Olympic Mindset to $2.2B Exit: How Relationships Beat Talent in Business | The Nathan Newberry Show 068
When Olympic Silver Medalist Bob Molle helped Skip The Dishes scale to a $2.2B acquisition, he didn't focus on finding the most talented individuals. Instead, he applied a relationship-first approach that transformed the company's culture and drove explosive growth.
From Olympic Mat to Business Transformation
At age 20, Molle placed 5th in the World Championships. By 21, he had won Olympic Silver and was drafted into professional football. But his most significant impact would come from an unexpected insight: relationships matter more than raw talent.
The Power of Building Trust
"80% of my success is all through relationships," Molle explains. This philosophy guided him from athletics to business, where he's helped numerous organizations build championship teams.
The 3-Step System for Evaluating Talent
1. Past Performance Predicts Future Success
Research background thoroughly
Look for patterns in behavior
Evaluate response to pressure situations
2. Observe How They Treat Others
Watch interactions with service staff
Notice awareness of others' needs
Assess relationship-building skills
3. Test Under Pressure
Evaluate overtime performance
Look for consistent character
Assess willingness to serve others
Case Study: Skip The Dishes Transformation
Within two years, Molle helped the company:
Double their workforce to 1000+ employees
Optimize team placement and performance
Achieve a $2.2B acquisition
Key Insights for Building High-Performance Teams
Focus on Character Over Capability
"You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit," Molle notes bluntly. The key is finding people with strong character and work ethic.
Prioritize Service Mindset
Success comes from serving others:
Support team members
Put relationships first
Focus on adding value
Create the Right Environment
Foster open communication
Build trust through consistency
Recognize and reward relationship-building
Implementation Steps
Evaluate current team dynamics
Identify relationship builders
Create service-oriented culture
Build trust through consistent action
Measure relationship impact on results
Watch the full episode to learn more about building high-performance teams through relationships.
Ready to transform your team's performance? Book a strategy call to learn how to implement these principles in your organization.
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About the Author: Nathan Newberry helps elite business owners implement AI in sales, marketing, systems, and models to build rapidly successful brands. He specializes in helping founders implement Sell By Chat strategy to buy back their time and double their revenue within 6 months using his Elite Sales Model.
