In this episode of The Breakout CEO Podcast, host Jeff Holman sits down with leadership coach and former competitive chess player John Whitt to explore the powerful parallels between chess strategy and modern business leadership. John shares how his early experience competing in the U.S. Chess Championships shaped his approach to clarity, planning, and decision-making, skills he later applied throughout a successful corporate career and now teaches to scaling CEOs. 

The conversation dives deep into why clarity is the “queen of business,” how to build and lead A-player teams, and why hiring mistakes are one of the biggest barriers to growth. John explains the necessity of testing ideas, evaluating risk, and implementing continuous course correction, especially for CEOs navigating rapid growth and constant change. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, or emerging leader, this episode delivers actionable insights on strategic thinking, coaching, hiring, and resilience in the face of inevitable adversity. 

Check out John's work at https://businesswhitt.com/.

Say hello to John! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwhitt1959/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businesswhitt/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjohnwhitt/ 

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest