
EIL16:The Lazy CEO's Guide to Getting More Done with Jim Schleckser
04/06/23 • 30 min
Jim Schleckser, CEO of The CEO Project Jim helps leaders grow companies. Before he started the CEO Project, a firm that mentors fast-growth CEOs, he ran a technology business valued at $1.6 Billion.
He has done business in 41 countries. He has a regular column on entrepreneurial growth issues on Inc.com.
He has spent over 10,000 hours speaking with and interviewing CEOs. He has published two best-selling books, “Great CEOs are Lazy” and "Professional Drinking"
This episode promises to challenge your perspective on business and offer a fresh, game-changing approach toward growth and efficacy.
Why you have to check out today’s episode
- Discover the key traits that separate exceptional CEOs from the worst and the three critical areas to find kinks in your business system and how to fix it
- Find out how to improve your business from hiring the right talent and delegating effectively, to fostering a positive company culture.
- Learn how highly-effective CEOs approach their business both from the ins and outs
"The caliber of the people you have around yourself that you attract is critical as a CEO.” - Jim Schleckser
Topics Covered:
01:13 What distinguishes exceptional CEOs from the worst
03:49 Jim discloses the three critical areas to find the kinks in your system
06:47 All about hiring: what does Jim prioritize in hiring talents and team members
07:49 How to attract high-caliber people to your team
08:25 What does Jim have to say about working with "Brilliant jerks"
10:12 Jim shares the intellectual framework on which businesses should operate
11:50 The secret sauce of Breakthrough thinking
13:48 Two ways to Fixing the kink in your system
16:57 Jim’s insight on the classic constraint faced by CEOs who can’t let go of their functional roles
19:19 Expert advice for CEOs seeking to thrive in the international business field
23:22 The key strategy to identifying and hiring top performers
25:39 Everything you need to know about delegation and how to get comfortable with it.
Key Takeaways
"Think about that CEO working 80 hours a week. I can almost automatically tell you they have a poor-quality team around them."
"The caliber of the people you have around yourself that you attract is critical as a CEO"
"Companies don't grow, people do. So if the business is growing and the people are not, the business is not going to grow"
"Learning as a competency is one of the prime importance both for the CEO and their team because they have to demonstrate this; they have to model being a learner."
"You can't take your own lens and stick to it. You have to be willing to say, okay, if that's the way the ball game is played here, we're going to play differently."
"As a leader, you have an obligation to the team to move out low performers. Everybody's looking at you to do that."
"We define our business by our organization's culture---not only by what we do but also what we are not willing to tolerate.”
"It's when there are 32 shades of gray and you've gotta pick the best shade of gray for your particular organization, that's when we and your CEO peer group come into play"
People/Resources Mentioned
- Great CEOs are Lazy: https://www.amazon.com/Great-CEOs-Are-Lazy-Schleckser/dp/0988309912
- Professional Drinking: A Spirited Guide to Wine, Cocktails and Confident Business Entertaining: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Drinking-Cocktails-Confident-Entertaining-ebook/dp/B08J1K89RZ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
- The CEO Project: CEO Peer Groups for high-performing CEOs: https://theceoproject.com/
Connect with Jim Schleckser
- Website: https://theceoproject.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IncCEOproject
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/243491/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/incceoproject?lang=en
- Email: [email protected]
Connect with Dr. Katrina Burrus
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinaburrus/
- Website: https://mkbconseil.ch/contact/
Jim Schleckser, CEO of The CEO Project Jim helps leaders grow companies. Before he started the CEO Project, a firm that mentors fast-growth CEOs, he ran a technology business valued at $1.6 Billion.
He has done business in 41 countries. He has a regular column on entrepreneurial growth issues on Inc.com.
He has spent over 10,000 hours speaking with and interviewing CEOs. He has published two best-selling books, “Great CEOs are Lazy” and "Professional Drinking"
This episode promises to challenge your perspective on business and offer a fresh, game-changing approach toward growth and efficacy.
Why you have to check out today’s episode
- Discover the key traits that separate exceptional CEOs from the worst and the three critical areas to find kinks in your business system and how to fix it
- Find out how to improve your business from hiring the right talent and delegating effectively, to fostering a positive company culture.
