Don Yaeger speaks with David Meltzer

Questions David asks Don


What are the similarities in the playbooks of the most successful people you have interviewed? (1:00)


Do you see ‘consistency’ as an overwhelming common trait of high performers? (6:20)


What do you think the state of responsibility is today? (11:00)


What is the best advice that anyone that you have worked with has given you? (17:00)


What legacy do you want to leave? (19:00)


You Will Learn


Two thought processes the truly Great ones apply to their lives. (1:00)


The routine the Great Ones practice EACH morning to ensure consistent high performance. (6:20)


How Great leaders balance responsibility and delegation. (11:00)


The best piece of advice that Walter Payton offered Don in the last weeks of his life. (17:00)


Don Yaeger Speaks With John Livesay

Questions John asks Don


Can you take us back to your own personal passions for sports before you got involved with Sports Illustrated? Was that always a dream job? (3:17)


Tell me the story of you going one-on-one with Michael Jordan. (4:30)


How do you build confidence up in your team? (15:00)


What are the five words you want people to say about you when you’ve left the room? (18:00)

You Will Learn


How humility can help you on your journey to greatness. (8:00)


Why it is important to hate losing. (9:00)


The importance of great huddles (meetings). (19:00)


How the great teams avoid the pitfalls of success. (26:00)


Don Yaeger speaks with Cindra Kamphoff

“There are moments in our lives when something happens that is knee-buckling. It sends you to the couch, or it could make you want to curl up in the fetal position. The truly Great ones get up from those moments and they do something special.”

- Don Yaeger

Questions Cindra asks Don


Tell us about where you got to where you are now. (4:35)


How did you create your list of 16 Characteristics of Greatness? (8:10)


How do the greatest athletes/leaders view adversity? (19:10)


Can you share a story of someone who has taken a risk thoughtfully? (26:30)


How do the teams you work with find their “why?” (32:50)

You Will Learn


One simple trick to take you from where you are now to where you want to be. (8:30)


How the Great Ones handle adversity. (13:30)


The right time to take a risk. (24:45)


What it means to understand your "WHY". (31:00)


The secret to camaraderie. (35:50)


Don Yaeger speaks with Mark Struczewski

Questions Mark asks Don


What suggestions do you give companies who want to change their culture? (1:30)


What is the role of empathy in a leadership position? (12:10)


What are Don Yaeger’s top productivity hacks? (13:10)


What would you say to someone who wants to be more empathetic towards their team? (18:00)


What is a simple call to action the listener can do today to get them moving in the right direction? (25:00)

You Will Learn


The effect company culture has on productivity. (1:30)


The truth behind the “One Jerk Rule”. (5:45)


How to overcome a poor company culture. (7:20)


Why you need to make your team feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves. (10:00)


How you can improve your team dynamic today. (21:00)


Don Yaeger speaks with Tyler & Kelley Dickerhoof

About This Podcast


This podcasts focuses on coaching for your health, wealth, and leadership. We believe you deserve to live your best, most fulfilling life. We understand feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and unsure of what to do next. And that's why for seven years we've helped thousands of people build businesses and achieve goals they never thought possible.



You Will Learn


Don’s experience coaching others in the art of storytelling. (14:30)


Why passion is more important than you might think. (17:00)


How to live with the same passion for excellence that John Wooden had. (19:00)


How to simplify your tasks and improve productivity. (24:00)


Why the Great ones hate losing more than they love winning. (28:00)


The best way to achieve resonance with an audience. (31:30)



Don Yaeger featured on Ken Blanchard LeaderChat
"Don, the examples that you recommend, the names that you throw out there are an amazing gift, it’s incredible." – Chad Gordon (Host)

Questions Chad asks Don


Why did you feel that great teams was such an important topic to tackle? (1:20)

 

What’s some of the stories you’ve found on your research about having a roadmap? (14:30)

 

What did you find around activating efficiency? (17:15)

 

How are the best organizations building a mentoring culture? (24:00)

 

Mutual direction, what did you find, why was that the fourth pillar of your findings? (28:40)

 

If there’s one thing you want our listeners to take away from this conversation, what would it be? (32:00)


You Will Learn


Why great teams know who they are in service of, why it matters, and how they “feel-it” on a consistent basis. (3:50)


How the best teams develop talent that fits with their culture. (12:45)


The importance of having a shared goal and direction for your team, and how that will affect your development. (14:30)


Great teams have the willingness to not only accept change, but to embrace it. (17:15)


Why the great teams can perform better in ‘crunch time.’ (28:40)


Don Yaeger speaks with Lewis Howes

"You’re an amazing storyteller, every time I hear from you, you tell me a story that gives me chills. You tell a story in such a powerful way."

