The Power of Leadership Development: MyEmployees CEO, David Long, Interviews Ryan Ruiz, AOM of Dave & Buster’s


Inspired Area Operations Manager takes away valuable leadership lessons after reading Built to Lead: 7 Management REWARDS Principles for Becoming a Top 10 Manager and shares his insights with the author.

About a half dozen years ago, Ryan Ruiz got a copy of Built to Lead: 7 Management REWARDS Principles for Becoming a Top 10 Manager at a GM conference when he was with Tilted Kilt. He never read it.

All these years later, he saw it sitting on his book shelf and, inspired by the title, decided to give it a try. He read it cover to cover, and confessed that it’s been a life-changing experience.

“I’ve never finished a book unless I had to in school. No exaggeration… this is the first book I’ve actually read on my own,” Ryan said. His only regret was not reading it when he originally got it!

In this interview, David Long, author of Built to Lead and CEO of MyEmployees, sits down with Ryan, now Area Operations Manager of Dave & Buster’s, to talk about some of the valuable life lessons he took away from what he read.

Ryan took to heart everything he learned in Built to Lead:

  • He added 1-2 hours of reading time to every day, M-F (Remember… this was a guy who said he’d never finished a book that wasn’t required reading in high school!)
  • He’s starting a book club for his employees, showcasing the importance of investing in employees as people and not just workers
  • He reinforced his belief in strong communication as the key to mentoring and building culture

“I’ve never finished a book unless I had to in school. No exaggeration… this is the first book I’ve actually read on my own.” ~ Ryan Ruiz, GM at Dave & Buster’s

Ryan also shares some of the creative ways he recognizes, appreciates, and motivates his team.

Check out the full video interview, and share this example of commitment to leadership development with others leaders to remind them how important it is to invest in themselves and their people.

Get your own copy of Built to Lead

Built to Lead: 7 Management REWARDS Principles for Becoming a Top 10 Manager is a Wall Street Journal Best Seller and Best Seller on Amazon. Get your copy today, and experience the same leadership growth and development that Ryan has!

Click HERE to get your copy today! (Available for FREE with KindleUnlimited!)

For more great leadership tips, check out…

Like this article? Share it with someone as great as you!

Check out more posts from the
MyEmployees Learning Center


Recognition ABC’s

Peep these recognition tips and tricks and get rolling with employee recognition. Read more here.

Leadership Training

Become a top 10% manager in your industry and get the promotion you’ve always dreamed of with some of the tips and training you’ll find HERE.

Customer Stories

Get inspired by some of our most successful customers HERE.

Our Culture

Yes, we’re unique. Learn all about the fun and adventures that make us who we are HERE.