In the Master of None podcast the former CEO of Sonic, Clifford Hudson, challenges established thinking, offering counterintuitive career advice essential for every professional at all levels, whether you're just starting out or in the middle of your career.
In his bestselling Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell introduced readers to the 10,000-hour rule—the foundation of success in any endeavor. But as Clifford Hudson reveals, there are serious pitfalls to this rule. What happens to those who spend years trying to achieve something that doesn’t quite pan out? Do you really have to grind down the same path for many years, sacrificing priorities to become successful?
Hudson asks whether or not mastery is even necessary to succeed. Most people don't need to be experts in their field. Yes, the successful know more than the average person about a particular topic, and they often possess a better-than-average ability with a particular skillset; but not everyone who is successful is an expert, he makes clear.
More importantly, in today’s technology-driven environment, change is the only constant, including the nature of work and the skills required to do it. Over-investing in expertise is often riskier than learning to be adaptive and open to new knowledge, ideas, and skills. Experience can also lead to overconfidence. And yet we continue to deeply value the expertise ideal.
On today's episode, Cliff continues discussing the topic of transition. We all know it well — in a year like we’re having, experiencing change is what we can count on most. Every few years, the competition changes, the customers change, the technology changes, so it’s vital that the company and CEO change as well. If we know change is coming for us, why not strategically prepare for it?
I had the privilege of speaking with the amazing Robert Rosenberg, who just happens to know a thing or two about strategic transition. Not only has Bob served as CEO of Dunkin’ Brands for more than 3 decades, but he’s also authored, “Around the World: A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin' Donuts.” Together, we get into the nitty gritty of what it looks like to navigate transition well, at the executive level. This talk is full of transferable principles for all kinds of changes you or your business could be experiencing.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
18 Feb 2021
Thriving in Unexpected Transition: Max Weitzenhoffer & Seth Gordon
As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, we've become a world stuck in constant transition. Businesses around the globe have spent the last year learning new ways to stretch their pivoting muscles and innovate like never before.
The guests on this episode are no strangers to adapting and thriving in seasons of transition. Cliff interviews Max Weitzenhoffer, the Chairman of Nimax Theatres in London, England, and Seth Gordon, a nationally recognized stage director and the Director of the Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. Together, to discuss how oftentimes it’s under the restriction of favorable conditions that creative thinking and innovating can flourish.
If you’re needing inspiration to keep moving and creating, don’t miss this episode.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
22 Jan 2021
Finding Harmony In Transition
Harmony has a lot of lessons to teach us about leadership and interacting with others. Whether it’s in the workplace, government or personal relationships, life is constantly requiring us to figure out new ways to blend our various “voices” together, in order to find ways to co-exist that benefit everyone. It's a tough, but necessary skill that can take your life and leadership to new levels.
Today on this first episode of season 2, you’ll meet a special guest, Jason Wright. He’s a dynamic leader and a former NFL player who’s now serving as President of the Washington Football Team. In this episode, we cover important themes around “Harmony Enriches Most Any Tune,” the third chapter in my book, Master of None. Jason and I discuss the vital role harmony can play in your life and career, as you face seasons of transition.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
10 Dec 2020
Living as a Jack of All Trades
This week, as we wrap up season 1 of Master of None, I reflect on what led me to create this podcast and the many exciting things you can expect in season 2.
It’s been a tremendous joy and privilege to learn from our many guests who’ve shared about the twists and turns in their own stories of personal and professional growth. Their stories reconfirm what I’ve learned over the years — it takes courage, guts, and a serious dose of “who cares what anyone else thinks” to live as a master of none. I can assure you, it will be the most fulfilling adventure you’ll ever say yes to.
I can’t wait for you to hear all that we’ll dive into with season 2. Make sure you remember to follow the podcast so you don’t miss a thing!
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master Of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
3 Dec 2020
What Needs to Stay, What Needs to Change?
I couldn't think of a more qualified individual to speak to the realities of an ever-changing world than this week's guest, Dr. Anthea Hartig. Not only is Dr. Hartig the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, but she is also a deep well of wisdom and brings so much to the table in this conversation.
Together we discuss a question that not only affects the way we look at our nation’s history, but it's an important question that every leader will face time and time again — “What deserves preservation and what needs to change?”
I have no doubt that this conversation will help you navigate the complexities of that question the next time you have to answer it for yourself.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master Of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
29 Oct 2020
The Two Guys' Improvisation: The Ultimate Innovation
In this episode of Master of None, Cliff speaks with Peter Grosz & T. J. Jagodowski — the ‘Two Guys’ we’ve all seen in almost 20 years of Sonic Drive-In TV commercials. Together, we explore the game-changing business principles found in chapter six of Cliff's new book, Master of None entitled “Innovation Is Not A Luxury.”
Despite the familiarity you may have with their screen presence, their individual stories are fresh and unique, and will no doubt feed your desire for innovation.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master Of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
22 Oct 2020
Innovation is Not a Luxury: Preparing for The Two Guys
In this episode of Master of None, I speak with advertising giants Brian Brooker and Pat Piper, the brains behind Sonic’s iconic ad campaign “The Two Guys.” Together, we’re going to dive into what it took to develop the campaign and how their innovation helped transform Sonic’s Brand.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master Of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
15 Oct 2020
Surviving the Perfect Storm
Your ability to embrace unanticipated change will determine whether you survive the perfect storms that come up in your personal life and your career. If you’ve come to a place where you accept and learn to use change, perfect storms will drive you into new and exciting places you never could have gone before. In this episode, I speak with Thurgood Marshall Jr., American lawyer and son of the late Supreme Court of the United States Justice, Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood shares the incredible resilience and fortitude of his father, his move from a challenger of the status quo as a civil rights activist, to his rapid ascension in the Kennedy administration, ultimately to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
7 Oct 2020
Just Say Yes
On today’s conversation, Cliff talks with Mayor Kathy Taylor who said “yes” to the unique opportunities that have come along her professional path. As former Mayor of Tulsa and Former Secretary of Commerce and Tourism in the State of Oklahoma, she leveraged her skills and experiences to write an interesting story for her life.
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
2 Oct 2020
Your "And" Matters More Than Your "What"
In this episode of Master of None, we explore how opportunities can be found within opportunities and how business enterprise expansion can be found within existing businesses. Cliff's guest, Bill Fromm, shares the story behind his unique career expansion and how he boldly carved out new paths professionally.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
22 Sept 2020
Innovation is Not a Luxury
On today’s episode of Master of None, we discuss how innovation is essential to growth. But how do you innovate with limited resources? Clifford talks to Dr. Juliet Garcia who spent years implementing innovation in a public institution with limited resources and administrative challenges.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
10 Sept 2020
Change is a Constant
On today's episode of Master of None, Clifford talks to Ted Kergan about the evolution of life and business, as well as themes of team-work and collaboration. The perfect storm sometimes occurs in our lives - it's what we do in the midst of great trials that proves our true leadership.
You can learn more about Clifford Hudson and Master of None here: https://cliffordhudson.com/podcast
Show Produced by Terra Firma Audio: https://www.terrafirmaaudio.com
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