7 Habits of People Who Make Other People Better (w/ Jon Gordon)
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.
Increase your positive interaction ratio to three-to-one or five-to-one (team or marriage) to build connection and prevent disconnection.
Shout praise publicly, whisper criticism privately—but only when it’s coaching, not demeaning, and always prefaced with 'You’re better than that.'
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.
Make the pie bigger: seek win-win opportunities, not just your piece of the pie, to create exponential growth for everyone involved.
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
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*.
The Legacy of The Hard Hat and George Boyardee
“I cannot make a profit off this kid's life. And I never will.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
“I cannot make a profit off this kid's life. And I never will.”
“But we did have debates and I'd rather win the relationship than win the argument.”
“The minute you start teaching, you actually become a better learner. You learn the most when you're teaching.”
Hosts
Guest
Jon Gordon
person
Patrick
person
Ben
person
The Hard Hat
book
The Power of Positive Habits
book
George Boyardee
person
Cornell Lacrosse
organization
Damon West
person
Chuck Daly
person
Mario St. George Boyardee Foundation
organization
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