Welcome to How Leaders Lead where every week you get to listen in while I interview some of the very best leaders in the world.

I break down the key learning so that by the end of the episode, you'll have something simple you can apply as you develop into a better leader.

That's what this podcast is all about.

Welcome to our first episode of 2024.

I'm excited about the year ahead and honored to kick things off today with none other than

Brian Nicol, the chief executive officer of Chipotle. Now, Brian and I actually go way back.

Believe it or not, I hired Brian as a marketer at Pizza Hut

when I was running Young Brands. I'd heard he was a rising star with big ideas, and I knew I wanted

him on my team. These days, it's clear he's still passionate about finding those great ideas, because as you

probably know, Chipotle does some really innovative stuff with their marketing and their menu

and everything that they touch. But as you'll hear today, there's more to it than just big ideas.

Brian knows how to focus on the right ideas and then create the

kind of structure, execution, and team motivation to really make them happen. And with Chipotle

doing better than ever, it's clear that he's found a recipe for success. And I know you're going to

get a ton of value when you hear how he leads.

I can't believe this. We go a long way back. We work together at Young Brands, but I understand

you're just coming back from a parents weekend at the University of Texas. Tell me about that.

Well, you know, what I've realized is I'm getting older. All these young guys and gals,

they're able to stay out a lot later than I am anymore. But it was a real treat. It was my

daughter's a freshman there. And my wife and I were super excited to see her. And, you know, she's thriving down there, so we're really excited for her. Yeah, well, you have a great family, and, you know, I know there's not too many people that work any harder than you, Brian, but I heard through the grapevine that you and Jim Hoke just won a major in amateur golf, the Cypress Point member guest. That had to be a thrill for you. I thought about giving up golf after winning because I'm not sure it gets any better. And I finally found the right partner, it seems like. He carried me all the way home. So it was it was a lot of fun. I tried to convince my wife to put the trophy on the dining room table, but it ended up getting a pretty good spot in my office,

which is great. You've always been a great team player and give people credit when credit is due, so giving Jim that nod is great. When I talked to him, he said you carried him. So no wonder you guys were such a great team. You know, you know, Chipotle, I don't know if there's a more cool brand in the world. I mean, it's a great brand. You just, you know, we're doing this right after

Halloween and, and you had the boo-reland. I don't know if there's a more cool brand in the world. I mean, it's a great brand.

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