Questions Lewis asks Don


What’s one or two things that you weren’t expecting to hear when conducting interviews with the Greatest athletes of our generation? (1:25)


What’s the key to developing depth? What do you look for specifically? (16:25)


How do we become more efficient when there’s egos, desires, or dreams? How do we bring it all together to keep people on track and efficient in the process? (23:50)


What was the last thing Coach Wooden said to you? (38:50)


What would be the three lessons you would want to leave behind? (42:30)


What’s the coolest wish you’ve seen over the last four years with Make A Wish? (44:40)

You Will Learn


The advice Don would give a company when they feel like their employees are disconnected. (1:45)


The challenge of developing into a Great leader and how you can overcome those roadblocks. (11:30)


The best way to recruit new talent. (14:40)


The language necessary for leaders to use to foster success. (20:30)


The most effective way to connect with your team. (23:50)


The three greatest lessons that Don learned during his time with legendary basketball coach John Wooden. (33:10)


Don Yaeger Speaks With Justin Honaman

Questions Justin asks Don


How did you get into writing history books? (7:00)


What will people learn from your book What Makes the Great Teams Great? (9:45)


How have you seen effective organizations make sure their teams feel their why? (17:00)


What stood out to you when studying these Great teams? (22:00)


You Will Learn


Key lessons Don has learned from the Greatest teams. (9:45)


Why it's essential to learn about other Great teams. (13:30)


The importance of not only knowing your ‘why,’ but feeling it. (15:00)


Why a mentoring culture is an important trait of a Great team. (22:00)




Don Yaeger speaks with Jesse Cole

About This Interview


From how great teams speak a different language, to how they hold successful huddles, to how they understand their why, Don lays the ground work on how to implement great habits in your workplace today.


The host of Business Done Differently, Jesse Cole, is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently.


You Will Learn


How to draw the line between operating like a team or a family in business and in sports. (7:15)


Learning how Great teams communicate differently, and how that communication leads to success. (12:30)


Why "feel-it" moments are an essential aspect of Great teams. (20:10)


How Don creates a successful culture in his own companies. (27:00)


Why Great teams should focus on having Great huddles (meetings). (34:00)


The importance of focusing on the process instead of the outcome. (40:00)



About This Interview


This episode will give you a chance to pause, take a step back, and identify the areas of your life where you ask WHY?


Why are you doing what you’re doing, who are you in service of, and how does what you do help others get what they want?

You Will Learn


Why the 1992 USA men’s basketball team is the greatest collection of talent ever to wear the same jersey – and what you can learn from them. (9:30)


The ONE thing that separates the best teams from everyone else. (26:30)


The 3 ways “feel it” comes into play within organizations. (33:45)



Don speaks with Dave Nelson

"Don does not just look at what it takes to be a champion, but what it takes to be content while being a champion.”

Questions Dave asks Don


What is it about athletes that is so attractive to us? (7:00)


What separates the Great from the good? (30:00)


What is one misconception most people have about championship level athletes? (37:10)


Who was your favorite person you have worked with? (39:15)


How do you define failure? (42:20)


Who has served as your greatest source of inspiration? (46:30)


You Will Learn


How Don got started as a writer and journalist. (9:00)


The danger of living in the checklist culture. (16:00)


Don's definition of what success really is. (18:00)


How to take excuses off of the table. (32:45)


The balance between Greatness and humility. (35:00)


Don’s two favorite words for motivation. (42:45)


How fatherhood helps in the journey to Greatness. (44:30)



Don Yaeger speaks with David Mammano

About This Interview


Lessons learned in The Avanti Entrepreneur Podcast can help you grow your business so that it provides a good life for you, your family, and your employees.


In this episode, Don and David talk about the power of mentoring and how to ensure you are both mentally and physically present when you’re with your family or business contacts.

