How to Build High-Performing Teams That Last

In this special, unplanned studio session, Jason sits down with Dr. Dominic Morais, a longtime friend from Vanderbilt and a leader in talent development and organizational culture (San Antonio Spurs).

This episode goes beyond the “X’s and O’s” of business and gets into what most leaders avoid: the person behind the company trust, care, accountability, emotional intelligence, and the internal drivers that shape performance.

Dom breaks down practical frameworks leaders can actually use:

• Trust = competence, care, character
• Work = results, processes, relationships
• Why leaders must coach instead of control
• How to build a culture people buy into (and perform in)
• Operating from love vs fear and why that changes everything
  
  

⏱️ Timestamps 

00:00 – Surprise studio session: “No notes, no cards, not even the branding”
02:00 – Meet Dr. Dom Morais: Tesla, Spurs, culture & people development
06:10 – The #1 leadership struggle: forgetting it’s always about people
09:30 – “Work is results, processes, and relationships”
12:20 – Trust framework: competence, care, character
16:40 – Why data alone doesn’t persuade (and what actually does)
20:30 – Vulnerability, fear, and leading from love vs fear
26:10 – Internal motivation vs external validation (and identity cliffs)
31:40 – Why leaders avoid self-reflection (and how trust opens it up)
36:20 – Emotional intelligence: self-awareness → self-management → social awareness
42:10 – Coaching vs telling: “That’s not a question, that’s a suggestion”
47:40 – Building leaders who can operate without you
52:20 – Burnout, culture measurement, and why it impacts the bottom line
56:30 – Accountability gets easier when people know you care
01:00:40 – Dom’s coaching clinic (Feb 26): building sustainable high performance
01:04:10 – Carl Jung quote: roots, darkness, and integration
01:09:20 – Dom’s “Last to First” moment + redefining success
01:13:30 – Final message: check in with yourself then lead your people

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What is Last2First Podcast?

Welcome to Last 2 First, the podcast dedicated to exploring the final mile in logistics and the unique challenges faced by business owners in this vital industry. Each episode features insightful conversations with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who share their experiences, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of final mile delivery.

Join us as we dive into topics like optimizing delivery routes, enhancing customer satisfaction, navigating regulatory hurdles, and leveraging technology for efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned logistics professional or a business owner looking to improve your operations, Last 2 First offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you lead your business to success.

Tune in and discover how to turn the last mile into your first priority!