Podcasters Freya Lindström and Malcolm Thompson recently had a conversation about me.
It was an unusual interview.
They didn't attempt to speak with me directly before the interview, though; they simply reviewed publicly available information about me, then proceeded to have a twelve-and-a-half-minute conversation about what they thought I was like as a marketer and a person.
I'll be the first to admit that Freya and Malcolm were overly generous with their praise throughout their discussion. Also, they embellished a few minor details; while I'm proud of the work I did while I was at Pizza Hut, for example, I wouldn't call it a "turnaround".
Still, I think the pair did a great job capturing how I see the world.
I love telling stories.
The pursuit of knowledge is a driving force in my life: I like to learn new things. I also like to share what I've learned with others.
I believe mentorship is important, and I try to honour the mentors who have helped guide my career to date by making time to connect with young marketers who seek my advice.
Have a brief listen to the interview here and see what you think:
Here are a few of my favourite lines from this conversation, in no particular order:
"He's all about embracing the unknown. Those setbacks? They're not failures, they're learning opportunities."
"A corporate chameleon... He's comfortable in both the Wild West of startups and the perfectly manicured corporate gardens."
"He's constantly seeking out new knowledge, new challenges, and he's not afraid to push those boundaries."
"He sees learning as this lifelong sport, and he's going for the gold medal in, like, every event."
"He's not afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the pursuit of what he believes is right."
I'm certainly biased, but I think Freya and Malcolm did a great job overall.
Especially since they aren't real.
This interview was generated by Google's NotebookLM, a new AI tool the search giant recently released to the public. I fed the tool just two links (my LinkedIn profile and the About Me section of my website), yet that was enough to generate this audio interview.
The photo of the duo above? It was generated by ImageFX, another free Google AI tool.
Even the pair's names were generated by AI: I asked Microsoft Co-Pilot to generate names for "a 28-year-old woman of Nordic descent" and "a 33-year-old Canadian Black man".
In less than 10 minutes using AI tools available to anyone with an internet connection for free, I was able to create a duo with unique names, looks, and voices.
And I'm willing to bet most people couldn't tell they weren't real until I revealed that fact.
Six months ago, that most certainly wouldn't have been true.
But AI tools have come a long way in an astonishingly short period, to the point where distinguishing fact from fiction has become increasingly difficult.
And as my 14-year-old daughter said after I shared the image and a portion of the audio with her before writing this post, "That's... terrifying."
Freya and Malcolm aren't just good podcast interviewers, they're also good teachers.
And their lesson is clear: as a society, we need to move quickly to determine ways to guide the ethical development of AI tools such that they can't be so easily and effectively used for misinformation and harm.
Freya and Malcolm spoke respectfully, the conversation wasn't important, and what you heard likely won't impact your life or change how you act in any way...
... but with AI-generated conversations, that won't always be the case.
And that's... terrifying.
Interview Transcript
The following transcript was created by feeding the audio file that NotebookLLM generated into Restream.io. Other than correcting a few misspellings of my surname, no changes have been made to Restream's output.
Alright. So today, we're gonna be taking a deep dive into the career of David Pullara. And, I gotta say, just looking at the source material here, you don't see a resume like this every day. Oh, absolutely. It's not just the typical corporate ladder climb.
You know? Right. You've got startups, then you've got these massive brands like Starbucks, Google, Coca Cola, and then back to startups again. It's impressive. It really is.
It's like he's mastered this art of career zigzagging, but, like, at the highest fascinating about it, you know. It's not just about holding a position. It's about thriving in these environments that demand completely different skill sets. Right. Like, you don't just seamlessly transition from the fast paced, ever changing world of startups to the very structured and process driven world of, like, a Coca Cola without picking up some serious adaptability along the way.
Yeah. You've gotta be like a culture chameleon. Exactly. And, you know, he calls himself strategic, brand focused, insatiable desire to learn. Right.
Those are all great buzzwords. We see those everywhere. So what makes Pullara different? Well, I think it's the evidence. Right?
Because it's one thing to claim those qualities, but it's another to actually demonstrate them consistently. And not just within one type of organization, but across both startups and global corporations. Yeah. And we see that in the results. You know, take that Pizza Hut turnaround that he led, for instance.
Yeah. How much of that success was due to, you know, the company's existing structure and how much was a direct result of his leadership, his methods? You know, that's what separates, I think, the buzzword slingers from someone who actually walks the walk. Yeah. And he even says on his LinkedIn page, I seek out businesses poised for explosive transformative growth.
