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Rick Gibson's leadership journey spans from bagging groceries in his father's Bakersfield market to shaping Pepperdine University's presence in Los Angeles as Senior Vice Chancellor. In this riveting conversation, he reveals how seemingly small moments—like his father telling him "you always have something to do" when caught idle—planted seeds that would bloom throughout his 30-year executive career.

With remarkable candor, Gibson shares how he transformed from an entry-level position to becoming Pepperdine's first Chief Marketing Officer by mastering the art of storytelling. "The technology served the story, not the other way around," he explains, offering a timeless principle in our tech-saturated world. His narrative takes us through the evolution of marketing from film photography to digital media while emphasizing that compelling storytelling remains the constant force driving connection and meaning.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Gibson's exploration of systems thinking in leadership. Drawing from his MBA experience and years guiding organizations, he illuminates how everything within institutions interconnects in visible and hidden ways. "There's not a neglected part or a dismissed part," he explains, challenging listeners to see beyond siloed thinking to recognize how all elements contribute to organizational success.

Now an executive coach guiding both seasoned leaders and emerging professionals, Gibson addresses the profound isolation many executives face when making critical decisions. His current work focuses on creating safe spaces for leaders to express doubts, test assumptions, and challenge limiting beliefs. The conversation culminates with a powerful reflection on shared vision, illustrated through NASA's Apollo mission where everyone from engineers to cafeteria staff united behind "We're going to the moon."

Ready to elevate your leadership perspective? Connect with our upcoming "Pathways to Advanced Leadership" workshop where Rick Gibson shares these insights in an intimate, collaborative environment designed to help you see further down the field of your career journey.

📌 ABOUT OUR GUEST:  
🔹 Name: Rick Gibson
🔹 Title: Principal Owner
🔹 Organization: MGR Development, LLC
🔹 Company Website: https://www.coachmg

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