180: David Rohlander of DGR discusses his book the CEO Code with us.

David Rohlander of DGR is a bestselling author, former CEO and USAF fighter pilot with 208 combat missions. David is also a seasoned professional speaker, mentor and coach. His clients are executives from Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized companies and government organizations – his specialty is working with CEOs. Since 1979, David has been influencing CEOs and executives to create their own masterpiece personally and professionally. David’s book, The CEO Code, is a practical guide that explains how to create a great company and inspire people to greatness. The content is divided into three parts: Communication, Execution and Operations. The book is a synthesis of his breath of experience and depth of expertise.

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Show Highlights:

• David tells us that he has followed a winding path to where he is today.  He started as a college freshman at Rutgers University and when he had an opportunity to move to California shortly after that he jumped on it. He took this opportunity to start over academically.
• Hear how David saw the writing on the wall about the war in Vietnam and chose to join the Navy Reserve to avoid getting drafted in to the Army.  When the Navy wasn’t what he expected it to be he managed a transfer to the Air Force where he became a combat pilot, flying 208 missions.
• Listen as David discusses choosing pursuing an MBA over going to Law School.
• David initially worked in finance and now offers executive coaching to professionals in many areas of business.
• David tells us that his first book was triggered when his grandson was born.  David knew that he had information and experience that he wanted to be able to share with his grandson, even if he wasn’t around when his grandson was ready for it.
• David outlines the CEO Code for us:
  1. C = Communication
  2. E = Execution
  3. O = Operations

Books by David:

• The CEO CodeThe CEO Code shows how to develop the attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to master leadership and build a great company. This practical book shows you how to design your own program of development and create a masterpiece, personally and professionally. It is based on the wisdom gained from more than 30 years of business experience.  Inspirational and informative, Rohlander shares real-life stories of success and failure from his personal journey and work as mentor and coach to CEOs and executives of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized companies, and start-ups.
• Idiot’s Guides: Management SkillsBeing a manager is tough, and being a first-time manager is even tougher. Idiot’s Guides: Management Skills is a hands-on guide to helping managers of all experience levels survive and thrive in the often murky and difficult world of management. Readers of all skill levels will benefit from this book. First-time managers will learn how to make the transition from peer to leader, how to formulate their own management style, the basics of managing people, how to recruit and hire key talent, and how to communicate constructively. Experienced managers will benefit from proven advice and techniques to help fine-tune their skills and deal with many of the most common problems that every manager is confronted with – from hiring and firing, to dealing with problem employees, to motivating and inspiring employees to be self-driven and successful. Along the way all readers will learn essential skills that will help them be more successful as a manager and employee.

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Miranda McCroskey – host of Lawpreneur Radio