Dave Crenshaw's Blog

Top Ten Universal Principles of Success - The Crenshaw Family

Two years ago, Dave Crenshaw started a journey with one heartfelt goal: to share what he’s learned about success—not just with the world but with his kids, as well. In this final episode of The Dave Crenshaw Success Show, he sits down with Stratton, Ella, and Darci for an emotional reflection on the lessons they’ve learned together. Together, they explore the top 10 principles of success—timeless lessons that anyone can apply to create a meaningful, fulfilling life. From practicing daily gratitude and turning failures into stepping stones to letting passion fuel your career and building meaningful connections, they share insights inspired by 67 amazing guests. Gratitude, pride and a touch of nostalgia fill the air as they wrap up this incredible chapter. Join Dave and his family for a heartfelt send-off packed with wisdom, warmth, and a fresh perspective on what success really means. 

Action Principles


1. Practice daily gratitude.
2. Let passion fuel your career path.
3. Break big goals into smaller steps.
4. Turn failure into opportunities for growth.
5. Find a mentor; be a mentor.
6. Cultivate meaningful connections.
7. Prioritize education, especially in business.
8. Define your "why" and let it drive you.
9. Take strategic risks for big rewards.
10. Build a schedule that promotes a healthy work-life rhythm.


Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course:

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Human-Centered Capitalist, Megan Gluth - CEO of Catalynt

Megan Gluth, CEO of Catalynt, a leading US chemical distributor, shares her journey from overcoming alcohol addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Megan discusses her early struggles, including being kicked out of college and starting over in community college. She highlights the importance of taking responsibility and the impact of her partner's illness on her life. Megan emphasizes human-centered capitalism, focusing on profitability while prioritizing employee dignity and well-being. She advocates for authentic leadership, transparency, and supporting employees through personal challenges. Megan's story underscores the power of resilience, honesty, and creating a culture of care in business. Listen to her story today and choose which action principle resonates with you the most...then schedule it in your calendar!

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week:

Allow consequences to happen. Look at areas where you may shield yourself or others from the consequences of choices. Allow those consequences to happen. ACTION: Write down why you should stop shielding someone (or yourself) to remind you when you're tempted to intervene.Prioritize your MVAs. Identify activities you're doing that don't matter as much and eliminate one of them to focus on more valuable things. ACTION: Pick one lower-value activity and commit to replacing it with something more valuable.Give back. As you succeed in your career, look for ways to do good and contribute to others' lives. ACTION: Choose an activity or person you want to help and schedule the first step to making it happen.Be honest. Be your own "chief truth teller" and strive for brutal honesty in your self-reflection. ACTION: Schedule time for reflection and evaluate your goals quarterly.

Guest Resources


Learn more about Megan Gluth at MeganGluth.com.


Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course:

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Human-Centered Capitalist, Megan Gluth - CEO of Catalent

Megan Gluth, CEO of Catalent, a leading US chemical distributor, shares her journey from overcoming alcohol addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Megan discusses her early struggles, including being kicked out of college and starting over in community college. She highlights the importance of taking responsibility and the impact of her partner's illness on her life. Megan emphasizes human-centered capitalism, focusing on profitability while prioritizing employee dignity and well-being. She advocates for authentic leadership, transparency, and supporting employees through personal challenges. Megan's story underscores the power of resilience, honesty, and creating a culture of care in business. Listen to her story today and choose which action principle resonates with you the most...then schedule it in your calendar!

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week:

Allow consequences to happen. Look at areas where you may shield yourself or others from the consequences of choices. Allow those consequences to happen. ACTION: Write down why you should stop shielding someone (or yourself) to remind you when you're tempted to intervene.Prioritize your MVAs. Identify activities you're doing that don't matter as much and eliminate one of them to focus on more valuable things. ACTION: Pick one lower-value activity and commit to replacing it with something more valuable.Give back. As you succeed in your career, look for ways to do good and contribute to others' lives. ACTION: Choose an activity or person you want to help and schedule the first step to making it happen.Be honest. Be your own "chief truth teller" and strive for brutal honesty in your self-reflection. ACTION: Schedule time for reflection and evaluate your goals quarterly.

Guest Resources


Learn more about Megan Gluth at MeganGluth.com.


Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course:

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Science-Centered Leadership Coach, Caroline Webb - Author & Coach

Caroline Webb is a renowned executive coach, author, and speaker known for her expertise in using behavioral science to enhance professional life. Caroline shares her journey from aspiring astrophysicist to a leading leadership coach, discussing pivotal career transitions, her time at McKinsey, and how she turned challenges into opportunities. Listen to her story today and choose which action best suits your goals.


Action Principles


Pick one to do this week:

1. Learn a little about economics. Exploring economics will help you understand decision-making and the broader world better. ACTION ITEM: Take a course to learn more about economics.

2. Run small experiments. Before making significant life or career changes, test ideas on a smaller scale. ACTION ITEM: Experiment with a new idea or change for 30 days to test the outcome.

3. Look for good intentions. View others' actions through a compassionate lens. ACTION ITEM: When someone is behaving negatively, try to see their actions through an empathetic eye. 

4. Set personal boundaries. Identify your peak productivity times or personal preferences and be transparent with others about them. ACTION ITEM: Pick one area in your life that needs an adjustment and communicate this change to those affected.


Guest Resources


Learn more about working with Caroline Webb at carolinewebb.co.


Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course


Time Management Fundamentals

Free Time Management Course

Thanks to Dave Crenshaw's partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, you can get free access to his full course, Time Management Fundamentals, at DaveGift.com.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Mother of Tech Talent, Neelima Parasker - CEO of SnapIT Solutions

Neelima Parasker, President and CEO of Snap It Solutions LLC, discussed her journey from India to the U.S., where she pursued a master's in computer science. Initially working in Kansas City, she rose to leadership roles, managing teams of up to 250 people. In 2015, she founded Snap It Solutions, focusing on training and deploying tech talent, particularly underrepresented groups. Despite a demanding schedule, she emphasizes balancing work with personal time and self-healing. Neelima serves on various boards, including the Kansas Board of Regents, and advocates for documenting processes to scale operations. She aims to create a ripple effect of success and impact through her company and community involvement. Listen to her story today and choose which action principle resonates most with you.


Action Principles


Pick one to do this week:

1. Challenge yourself. Seek out more "real" experiences that push you out of your comfort zone. ACTION: Sign up for an activity you've always wanted to try this week.

2. Find an accountability partner. A trusted partner or friend can encourage and push you to realize your full potential. ACTION: Reach out to someone you admire and trust and ask to be accountability partners.

3. Document systems. When your processes are recorded, you improve both consistency and efficiency. ACTION: Schedule time to record all of your processes, both professionally and personally.

4. Strive for a healthy balance. Try to allocate at least 30% of your time for personal and self-care activities to maintain your energy and innovative mindset. ACTION: Schedule blocks of time in your calendar to do fun activities and relax.


Guest Resources


Follow Neelima Parasker on LinkedIn to learn more about her and SnapIT Solutions.


Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses


Time Management Fundamentals
Balancing Work and Life

Free Time Management Course

Thanks to Dave Crenshaw's partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, you can get free access to his full course, Time Management Fundamentals, at DaveGift.com.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Serial Success Builder, Young Han - COO of Forever Young Agency

Young Han, COO of Forever Young Agency, shares his journey from aspiring musician to successful entrepreneur. Influenced by his father's entrepreneurial spirit, Young transitioned from the music industry to business, learning valuable lessons from his father's struggles and successes. He studied marketing in college and gained experience at Starbucks and Apple before founding multiple businesses, including a Korean restaurant, a coffee company, and a social good platform. Young emphasizes the importance of systems, data-driven decisions, and the willingness to fail. Currently, he focuses on consulting and building small businesses, balancing work with family time, and aspires to clean pools for joy. Listen to his story today and pick which action below best fits your needs.

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week:

1. Be vulnerable. Find someone you trust to help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. ACTION: Choose someone you admire and ask to schedule a meeting or phone call.

2. Test new ideas. An A/B test helps you compare data for new ideas to see what works and what doesn't. ACTION: Create an A/B test using a proven idea and a new idea to compare results.

3. Reflect. Evaluating your current business or job helps you stay on target. ACTION: Schedule time to reflect and evaluate on your current career path and whether it still brings you happiness.

4. Articulate your goals. Telling others about your long-term goals will keep you accountable. ACTION: Share your goals with a mentor or close friend. Take it a step further and write them down, as well.


Guest Resources


Follow Young Han at AlwaysHan.com.


