What makes a truly great board? And what defines a life well-led? In this episode of the Brilliant People Podcast, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Peter Browning, one of the most respected governance voices in America. With over 14 public company boards under his belt—including lead director roles at Nucor, Acuity Brands, and ScanSource, plus 16 years on the board at Lowe’s—Peter brings a rare depth of experience and perspective to the conversation.
He shares the board-level decisions that matter most, from CEO succession to crisis leadership, and the personal stories that shaped his approach to communication, transparency, and resilience. It’s a deep dive into how leadership is built through pressure, listening, and connection—long before the boardroom.
What You'll Learn:
– The 3 questions every board must answer
– What most boards get wrong about CEO succession
– How to lead through bankruptcy, crisis, and culture change
– Why the best directors listen more than they speak
– How climbing mountains and running plants shaped his edge as a leader
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:11 Peter Browning: Corporate Legend
01:35 Living Life as a Contact Sport
14:57 Inside the Boardroom: ScanSource, Lowe’s & More
16:42 Sales Trainee to CEO: Sonoco, Continental Can, National Gypsum
22:18 Earning Trust Across 300 Plants, 36 Countries
24:38 Bankruptcy Playbook: Reinventing National Gypsum
29:59 Listening as a Leadership Advantage
35:16 Modern Boardroom: From Rubber Stamp to Strategy Engine
40:46 Great Lead Directors Influence Without Authority
43:36 CEO Succession: Making the Hardest Calls
47:32 Board Chemistry: Trust in High-Stakes Rooms
51:49 When, Why & How to Replace a CEO
54:58 Earning Your Seat as a New Director
01:04:07 Favorite CEOs, Leaders & Books
01:08:31 Lightning Round: Family, Focus & Living Fully
Resources:
Peter Browning:
Website: www.peterbrowning.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/peter-browning-4421454/
Linnea Jungnelius:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius/
Explore the Podcast:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4q2SyG7jTqV109lC37RtOV
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brilliant-people-podcast/id1582636185
Blog: acertitu.de/peter-browning-blog
Subscribe and rate the show: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/brilliantpeoplepodcast
Stay Updated on Acertitude:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCaRywuMZMbDfHR77TyzEQZQ
Instagram: www.instagram.com/acertitude
Website: www.acertitude.com
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