I Kept Running From Leadership Until It Caught Me [4.10 Steve Worthy]

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Steve Worthy shares the story behind his leadership journey — from serving in the Air Force to building a decades-long career with companies including Caribou Coffee, Barnes & Noble, Target, Dollar General, and Walmart, before finally betting on himself and building Worthy Retail Global.

In this episode of The F’ing Up Podcast, we explore what happens when the way you’ve always operated stops working — and how loss, fear, burnout, and staying in the wrong chapter too long can fundamentally change the way you lead and live.

If you’ve ever struggled to let go of what’s familiar, carried baggage from one chapter into the next, or known you were ready for something different but were afraid to bet on yourself, this conversation will resonate.

Topics include:

* Why military-style leadership didn’t translate to the corporate world
* The mentor who completely changed Steve’s approach to leadership
* Losing one of his twin daughters and how grief changed him
* Staying in a job too long and knowing when it’s time to leave
* Burning bridges, resentment, and carrying baggage forward
* The fear of walking away from a steady paycheck
* Finally betting on himself and building Worthy Retail Global
* Why our failures and detours are rarely wasted
* The advice Steve would give his 20-year-old self

This is the side of success most people don't talk about.

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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers’ own and do not represent the

views, thoughts, and opinions of the companies or individuals referenced during this recording. The material and information presented is for general information purposes only.