05-14-2025
At the Daniels School’s 2025 Cornerstone for Business Conference, Mitch Daniels — former Purdue University president and accomplished business leader — shared a wealth of insights on navigating the business world and leading with purpose. His conversation with Melinda Zook and Kelly Blanchard offered practical wisdom, especially relevant for current and aspiring business professionals.
Drawing from his own career, Daniels shared a memorable piece of advice: “Eat a live toad first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen all day.” The lesson? Tackle the toughest problems early and don’t procrastinate. He stressed that leadership is inherently about driving change, which inevitably brings resistance and discomfort. Daniels encouraged leaders to accept criticism as part of the process, reminding them, “Dogs don’t bark at parked cars.” In other words, if you’re making an impact, expect pushback and stay focused on results.
Daniels warned against trying to lead in isolation. He advocated for “taking the stairs, not the elevator” — immersing oneself in all levels of the organization, listening to frontline employees, and learning from those closest to the work. This approach not only leads to better decisions but also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Daniels quoted Satchel Paige: “None of us is smarter than all of us,” underscoring the value of collective wisdom.
The rapid pace of technological change, particularly automation and artificial intelligence, presents both opportunities and challenges for future business leaders. Daniels highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary education — combining STEM proficiency with liberal arts thinking — to prepare graduates for roles that may not even exist yet. He urged students and professionals alike to build resilience against the attention-fragmenting effects of digital technologies and to continually adapt their skills.
Daniels passionately defended the role of economic freedom and integrity in business. He argued that economic and political freedoms are inseparable and that business, when practiced ethically, is a force for opportunity and prosperity. He encouraged students to engage with diverse viewpoints and see their future work to create value and hope for others — not something to be sheepish about, but a mission to embrace with pride.
Daniels’ advice is clear: the path to meaningful, effective leadership in business is forged through resilience, curiosity, collaboration and a steadfast sense of purpose.