That sounds like someone who is not afraid of a little, maybe a lot of risk. And yet he also spent over a decade in these, you know, well established corporations known for their, let's just say, well defined ways of doing things. Right. It's an interesting juxtaposition. Wouldn't you say?
It's like he's comfortable in both the wild west of startups and the perfectly manicured corporate gardens. So what does that tell us? Well, it suggests a certain comfort with, even a preference for, maybe, navigating complexity. Okay. And maybe, just maybe, that's part of his secret sauce.
This is where it gets really interesting for me because we're not just talking about a resume here. Right? We're talking about a person with some, like, unique interests outside of the boardroom. And this might sound like a small detail, but, you know, this is someone who's been passionate about stories since childhood. Mhmm.
And now look at him. He's in marketing. It's funny how those things work out sometimes, isn't it? It really is. But it's probably not a coincidence.
Right? That early fascination with stories likely translates to a deep understanding of narrative of human behavior. Mhmm. You know, the very things that drive marketing and leadership. And it's not just a passive interest either.
Right. This is a guy who went and got an MBA, picked up certificates from Harvard, the Disney Institute, IDO. The list goes on. Wow. It's like he collects knowledge.
Like, some people collect stamps. It speaks to a certain mindset, doesn't it? This insatiable curiosity. He's not content with just knowing. He wants to understand, to apply, to grow.
And that commitment to continuous learning, to always kind of expanding his horizons, it's likely a key ingredient in his ability to adapt and thrive in such diverse environments. And speaking of expanding horizons, he didn't just absorb knowledge, he actively shares it. Look at his involvement with AMA Toronto, 10,000 coffees. Yes. Both of these organizations are focused on supporting, you know, the next generation of professionals.
Exactly. And, you know, he could easily just focus on his own career, his own success, but the fact that he's dedicating his time and energy to mentorship, that speaks volumes. It suggests someone who recognizes that leadership isn't just about climbing the ladder. It's about helping others rise as well. And let's not forget about his book.
Yes. Tom Talent and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad recruitment process. Mm-mm. I mean, that title alone tells you he doesn't shy away from a challenge. It really does.
And think about this. He's criticizing bad recruitment practices, which is essentially telling, like, HR departments to think more like marketers. It's a bold move. It is, especially considering he's navigated both worlds. Right.
Exactly. So it's like he's got this unique and he's not afraid to share it. It suggests he's not afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the pursuit of what he believes is right. Mhmm. And, you know, that willingness to challenge the status quo, to push for improvement, even when it's uncomfortable, It's a valuable trait in any leader, in any field, really.
So we've got this picture of someone who thrives in these fast paced, high stakes environments, embraces innovation, seems to genuinely enjoy the challenge of learning new things, but then we've also got these seemingly contradictory elements too. Like what? Like, his comfort in both those structured corporate settings and the freewheeling world of start ups. Right. It's almost as if he's mastered the art of, like, being 2 places at once.
Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that he's taken the best of both worlds and synthesized them into this unique approach, one that allows him to thrive in uncertainty, to bridge those gaps, to see opportunities where others see obstacles. Okay. So we've established that David Pullara is not your average career climber. This is someone who's carved his own path, often taking, like, the road less traveled. But what does that mean for us?
What does that mean for anyone trying to navigate their own career journeys? It's a great question. And I think, you know, Pullara's journey offers some really valuable insights here even if you're not, you know, aiming to be the next marketing guru or anything. It's about recognizing that a career, it's not always this straight line. You know?
Sometimes, oftentimes even. The most interesting paths, they have some unexpected twists and turns along the way. Like that old saying, it's about the journey, not just the destination, but it's not just about, like, wandering aimlessly either. Oh, absolutely not. Pullara's story really highlights the importance of intentionality.
Even within those twists and turns, he's constantly seeking out new knowledge, new challenges, and he's not afraid to push those boundaries, whether it's, you know, in the boardroom or challenging those traditional HR practices with his book. And that brings us to another interesting point. Right? You shared sources that highlight Pullara's, like, constant drive to learn. It wasn't just, okay, I got the MBA.
Check that box. I'm done. No. Certificates from Harvard, the Disney Institute, IDEO. It's like, he sees learning as this lifelong sport, and he's going for the gold medal in, like, every event.
It's so true. And it's not just about collecting credentials. It's really about cultivating that mindset Mhmm. Of continuous growth and curiosity. Yeah.
I think it's that willingness to kinda be a perpetual student, to always be learning, always be adapting that allows someone to thrive in today's world. It makes you wonder, like, what's he diving into these days? What's peaked his interest? But, you know, it's not just about acquiring all this knowledge for himself. It's about sharing it, paying it forward.
