Take Command: A Leadership Podcast
Episode: From Law to Leadership: A CEO’s Journey of Purpose
Host: Joe Hart
Guest: Dr. Greg Story, President of Dale Carnegie Training in Tokyo
Release Date: December 24, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Take Command: A Leadership Podcast, host Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Greg Story, President of Dale Carnegie Training in Tokyo. Originally featured on Japan's Top Business Interviews, their discussion delves into Joe Hart's transformative journey from a litigation lawyer to the global CEO of Dale Carnegie. They explore themes of personal growth, leadership, the impact of AI, and the enduring importance of confidence and emotional intelligence in today's dynamic business landscape.

Early Influences and Journey into Dale Carnegie

Joe Hart's connection to Dale Carnegie began in his childhood, influenced by his father and mother—his mother being a 1965 Dorothy Carnegie graduate. This familial background instilled in him the principles of personal growth and self-development.

Joe Hart [02:09]: "My father, growing up talked about Dale Carnegie. My mother was a 1965 Dorothy Carnegie graduate. So I grew up in a house where the Dale Carnegie name was familiar."

Despite his initial path towards a legal career, Hart's ambition shifted after attending a Dale Carnegie course in 1995. The course's emphasis on interpersonal skills and confidence-building had a profound impact on him, leading to significant changes in his professional trajectory.

Joe Hart [04:32]: "But I had 31 of the 33 names, and it was just absolutely incredible."

Transition from Law to Entrepreneurship

After two years practicing law, Hart decided to leave the field, inspired by the courage and confidence gained from his Dale Carnegie training. He transitioned to the corporate sector, working for a publicly traded real estate company, all while nurturing his entrepreneurial spirit by developing a business plan for an e-learning platform.

Joe Hart [05:16]: "And the courage. There are many, many lawyers who I talked to at that time who were unhappy lawyers and are still unhappy lawyers."

Founding and Selling e-Learning Companies

In 2000, Hart founded Info Ally, an e-learning company that collaborated closely with Dale Carnegie to translate courses into multiple languages. This venture positioned Dale Carnegie ahead in the digital training space, well before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a global shift to online learning.

Joe Hart [12:33]: "This is the early 2000s eLearning for Dale Carnegie."

After successfully growing and selling Info Ally, Hart led another company, Asset Health, a wellness firm catering to large employers by providing health programs and biometric screenings. Over a decade, he expanded the company to serve major clients like General Motors and Johns Hopkins.

Joe Hart [15:29]: "We had a very effective sales and marketing team and that type of thing and a pretty compelling product."

Becoming CEO of Dale Carnegie

In 2015, Joe Hart was appointed CEO of Dale Carnegie after a rigorous selection process. His extensive experience with Dale Carnegie franchisees globally and his entrepreneurial background made him an ideal candidate to lead the organization into its next phase.

Joe Hart [17:09]: "The root of our foundation is to support our franchisees. They are the entrepreneurs on the ground delivering transformative experiences."

Managing the Global Organization

As CEO, Hart emphasized the importance of understanding and supporting a diverse, global network of franchisees. His initial strategy involved extensive dialogue with franchise owners to co-create a strategic business plan, ensuring that the organization addressed their needs and leveraged their entrepreneurial spirit.

Joe Hart [19:37]: "I spent about six months really just talking to people and saying, what do you think... What do you think we need to do to really advance this business?"

Adapting to COVID-19

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, Dale Carnegie's pre-existing digital infrastructure, established through Info Ally, allowed the organization to swiftly transition to online training. This preparedness not only mitigated the impact of the pandemic but also positioned Dale Carnegie for accelerated growth post-crisis.

Joe Hart [26:55]: "Our priority was Asia, the area that shut down first, and we were able to certify our franchisees quickly for digital delivery."

Leadership During Crisis and Building Trust

Hart highlighted the critical role of trust and transparent communication during crises. He emphasized the importance of individual relationships and consistent, empathetic leadership to maintain organizational trust, especially when navigating uncertainties like AI integration.

Joe Hart [38:36]: "My rule of thumb is say as much as you can say and just try to treat the other person that you're communicating with the way you'd want to be treated."

Embracing AI in Leadership and Business

A significant portion of the conversation focused on the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in leadership and business operations. Hart discussed both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, advocating for its strategic use to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.

Joe Hart [40:15]: "AI is a technology that people will use and frankly to use it effectively, people have to be really engaged with it."

He underscored the importance of soft skills, such as communication and emotional intelligence, which AI cannot replicate, thereby maintaining a competitive edge for leaders who excel in these areas.

Joe Hart [49:38]: "The most compelling speech that we hear is something that really speaks to us from a person's own story."

Building and Maintaining Confidence and Emotional Intelligence

Hart reiterated the foundational Dale Carnegie principles of confidence and emotional intelligence as essential for personal and professional success. He stressed that these traits are developed through practice and exposure to environments that encourage taking risks and building interpersonal skills.

Joe Hart [53:16]: "Confidence can be a game changer and a lack of confidence can ruin a career."

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

Joe Hart's journey from law to leading a global organization embodies the transformative power of leadership training and personal development. Key insights from the episode include:

1. Importance of Interpersonal Skills: Developing skills like empathy, active listening, and sincere appreciation can significantly enhance professional relationships and effectiveness.

2. Adaptability and Resilience: Preparing for unforeseen challenges, such as transitioning to digital platforms during a pandemic, is crucial for sustained success.

3. Trust and Transparent Leadership: Building and maintaining trust through consistent, transparent, and empathetic communication is vital, especially during times of change.

4. Leveraging AI Responsibly: Embracing AI as a tool to augment human capabilities while focusing on uniquely human skills ensures continued relevance and competitiveness.

5. Continuous Personal Growth: Investing in self-development and fostering environments that encourage risk-taking and confidence-building are essential for both individual and organizational growth.

Joe Hart [54:39]: "People need to develop levels of courage and confidence and emotional intelligence through doing and through taking risks and so forth."

For more insights and leadership strategies, tune into future episodes of Take Command: A Leadership Podcast and explore additional resources at www.dalecarnegie.com.