Great leaders and elite competitors share a common trait: they don’t just chase big goals—they break them down into manageable, strategic steps. That’s exactly what Mark Moses, the founder and CEO of CEO Coaching International, has mastered, both in business and in the grueling world of endurance racing.
Moses isn’t just a leader; he’s a competitor in every sense. With 12 Ironman triathlons under his belt and a successful finish at the White Continent Marathon in Antarctica, he has learned firsthand that the secret to overcoming massive challenges is hyperfocus.
“In the world of Ironman, 12 hours is the number that everybody shoots for,” Moses shared on this episode. But instead of getting lost in the enormity of that finish line, he and his coach reverse-engineered the race—breaking it into smaller, targeted segments that ensured he stayed on pace.
That same principle applies to business. Leaders who fixate only on the massive end goal risk feeling overwhelmed. But those who identify smaller, clearly defined milestones create a roadmap their teams can rally behind. And the results speak for themselves. Through CEO Coaching International, Moses has helped more than 1,200 top entrepreneurs and CEOs across 75 countries do exactly that.
The key? Buy-in at every level. “Agreement is optional, commitment is not,” Moses emphasized. “Ultimately, we all have to be committed to it in order to achieve the outcome.”
In this episode, Moses shared powerful insights that every leader should take to heart:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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