CEO Global Network Podcast
🎙 Hosted by John Wilson, founder of CEO Global Network and author of GREAT CEOs and How They Are Made, this podcast delivers powerful insights for CEOs and executives looking to grow as leaders and drive lasting success.
Each episode features candid conversations with high-performing business leaders, expert speakers, and industry trailblazers—all focused on sharpening your leadership edge, building resilient companies, and improving your life, your team, and your impact.
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CEO Global Network Podcast
Nick Dean, President & Director at The Keg Restaurants Ltd. – Focus, Discipline & Culture at Canada’s #1 Restaurant Employer
How do you build a workplace that people love—enough to be ranked the #1 restaurant employer in Canada? In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, host John Wilson sits down with Nick Dean, President & Director at The Keg Restaurants Ltd. Nick shares practical leadership lessons from a “zigzag” career spanning agencies, cannabis, and hospitality - plus the timeless principles that let “wild ducks fly in formation.”
You’ll learn:
- The cultural foundations behind The Keg’s long-running people-first reputation
- Why focus and discipline beat “growth for growth’s sake”
- How curiosity and asking great questions unlock better decisions
- A playbook for aligning complex stakeholders with transparency and integrity
- The surprising leadership lessons Nick learned from being a dad of three
Highlights: owner’s-mindset empowerment, sharing bad news quickly, acting to create opportunity (and pivoting fast), and leading like a coach who sets the vision - then gets out of the way.
[00:00] John Wilson (Intro)
Hey there, Nick. I can't thank you enough for being on the CEO Global Network podcast… thank you very much.
[00:12] Nick Dean
It’s my pleasure, John. Happy to be here.
[00:13] John Wilson – Question
Congratulations—the Keg was recently ranked Canada’s number one restaurant employer. What does it take to build a workplace that earns that kind of loyalty?
[00:27] Nick Dean
Credit goes back to founder George Tidball (1971) and a deep focus on people and culture. We invest in community-building (ski events, softball, celebrations) and empower staff to behave like owners. That accountability and trust drive the culture—and are a big reason we’re recognized as a top employer.
[01:29] John Wilson – Question
You’ve led agencies, cannabis, and now hospitality. What’s the common thread in how you lead?
[01:40] Nick Dean
My career’s a zigzag—CEO of an ad agency (never wrote an ad), cannabis (never used the product), hospitality (never worked in a restaurant). The throughline: surround yourself with subject-matter experts and lead like a coach—set vision and objectives, let great people play their game, give feedback, then get out of the way.
[02:43] John Wilson – Question
You’ve scaled fast-paced businesses in regulated and creative industries. What leadership principle always holds true?
[02:52] Nick Dean
Two, actually: focus and discipline. Early on I chased growth for growth’s sake. Now, we scale for the right reasons—do diligence, ask hard questions, avoid shiny-object distractions. Discipline wins.
[03:34] John Wilson – Question
You’ve been described as entrepreneurial and curious. How do those show up day to day?
[03:46] Nick Dean
I ask a ton of questions—curiosity first, opinions later. And while I’ve been a “hired gun,” I act entrepreneurially with discipline because it’s shareholders’ money. I believe action creates opportunity—move, learn, pivot, keep momentum.
[05:09] John Wilson – Question
As a CEO working with boards, agencies, and franchise teams, how do you align complex stakeholders?
[05:22] Nick Dean
I love our founder’s line: “I hire wild ducks—but my job is to make sure wild ducks fly in formation.” Over-communicate the shared vision, share bad news quickly, be transparent, and act with integrity—tell every group the same truth and manage expectations clearly.
[06:22] John Wilson – Question
What have your three sons taught you about leadership that no MBA could?
[06:32] Nick Dean
Humility—dinner-table chirps keep you grounded after tough days. And ambition—kids shifted my focus from me to family; it sharpened my career drive and purpose.
[08:14] John Wilson (Closing)
Nick, thanks for joining us—lots of nuggets in there. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
[08:34] Nick Dean
Thanks so much, John. My pleasure.