You Will Learn


The importance of taking lessons from those who’ve discovered and successfully pursued a passion in their lives, achieving what seemed impossible. (7:00)


Not letting fear of rejection stop you from approaching someone you admire to form a possible mentor relationship. (9:30)


How Don learned to draw up a game plan of what he wanted to learn from his sessions with mentor John Wooden. (11:30)


Making sure you’re mentally as well as physically present when you’re with your family or business contacts. (17:00)


Don using his awareness of his own performance gaps when making hires to fill those weaknesses and make his team stronger. (23:00)


How you need to find the right people to get your story out to help leave a positive impact on their lives once you’re gone. (26:00)


Making sure to find the right creative process that works for your mentality and lets you create content fully expressing your ideas. (34:00)


How Don wants to change the world in whatever way he can in the time he’s been given. (40:00)



Don Yaeger speaks with John O'Leary

John O'Leary is a nationally acclaimed best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and host of the Live Inspired Podcast.


Don speaks with Ken Coleman

Ken Coleman an inspirational speaker, the author of the best-selling book One Question, and host of the Ken Coleman Show and EntreLeadership Podcast.


Kevin Miller is a lifetime entrepreneur who has founded numerous businesses; he now consults others on starting new businesses. Kevin Miller is one of the primary voices for Ziglar, Inc. and the Zig Ziglar Show.


Don speaks with Trevor Chapman

Trevor Chapman is one of the world's top experts in digital marketing and host of the Trevor Chapman Show.


Don Yaeger speaks with Cindra Kamphoff

Cindra Kamphoff is recognized nationally for her work and contributions to the field of performance psychology. Cindra Kamphoff is the host of the High Performance Mindset Podcast.

Don Yaeger speaks with David Meltzer

Questions David Asked Don


  • What are the similarities in the playbooks of the most successful people you have interviewed? (1:00)


  • Do you see ‘consistency’ as an overwhelming common trait of high performers? (6:20)


  • What do you think the state of responsibility is today? (11:00)


  • What is the best advice that anyone that you have worked with has given you? (17:00)



  • What legacy do you want to leave? (19:00)

You Will Learn


  • Two thought processes the truly Great ones apply to their lives. (1:00)


  • The routine the Great Ones practice EACH morning to ensure consistent high performance. (6:20)


  • How Great leaders balance responsibility and delegation. (11:00)


  • The best piece of advice that Walter Payton offered Don in the last weeks of his life. (17:00)
Don Yaeger Speaks With John Livesay

Questions John asks Don


  • Can you take us back to your own personal passions for sports before you got involved with Sports Illustrated? Was that always a dream job? (3:17)


  • Tell me the story of you going one-on-one with Michael Jordan. (4:30)


  • How do you build confidence up in your team? (15:00)


  • What are the five words you want people to say about you when you’ve left the room? (18:00)

You Will Learn


  • How humility can help you on your journey to greatness. (8:00)


  • Why it is important to hate losing. (9:00)


  • The importance of great huddles (meetings). (19:00)


  • How the great teams avoid the pitfalls of success. (26:00)
Don Yaeger speaks with Cindra Kamphoff

“There are moments in our lives when something happens that is knee-buckling. It sends you to the couch, or it could make you want to curl up in the fetal position. The truly Great ones get up from those moments and they do something special.”

- Don Yaeger

Questions Cindra asks Don


  • Tell us about where you got to where you are now. (4:35)


  • How did you create your list of 16 Characteristics of Greatness? (8:10)


  • How do the greatest athletes/leaders view adversity? (19:10)


  • Can you share a story of someone who has taken a risk thoughtfully? (26:30)


  • How do the teams you work with find their “why?” (32:50)

You Will Learn


  • One simple trick to take you from where you are now to where you want to be. (8:30)


  • How the Great ones handle adversity. (13:30)


  • The right time to take a risk. (24:45)


  • What it means to understand your “why.” (31:00)


  • The secret to camaraderie. (35:50)

Don Yaeger speaks with Mark Struczewski

Questions Mark asks Don


  • What suggestions do you give companies who want to change their culture? (1:30)


  • What is the role of empathy in a leadership position? (12:10)


  • What are Don Yaeger’s top productivity hacks? (13:10)


  • What would you say to someone who wants to be more empathetic towards their team? (18:00)


  • What is a simple call to action the listener can do today to get them moving in the right direction? (25:00)

You Will Learn


  • The effect company culture has on productivity. (1:30)


  • The truth behind the “One Jerk Rule”. (5:45)


  • How to overcome a poor company culture. (7:20)


  • Why you need to make your team feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves. (10:00)


  • How you can improve your team dynamic today. (21:00)
Don Yaeger featured on The Tyler & Kelley Show

About This Podcast


This podcasts focuses on coaching for your health, wealth, and leadership. We believe you deserve to live your best, most fulfilling life. We understand feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and unsure of what to do next. And that's why for seven years we've helped thousands of people build businesses and achieve goals they never thought possible.

