Today on Notable Leaders Radio, I speak with GUi Costin, Founder and CEO, of Dakota. He shares his incredible journey from a young entrepreneur influenced by his mother’s insightful advice to becoming a successful business owner and author.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

Leadership & Culture: Gui delves into the essence of effective leadership, highlighting the importance of being kind versus being nice, the significance of clear communication, and creating a positive work environment. Learn what it means to remove obstacles for your team and aspire to excellence continually.

The Power of Words: As a rhetoric and communication graduate, Gui stresses the critical impact of words and their power to shape environments and interactions. His advice: "Words matter. Details matter."

Innovative Work Environment: Learn about Gui’s approach to designing a workplace that feels like a welcoming hotel lobby, fostering creativity and productivity. Understand the importance of having fun at work and how it ties into achieving high performance.

Vulnerability in Leadership: Gui believes that vulnerability and trust are key leadership traits, which he practices through policies he has created on the foundation of “treat the company like your own,” so there are no set vacation or T&E policies.