Most executives don’t put the word "joy" in their personal brand statement.

John Goss does!

As President of Sally Beauty, a global brand with over 2,400 stores in the US and Canada, John has built his career around the idea that joy and culture aren’t separate from results - it produces them.

In this conversation, we talked about what it really means to lead with joy. Not as a feel-good concept, but as a deliberate strategy. Joy attracts the right people, builds real trust, and drives everything else.

We also got into the stuff that doesn't always make it into leadership conversations:

• growing up as the new kid across eight schools
• graduating high school in Singapore
• and the early career moments that taught him exactly the kind of leader he never wanted to be

Gravy-powered rocket ship. 12x EBITDA.

His dad made him write a P&L for his lemonade stand, even though Brandon Coleman III couldn't pronounce the word "quarters" yet.

Same kid. Forty years later. Now he's leading major brands.

Another story that shaped his leadership style: Early in his career, he walked into a restaurant and ordered his own promotion. His server looks at him and says: "I wouldn't do that." He waited until the rush died down. Pulled her aside. Asked her why. She told him everything. It's a moment that he never forgot. When you actually listen to your servers, managers, and guests, magic happens.

At Cotton Patch Café, Brandon did the unthinkable - lowered prices, increased portions and increased wages! People thought he was nuts! Guess what? It worked, driving 12x EBITDA!

Ironically, the best ideas are often not found in the boardroom. They're found at the front line!

“That’s a really good question…” when I hear this during my podcast, it really brings me joy and reminds me why I LOVE doing these!

Kelli Valade, President and CEO of Women's Foodservice Forum, and I go off-script on this one. That’s when the magic happens, and what comes out of those moments is what makes it worth your time to watch and listen in!

A few things you’ll walk away with:

🎙️ Why most people don’t lack ambition… they lack awareness of what’s possible for them

🎙️ Why asking “where do you want to be in 5 years?” isn’t helpful

🎙️ What it actually takes to build confidence in someone (hint: it doesn’t start with them)

🎙️ The hidden costs leaders miss because they aren’t visible on the P&L

🎙️ Where we got innovation right… and where we didn’t

🎙️ Why “being seen” might be the most underutilized leadership tool right now

If you lead people, develop talent, or just want to think a little differently about what leadership actually requires today… this episode is worth a listen!