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Forget Everything You Know About Being a CEO: A Conversation with Krystal Zell
[S2.E12]
What happens when a Fortune 500 executive walks away from the "all-consuming" pace of corporate leadership to find a different path?
In this episode of the (un)conversations podcast, host Dr. Alison Schmidt sits down with Krystal Zell, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Floor & Decor, for a raw look at what it truly takes to lead. From her rise at The Home Depot to navigating a $130M turnaround as CEO of Tonal, Krystal shares the leadership lessons she had to "un-learn" along the way.
In this episode, we explore:
The "One-Way Door" Philosophy: Mastering high-stakes, irreversible decision-making.
Navigating Executive Burnout: Identifying the "dense fog" before you reach a breaking point.
The CEO Sabbatical: Why Krystal took a year off at age 47 to reset for her next 20 years of leadership.
C-Level Transitions: How Krystal Zell Navigated Home Depot, Tonal, and Floor & Decor.
Episode Chapters:
(00:00) Forget Everything You Know About Being a CEO
(01:31) Meet Krystal Zell: From Floor & Decor to Tonal
(03:00) The (UN)word Effect: Using AI to find your leadership identity
(05:03) (Un)deterred: Lessons from a blue-collar upbringing
(19:24) (Un)assuming: Fashion emergencies and C-Suite branding
(28:56) Leaving Home Depot: Knowing when it’s time for a new problem
(37:59) The Tonal Opportunity: Managing a $130M strategic turnaround
(54:30) Identifying the "Dense Fog" of Burnout
(01:00:03) Why every leader needs a Career Sabbatical
(01:08:52) The (Un)expected joy of teaching AP Economics(
01:11:48) Ask Dr. Alison: Krystal Zell flips the script
(01:15:13) The (un)wrap: Showing the human side of business
Connect with our Guest:Krystal Zell is the EVP & Chief Customer Officer at Floor & Decor and the former CEO of Tonal.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalzell/
Floor & Decor: https://www.flooranddecor.com/
Connect with Dr. Alison:Dr. Alison Schmidt is the CEO of Unconvention, advising leaders on the unseen dynamics of high-stakes leadership.
Website: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageus
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunconversationspodcast
Support the (UN)movement:If you enjoyed this conversation, please Follow the show and leave a 5-star rating and review on Spotify—it’s the best way to help us reach more unconventional leaders!
#Leadership #CEO #KrystalZell #Burnout #ExecutiveCoaching #Sabbatical #Tonal #FloorAndDecor #unconversationspodcast
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