What You Condone, You Endorse with 8th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster Rick Rando

In this episode of the Learning to Lead Show, host Mark Cundiff interviews Grandmaster Rick Rando, 8th Degree Black Belt, owner and president of Kick Masters Karate and host of the Victory Couch Podcast.

Rick shares insights from his extensive career in martial arts and business leadership. He discusses the importance of maintaining high standards, recognizing and addressing toxic influences, and the significance of servant leadership.

Rick also recounts his journey from starting martial arts to owning a thriving business, highlighting key lessons learned along the way, especially during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The episode emphasizes the value of humility, continuous improvement, and building trust within teams. Rick's personal experiences and practical advice offer valuable takeaways for leaders in any industry.

00:00 Overcoming Toxic Relationships in Leadership

00:53 Introduction to the Learning to Lead Show

02:13 Rick Rando's Martial Arts Journey Begins

04:46 Early Leadership Lessons and Family Influence

06:04 Building a Successful Martial Arts Business

12:06 Servant Leadership and Team Culture

19:36 Balancing Humility and Confidence

23:11 Challenges and Growth in Business

27:12 Adapting to COVID-19: Safety Measures and Challenges

28:10 The Importance of Systems in Business

29:15 Continuous Improvement and Efficiency

31:45 Self-Leadership and Personal Growth

35:41 Building and Trusting Your Team

44:00 Lessons from Disney: Leadership and Service

47:02 Personal Development and Influences

49:46 The Role of Family in Leadership

52:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Grandmaster Rick Rando:

• Email: rando@randospeaks.com
• LinkedIn
• randospeaks.com
• The Victory Couch Podcast (with Julie Rando)

Rick's Recommended Reading List:

• The Go-Giver — Bob Burg
• The Customer Rules — Lee Cockerell
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
• The Tipping Point - Malcom Gladwell
• Uncommon - Tony Dungy

Rick's Recommended Podcast:

• EntreLeadership - Dave Ramsey

Free Learning To Lead Resources

• Free Book: The Trust Gap
• The Learning To Lead Newsletter
• LeaderNotes

🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Contact Mark at: mark@markjcundiff.com