Hi {{ subscriber.first_name }}, If you think becoming a CEO means following a straight-line path from elite school to boardroom—this article will challenge that belief. In our latest episode, I sat down with Brian Melka, CEO of Rehlko, the $2B resilient energy company spun off from Kohler. Raised in a small Iowa town, Brian didn’t come from wealth or networks. What he did come with was scrappiness, accountability, and a deep belief that challenges—especially the ugly ones—are opportunities to lead. What makes Brian’s story stand out isn’t just the transformation he led at Rehlko. It’s how he leads himself through uncertainty, how he makes decisions when data is fuzzy, and how he handles the pressure that comes with being the final decision-maker. Here are some of the sharpest insights from our conversation: Culture Reset Starts Before the Carve-OutWhen Rehlko separated from Kohler, Brian didn’t wait for the change to happen—he engineered the cultural shift ahead of time. “We were intentional before day one. If we didn’t shape the culture early, every action afterward would be challenged or questioned.” He simplified culture into four words: Curiosity, Trust, Pace, and Excellence. These values weren’t just painted on a wall—they were picked because they were both grounded in the present and aspirational for the future. He knew not everyone would buy in. But he focused on the middle third—the people who could be swayed. Decision Quality: The CEO’s Hidden MuscleNot all decisions deserve your attention. As CEO, the key isn’t just making decisions—it’s knowing which ones you must make. “You have to understand which decisions only you can make… and which ones you can let go—even if they’re not perfect.” Brian’s framework:
It’s a priority filter, not a popularity contest. Time: Your Most Valuable—and Dangerous—ResourceBrian admits it: he’s naturally a “yes” person. But when every decision, meeting, and fire lands on your desk, that tendency becomes a liability. “I outsourced my time management. My assistant and comms leader run 80% of my schedule.” This isn’t just admin. It’s strategic energy protection—a discipline that lets him focus where only the CEO can. Run Toward the FireOne of his core principles: “Go where others don’t want to go. That’s where you learn the most.” Brian’s biggest breakthrough came when he joined a failing business unit no one wanted. Within 18 months, his team turned it profitable for the first time in a decade. This experience shaped his belief in ownership over title, and execution over prestige. Personal Life is Not a Trade-OffBrian is clear: being a CEO can wreck your health, your presence at home, your energy—if you let it. So he applies the same rigor to his life outside of work:
“There’s no such thing as work-life balance. There’s just life. And if you don’t structure it, it gets away from you.” This episode isn’t about being a CEO. It’s about becoming one when you weren’t supposed to—and leading with intentionality when the playbook doesn’t exist. 👉 Watch the full episode here Andrea Petrone CEO Whisperer | Top 1% Executive Coach and Speaker in the UK | Founder of WCL. You need more? Here are other ways to get value from what I do: 1) I’m launching Transformation Labs—new programs designed for every stage of a CEO’s journey: from new appointments to major transitions and legacy building. There’s also a new Lab dedicated to CEO leadership teams. Reply LAB if you’d like to explore how this could work for you, and we’ll set up a quick call. 2) Are you tired of leading alone and want to surround yourself with people who truly get it? WCL21 might be exactly what you need. WCL21 is our new hub for CEOs. Get inspired and build your powerful allies. Join the waiting list here 3) Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? 3) Watch and listen to the "The World Class Leaders Show" podcast and leave a review: 4) Do you want me to speak at your next event or do you want me to support your organisation in a new initiative? Book a call with me here |