One stroke.
That’s the margin by which Todd Penegor’s high school golf team lost the Upper Peninsula State Championship. On the final hole, the last player on the scorecard hit his shot out of bounds. Just like that, the championship was gone.
What made the loss even harder was how prepared they were. The night before, Todd and his four teammates were out under a streetlamp at 10 o’clock, pitching and putting on the second hole, doing everything they could to be ready. They did everything right — and still came up one stroke short.
That moment never left Todd. Not because of the heartbreak, but because of what happened next: two years later, they came back and won it.
Todd would go on to become CEO of Wendy’s, leading more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide. Today, he serves as CEO of Papa John’s — a role he stepped into after just five months of retirement because he couldn’t stay away from the work he loves most: building teams and developing people.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
RESOURCES
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"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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