Beyond CEO: Jim Keyes on Building Empires, Disrupting Limits & Redefining Legacy: What Warren Buffet Said that Changed The Game

Beyond CEO: Jim Keyes on Building Empires, Disrupting Limits & Redefining Legacy

What happens when a kid from a plumbing-less home grows into the powerhouse who ran two of the most iconic global brands—and still believes he’s just getting started? In this elite episode of Transforming the Game, host Kristina Katsanevas goes deep with Jim Keyes—former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, pilot, artist, and best-selling author of Education Is Freedom. But this isn’t a corporate resume. It’s a battle-tested blueprint for staying relevant, reinvention, and rising above fear. From behind closed boardroom doors to one-on-one lessons with Warren Buffett, Jim breaks silence on the decisions that defined billion-dollar pivots, the leadership principles that transcend any industry, and why he believes the most underrated business skills today are creativity, gratitude, and courage. This is not nostalgia. This is a full-on masterclass in how to own your evolution and lead in a world that’s obsessed with disruption but allergic to discipline.

Why This Episode Demands Your Time:

The inside playbook of how Jim re-engineered 7-Eleven into a global growth machine

What really happened at Blockbuster—and why history got it wrong

How to neutralize fear, flip it into opportunity, and lead when the lights go out

The mindset formula for transforming humble beginnings into undeniable impact

Why curiosity is the new CEO superpower—and how to cultivate it at scale

Recommended Reading
Order here: Education Is Freedom by Jim Keyes: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CH6X6BVB?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au

Make the World a Better Place Follow Jim:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkeyesauthor/ 

Website: https://www.jameswkeyes.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jim Keyes and His Mission

03:16 Overcoming Adversity: The Power of Grit and Determination

05:50 The Role of Perception in Human Behavior

08:13 The Importance of Education and Continuous Learning

10:52 Navigating Change: Lessons from 7-Eleven

13:32 Leadership and Culture: Inspiring Change in Organizations

15:50 The Impact of Fear on Change and Leadership

18:20 Resilience in Leadership: Maintaining Confidence

20:42 Advice for Leaders: Embracing Change and Communication

26:50 Resilience and Learning from Failure

27:26 Luck vs. Strategy in Business

29:53 The Importance of Creativity and Curiosity

34:49 Education and the Future of Learning

40:29 Micro Scholarships and Technology in Education

46:55 Knowledge, Faith, and Overcoming Fear

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