About the Guest:

Niren Chaudhary is the CEO & Chairman of the Board of Panera Brands, one of the world's largest fast-casual restaurant companies. With prior roles as President of Krispy Kreme and 23 years at Yum! Brands, including the Global President of KFC, his leadership is unparalleled. Fluent in four languages, he supports DKMS, a leading non-profit with the world’s largest stem cell donor registry.

What will You Learn:

Chaudhary offers a leadership framework based on his experience with four core elements: courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency.

1. Courage: Focus on what you can control, not on external circumstances.
2. Gratitude: Start each day with appreciation for what you have, rather than dwelling on losses.
3. Generosity: Embrace a generous heart, seeking opportunities to serve others.
4. Congruency: Align your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to present a consistent version of yourself.

Become self-aware of our strengths: Caution against overplaying strengths, which can become weaknesses. 

As a lover of people, Chaudhary acknowledges the potential pitfalls of trust and decision-making. To counterbalance, he encourages leaders to surround themselves with truth-tellers who provide honest feedback. 

As a lifelong learner, Chaudhary advises against excessive ideation without implementation. A strong leadership team helps maintain focus and holds leaders accountable.

Chaudhary’s wisdom: "Don't solely develop competence; invest time in deepening your character, committing to your values and principles."

Interview Summary:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Brands, discovered the profound privilege that comes with leadership. Quickly mobilizing his team, they prioritized the health and safety of both team members and customers. Recognizing the significance of clear and simple messaging, as well as the need for a calm demeanor, the company embraced the pandemic as an "unprecedented opportunity to get stronger and better."

Chaudhary acknowledges that throughout his career managing hotels and holding key positions in renowned food brands, two defining moments in his personal life have shaped him profoundly: the loss of his eight-year-old and 18-year-old daughters. His older daughter Aisha's courageous response to a five-year life expectancy continues to inspire him. Aisha wrote a book, delivered TedTalks, and became the inspiration for movies like "The Sky is Pink" and "Black Sunshine."

Join us and listen to Niren's leadership insights on leading with courage, gratitude, generosity, and congruency. Be self-aware to not overplay our strengths and present one version of ourselves.

Show notes:

Panera Brands

"The Sky is Pink" 

"Black Sunshine Baby"

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