Here is a link to Chris Thomson's podast - The Leaders of Tomorrow
A casual exploratory conversation with Chris Thomson, Head Coach of Student Works, covering leadership, personal development, and business philosophy.
Chris emphasizes integrity, continuous learning, and personal growth as key to long-term success in business and life
Student Works' success attributed to focused strategy, strong culture, and developing leaders through hands-on experience
Chris advocates for finding one's unique strengths and contributions rather than trying to excel at everything
Meditation, journaling, and regular personal development practices are crucial for maintaining clarity and effectiveness as a leader
Focuses on developing a strong culture of integrity and continuous improvement
Emphasizes being an exemplar and living the values you espouse
Believes in giving people opportunities to grow, even if they initially struggle
Advocates for clear standards and removing those who don't align with company values
Stresses the importance of being a "student of the game" and continuously learning
Grew from $10 million to $35 million annual revenue in past 7 years
Implemented minimum performance standards (e.g. $40k booked by May 1st) to improve quality
Focused strategy on core business, avoiding distractions that previously limited growth
Improved systems, marketing, and recruitment processes based on learnings from competitors
Emphasizes developing leaders through hands-on experience running their own operations
Daily meditation practice focusing on body scan, emotional awareness, and thought observation
Regular journaling to gain clarity on thoughts and feelings
Participates in mastermind groups and personal development programs (e.g. Landmark, Hoffman Process)
Reads 30-40 books per year to continually expose himself to new ideas
Recently completed a 300-hour coaching course to further develop skills
Believes financial success should be a byproduct of creating value, not the primary goal
Advocates for building wealth slowly and living below means in early career
Warns against tying self-worth to net worth or material possessions
Emphasizes the importance of having a clear life philosophy and living it consistently
Recommends focusing on experiences over material goods once financial stability is achieved
Develop a clear vision for your life and work towards it consistently
Focus on building valuable skills rather than just following passion
Be cautious about over-extending financially in early stages of business
Continuously invest in personal growth and development
Find ways to contribute value to others rather than focusing solely on personal gain
Interested individuals can email Chris at cthompson@studentworks.com to learn more about Student Works
Those curious about the program should consider working for a current Student Works operator to gain experience
Listen to the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast for more insights from Chris and successful alumni
Read "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport for insights on skill development vs. passion
