May 13, 2019
In this episode of The Millionaire Mindcast Podcast, we have powerful guest, Ray Zinn who shares his journey on how he inspired and changed lots of lives with his leadership and character. He speaks about the truth, true happiness and tackles the stuff that is priceless and that adds value to everyone’s life.
Get ready as we drop lots of nuggets on today’s episode!
Ray Zinn is the founder and CEO of Micrel Corporation for 37 years, a business legend and contrarian, Zinn is the longest-serving CEO in Silicon Valley. He founded Micrel without venture capital, but with the relentless will and mindful discipline that defines all great entrepreneurs. This has resulted in a nearly unbroken string of profitable years for Micrel, a feat unheard of in the semiconductor trade.
Ray talks about the books he authored, “The Tough Things First” and “Zen of Zinn”. According to him, having the right character is a big part of his leadership. He used to have that environment that people changed for the better. In fact, praises played a big part in his success in business and marriage. He is a positive person who focuses on the good and not the bad. Making sure that what he does are operating on truth and not operating with information. Not be too quick to react in any situation but slows down. He takes time to think and make sure whatever decision he makes is consistent with the truth.
One other thing, he makes sure he works 10 hours a day and 5 days a week to spend time with his family and see him as a father and not just a businessman. As stated, working 7 days a week and 10 hours a day means something wrong in a way that you’re running your life, your family, and your company. It’s a matter of managing your time in a very appropriate way and not letting your work become your life.
Lastly, he shares how he distributes the wealth that he has. In line with that, it’s not about how much money you have, it is what can you do with that wealth. It’s not what you get for yourself, but it’s what can you do for others. That’s where you get your happiness. Your happiness is not your wealth, your happiness is how you used your wealth and donate your time that’s more than your money.
Some Questions I Ask:
- Tell us a little bit more about who you are & take us back a little bit to your journey to where you are at today. (02:11)
- How were you as this company evolved and your life evolved? (10:20)
- How vital was mentorship to you? (12:57)
- How did you continue to attract the right people and talent into your organization.(16:43)
- How you have continued to grow yourself and your business and still have a better relationship with your wife? (20:49)
- How was your focused on your health while prioritizing your business and your family? (24:47)
- What should business owners be staying aware of to position themselves in front of these changes in business and technological transformation? (31:10)
- If I will give you a million dollars right now, what would you do with it and why? (36:53)
- What’s your recommendation for people in making contribution and charity as a pillar for success and fulfillment? (41:40)
- If you are given two weeks to live what would be one or two bucket list items that you would want to check off? (44:44)
- What’s been your number one habit or discipline that allowed you to achieve the results in a life that you want to achieve? (47:15)
- What is your challenge to anybody to live their biggest, best, and rich life? (51:45)
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- Ray’s big AHA moment. (02:34)
- The story when Ray first established his first company. (05:09)
- Four Pillars of Ray’s company. (07:23)
- The key to having a successful business. (14:37)
- One thing that makes his marriage success. (23:02)
- An analogy that you can apply to your business and in life. (35:25)
Quotes:
- “I was not going to work for anybody, I just going to work for myself.”
- “Do whatever it takes, no excuses.”
- “You can’t make a mistake if you correct it.”
- “Failure is not my buddy as you would.”
- “You want to have differences but not controversy.”
- “I strive for harmony.”
- “I’m not different with anybody else.”
- “I know what heaven is going to be like because I live in heaven.”
- “Praise in animosity don’t fit together.”
- “Don’t take anything you hear is the truth”
- “Listen to your gut.”
- “My children are my project.”
- “The wealth that you have is not for yourself.”
- “Smile and the world smile with you.”
- “Learning to love everything even pain, and adversity is a whole marked of a whole person.”
- “Don’t try just do it.”
- “My family is my life, not my work.”
- “Adversity is like manure it stinks but it helps us grow.”