McGuire

16:25 Transition to Professional Football

20:03 Negotiating with Jerry Jones

26:13 First NFL Game Against Peyton Manning

28:03 Transition from Sports to Finance

29:12 Facing the Daunting Transition from Sports to Finance

29:47 Building Marketable Skills and Networking

30:39 Humbling Beginnings in the Workforce

32:20 Navigating the Financial Crisis and Buying Distressed Assets

33:26 Grit and Persistence in Business

34:38 Experience at Sixth Street and Learning Agriculture

39:21 Transition to OSE Partners and the Business of Sports

51:56 Investing in College Sports and NIL

58:20 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we are honored to have a conversation with General Stanley McChrystal, a legendary military leader. We delve deep into his thoughts on the importance of negotiation in the military, his experiences leading JSOC operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the crucial role of character in leadership. General McChrystal shares valuable insights from his new book, 'On Character: Choices That Define a Life,' and discusses the intricate art of negotiation, from dealing with heads of state to commanding elite special forces, and the value of relationships in both military and civilian spheres.

Read the General's New Book: https://bit.ly/3F1aGfx

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:36 General McChrystal's Book: On Character

03:46 Leadership and Team Dynamics in Special Operations

06:34 The Hunt for Al-Qaeda Leader Zarqawi

12:12 Building Trust and Managing Risk in Military Operations

20:00 Interagency Collaboration and Negotiation

34:17 Challenges of Leading International Forces in Afghanistan

36:14 Navigating International Military Partnerships

38:53 The Importance of National Character

42:23 Building Trust with President Karzai

47:41 Challenges in Command and Communication

51:22 Reflections on Leadership and Negotiation

51:56 The Need for Character in Politics

01:01:52 Negotiating with Difficult Parties

01:10:23 Lessons from Military History

01:11:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #Stanleymcchrystal #StanChristensen