#371 Monte Wood: Why Generosity Isn’t Just Noble—It’s Strategic — Part One

Is generosity a nice-to-have—or a career superpower? In Part One, Monte Wood, former CEO of Opus Agency and author of Generosity Wins, makes the case for generosity as a leadership strategy with real-world ROI. Drawing from personal stories, his time working with legends like Steve Jobs, Andy Grove, and Mark Benioff, and life lessons from his own mentors, Monte shares how small acts of generosity can ripple out into long-term success—and why true generosity isn’t transactional, it’s transformational. This episode explores what it means to give without expecting anything in return—and how doing so just might give you everything you’ve been looking for. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The 16-Year-Old With a Generosity Formula “My mentor told me: believe you can succeed, live a good life, and be generous. That’s it. That’s what I followed.” From Milton-Freewater to CEO “Even in a town of 3,500, I believed I’d lead a $100 million company. Generosity helped me get there.” The Real Test of Generous Leadership “Great leaders don’t just care about your output—they care about your growth, your family, your life beyond work.” The Taco Bell CEO Who Taught His Team to Change Tires “Leadership isn’t just coaching performance. It’s preparing people for life—even if that means teaching them how to balance a checkbook.” Why Remembering Someone’s Name Is a Leadership Move “Mark Benioff would walk into a room of 2,000 people and greet them by name. That’s not ego—that’s care.” The Toyota Truck and the Corner Cubicle “Andy Grove reinvented Intel—and drove a beat-up Toyota. That’s not performative humility. That’s values in action.” Is It Generosity If It Helps You Win? “If generosity leads to success, is it selfish? No—it’s just wise. When done with pure intent, generosity multiplies.” Defining Generosity (Without the Guilt Trip) “It’s not about money. It’s any act of giving or kindness done without expecting a return. Even a smile counts.” Smiles, Bathrooms, and the Chemistry of Connection “A smile can save a life. Cleaning a public restroom can create joy for someone you’ll never meet. This is the power we all hold.” The Ripple Effect Is Real—And It Changes Lives “When you’re generous to one person, they’re more likely to be generous to someone else. The ROI? It might not be financial—but it’s exponential.” _____________________ Connect with us: Host: Vince Chan | Guests: Monte Wood   --Chief Change Officer-- Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep, Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts. EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. 20 Million+ All-Time Downloads. 80+ Countries Reached Daily. Global Top 1% Podcast. Top 5 US Business. Top 1 US Careers. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<< See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Om Podcasten

What’s Stopping You from Outgrowing Yourself? Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Chief Change Officer isn’t just another podcast. It ranks in the Top 3% globally, hit #1 in Careers (US), and cracked the Top 10 in Business (US)—because it offers what others don’t: expansive human intelligence, shared by the world’s most extraordinary thinkers and doers. This is the space for transformation gurus, bold hearts, black sheep, and unsung visionaries. We go beyond digitized tips and AI-smooth talk. Here, you get real, time-tested, experience-driven wisdom—the kind that blends logic and love, art and science, hindsight and foresight. For me, this show marks career transition #18. Across 17 transitions, I’ve been mentored by global changemakers who helped me emerge stronger and freer. Now, I’m passing that power forward—through raw, unfiltered conversations with extraordinary people across cultures, industries, and identities. If you’re a growth progressive, a black horse, a visionary underdog, or someone boldly rewriting the rules—you’re already one of us. Because you are the Chief Change Officer. Our mission? To help you become wiser in action, clearer in thought, and more ambitious in motion—so you can outgrow yourself and unlock outcomes beyond imagination or calculation. A better you is already unfolding. 130,000+ followers are outgrowing. Join them on LinkedIn, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube @chiefchangeofficer.