You Will Learn


  • Don’s experience coaching others in the art of storytelling. (14:30)


  • Why passion is more important than you might think. (17:00)


  • How to live with the same passion for excellence that John Wooden had. (19:00)


  • How to simplify your tasks and improve productivity. (24:00)


  • Why the Great ones hate losing more than they love winning. (28:00)


  • The best way to achieve resonance with an audience. (31:30)

Don Yaeger featured on Ken Blanchard LeaderChat

"Don, the examples that you recommend, the names that you throw out there are an amazing gift, it’s incredible." – Chad Gordon (Host)

Questions Chad asks Don


  • Why did you feel that great teams was such an important topic to tackle? (1:20)

 

  • What’s some of the stories you’ve found on your research about having a roadmap? (14:30)

 

  • What did you find around activating efficiency? (17:15)

 

  • How are the best organizations building a mentoring culture? (24:00)

 

  • Mutual direction, what did you find, why was that the fourth pillar of your findings? (28:40)

 

  • If there’s one thing you want our listeners to take away from this conversation, what would it be? (32:00)

You Will Learn


  • Why great teams know who they are in service of, why it matters, and how they “feel-it” on a consistent basis. (3:50)


  • How the best teams develop talent that fits with their culture. (12:45)


  • The importance of having a shared goal and direction for your team, and how that will affect your development. (14:30)


  • Great teams have the willingness to not only accept change, but to embrace it. (17:15)


  • Why the great teams can perform better in ‘crunch time.’ (28:40)

Don Yaeger speaks with Lewis Howes

"You’re an amazing storyteller, every time I hear from you, you tell me a story that gives me chills. You tell a story in such a powerful way."

Questions Lewis asks Don


  • What’s one or two things that you weren’t expecting to hear when conducting interviews with the Greatest athletes of our generation? (1:25)


  • What’s the key to developing depth? What do you look for specifically? (16:25)


  • How do we become more efficient when there’s egos, desires, or dreams? How do we bring it all together to keep people on track and efficient in the process? (23:50)


  • What was the last thing Coach Wooden said to you? (38:50)
  • What would be the three lessons you would want to leave behind? (42:30)


  • What’s the coolest wish you’ve seen over the last four years with Make A Wish? (44:40)


You Will Learn


  • The advice Don would give a company when they feel like their employees are disconnected. (1:45)


  • The challenge of developing into a Great leader and how you can overcome those roadblocks. (11:30)


  • The best way to recruit new talent. (14:40)


  • The language necessary for leaders to use to foster success. (20:30)


  • The most effective way to connect with your team. (23:50)


  • The three greatest lessons that Don learned during his time with legendary basketball coach John Wooden. (33:10)
Don Yaeger speaks with Justin Honoman

Questions Justin asks Don


  • How did you get into writing history books? (7:00)


  • What will people learn from your book What Makes the Great Teams Great? (9:45)


  • How have you seen effective organizations make sure their teams feel their why? (17:00)


  • What stood out to you when studying these Great teams? (22:00)


You Will Learn


  • Key lessons Don has learned from the Greatest teams. (9:45)


  • Why it's essential to learn about other Great teams. (13:30)


  • The importance of not only knowing your ‘why,’ but feeling it. (15:00)


  • Why a mentoring culture is an important trait of a Great team. (22:00)

“While profit is an important piece of your road map, it cannot be the only map that tells you whether you are hitting the right treasure or not.”

About This Interview


From how great teams speak a different language, to how they hold successful huddles, to how they understand their why, Don lays the ground work on how to implement great habits in your workplace today.


The host of Business Done Differently, Jesse Cole, is a passionate and engaging business leader sharing other leaders messages, tips and fresh ideas on Business Done Differently.

You Will Learn


  • How to draw the line between operating like a team or a family in business and in sports. (7:15)


  • Learning how Great teams communicate differently, and how that communication leads to success. (12:30)


  • Why "feel-it" moments are an essential aspect of Great teams. (20:10)


  • How Don creates a successful culture in his own companies. (27:00)


  • Why Great teams should focus on having Great huddles (meetings). (34:00)


  • The importance of focusing on the process instead of the outcome. (40:00)
Don Yaeger speaks with David Mammano

About This Interview


Lessons learned in The Avanti Entrepreneur Podcast can help you grow your business so that it provides a good life for you, your family, and your employees.


