7 Habits of People Who Make Other People Better (w/ Jon Gordon)

Chasing Excellence1h 16mJune 1, 2026
AI-Generated Summary

The guest, Jon Gordon, argues that true leadership isn't about personal achievement, but about making others better—through habits rooted in generosity, connection, and purpose. He reveals that the most powerful teams and relationships aren’t built on winning arguments or chasing individual gain, but on a deliberate, daily practice of positive interaction, public praise, private correction, and selfless giving. Drawing from his own journey from negativity to optimism, Gordon shares that his life’s work—books like *The Hard Hat* and *The Power of Positive Habits*—wasn’t about profit, but about sharing stories that inspire transformation. The episode’s core insight? You don’t need to be perfect to lead; you just need to be consistent in small, intentional acts: high-fiving with heart, giving without expectation, and serving others through your unique 'caring trademark.' When you do, you don’t just grow others—you grow yourself, exponentially.

Key Takeaways
1

Increase your positive interaction ratio to three-to-one or five-to-one (team or marriage) to build connection and prevent disconnection.

2

Shout praise publicly, whisper criticism privately—but only when it’s coaching, not demeaning, and always prefaced with 'You’re better than that.'

3

Be a giver and receiver: give without expecting return, and allow yourself to receive—because true power comes from being a conductor, not a resistor.

4

Make the pie bigger: seek win-win opportunities, not just your piece of the pie, to create exponential growth for everyone involved.

5

Win the person, not the argument: prioritize relationship over being right, especially when truth must be spoken with love first.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
2 min

Introduction to The Chase Club and Guest Welcome

Patrick and Ben introduce The Chase Club, a community for daily growth, and welcome Jon Gordon, author of 32 books including *The Hard Hat* and *The Power of Positive Habits*.

1:55
5 min

The Legacy of The Hard Hat and George Boyardee

I cannot make a profit off this kid's life. And I never will.

Highlight
6:40
5 min

Habit 1: Increase Your Positive Interaction Ratio

You have to be careful about that. It's meant to be an authentic, real expression. And that's why the teams that win are actually the ones that high five.

Highlight
11:55
5 min

Habit 2: Shout Praise and Whisper Criticism

You're not going to say, what the hell are you doing? What's wrong with you? You're not going to do that.

Highlight
16:46
7 min

Habit 3: Be a Giver and a Receiver

When you do, you'll have more to give. I tithe, for instance... the more I tithe, like with the hard hat book and other books that I tithe with, the more I tithe... It just comes back tenfold.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
I cannot make a profit off this kid's life. And I never will.
Jon Gordon7:59
But we did have debates and I'd rather win the relationship than win the argument.
Jon Gordon52:53
The minute you start teaching, you actually become a better learner. You learn the most when you're teaching.
Jon Gordon62:41
Speakers

Hosts

PatrickBen

Guest

Jon Gordon
Topics Discussed
positive interaction ratio90%praise and criticism88%giving and receiving85%abundance mindset83%winning people not arguments80%lifelong learning78%caring trademark75%identity and habits72%
People & Brands

Jon Gordon

person

120xPositive

Patrick

person

50xNeutral

Ben

person

45xNeutral

The Hard Hat

book

18xPositive

The Power of Positive Habits

book

15xPositive

George Boyardee

person

12xPositive

Cornell Lacrosse

organization

4xPositive

Damon West

person

3xNeutral

Chuck Daly

person

2xPositive

Mario St. George Boyardee Foundation

organization

2xPositive

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