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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Larry Connor - The Big 6 Leadership Attributes, Building a Values-Based Culture, Becoming a Billionaire, Working on Saturdays, Flying Into Space, Diving To The Mariana Trench, & Existing To Be The Best

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

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10 min
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2:00
4:00
0:00 30:00 1:00:00
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Culture Over Mission Statement

"At The Connor Group, we don't have, and never will have, a mission statement. We have culture. When you have the latter, the former is not necessary."

5 Core Values

The culture is built on 5 core values, on which we don't compromise:

  • Do the right thing
  • People count
  • Live the Circle of Success
  • Think long-term, not short-term
  • Relentless pursuit of excellence

The Big 6 Leadership Attributes

"We don't hire for experience. We don't hire for knowledge. We don't care where you went to school. We hire for personality traits. Especially in leadership roles. You have to have the big 6. You have to have all 6. They are:

  1. Be able to motivate and inspire others.
  2. Self-accountability and ability to hold others accountable in an honest, direct manner.
  3. Organizational multi-tasking. The speed of the game is fast.
  4. Cultural fit.
  5. Grit. Doing the thing that others say are impossible.
  6. Work orientation. If you want to come in at 8:30, take a 90-minute lunch, and leave at 4:30, The Connor Group is not for you."

Key Insights

  • "We exist, quite simply, to be the best."
  • "People never outperform their own self-image. So aim high!"
  • "Mediocre people don't like high achievers and high achievers don't like mediocre people."
  • "By definition, if you want to be exceptional, you have to be different. If you're like everybody else, you're going to end up like everybody else."
  • In 2008, Larry said, "We simply decided we weren't going to participate in the global recession."

The 3 P's

People, Plan, Process

Accountability & Management

People's performances are measured through daily, weekly, and monthly IAMs (Individual Accountability Meetings). Clear expectations and clear management.

Beyond Billionaire Status

When asked about becoming a billionaire, Larry immediately jumped to the impact he's having on others. "There are far more important standards than money. How well have you treated your associates? Have you made them better people? How much have you done to help other people? Have you made a difference?" All of that is available to all of us regardless of us being a billionaire or not.

The Wright Brothers Legacy

The company headquarters are next door to a hangar that houses a working model of the "Wright B Flyer" - The Wright Brothers' first production airplane.