In this episode, Don and David talk about the power of mentoring and how to ensure you are both mentally and physically present when you’re with your family or business contacts.

You Will Learn


  • The importance of taking lessons from those who’ve discovered and successfully pursued a passion in their lives, achieving what seemed impossible. (7:00)


  • Not letting fear of rejection stop you from approaching someone you admire to form a possible mentor relationship. (9:30)


  • How Don learned to draw up a game plan of what he wanted to learn from his sessions with mentor John Wooden. (11:30)


  • Making sure you’re mentally as well as physically present when you’re with your family or business contacts. (17:00)


  • Don using his awareness of his own performance gaps when making hires to fill those weaknesses and make his team stronger. (23:00)


  • How you need to find the right people to get your story out to help leave a positive impact on their lives once you’re gone. (26:00)


  • Making sure to find the right creative process that works for your mentality and lets you create content fully expressing your ideas. (34:00)


  • How Don wants to change the world in whatever way he can in the time he’s been given. (40:00)
Don Yaeger speaks with Geoff Woods

About This Interview


This episode will give you a chance to pause, take a step back, and identify the areas of your life where you ask WHY?


Why are you doing what you’re doing, who are you in service of, and how does what you do help others get what they want? 

You Will Learn


  • Why the 1992 USA men’s basketball team is the Greatest collection of talent ever to wear the same jersey – and what you can learn from them. (9:30)


  • The ONE thing that separates the best teams from everyone else. (26:30)


  • The 3 ways “feel it” comes into play within organizations. (33:45)

Don speaks with Dave Nelson

"Don does not just look at what it takes to be a champion, but what it takes to be content while being a champion.”

Questions Dave asks Don


  • What is it about athletes that is so attractive to us? (7:00)


  • What separates the Great from the good? (30:00)


  • What is one misconception most people have about championship level athletes? (37:10)


  • Who was your favorite person you have worked with? (39:15)


  • How do you define failure? (42:20)


  • Who has served as your Greatest source of inspiration? (46:30)

You Will Learn


  • How Don got started as a writer and journalist. (9:00)


  • The danger of living in the checklist culture. (16:00)


  • Don's definition of what success really is. (18:00)


  • How to take excuses off of the table. (32:45)


  • The balance between Greatness and humility. (35:00)


  • Don’s two favorite words for motivation. (42:45)


  • How fatherhood helps in the journey to Greatness. (44:30)
Don Yaeger speaks with John O'Leary

John O'Leary is a nationally acclaimed best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and host of the Live Inspired Podcast.

Don speaks with Tim Elmore & Mary Steves

Mary is a leadership speaker, and educator most widely known for her work with the California FFA Association. Tim Elmore is the President of Growing Leaders. Together they host the Growing Leaders Podcast.

Don speaks with Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller is a lifetime entrepreneur who has founded numerous businesses; he now consults others on starting new businesses. Kevin Miller is one of the primary voices for Ziglar, Inc. and the Zig Ziglar Show.

Don speaks with Trevor Chapman

Trevor Chapman is one of the world's top experts in digital marketing and host of the Trevor Chapman Show.

Don Yaeger speaks with Christopher Wirth

Christopher Wirth is the founder and President of No Quit Living – a speaking, coaching, and training company. Christopher Wirth also hosts the No Quit Living Podcast.

Don speaks with Ken Coleman

Ken Coleman an inspirational speaker, the author of the best-selling book One Question, and host of the Ken Coleman Show and EntreLeadership Podcast.

Don speaks with Chris List

Chris List is award-winning producer, developer, filmmaker, and fitness expert. Chris List co-hosts the 5 O'Clock Hustle Podcast.

Don speaks with Jim Harshaw

Jim is a performance coach who helps people create the systems, habits, and routines of elite performers through his unique program called Reveal Your Path. Jim Harshaw is the host of the Success Through Failure Podcast.

Don Yaeger speaks with Cindra Kamphoff

Cindra Kamphoff is recognized nationally for her work and contributions to the field of performance psychology. Cindra Kamphoff is the host of the High Performance Mindset Podcast.

Don Speaks with Kenneth Blanchard

Ken Blanchard is a best-selling author and management expert with over 60 published books. Ken Blanchard is the host of the LeaderChat Podcast.

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