196 - How the Ex‑CEO of 7‑Eleven and Blockbuster Rebuilt Two Giants From the Ground Up

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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone  speaks with James Keyes, a globally recognized business leader, bestselling author, and philanthropist. James has also served as the former CEO of two Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven and Blockbuster. With a wealth of experience across diverse industries, James shares his transformative leadership insights, lessons on overcoming challenges, and the importance of education in personal and professional growth. He is also the author of Education is Freedom By James W. Keyes, a book that explores the power of knowledge as the antidote to fear and societal challenges.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How James transformed 7-Eleven and Blockbuster using technology and data.
• The key leadership elements James believes are essential: Change, Confidence, and Clarity.
• The role of education in overcoming fear and pushing through challenges.
• Why fear-driven leadership doesn't work in the long run and how to lead with inspiration instead.
• Jame’s vision for his legacy: using knowledge as a tool to solve society’s challenges.

📘Unlock the secrets to transformational leadership with James Keyes’s book Education Is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands!

Order your copy today! Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Freedom-Future-Your-Hands/dp/B0CH6X6BVB 

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of James Keyes [02:51] - Humble beginnings and the power of education [04:29] - Transforming 7-Eleven & Challenges at Blockbuster [08:56] - Dealing with the pressure of short-term results [14:14] - Inspiring leadership vs. Leading with fear [17:38] - Why fear-driven leadership is dangerous [20:35] - Importance of Critical thinking & leadership [23:10] - Lessons from Blockbuster's decline [35:20] - Education is Freedom: James’s book and legacy [45:36] - How to connect with James Keyes

Follow Our Guest James Keyes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215/ 

• Website: https://www.jameswkeyes.com/ 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkeyesauthor/ 

• Twitter: https://x.com/jkeyesauthor 

• Book: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Freedom-Future-Your-Hands/dp/B0CH6X6BVB 

• Blockbuster: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blockbuster/  

• 7-Eleven: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-eleven/ 

Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
• Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/

Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:

• Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
• Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
• Website: https://www.andreape