#172: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Doug Cook (@DougCook).

This episode was a live recording at a joint event in Chicago between the Booth and Kellogg Business Schools. My guest was Doug Cook, Chairman of several companies throughout Illinois in windows and siding, chimney care, garages, elevators, and more; With windows and siding being his most notable business in Feldco. Doug gives a deeper walkthrough of his very impressive and entrepreneurial career at the start of our conversation. We also talk deeply about empathy and how to develop it as a skill, empathy when building a team and selling to customers, trust and respect as a CEO, lessons that are the hardest to be taught, and much more. Doug is a fantastic person, I think that will come through loud and clear throughout the episode.

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Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/

Links

Doug on LinkedIn

Feldco

Jack Welch Books

YPO

Timestamps

(00:04:47) Doug's background and career

(00:12:10) Lessons Learned: Less is more

(00:16:50) Common Skillsets in CEOs

(00:28:09) Developing empathy as a skill

(00:34:30) Finding the line between becoming too friendly with employees

(00:35:14) Developing empathy with customers

(00:37:10) The CEO's role with customers

(00:40:37) Refining a Product line

(00:47:49) Difficulties in Growth through Acquisition

(00:50:37) Building Trust and Respect with Employees

(00:56:33) Are there any CEOs you admire?

(00:58:32) What's a strongly held belief you've changed your mind on?

(00:59:49) What's the best business you've ever seen?