🍦 What Ben & Jerry’s Taught Me About Leadership
This week I had the opportunity to travel to Vermont as the opening keynote speaker for the Vermont Health Care Association. Between speaking to healthcare leaders, driving through the winding roads of “the notch,” and visiting the Ben & Jerry’s headquarters, one thought kept sticking with me: people rarely remember all the information you give them… but they absolutely remember the experience you create.
As speakers, leaders, sales professionals, and business owners, we spend so much time focused on delivering information. But the moments people remember most are the ones that make them feel something.
1️⃣ Emotion Creates Memory
During my keynote, I shared a story about former NBA player Glen “Big Baby” Davis being ejected from a game. The room immediately leaned in. People laughed, reacted, and connected emotionally because stories create experiences that facts alone never can.
The truth is, most people won’t remember every bullet point from your presentation, meeting, or sales pitch. But they will remember how you made them feel. Leaders who understand this create stronger cultures, stronger relationships, and stronger trust.
2️⃣ Great Brands Create Experiences
Visiting the Ben & Jerry’s headquarters was a reminder that the world’s best brands do more than sell products. They create stories, personality, and experiences people want to talk about long after they leave.
Think about it: people don’t visit Ben & Jerry’s because they need ice cream. They go because the brand makes them feel something fun, nostalgic, and memorable. The same principle applies to leadership and business. People may forget your exact words, but they remember the energy, authenticity, and experience surrounding the interaction.
3️⃣ Leadership Is About the Environment You Create
Driving through “the notch” in Vermont was beautiful, winding, and unpredictable. In many ways, leadership feels the same. There are twists, pressure, uncertainty, and moments where people are looking to you for direction.
In those moments, people remember less about what you said and more about how you handled the environment around them. Did you bring calm or chaos? Confidence or panic? Energy or hesitation? Great leaders create experiences that give people confidence to keep moving forward, even on difficult roads.
🏀 Final Whistle
Information may get attention, but experiences create transformation. Whether you are leading a team, serving families, speaking on stage, or building relationships, never forget this: people will remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you said.
Today's Move
3 Actions Items ...
Storytelling beats information overload every time.
Experiences create stronger relationships than presentations alone.
Energy is often the most memorable thing you bring into a room.
I'm cheering for you!
