Welcome to How Leaders Lead, where every week you get to listen in while I interview some of the best

leaders in the world. I break down the key learning so that by the end of the episode, you'll have

something simple that you can apply as you develop into a better leader. That's what this

podcast is all about. Today's guest is Larry Sin, who's actually the father of corporate culture and the chairman

of Sindelani.

Larry and his business partner were hired by Sam Walton in the early days of Walmart, and

it was there that Larry began to understand the intangible part of an organization that

really makes a difference.

Today we call this company culture, which is simply defined as the way people behave and the way

they work together. Believe it or not, Larry published the world's first research on corporate

culture and has spent his entire career helping organizations be at their best.

When you think about it, helping others be at their best.

That is what being a great leader and a great coach is all about.

And I'll tell you, Larry has made quite an impact in my life as my coach over the years.

So today's episode is very special for me, and I can't wait for you

to hear it. Here's my conversation with my good friend, and soon to be yours, Larry Sin, the chairman

of Sin Delaney. You know, Larry, you were the pioneer, and now you're the leading authority in culture building.

Tell us your story. How did you grow up? I think I was born to be an entrepreneur. My mother really

believed in the American way and independence and capitalism and all. So I started selling flowers on street corners when I was 11 years old on commission. And I realized you could make more money if you were one of the drivers that drove other kids to corner. So when I was 14 years old, I got a driver's license so I could not only sell myself but make money off other kids. And that kind of got in my blood. My dad was an engineer, though, and I didn't know any better. So I started UCLA engineering school. At the same time, I started my first business at 17, which was kids selling flowers on street corners. And I ended up with as many as 100 kids out there on holidays and weekends. And then I saw they didn't sell flowers in supermarkets at that time. He had to go to a florist. I went to

Europe and so everybody brought flowers home. So I said, well, why don't I do that? So I started a second business, which was selling flowers and produce departments of supermarkets. By the time I was 18, I was driving a Jaguar XK-120 and doing pretty well. And I thought, hey, I kind of like this. You're kidding me.

Man, you were doing this in college.

All in college.

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