THE SHOW
Steve White went from humble beginnings in the midwest to the C suite of Comcast’s West Division. The journey was littered with hard won lessons on leadership and the habits required to create massive success. After driving revenue of nearly $18 billion, he’s learned what it takes to achieve organizational success and personal significance. He unveils how he achieved his vision and how you can too.
Behind His Brilliance: Effort and Attitude
Say hi to Steve on Twitter: @stevewhiteinc
THE GUEST
STEVE WHITE | Executive + Author
Steve is president, special counsel to the CEO of Comcast Cable. He works with executives on a number of important initiatives, including leadership development, strategic planning, diversity, equality, and inclusion (DE&I) and digital equality. This esteemed role punctuates eleven years of service as president of Comcast’s West Division. He led over thirty thousand employees and served twelve million customers, driving annual revenue of over $18 billion dollars. As the division leader, Steve was driven by continuous learning, radical responsibility, and an enduring commitment to shared excellence and teamwork. This focus led to the delivery of industry leading results while being the number one division in the export of talent to assist other parts of the Comcast enterprise.
Steve prepared for his illustrious tenure in the West Division by serving Comcast throughout various U.S. regions in the early 2000s. He advanced the company’s bottom line and employee culture from Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco, with increasing executive
responsibilities—in each case, leading thousands of employees, serving millions of customers and generating billions in revenue and profit. Before Comcast, Steve’s achievements at Colgate Palmolive were further confirmation that a commitment to his fight was working. Steve’s aim to be his best and help others do the same meant that he could create a table of prosperity where everyone was welcome. Promoted several times, Steve earned vast experience in marketing, sales, and operations management.
Steve’s management roles at PepsiCo also gave him the chance to shine in sales and management. He oversaw as many as four hundred employees and was responsible for significantly growing his division’s market share. Steve’s teamwork philosophy, energy behind his people skills, and steadfast focus on operations were driving forces behind his accomplishments.
Steve discovered his why at Baxter Travenol. While earning Rookie of the Year and advancing within the company’s ranks were rewarding, it was the leadership qualities in a soon-to-be mentor that captured Steve’s attention. He learned from this mentor and others who followed that working in corporate America requires not only collaboration and a shared purpose but also the critical and emotional support of a servant leader. From that moment,
Steve looked for ways to serve others, which resulted in remarkable outcomes and an ever-increasing attendance at his table. Over the course of Steve’s career, he has enjoyed many affiliations, including his recent board service with Hormel Foods, Shaw Communications, and W.W. Grainger. Steve is active in the academic arena at the University of Denver and serving on the board of New Leaders, which focuses on the leadership development of public school principals. He’s a member of Delta Boule’ and the Executive Leadership Council. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. He lives in Denver with his wife Barbita and son Stevie.
TOPICS COVERED
Steve’s origin story
The hard lessons Steve learned about leadership
Steve’s career path from sales to the executive suite
Steve’s take on networking and relationships in a high powered career
How communication shapes Steve’s leadership style
The best approach to engaging new hires
Why quality always trumps quantity in relationships
Why the journey matters more than the goals
Why integrating work and life is preferred to “balancing” them
And much more
STUFF MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Uncompromising, Steve’s book
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek (Steve’s book pick)
Bible (Steve’s book pick)
Winning by Jack Welch (Steve’s book pick)
Straight from the Gut by Jack Welch (Steve’s book pick)
John Grisham books (Steve’s book pick)
James Baldwin books (Steve’s book pick)
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (Steve’s book pick)