{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Failure Gap ","title":"A Conversation With Josh Kern, CEO of Snooze","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2824,"description":"Josh Kern’s leadership journey has taken him from Capitol Hill to marketing to the CEO seat, with plenty of restaurants along the way. Now CEO of Snooze, Josh brings a marketer’s curiosity to leading a beloved breakfast brand through its next stage of growth. His experience has taught him that leadership isn’t about arriving with a ready-made playbook. It’s about listening first, understanding what makes an organization special, and then getting clear about what needs to change.\nFor Josh, that meant starting at Snooze with a simple stop, start, continue exercise and listening closely to what people had to say. Those insights helped shape a focused “true north” for the organization while protecting the culture and magic that already existed. It also reinforced an important leadership lesson: when you’re the CEO, even a casual idea can suddenly become someone else’s priority. For an idea-generating marketer, that requires a little self-governance.\n\nEpisode Takeaways\nListen before you lead change. Understanding what people value, where trust is lacking, and what makes the organization distinctive creates a stronger foundation for alignment.\nPrioritization starts at the top. Leaders need to recognize the weight their words carry. Too many ideas can create churn, disrupt priorities, and send teams running after every shiny penny.\nBuild a team that challenges you. Josh intentionally surrounds himself with leaders who complement his strengths and welcomes healthy debate. Alignment doesn’t require everyone to think alike. It requires people to debate openly, decide, and then move forward together.\nCulture lives in everyday experiences. From long-tenured general managers to Snooze’s focus on hospitality and community, culture is reinforced through how people are treated, developed, and connected. Apparently, great pancakes don’t hurt either.\nStay curious and be willing to fail. Whether testing a new menu item or pursuing a strategic priority, leaders need the courage to...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/6CTvWJAaFFjJqjlsVhxTnhES72yGR8ntDCw44sys5j4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lYmZk/ZDEyNzhjNTY0NjRi/MTk4NjJiNjI0Zjg4/YzcwNC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}