Suggested LinkedIn Learning Courses


The Focused Business

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Macaron Franchisor, Rosalie Guillem - Co-Owner of Le Macaron

Rosalie Guillaume, co-founder of Le Macaron, a French pastry franchise with over 65 locations, shared her journey from a modest background in France to building a successful business in the U.S. Despite losing everything during the Great Recession, she leveraged her experience with Amway and her passion for macarons to start her own business. Rosalie emphasized the importance of hiring for traits, maintaining family harmony, and breaking down large goals into manageable steps. She highlighted the significance of customer service, simplicity in operations, and the cultural experience her stores offer. Rosalie’s story underscores resilience, family values, and the power of following one’s dreams.

ACTION PRINCIPLES 

Pick one to do this week:

Take smaller steps. When a project or task is overwhelming, it helps to break it down into smaller steps. ACTION: List out all the steps of a large project and focus only on the next step.Embrace your unique qualities. Finding ways to incorporate your traits or passions during reinvention can boost your success. ACTION: Ask yourself how you can incorporate something you love or a natural talent into the next phase of your career.Hire for traits. Many leaders make the mistake of hiring based on skills. Traits are far more critical to your company’s success. ACTION: Prioritize traits in a potential employee that match your company culture.Believe in yourself. Surround yourself with a supportive circle, and have faith in your ability to succeed. ACTION: Write a list the reasons you will succeed and read them daily as a reminder.

GUEST RESOURCES

Learn more from Rosalie Guillem by visiting Le Macaron.

SUGGESTED LINKEDIN LEARNING COURSE
 

Discovering Your Strengths

 

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Graceful Wealth Advisor, Lori Van Dusen - Founder & CEO of LVW Advisors

Lori Van Dusen is the Founder and CEO of LVW Advisors with over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. She has been recognized in Barron’s Financial Advisor Hall of Fame and ranked #1 in New York on Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list. A passionate philanthropist, Lori serves on several boards and supports urban education and health initiatives. She also authored the Wall Street Journal bestseller Running with Grace. A Rochester native, Lori enjoys long-distance running, yoga, and hosting large Italian meals for family and friends.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Emotional Intelligence Expert, Jenny Woo - CEO & Founder of Mind Brain Emotion

Jenny Woo, CEO and Founder of Mind Brain Emotion, shares her immigration journey from China and how she became a successful entrepreneur and educator. She discusses the importance of listening, adaptability, and continuous learning.

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com

The Advocates for Afghan Women, Sola Mahfouz & Malaina Kapoor

Together, Sola Mahfouz and Malaina Kapoor share the harrowing story of Sola's journey from Afghanistan. Sola faced severe restrictions on women's education under the Taliban. Despite these challenges, she pursued self-education, learning English and advanced subjects like algebra and physics through online resources like Khan Academy. Sola's determination led her to cross Pakistan's dangerous border to take the SAT, securing a spot at Arizona State University. Her journey highlights the importance of education and resilience. Malaina Kapoor and Sola tell her story in their book Defiant Dreams. Malaina emphasizes the need for awareness and support for Afghan women, especially since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, which has imposed severe restrictions on women's rights. Learn from Sola's journey and choose which action will help you pursue your own courageous path.

Action Principles

Pick one to do this week:

1. Create a positive, calm environment. When things are stressful or chaotic, be the person to bring positive energy to the situation. ACTION: Create a list of positive phrases or actions to use during stressful or chaotic moments.

2. Improve communication skills. Communication is a powerful tool, whether it's learning the language of a new country you moved to or expanding your vocabulary. ACTION: Take a class to learn a new language or improve your native language by expanding your vocabulary.

3. Invest in your education. Grow your career by learning new skills. Numerous online options, like LinkedIn Learning, are available. ACTION: Take a course based on a skill you're interested in learning.

4. Explore other cultures. Enrich your life by learning about other countries and cultures around the world. ACTION: Read an educational book about a country you're interested in.

Guest Resources

Learn more about Sola's story at DefiantDreams.com. You can also follow both Sola Mahfouz and Malaina Kapoor on LinkedIn.

Suggested LinkedIn Learning Course

Time Management Fundamentals

Dave Crenshaw develops productive leaders in Fortune 500 companies, universities, and organizations of every size. He has appeared in Time magazine, USA Today, FastCompany, and the BBC News. His courses on LinkedIn Learning have been viewed tens of millions of times. His five books have been published in eight languages, the most popular of which is The Myth of Multitasking—a time management bestseller. As an author, speaker, and online instructor, Dave has transformed the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands around the world. DaveCrenshaw.com