And his dedication to mentorship really stands out here. Yeah. I mean, with his involvement on organizations like AMA Toronto and 10,000 Coffees, it's like he's saying, look. I'm not just here to climb the ladder. I'm here to help others build their own.
That kind of generosity, it's a real hallmark of true leadership, I think. And, you know, it's not just about being altruistic either. Right? Because by investing in others, he's building a network. He's fostering this community of talented individuals who can all learn from each other, challenge each other to be better.
It creates this, like, virtuous cycle. Exactly. Exactly. Knowledge is shared. Connections are made.
Opportunities arise from those interactions. It benefits everyone involved. Speaking of opportunities, let's talk about his experience in both the start up world and the corporate world. Because it's one thing to understand, say, the innovative spirit of a company like Google. It's another thing entirely to navigate the complexities of, like, a massive global brand like Coca Cola.
Totally. And that's where his bilingualism comes into play. Right? Excellent. He's fluent in the language of both disruption and these, like, really established systems.
Uh-huh. He can navigate the boardroom and the brainstorming session with equal dexterity, and that is a very rare and valuable skill set. So it's not about choosing one world over the other. It's about recognizing the value of both and how they can complement and even, like, enhance each other. Yeah.
Almost like a chef who can create a Michelin star meal using both, like, these cutting edge techniques and traditional ingredients. I love that analogy. Yeah. And it made me think too about, you know, throughout these sources, you see these testimonials from colleagues and partners, people who highlight his ability to inspire, to motivate, to build consensus. Yeah.
He seems to get that it's not just about the what of the work. It's about the who. And maybe that's another part of his secret sauce, you know, this genuine interest in the people that he works with, this ability to foster a collaborative environment where everyone feels heard, everyone feels valued. Which brings us back to his fascination with stories. Right?
Because it's not just about products or profits. It's about understanding human motivation. Yeah. Building those narratives that resonate, connecting with people on a deeper level. It's that old saying.
People don't work for companies. They work for people. And it sounds like, you know, Pullara gets that. But it's not just about being, like, the nice guy in the office. Right?
No. Not at all. It's so much bigger than that. It's about recognizing that true success, the kind that lasts, the kind that really means something, it usually comes down to connecting with people, building that trust, creating a shared purpose. It's leadership.
Yeah. But it's also just, you know, being a decent human being. And maybe that's what allows him to navigate those 2 seemingly different worlds we keep talking about. The corporate world with all its rules and then that startup energy. Right?
He's not just managing projects. He's managing relationships, making sure people feel like they can take chances, try new things. Exactly. It's like finding that sweet spot between having some structure Yeah. But also having flexibility.
Because let's be real, too much of 1 or the other, it can really stifle creativity, you know. You need the rules sometimes, but you also need that space to experiment. Let those new ideas bubble up. Which takes us right back to his LinkedIn. Yeah.
Remember, he talks about being drawn to companies that aren't afraid to, and I'm quoting here, leap to fail and to learn. That's a very different attitude from the play it safe approach you see a lot in bigger companies, don't you think? Oh, 100%. That tells me he's all about embracing the unknown, those setbacks. They're not failures.
They're learning opportunities. Yeah. That's such a powerful way to think no matter what you do for a living or where you are in your career. So it's almost as if he's combined the best of both worlds. He's got that strategic, disciplined thinking of a top executive, but also that entrepreneurial spirit, that willingness to take risks.
And that blend being able to switch back and forth, that's invaluable these days no matter what industry you're in. You know, we've gone over a lot. Pilar's impressive resume, his love of mentorship, even his thing for stories. But there's this one last little detail I wanna bring up that ties it all together so well. Remember earlier, we were talking about how even as a kid, he was drawn to stories?
Yeah. Well, on his website, he talks about his dream job growing up. Oh, I'm curious now. Was it an astronaut? A movie store.
He wanted to be the person in charge at Disney? Get out. It all makes sense now. Everything we've been saying, building brands, telling stories, leadership, that go forward attitude, it all goes back to that childhood dream. Right.
It's like we've been putting together this puzzle, and that was the missing piece. It might not be the career path everyone takes, but David Pullara, in his own way, he's living out that childhood dream. And, honestly, I think that's the most inspiring part of all this. It reminds us that our dreams, even the ones we have as kids, they hold these clues. You know, they might not lead us down a straight path, but they can help us find a journey that really lights us up, that makes a difference.
So as we wrap up this deep dive into David Pullara's career, here's a question for you, the listener. What makes you curious? What are those threads in your own life, the things you love, the experiences you've had that might be coming together to create something amazing for you?
Because sometimes the most incredible journeys, they start with a simple question, what if?
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