The People Playbook with Jason Taylor
Better People Decisions. Stronger Teams. Scalable Results.
The People Playbook is your weekly guide to building high-performing teams and cultures that scale. Hosted by leadership coach and executive advisor Jason Taylor, this podcast features raw, insightful conversations with CEOs, founders, and culture builders who know what it really takes to lead in today’s world.
From mindset to execution, every episode unpacks the strategies, missteps, and breakthroughs behind exceptional leadership - and how to align your people, purpose, and performance for lasting impact.
Whether you're a CEO scaling fast, a senior leader navigating change, or a builder at heart - this is your playbook for becoming the leader your team needs.
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🧠 Actionable insights you can use today
Because growth doesn’t start with strategy - it starts with people.
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The People Playbook with Jason Taylor
Tony Gareri (CEO, Roma Moulding) - Leading with WOW: Building Culture, Happiness, and Purpose
In this episode of The People Playbook Podcast, Jason Taylor sits down with Tony Gareri, CEO of Roma Moulding and self-proclaimed “Chief of WOW.” Tony shares how he built a culture where workplace happiness is a right, not a privilege - and why the true differentiator in today’s commoditized world is how you make people feel.
From his lessons at Zappos to creating global all-hands meetings and mission trips that inspire teams, Tony reveals practical insights on leadership, culture, and why success leaves clues. Whether you’re leading a fast-growing company or building a small but mighty team, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger, act bolder, and lead with purpose.
Jason Taylor (00:00)
Welcome to this episode of the People Playbook podcast. I’m pretty stoked today—we have Tony Gareri on to share his thoughts on leadership, team engagement, culture, and how he describes himself as the Chief of WOW.
Tony Gareri (00:54)
Jason, happy to be here. Thanks for the invite. Excited for this podcast.
Jason Taylor (00:59)
You describe yourself as the Chief of WOW. What was the moment in your career that taught you that you had the power to surprise and delight people and take them to a better place?
Tony Gareri (01:33)
The funny story about the Chief of WOW is that I put it on everything—it’s been with me for about 16 years. It always sparks the question: “Why Chief of WOW?” which leads to great conversations. But ultimately, I believe everything today is commoditized—whether bottled water, cell phones, or pools. The only differentiator left is how you make people feel. You can make them feel okay, good, exceptional—or WOW. As leaders, we set the benchmark. My turning point came at Zappos, where I saw people committed to creating wow experiences for their customers. That word stuck with me, and I wanted to build a company that strives for wow.
Jason Taylor (04:21)
You do business in multiple countries with diverse teams. How do you keep workplace happiness sticky and contagious across such diversity?
Tony Gareri (04:51)
It starts with being intentional. Too many leaders put values on a wall and call it a day. For us, values are lived from the CEO down. We constantly check the pulse with initiatives and surveys. What works in Atlanta may not work in Italy—so we measure, test, and course-correct. Culture is never “done”—it’s ongoing refinement.
Jason Taylor (06:18)
You’ve said workplace happiness should be a right, not a privilege. What daily habits do you and your team practice to ensure that happens?
Tony Gareri (06:46)
I grew up in an immigrant family where work was supposed to hurt. Fun wasn’t part of the equation. But on my leadership journey, I visited companies that doubled down on culture and realized we could do things differently. One stat shocked me: 67% of U.S. employees are disengaged. That means they won’t wow your customers. So when I took over Roma, I asked employees, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend working here?” The score was dismal. That was my wake-up call. We started listening, caring about what mattered to each person, and the culture began to shift. Over time, people started showing up for the company because the company showed up for them.
Jason Taylor (10:47)
Do you have an example of a big idea that failed—but actually helped you succeed in the future?
Tony Gareri (11:22)
We’ve had plenty of blunder-head ideas! One was mandating the same company events across all locations. We thought consistency was good—but it ignored cultural differences. Adoption was spotty, and surveys showed people weren’t connecting. By listening and adapting, we built more trust. Another example was our all-hands meetings. At first, we held too many and at the wrong times, which disrupted work. We adjusted to three strategic meetings per year, and now they’re one of our most powerful tools. We even live stream them for customers, competitors, and recruits—it’s become a magnet for A players.
Jason Taylor (17:23)
You talk about hiring and thriving around the “crazy ones.” Can you share a story of one of the craziest people you’ve hired and how they changed the company?
Tony Gareri (17:56)
Yes—one sales director comes to mind. Brilliant, big-picture thinker. His BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal) was to start his own business, and eventually, he did—thanks to the coaching he received at Roma. But while with us, he challenged our give-back program. He felt it didn’t align with our mission to “move, inspire, and wow.” His idea? Mission work in Haiti. Soon, 10 of us were there volunteering in an orphanage. It was life-changing and has since become part of our DNA—doing mission work around the world.
Jason Taylor (22:25)
What role does fun play in leadership?
Tony Gareri (22:25)
It’s essential. We ask in onboarding: are we going to have fun together? Will we dent the world together? Our culture vetting process ensures new hires align with our values. Skills can be taught, but values like humility and openness can’t. Fun and cultural alignment go hand-in-hand.
Jason Taylor (25:52)
How do you deliver tough messages while keeping culture thriving?
Tony Gareri (25:52)
I believe every team member should always know where they stand. If they don’t, that’s a leadership failure. I hold regular one-on-ones with three questions (we’ll get to those in a moment). But more importantly, we hire and fire by values. When conversations are rooted in values—not personal preferences—they become easier. Recently, we had to let someone go. They already knew why—because their behavior didn’t align with our values. There’s no ambiguity when values drive the conversation.
Jason Taylor (28:35)
You mentioned your one-on-ones. What are the three questions you always ask your team members?
Tony Gareri (28:40)
Super simple:
- What’s on your plate?
- What challenges or obstacles are you facing—and how will you overcome them?
- How can I serve you better as a leader?
These keep clarity, cadence, and trust alive.
Jason Taylor (30:12)
What belief about leadership or happiness has completely changed for you since the start of your career?
Tony Gareri (30:24)
That leadership is a privilege and responsibility. I used to think work had to hurt. Now I know servant leadership changes everything. It’s not about money—it’s about legacy. Helping people become their best is my life’s work.
Jason Taylor (32:07)
If you could give one piece of advice to your 25-year-old self, what would it be?
Tony Gareri (32:22)
Surround yourself with great people. Be intentional with your time—it’s finite. Take risks while you’re young. And remember: success leaves clues. Study those who’ve achieved what you want, emulate them, and act. Life is short—so have fun along the way.
Jason Taylor (34:01)
Wow, Tony, that’s fantastic. Thank you so much for your time today.
Tony Gareri (34:32)
Jason, thank you for having me. You’re a gem for putting these on—I hope the community really enjoys it.
