The "30 Leadership Qualities" (That Will Guarantee Success) - Bill Goldring

Thanks for joining us on Real Life Conversations with Leaders.

It's my goal—to inspire you in real life to become a leader people love to follow. And few people embody that more fully than Bill Goldring, chairman of Sazerac Companies and the man behind Buffalo Trace—an iconic figure not just in business but in the heart of New Orleans and beyond.

This conversation wasn’t a keynote. It wasn’t a press interview. It was a living room-style, heart-to-heart with someone who’s seen decades of leadership, legacy, and impact—and still takes time to pour into others.

“Treat all people alike… whether the chairman of the board or the janitor.” — Bill Goldring

Bill shared that one of his 30 personal leadership qualities began as advice for his godson. “I just started writing down things I thought he needed to know,” he said. “And I stopped at 30.”

That list now lives on as a leadership compass for his kids, grandkids, and anyone who asks. It's not for sale—it's a gift. And that’s what sets him apart.

“Power is something that comes with the territory… but never abuse it.”

Bill doesn’t flex his influence—he earns it quietly, consistently. “People see more of you than you see of yourself,” he said. That line hit me hard. It’s not about showing off power… it’s about showing up with humility.

His friend and leadership consultant, Phil Nico, added, “Why prove something that’s already assumed? When you’re a true leader, you don’t need to flash your title.”

They even joked about “waffles” being left at the door—a kid's misheard version of “egos”—and it stuck. Every leader could use that reminder: leave your ego (or waffles) at the door.

A Briefcase, a Father, and a Letter That Changed My Life

My introduction to Bill was deeply personal. My father, Quentin, played tennis with him. But I never met my dad until I was 36—thanks to an Ancestry DNA test.

That old leather briefcase I carry? It was my dad’s. In it, I found a sealed letter he wrote to me in 1981… and never gave me. I read it for the first time the day before his funeral—33 years later.

When I shared that with Bill, he smiled and said, “My father wrote me a letter too. Just one. And 25 years later, I found it again, had it bronzed, and gave a copy to each of my kids. I see it every day—it guides my decisions.”

That’s the power of a letter. It's leadership written in ink—legacy poured out on paper.

“How much salt can you use? Enough for the whole world.”

Bill’s dad once put a salt shaker on the table and said, “Take out what you need. Then take care of other people.” That visual wasn’t just wisdom—it became Bill’s life philosophy. It’s how he leads in business, in philanthropy, and in friendships.

He’s given away millions—yet says giving is harder than earning. Why? Because it requires discernment, heart, and trust.

From Obesity to Impact: Kissing Frogs, Not Rings

Bill opened up about his passion for solving New Orleans' obesity crisis. He couldn’t get political backing, so he built a solution through Tulane University. That effort became a global medical education initiative.

How did he do it? “You just have to know people… kiss a lot of frogs,” he said with a grin.

In New Orleans, we’re known for “kissing the ring.” But Bill flips that on its head—he invests in unlikely people with grit, humility, and hunger. He trusts his gut and uses old-school character tests to hire leaders—not just resumes.

The Legacy of Choosing Community

What stood out most to me wasn’t just his success—it was how he shares it. He’s still asking, “Who can I help? Who’s ready? Who’s hungry?” And he doesn’t just give power—he gives people the chance to run with it.

This is leadership people love to follow.

What Can You Take Away?

👉 Treat everyone with dignity

👉 Let power be quiet, not performative

👉 Write a letter that outlives you

👉 Invest in the hungry, not the flashy

👉 Never forget your salt—take what you need, and give the rest away

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And if you want to be a leader people love to follow…

Until next time, —JoeyStutson.com