The School of Greatness
Episode Summary: The Mindset That Took A Shark from Poverty to Millions
Host: Lewis Howes
Guest: Robert Herjavec
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Lewis Howes interviews entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec. The conversation delves deeply into Robert’s journey from poverty as a child immigrant to becoming a self-made multimillionaire. They explore the essential mindset shifts that enabled Robert to rise above his circumstances, the hard lessons learned about money and joy, the importance of community, the differences between hard work and smart work, the role of purpose, and how faith and overcoming adversity shaped his path. This episode is rich with actionable insights for entrepreneurs and anyone striving for both inner fulfillment and external success.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
From Poverty to Joyful Abundance
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Childhood as an Immigrant in Canada
- Robert details his family’s journey: escaping from Yugoslavia, arriving in Canada with nothing, and living in poverty (05:01).
- He did not feel poor as a child:
- “Poverty wasn’t my mindset, and I think that’s a big difference. I think people that are born into poverty or encompassed in poverty, it’s harder to get out of. My mindset was joy, really.”
—Robert Herjavec (05:49)
- “Poverty wasn’t my mindset, and I think that’s a big difference. I think people that are born into poverty or encompassed in poverty, it’s harder to get out of. My mindset was joy, really.”
- He only realized he was considered “poor” when tormented by classmates on his first day of school in Canada (07:14).
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The Mindset Shift
- Robert distinguishes the “poverty mindset” from situational poverty:
- “I never thought I was poor. I just believed our current situation was poor, really. So I just, I got to a point where I didn’t want to be in that situation anymore. But there was nothing wrong with me.”
—Robert Herjavec (08:38)
- “I never thought I was poor. I just believed our current situation was poor, really. So I just, I got to a point where I didn’t want to be in that situation anymore. But there was nothing wrong with me.”
- Robert distinguishes the “poverty mindset” from situational poverty:
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Abundance vs. Scarcity
- The switch came around age 12 when he realized his situational limitations, prompting him to seek a way out (09:56, 12:55).
- The difference boils down to energy and self-discipline: “It always starts with you. It always starts with discipline. It starts with habit. It starts with learning.”
—Robert Herjavec (14:01)
The Power of Sales & Learning
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First Big Lessons in Sales
- Robert credits his wealth not to technical skills, but sales acumen:
- “I’m not wealthy because of my knowledge of a task. I’m wealthy because of my knowledge of sales and how to get, how to sell what I’m doing to other people.”
—Robert Herjavec (14:27)
- “I’m not wealthy because of my knowledge of a task. I’m wealthy because of my knowledge of sales and how to get, how to sell what I’m doing to other people.”
- Robert credits his wealth not to technical skills, but sales acumen:
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Learning from Mentors
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Brutal Self-Honesty
Purpose, Discipline, and the Source of True Wealth
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The Myth of 'Making It'
- Even after success, Robert confronted the lie that he had “made it”:
- “What I need is, I need to feel like I’ve drained every part of my potential. I want to feel like when I’m on my deathbed that I say I couldn’t have done more.”
—Robert Herjavec (22:36)
- “What I need is, I need to feel like I’ve drained every part of my potential. I want to feel like when I’m on my deathbed that I say I couldn’t have done more.”
- Even after success, Robert confronted the lie that he had “made it”:
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Lessons from Billionaires
- Top three traits:
- Obsession with a skill set
- Curiosity
- Discipline (varied expressions)
(23:36)
- Top three traits:
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Purpose & Wealth
- Discussed why many in the military, or people passionate about wellness, struggle to transfer discipline/focus into wealth accumulation—it often comes down to a lack of aligned purpose.
- “Show me somebody who’s done great things and I’ll show somebody with unbelievable purpose.”
—Robert Herjavec (29:40)
- “Show me somebody who’s done great things and I’ll show somebody with unbelievable purpose.”
- Discussed why many in the military, or people passionate about wellness, struggle to transfer discipline/focus into wealth accumulation—it often comes down to a lack of aligned purpose.
Overcoming Superficial Self-Worth & Limitations
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Net Worth vs. Self-Worth
- Robert admits to once tying self-worth to net worth and explains today’s healthier separation:
- “Your net worth is not a reflection of your value. Poverty and wealth are situational.”
—Robert Herjavec (31:16)
- “Your net worth is not a reflection of your value. Poverty and wealth are situational.”
