Scott Mordell, Former CEO of YPO, (2010 to 2020)
Mr. Scott Mordell is the former CEO of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO). He had joined the organization at the age of 33 as a member. He has served the YPO as a CEO for ten years from 2010-2020, which is the longest in the history of the YPO. He is currently the CEO of The Florida Group.
Podcast
Overview
Our guest for today, Mr. Scott Mordell is a very interesting personality. He is the former CEO of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO). He had joined the organisation at the age of 33 as a member. He has served the YPO as a CEO for ten years from 2010-2020, which is the longest in the history of the YPO. He is currently the CEO of The Florida Group.
About YPO
YPO is an American-based worldwide leadership community of chief executives with approximately 31,000 members in more than 140 countries. They are organised in 475 chapters and they have more than 40 tropical networks where they get together globally at different things such as entrepreneurship, innovation etc.
The organisation was founded in 1950 in Rochester, New York, by manufacturer Ray Hickok.
Since there was not much business education at that time, Hickok and a small group of young presidents in the area began meeting regularly to share and learn from each other. According to the organization, its founding principle is that of education and idea exchange among peers.
They also have other programs where people get to interact. YPO has a quite wide scope. Interestingly, Scott tells us that if they add the annual turnover of all its member companies, it would be more than 9 trillion US Dollars.
What was Scott’s motivation to lead YPO on an executive level?
Scott tells us that he was quite young when he joined the organization, so he has spent quite a lot of time there. He tells us the things that motivated him to serve the organization were first of all he wanted an important challenge that could leave a positive impact on the society. He wanted to work with incredible people for the betterment of the society and YPO was exactly what he wished for. He says that the more he met co-members of the YPO, the more he was motivated to work with them. He considers it a blessing that he could serve the organization on an executive level.
What is Forum and what is its power?
Forum is the most successful product of YPO. It is rightly said that it is lonely at the top. Forum ensures that the people who are at the top, get fellow of similar kind, interact with them, talk to them about the struggles they had, learn from each other and all the conversation stays confidential.
More about Scott Mordell
Scott tells us that he was brought up in an environment where education was very important and his parents pushed him to go as far as he could in that field. However, he says that when he went to Kellogg and crossed industries and networks, it gave him exposure to a different world which he considers as a pivot point in his life. Another key milestone Scott talks about is while he was living in Kellogg, he was advised by a venture capitalist to go work in a company and not to go to a consultancy. He took that advice and joined a company, staying there for 19 years. He also says that he considers his knowledge of when to take a pause in career as another big milestone he achieved.
Scott highly believes in integrity. He also believes that every soul is equal and worthy so one should have due respect and compassion for others. He also says that once you stop learning you are dying, so he stays curious. Finally, he says that he firmly believes in being accountable for his actions.
For Scott, success is ultimately being at peace.
Profile
I have led and worked with CEOs around the world to help make the world a better place. The most appealing situations for me include solving complex challenges with great people to serve an important cause.
Combined with my service as YPO’s longest-serving CEO, my experience through various industries, geographies, types of organizations and business disciplines has helped me develop important leadership lessons and how to collaborate for success.
One of the best aspects has been working alongside and knowing so many great people. I am currently leveraging my experience and global network to provide independent strategic counsel for leaders.
