Gratitude as a Leadership Superpower, with Donagh Herlihy

What if the fastest way to transform a team wasn’t about processes or technology, but about creating safety, trust, and genuine connection? In this episode, Scott talks with global digital innovator Donagh Herlihy, whose career has spanned leadership roles at Wrigley, Avon, Bloomin’ Brands, and Subway, and now as an advisor to AI startup Incept. Donagh shares why he starts every morning with gratitude, how “safe to try” experiments fueled billion-dollar innovations, and the leadership shift that comes from treating the executive team as your first team. From the sandwich line to the C-suite, Donagh’s stories reveal how culture change starts with intent—and how to make it stick.

(02:04) From Dublin shipyards to the U.S. tech scene
(04:56) Taking a career step back to get ahead
(09:40) Starting at Subway behind the counter
(13:10) Why fun is a core leadership value
(16:39) Agility as a mindset, not a process
(19:31) Leading a culture transformation at Subway
(23:18) Making gratitude a daily leadership habit
(31:26) “Safe to try”: Experimenting for faster decisions
(36:46) The “first team” mindset for executive leaders
(39:23) Bringing AI to the restaurant industry with Incept
(42:23) How AI changes leadership and self-management
(47:41) Why transformation must start with the CEO
(50:25) Life after the C-suite: Relationships, travel, and community
(52:16) What Donagh’s listening to: NVIDIA, Bill Gates, and big vision

Explore Incept: incept.ai

Connect with Donagh on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donaghherlihy/

Ready to have the Best Life Ever? Start here: www.courses.eblingroup.com/p/best-life-ever-course

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Website: www.eblingroup.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scotteblin

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