Episode 065: Linda Kaplan Thaler – GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity

Linda Kaplan Thaler is an incredibly interesting person.  She truly understands the importance of an intense focus on continuous improvement.  Linda and her team have some massive achievements from a Marketing perspective as well as the work Linda has down as a bestselling author and keynote speaker. We are extremely fortunate to have Linda share her knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show. 

Linda Kaplan Thaler is the CEO of Publicis New York and a bestselling author. She has written and composed advertising jingles such as: “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” (Toys "R" Us); “Kodak Moments” (Eastman Kodak) and “The Heart of Communication” (Bell Atlantic). She is responsible for the “Yes, Yes, Yes” Herbal Essences campaign, and her agency created the well-known Aflac duck advertising.  Her most recent book (she wrote along with Robin Koval is titled, “Grit To Great” How perseverance passion, and pluck take you from ordinary to extraordinary.”

Episode 065: Linda Kaplan Thaler – GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity

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The Learning Leader Show

“I never dreamed about success.  I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder

Some Questions I Ask:

• What are the common characteristics of high achievers?
• What are your thoughts on David McCullough’s famous commencement speech titled, “You’re nothing special”
• Why should we retire the word retirement?
• How can someone use their “grit for good?”
• Why do you coach people to “ditch the dream?”
• How can a leader build up GRIT in their organization?  What specific steps need to be taken in order to do that?
• What does being a learning leader mean to you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• GRIT = Guts, Resilience, Initiative, & Tenacity
•  “Playing Up” and the power of playing against great competition
• The importance of being over prepared
• How Linda helped Aflac become so well known
• The definition of happiness
• The detailed process showing how Linda’s small agency (at the time) earned the over $200m Wendy’s account (incredible story)
• The story behind James Patterson waking up extremely early every morning to write for 21 years straight
• GRIT builders that we can all implement – Exercises and action tips

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry Truman

Continue Learning:

• Read more about Linda: Linda Kaplan Thaler
• Read: GRIT TO GREAT
• Read: The Power Of Nice
• Follow Linda on Twitter: @lindathaler2

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a jam packed episode full of great content.  Linda Kaplan Thaler is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this?  Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell 

Bio

Linda Kaplan Thaler (is the CEO of Publicis New York and a bestselling author. She has written and composed advertising jingles such as: “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” (Toys "R" Us); “Kodak Moments” (Eastman Kodak) and “The Heart of Communication” (Bell Atlantic). She is responsible for the “Yes, Yes, Yes” Herbal Essences campaign, and her agency created the well-known Aflac duck advertising.  Her most recent book (she wrote along with Robin Koval is titled, “Grit To Great” How perseverance passion, and pluck take you from ordinary to extraordinary.”