Baseball gave young Ed Mylett his first taste of self-esteem and camaraderie, but it also gave him something just as important. “Baseball was the place where I learned I could outwork people by taking one more round of batting practice at the end of the day. When we ran laps around the field, I’d do one more,” he recalled.
Ed’s work ethic enabled him to parlay his athletic skills into a place in Division 1 baseball at the University of the Pacific, where he led the nation in stolen bases. But the biggest lesson he learned came after formal education when a well-intentioned mentor showed him some tough love after Ed had been repeatedly showing up late to meetings.
“I was working at World Financial Group and someone said to me, ‘I love you. You’re a good man and I care about you, but this is not a standard you should live your life by. It’s disrespectful and speaks volumes about your personal conduct. If you can’t get to a meeting on time, how are you going to do business correctly?’”
Ed learned his lesson both quickly and well enough to go on to build WFG into one of the most prolific financial services businesses in the world. He took his learnings and passion for coaching to the ultimate level and authored two world-class books: Maxout Your Life: Strategies for Becoming an Elite Performer (2008) and the highly anticipated The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success.
In this episode, Ed discusses how he uses neurolinguistic programming to help leaders develop the kind of habits that promote positivity and higher personal and professional standards.
“The truth is most of us can only expect to accomplish around 20 percent of goals,” noted Ed, who believes that the one more mindset offers a check against that old enemy–bad habits. “In my books and my coaching, I tell people that if they focus on what they fear, the world will present a fearful face. But if they visualize their dreams and goals, these will appear everywhere they look.”
You will learn:
"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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