Do you ever wonder if you’re holding yourself back just because you haven’t found your spark yet?

In this revealing conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Charles Bédard, the University of Ottawa student who turned a “lazy worker” mentality into a $200,000+ business breakthrough. Together, they explore how ruthless self-reflection, competitive drive, and a surprising ability to make work fun fueled Charles’s transformation from solo grinder to thriving team leader.

Discover how overcoming fear, systemizing chaos, and loving hard conversations changed everything.

Listen now because missing this episode means staying stuck when you could be leveling up fast. Unlock exclusive insights into the real skills, mindsets, and habits marking the next generation of leaders. These are proven strategies you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t wait.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:01:01] – “I was the lazy worker, but one day I’ll change… not today.”
[00:03:09] – The moment “Why Not Me?” shifted to “I Am For This”
[00:04:07] – Building culture: why people begged to join Charles’s team
[00:06:08] – The brutal lesson of being ‘too nice’ and how it nearly cost his standards
[00:09:11] – Surprising skill: mastering 8 hours of straight conversation without burnout
[00:10:42] – How loving the process made hard work feel effortless
[00:13:37] – Using motivation (not just discipline) to turn dreaded tasks into enjoyable wins
[00:22:54] – The thrill of coaching others to their first sales—and why that meant more than his own victories

About the Guest

Charles Bédard is a second-year operator with the Student Works Management Program and a business student at the University of Ottawa. Known for his rapid transformation from competitive-but-unmotivated rookie to top-performing team leader, Charles broke $200,000 in sales his first year and now mentors a growing team. His story is proof that anyone can unlock scalable leadership and real joy at work through relentless self-improvement and a service-driven mindset.

🔗 LinkedIn

Resources & Links Mentioned

Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
LSI Conflict Management
LinkedIn Learning
Jason Shuttleworth, $300M Plastics Business
Wilfrid Laurier University

Important Links

Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.