Now Live : 2025 Global Most Loved Workplaces® — See the Top 100 Companies
The 2025 America’s Top 100 is live. See the list →
The 2025 America’s Top 100 is live. See the list →
Hey everyone, thanks for joining us on The Leader Show with Lou Carter. Joining us today is Clint Pulver, Emmy Award winner, musician, author, and professional keynote speaker. His book, “I Love It Here”, revolves around the theme of passion and love for one’s work, emphasizing significant moments in life that can bring about change.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into the insights that Clint shares in this episode.
Firstly, Lou and Clint discuss Clint’s experience on the television show America’s Got Talent.
Clint shares that he was contacted by the show’s producer, who was looking for a drummer. The unique part of Clint’s act involved playing the drums on the head of Howie Mandel, one of the show’s judges. Clint explains that the producers discovered him through his drumming videos on YouTube.
Clint reveals that much of the show is scripted, including his act of playing drums on the heads of bald men, which they referred to as “Bald Man Bongos.” They scripted it to appear as though Clint had come to audition for the show, and his performance included playing the drums on Howie’s head on the main stage.
The conversation continues with Lou asking about the specific rhythm Clint played on Howie’s head to avoid causing him harm. Clint responds that he played mostly single notes, with some doubles and a few paradiddles.
Next, Lou asks Clint about his “inflection point,” a term referring to a significant moment of change.
Clint recounts the story of an educator named Mr. Jensen, who recognized Clint’s constant movement and tapping not as a problem but as an indication of an inherent talent. Despite Clint’s struggles with sitting still and being deemed problematic because of it, Mr. Jensen noticed that Clint was ambidextrous, a trait often misunderstood and viewed as a disturbance by others.
Mr. Jensen once called Clint after class for a conversation, in which he challenged Clint to perform tasks that required coordination (like tapping his head and rubbing his belly at the same time, then reversing it), which Clint could do effortlessly. Recognizing Clint’s talent, Mr. Jensen gifted him his first pair of drumsticks, encouraging Clint to see what would unfold if he pursued drumming.
Clint expresses gratitude for this transformative moment and the role Mr. Jensen played in his life, allowing him to have a successful career as a drummer. Over the past 23 years, Clint has had opportunities to tour and record worldwide, play in significant events, work with the Utah Jazz NBA Drumline for seven years, and even perform on America’s Got Talent. Clint credits his success to Mr. Jensen’s act of seeing what was right with him rather than focusing on perceived flaws.
Moving on, Lou asks Clint about the dynamics of loving what you do, who you do it with, and where you do it.
Clint talks about the importance of purpose and distinguishing between simply loving your job versus loving who you are while at work. He discusses his experience as an “undercover millennial,” where he would pose as a prospective employee to ask existing staff about their jobs in a variety of businesses.
This approach allowed Clint to create an environment in which employees felt comfortable speaking their truth, leading to honest insights about their job satisfaction and workplace culture.
Based on this undercover research, Clint wrote a book called, “I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations Their People Never Want to Leave.” The title reflects a recurring response from employees who loved not just their job but who they were while at work.
Clint concludes by drawing a parallel between creating a memorable song as a drummer and cultivating a positive workplace environment as a leader. Just as a good song becomes a hit through memorable moments, a workplace becomes an environment people love when it fosters moments that make employees feel significant and appreciated. This approach leads to longevity and legacy rather than being a “one-hit wonder.”
When asked about the kind of moments that leaders can create within their companies to foster a better work environment for their employees, Clint shares some insightful information.
He suggests that many managers are unaware of their shortcomings because employees are often reluctant to share negative feedback. He highlights that the pandemic has significantly changed the employment landscape, giving people more time to reflect on their work circumstances and consider alternative options.
To understand the status of their employees, Clint suggests that leaders conduct what he calls “status interviews.” These involve asking key employees whose departure would have a major impact on the organization three questions:
Clint strongly believes that asking these questions can open a window into the thoughts and feelings of employees, thus facilitating better understanding and communication between management and staff. He encourages employers not to fear potential answers but to use this information to improve the work environment.
On a similar note, Lou asks Clint about any information he obtained on employees who weren’t performing well or generating enough sales for their organizations.
The latter responds by discussing the delicate balance between standards (the expectations set for an employee’s performance) and connection (the relationships formed between co-workers and management). While some underperforming employees might need to be removed from the organization, he points out that many can improve with the guidance of a new manager who can better connect with them.
Lou agrees, noting that many organizations skip essential steps in the training process, such as building connections and aligning values, which are crucial for maintaining a positive vision of the future. Clint stresses that no significant loyalty can happen without significant connection, and the best way to build a trusting relationship with an employee is to show genuine interest in their well-being and development.
Lastly, Lou and Clint reflect on how their mutual interest in emotional connectedness led them to each other.
Lou and Clint go into much greater detail throughout this conversation. Additionally, Clint shows his drumming skills at Lou’s request, which elicits a response of profound admiration from Lou, adding a lively and harmonious note to their conversation.
Thank you for listening!
