The Power of Discipline and Candor in Executive Leadership | Des Hague | 670

What happens when a CEO treats thought leadership as essential as strategy?

In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Des Hague, an acclaimed executive who has led global brands like PepsiCo, IHOP, and Centerplate, and now advises startups, nonprofits, and private equity firms. He’s also the author of "Think Your Way to the Top" and "15 Minutes of Shame", with a third book on the way.

Des doesn’t see thought leadership as an optional side project. For him, it’s the natural extension of leadership itself—codifying the models, frameworks, and mindsets that fuel success. He shares why talent is always the starting point, how leaders must prioritize relentlessly, and why making time for writing and reflection is a choice, not a luxury.

We dig into the dangers of mediocrity and entitlement, the critical role of sacrifice, and how to stay focused in a world addicted to distraction. Des’s mantra, NSL—Never Stop Learning—pushes leaders to reject complacency and demand excellence from themselves and others.

He also opens up about resilience, accountability, and how leaders respond to their lowest moments. Through transparency and candor, Des reframes failure as a lesson, not a life sentence. His story challenges executives to hold themselves to higher standards, embrace growth, and remain relentless in their pursuit of impact.

This is an episode for leaders who want more than buzzwords. It’s about discipline, clarity, and the courage to lead with integrity—even when the spotlight is harsh.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Thought leadership is leadership. Codifying frameworks, sharing ideas, and investing in personal development are essential for leading organizations and people effectively.

• Focus and sacrifice drive results. Great leaders prioritize ruthlessly, avoid distractions, and make deliberate trade-offs to create time for what matters most.

• Resilience and accountability matter. Owning mistakes, learning from setbacks, and maintaining a growth mindset separate leaders who stagnate from those who continue to make an impact.

If you enjoyed Des Hague’s perspective on leadership, focus, and turning ideas into impact, you’ll want to dive into our episode with Will Milano. Both conversations tackle the discipline behind thought leadership—how leaders move beyond inspiration to frameworks, focus, and execution. Des shows how personal accountability and clarity shape great leadership, while Will unpacks how organizations can build a repeatable engine that scales those ideas into measurable business results.

Together, these episodes give you a 360° view: the mindset of the leader and the system that powers the enterprise. Listen to both, and you’ll walk away with practical insights for making thought leadership not just personal, but organizational.

Listen to Will's episode here.