Dolf Berle, CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes, explains how lessons learned on a dairy farm shaped his leadership style and why he believes vulnerability helps leaders connect with their teams.
Dolf Berle, CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes, said some of the biggest lessons that shaped his leadership came long before he reached senior management, including his first job on a dairy farm.
Berle told FOX Business that the “discipline around success routines” he learned through dairy farming still influences how he takes care of himself and runs a business.
“For me, the habit that has made the biggest difference is the discipline around routines for success – both in terms of self-care, but also business management – which came from my youth in dairy farming,” he said.
Prior to taking the helm at Nothing Bundt Cakes, Berle held leadership positions at Topgolf, Dave & Buster’s, Lucky Strike Lanes, House of Blues and ClubCorp.
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Dolf Berle, CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes, told FOX Business that some of the biggest lessons that shaped his leadership came long before he reached the C-suite. (Nothing Bundt Cakes)
Berle is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Zimbabwe and has won medals at the world and national championships in pole vault, heptathlon and decathlon. He also participated in “American Ninja Warrior”.
Another lesson that has shaped his leadership is the importance of vulnerability.
“The best career advice I’ve received is that it’s okay to be vulnerable because people connect through vulnerability,” he said.
Berle said openness can help leaders better understand and support their teams.
This approach also shapes a responsibility. Berle said he preferred not to delegate, which spells difficult news.
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Prior to taking the helm at Nothing Bundt Cakes, Berle held leadership positions at Topgolf, Dave & Buster’s, Lucky Strike Lanes, House of Blues and ClubCorp. (Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
“When there is something very difficult or very hard that needs to be conveyed to a partner or someone you work with, I like to do it myself because I really want to explain why we do what we do,” he said.
“I want to try to be compassionate about the feelings this may bring up in someone, but also be clear that what we’re doing is for the good of the company as a whole and the team going forward.”
Berle also pushed back against the idea that being a CEO is “glamorous.”
“I think some people think being a CEO is glamorous, but actually it’s not,” he said. “It’s a servant role. It’s a role that deals with many of the most difficult things.”
He added: “It’s very meaningful and rewarding, but I don’t think it’s glamorous.”
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For people looking to get into the food and beverage industry, Berle said two things matter: finding the right people and finding a growing business. (Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
For people looking to get into the food and beverage industry, Berle said two things matter: finding the right people and finding a growing business.
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“First of all, it’s a people business, so you have to respect and also enjoy the time spent as a team,” he said. “And the second is I think the most joy comes from being part of a growing company.”
If he wasn’t running Nothing Bundt Cakes, Berle said he would be pursuing a very different vocation.
“If I wasn’t doing this job, I’d be trying to be the next Mr. Rogers.”
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