- His initial dreams were modest, but curiosity and honesty enabled his vision to grow.
- Robert admits to once tying self-worth to net worth and explains today’s healthier separation:
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Breaking the 'Hard Work' Ceiling
- Critical distinction:
- “Just because you work hard though, doesn’t mean you’ll be rich. What it means is you won’t be poor.”
—Robert Herjavec (36:25)
- “Just because you work hard though, doesn’t mean you’ll be rich. What it means is you won’t be poor.”
- Real value comes from what you create for others (smart work, leverage, sales, leadership).
- Critical distinction:
The Transformational Power of Service and Faith
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Hitting Rock Bottom & Rediscovering Faith
- Robert describes a dark period in 2014 during which he contemplated suicide, despite all external success (47:24).
- Retreating to a homeless mission for a month, serving others, and reconnecting with his faith gave him a new purpose:
- “If you don’t love yourself and you feel like you have nothing to give, you can’t give to anyone else.”
—Robert Herjavec (50:54)
- “If you don’t love yourself and you feel like you have nothing to give, you can’t give to anyone else.”
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How to Recognize Your Worth
- He reflects on the importance of seeking help, humility, and doing the inner work to rebuild self-worth (52:25).
Joy, Legacy, and the Definition of Greatness
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The Primacy of Joy
- “Without joy, there is no life. There is no wealth in misery. Joy is everlasting.”
—Robert Herjavec (60:04)
- “Without joy, there is no life. There is no wealth in misery. Joy is everlasting.”
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Empowerment as a Legacy
- The goal is to empower others to do something better (61:11).
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Definition of Greatness
- “Fulfillment of potential… Those that are given more need to do more. Those that have been given more need to find greater purpose.”
—Robert Herjavec (63:23)
- “Fulfillment of potential… Those that are given more need to do more. Those that have been given more need to find greater purpose.”
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Connecting the Dots & Family Dreams
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Mindset and Poverty:
“Poverty wasn’t my mindset… My mindset was joy, really.” – Robert Herjavec (05:49) -
On the Power of Honest Self-Reflection:
“The biggest lies in life we tell are the ones we tell ourselves.” – Robert Herjavec (19:55) -
On the Limitation of Hard Work:
“Just because you work hard though, doesn’t mean you’ll be rich. What it means is you won’t be poor.” – Robert Herjavec (36:25) -
On Sales and Value:
“Good salespeople sell features, great salespeople sell outcomes, and really great salespeople sell feelings.” – Robert Herjavec (42:01) -
On Purpose:
“Show me somebody who’s done great things and I’ll show you somebody with unbelievable purpose.” – Robert Herjavec (29:40) -
On the Importance of Joy:
“Joy is everlasting.” – Robert Herjavec (60:04) -
On Empowerment:
“If you would hope that when you leave that you’ve empowered somebody in their life to do something better.” – Robert Herjavec (61:11) -
On the Definition of Greatness:
“Fulfillment of potential… Those that are given more need to do more.” – Robert Herjavec (63:23)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- [05:01] – Robert’s childhood experience of poverty and the immigrant journey
- [08:38] – Defining poverty vs. abundance mindset
- [14:27] – The pivotal role of sales in building wealth
- [19:55] – Self-honesty and confronting limiting self-beliefs
- [22:36] – Why “making it” is about fulfilling potential, not material gain
- [23:36] – Three biggest lessons learned from billionaires
- [29:40] – The need for purpose to achieve greatness
- [31:16] – Separating self-worth from net worth
- [36:25] – The difference between hard work and wealth creation
- [42:01] – How to create emotional connection and real value in sales
- [47:24] – Robert’s dark period and how service and faith led him out
- [60:04] – The three truths: family, joy, and empowerment
- [63:23] – Robert’s definition of greatness
- [68:32] – Story of fulfilling his mother’s dream by being on Dancing with the Stars
Conclusion
This deep, candid conversation with Robert Herjavec is not just about business or success strategies; it’s a powerful meditation on joy, honesty, purpose, faith, and the inner journey that supports true prosperity. Robert’s vulnerability and wisdom make this a must-listen for anyone looking to transcend their circumstances, break through limiting beliefs, and build both inner and outer wealth.
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Connect with Lewis Howes:
Memorable Call to Action:
“Show me somebody who’s done great things and I’ll show somebody with unbelievable purpose.” – Robert Herjavec (29:40)