- Learn how highly-effective CEOs approach their business both from the ins and outs
"The caliber of the people you have around yourself that you attract is critical as a CEO.” - Jim Schleckser
Topics Covered:
01:13 What distinguishes exceptional CEOs from the worst
03:49 Jim discloses the three critical areas to find the kinks in your system
06:47 All about hiring: what does Jim prioritize in hiring talents and team members
07:49 How to attract high-caliber people to your team
08:25 What does Jim have to say about working with "Brilliant jerks"
10:12 Jim shares the intellectual framework on which businesses should operate
11:50 The secret sauce of Breakthrough thinking
13:48 Two ways to Fixing the kink in your system
16:57 Jim’s insight on the classic constraint faced by CEOs who can’t let go of their functional roles
19:19 Expert advice for CEOs seeking to thrive in the international business field
23:22 The key strategy to identifying and hiring top performers
25:39 Everything you need to know about delegation and how to get comfortable with it.
Key Takeaways
"Think about that CEO working 80 hours a week. I can almost automatically tell you they have a poor-quality team around them."
"The caliber of the people you have around yourself that you attract is critical as a CEO"
"Companies don't grow, people do. So if the business is growing and the people are not, the business is not going to grow"
"Learning as a competency is one of the prime importance both for the CEO and their team because they have to demonstrate this; they have to model being a learner."
"You can't take your own lens and stick to it. You have to be willing to say, okay, if that's the way the ball game is played here, we're going to play differently."
"As a leader, you have an obligation to the team to move out low performers. Everybody's looking at you to do that."
"We define our business by our organization's culture---not only by what we do but also what we are not willing to tolerate.”
"It's when there are 32 shades of gray and you've gotta pick the best shade of gray for your particular organization, that's when we and your CEO peer group come into play"
People/Resources Mentioned
- Great CEOs are Lazy: https://www.amazon.com/Great-CEOs-Are-Lazy-Schleckser/dp/0988309912
- Professional Drinking: A Spirited Guide to Wine, Cocktails and Confident Business Entertaining: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Drinking-Cocktails-Confident-Entertaining-ebook/dp/B08J1K89RZ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
- The CEO Project: CEO Peer Groups for high-performing CEOs: https://theceoproject.com/
Connect with Jim Schleckser
- Website: https://theceoproject.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IncCEOproject
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/243491/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/incceoproject?lang=en
- Email: [email protected]
Connect with Dr. Katrina Burrus
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinaburrus/
- Website: https://mkbconseil.ch/contact/
Previous Episode

EIL15: Achieving the American Dream with Self-Made Italian Billionaire and Philanthropist Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader who founded and served as the Chairman of the Board of Paychex, Inc., a leading national provider of payroll, human resource, and benefit outsourcing solutions for over half a million small and medium-sized businesses. He has been consistently recognized by the business, financial and national media and has donated approximately $300 million to various charitable causes and institutions. He was also notably the former owner of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. His commitment to helping those with intellectual disabilities, Western New York, and the region's economic climate will leave a lasting legacy.
Does the American dream still exist? Is it really possible to realize the dream of becoming a billionaire in a lifetime? The skeptics say it's no longer possible. It's just a dream. Let's listen to Tom Golisano, the Italian kid who started with $3,000 and founded and developed Paychex, which allowed him to become a billionaire in one generation.
Tune in for a chock-full of nuggets for current and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start, grow, and operate a successful business.
Why you have to check out today’s episode
- Learn the background of Paychex and how Tom grows it one partner and franchise at a time
- Reveals the secrets behind much of Golisano’s success and teaches you how to apply those same success-hacks to your own life.
- Emboldens you to see the world differently in terms of what’s possible despite what others may have you believe.
- Entertains and enlightens you along the way, with Golisano’s stories of running for Governor two times, purchasing a failing NHL franchise, the Buffalo Sabres, and dry sense of humor throughout.
“The biggest thing we did was to have great people working for the team, good people who knew how to do the job and I'd let them do the job.” - Tom Golisano
Topics Covered:
01:30 Tom explains the double meaning behind the title of his book—The Italian Kid Did it.
03:10 Can the skeptics still count on the American dream and the possibility of becoming a billionaire?
06:54 Talks about what it takes before Tom sees Paychex succeed
07:44 The challenges Tom faced in expanding his business and how he turned golf buddies into bosses
09:49 The next steps in Tom's business journey
10:34 Tom discusses the main motivator that propelled his success
13:05 The motivation behind the book—The Italian Kid Did it
15:23 Find out about Tom’s professional sports journey
16:45 Advice to those who are looking to create a professional sports team
18:00 Tom’s insight on addressing the crisis leadership situation in America’s political system
19:33 Three things Tom would like you to get from his book—The Italian Kid Did It
Key Takeaways
Because of technology, there are a lot of opportunities out there, you've gotta find it, you've gotta look for it.
Some people would admit that the turmoils or difficult situations have a great effect on their life. That applies to me too.
