S2 E5 - Characteristics of Inspiring Leaders

The Whole Enchilada Podcast

Mitch and the team are joined by Peter Iliyn, a servant leader who dives deep into his family history and the principles he learned from people like Holocaust survivor Vicktor Frankl, world leader Desmond Tutu, and, most importantly, Peter’s own father.

The show begins as Mitch introduces Peter Iliyn, a 45-year veteran of Youth With a Mission, the largest non-profit of its kind in the world. They dive into the great debate on whether college is a good choice for those with entrepreneurial spirits. Peter reminds us that passion should be the driving force behind purpose and that if you don’t take the first step, there will never be a second.

The conversation shifts to Peter’s father, a man so interesting that Peter wrote a book about his life. Through nightly conversation with his dad, Peter learned leadership principles that can’t be found in a textbook or classroom, including one where his dad endured a public, verbal lashing of his dad’s abilities…and the surprising way his father responded to hearing so many painful criticisms about himself.

Mitch asks Peter about his favorite leadership principle and Peter responds with the principle of empowerment from the top down. There’s lots of conversation about security in who you are as a person and a leader and being able to turn criticism into a better version of yourself.

Mitch brings up a quote from his own time with Youth With a Mission -- You don’t know you’re a servant until you’re treated like one – which sparks a conversation about humility and servant leadership. Peter recalls the time he was surrounded by dozens of world leaders, but that Desmond Tutu was the only one who truly exemplified servant leadership.

We could give you the background of the next segment, but we believe this quote can stand on its own: Dude, what is your problem? You farted.

Moving on from that odiferous conversation, the pair settle on discussing Peter’s favorite leadership principle – having a vision that’s greater than your reach. Peter brings up Nazi Concentration Camp survivor Viktor Frankl and Viktor’s discovery about the human spirit.

The interview wraps up on three key topics – does Peter buy into the idea that an entrepreneur doesn’t have to own a company or a product, a bottom-up leadership model, and what 2021 Peter would say to 25-year-old Peter if he could.

After such a deep conversation, Peter and Mitch are hungry and Peter recommends a quick flight to Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. He wants to go to Marlin de Tepic Restaurante de Marsicos and order the Pescado Zarandeado, a red snapper, smothered in chili and Mexican spices, basted continuously while being slowly smoked over mesquite. It’s served with fresh greens and a Mexican lime and salt dressing.

Table Talk:

After introducing The Whole Enchilada team – Gil, Erin, and Isaac – the group launches into their own personal takeaways from the interview.

Erin cites the story of Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and his major gaffe during Texas’ legendary snowpocalypse in February. He made his mistake, he owned it, and he moved on. Mitch sees things a little differently but agrees that the humility to admit you’re wrong is a key principle for all leaders. It all goes back to the story of Peter’s dad being called out publicly – and the way he responded to it.

Isaac picks up the conversation by going back to Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl and his quote “Living without a goal is death about to arrive.” Isaac relates this to his own season of life, as he embarks on social media consultancy. The goal is big…but taking small, meaningful steps makes it easier to reach the top.

Also…how do you eat an elephant?

Gil, with lots of humility, states that he has picked out the most important leadership principle thus far; the secret sauce of corporate communications: storytelling. Gil incorporates Peter Guber, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, and his philosophies of how to make your story your strategic plan.

Finally, Mitch chimes in with his favorite principle: treat people with greatness. He goes back to the Desmond Tutu story and waxes philosophical about being in the presence of greatness but not knowing it until later. Growth as a leader means learning to recognize greatness in its rawest form.

Links:

Youth with a Mission https://ywam.org/

To purchase Peter Iliyn's book, Out of the Far Corners: An Epic Tale of Rejection, Grace, and Deliverance, visit:

www.outofthefarcorners.com

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI

Marlin de Tepic Restaurante de Mariscos

https://www.facebook.com/marlindetepic/menu/?ref=page_internal

Peter Guber https://www.peterguber.com/

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