
#312: Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder & CEO, Cabot – Be an idea collector
How Leaders Lead with David NovakShow Notes
How does a 24-year-old with no construction experience turn a remediated coal mine in rural Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations?
That’s the story of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder and CEO of Cabot. Twenty years later, he’s built one of the most respected golf brands in the world, with five courses featured in Golf Digest’s World Top 100.
And he did it by becoming an “idea collector” – obsessively studying great courses and learning from key mentors, then turning that expertise into something that stirs people’s souls.
This conversation is packed with leadership lessons and golf lore aplenty, and it’ll help you be the kind of leader who inspires others through grit, expertise, and a genuine love of excellence.
This episode is for you if:
You’re an entrepreneur – or want to become one someday
You’re building your career and want to find people to mentor you
You have high standards but also want to build a kind culture
You need inspiration for your next golf trip (and honestly, who doesn’t)
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go
Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day
Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
More from How Leaders Lead with David Novak
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Back in 2007, Mark Pincus had a gut feeling that adults would play games on their phones if they were just woven into their daily lives.
A lot of leaders brag that they’re “self made.”
Game 7 of the 2016 World Series had gone to extra innings. The Cubs were trying to break a 108-year championship drought that some called a curse.
Imagine being Zac Taylor in 2019. He was 0-11 in his first season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He knew they were doing a lot of things right, but the results just weren’t coming.