I just wish our people in governmental positions would try working together for once instead of working against each other.
People/Resources Mentioned
- Built not Born Book: https://www.amazon.com/Built-Not-Born-Billionaires-Entrepreneurs/dp/1400217555
- The Italian Kid Did It: How I Turned $3K into $44B and Achieved the American Dream https://www.amazon.com/Italian-Kid-Did-Achieved-American-ebook/dp/B09831XR9J#:~:text=Watching%20his%20father%20struggle%20to,sway%20your%20view%20of%20reality.
- Paychex: https://www.paychex.com/
Connect with Thomas Golisano
- Website: http://tomgolisano.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThomasGolisano
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomasgolisano/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomgolisano/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-golisano-94937919a/
Connect with Dr. Katrina Burrus
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinaburrus/
- Website: https://mkbconseil.ch/contact/
Next Episode

EIL17: Winning the International Market with Confidence: Set Your Business Up for Global Success with Klaus Wehage
Klaus Wehage is the CEO of 10X Innovation Lab, author of Global Class, and Silicon Valley ambassador who serves as a conduit, connecting the world to the startup community elite. He previously served as the Head of International Relations at Silicon Valley Forum, where he started dedicating his career to building and cultivating high-value, sustainable partnerships with international organizations.
Klaus has a track record of mentoring over 2000+ founders and corporate executives, working with 50+ countries, and advising governments on ecosystem building. He is known as the secret weapon for companies seeking to implement innovative programs and strengthen their ties to the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Klaus has an MBA from Hult University and a Bachelor's in Business and Culture from Copenhagen Business School and has lived and worked on four continents.
Are you ready to take your business global? In this episode, we have Klaus Wehage sitting with us in a lengthy exchange about his expert insights on international business. From assessing your company's readiness to go global to key factors to consider when transitioning from local to international markets. Klaus offers concrete examples and valuable advice on the challenges and costs of international expansion that you have to anticipate and address. Lastly, Klaus highlights the advantages of international expansion beyond the monetary gains.
Don't miss Klaus' wisdom on these critical topics, plus his frameworks, tools and strategies you can utilize in your business toward global acceleration and growth.
Why you have to check out today’s episode
Discover battle-tested strategies to establishing your business for global success and cultivate its competencies from the very start Find out both the advantages and challenges of expanding globally and the ways to anticipate and address them. Learn how to assess your business's global readiness based on factors such as business operations, mindset, and the characteristics you need to have that qualify for international expansion
“You need to have eyes and ears into the world. Being able to see patterns and trends that can feed into how you build your products well.” —Klaus Wehagu
Topics Covered: 00:30 Why thinking globally on Day 1 determines success in the international arena 02:40 Klaus explains concrete examples to assess your company's readiness to go global 04:00 The process of hiring the perfect candidate for an international market 08:42 Certain traits that you should look for when building an international-literate team 10:49 Key business aspects to evaluate in transitioning from local to international 13:19 Globalization versus Localization 18:12 What key factors do companies often fail with in their international business model? 20:37 What are the costs associated with going international: localization and market entry cost 23:45 The challenges of international expansion that you have to anticipate and address 26:32 Klaus' expert advice for successful American businesses seeking international experience 30:52 Huge advantage of going international besides making more money 34:34 Klaus’ insights on the present decline in globalization 37:23 How does the virtuality of business today affect the international business arena?
Key Takeaways
"If you seek to learn and understand nothing will be foreign.” —Klaus Wehage
“Be open and be willing to relearn and listen to local teams to discover how to best find product market fit in new markets.” —Klaus Wehage
"Think about partnerships instead of disruption when you go into new markets. Take a more collaborative approach in enabling support and growth in the industry" —Klaus Wehage
“Localization is about creating a strong business model and then identifying key questions that will challenge it.” —Klaus Wehage
"One of the most important things, when you go international, is also the ability to say no. Cause you have a tendency when you engage with customers in new markets to say yes, we want to do it, we want to secure a customer" —Klaus Wehage "The biggest mistake that we see with companies is that the leadership team are not exposed to the local reality" —Klaus Wehage
"If you don't understand how they react to certain tastes in a specific market, you're not going to be successful because you can't just change a person's palate, the taste buttons. It sounds very simple but there is a tendency to standardize, that's the bias." —Klaus Wehage
"Make your product/company more resilient to competition.” —Klaus Wehage
People/Resources Mentioned
Global Class: How the World's Fastest-Growing Companies Scale Globally by Focusing Locally: https://www.amazon.com/Global-Class-Fastest-Growing-Companies-Globally-ebook/dp/B09RMFNNZ4?r...
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