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How Underdogs Flip the Script & Win Big

December 16, 2025/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

Have you ever found yourself cheering for the underdog? I mean, really rooting for them? We all do it. Think about it: Rocky Balboa, Harry Potter, Rudy, David and Goliath. These aren’t just great stories; they’re blueprints for success. They show us that the biggest wins don’t always come from having the most resources. They come from having the most heart, the sharpest strategy, and unwavering self-belief.

Today is National Underdog Day, the perfect time to look closer at this. What is the secret sauce that makes underdogs so powerful? And more important, how can we, as leaders and professionals, harness that same energy to shatter expectations, especially when the odds are stacked against us?

The Strategic Power of Being Underestimated

Underdogs have this incredible ability to surprise everyone. In business, just like in the movies, being seen as the long shot can actually be a massive advantage. When you learn to use these unique strengths, they become your secret weapon.

The Freedom to Innovate

Here’s something I’ve seen time and again: the front-runners often get stuck. They have established processes, reputations to protect, and a whole lot of red tape. For them, changing direction is like trying to turn a cruise ship in a bathtub. But for the underdog? It’s an open field. There’s less to lose and everything to gain.

This creates an environment ripe for bold experiments and lightning-fast pivots. When I was building my own video production company, we didn’t have layers of management or outdated systems holding us back. We could move quickly, think creatively, and completely change our game plan overnight. That agility is a superpower.

Unmatched Hunger and Drive

Success can make you comfortable. Comfort can make you complacent. But underdogs? They are never complacent. They fight for every single inch. Think about Rudy Ruettiger. Everyone told him he was too small to play football for Notre Dame. But he was too driven to listen. Every single setback just made him more focused. Every small win fueled his fire.

That kind of relentless drive, born from navigating tough challenges, is priceless. It doesn’t matter if you’re leading a multinational corporation or launching a new project. That hunger is what separates good from great.

The Element of Surprise

Let’s be honest, the big players are usually so busy competing with each other that they barely notice the smaller competitor in their rearview mirror. That’s the underdog’s moment. While the giants are distracted, the underdog is quietly building strength, refining their strategy, and waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Like David with his sling, the underdog’s greatest weapon is surprise. Your relative obscurity is your camouflage. It gives you the space to grow, innovate, and prepare to soar past the competition when they least expect it.

Cultivating Your Inner Underdog

You don’t have to be the smallest player in the market to benefit from an underdog mentality. In fact, the most successful leaders I know actively cultivate this mindset, no matter their company’s size. It’s what drives sustainable growth, continuous innovation, and powerful resilience. So, how can you build it for yourself and your team? I have three suggestions.

1. Embrace Discomfort

Comfort is the enemy of progress. It’s just that simple. Underdogs are used to discomfort and scarcity; they’ve learned how to thrive in uncertain environments. As a leader, you must be willing to push beyond the status quo. Take on those challenging projects. Give your teams the autonomy to experiment, to try new things, and yes, even to fail.

Ask yourself: When was the last time you did something truly uncomfortable to chase a goal? When did you give your team the freedom they need to innovate and excel? Pushing boundaries is where growth happens.

2. Foster Unshakable Self-Belief

Every underdog story begins with belief. Sometimes, it’s just one person who holds that belief against all odds. Think of Harry Potter, the orphan living under the stairs who believed he was meant for something more. Leaders must be the chief evangelists for their mission and their people, especially when the pressure is on.

Your confidence as a leader is the bedrock. It provides the stability and inspiration for your team to achieve incredible things. When you believe, they believe.

3. Celebrate Resilience

Setbacks are not failures. They are data points. They are opportunities to learn, adapt, and come back stronger. Rocky Balboa didn’t win his first fight against Apollo Creed. But that loss made him a better fighter and set him up for his ultimate victory.

In business, we have to treat setbacks as stepping stones. We need to de-stigmatize failure and build a culture that celebrates resilience, learning, and adaptability. That is how you build a team that can weather any storm.

Your Turn to Rise to the Challenge

The underdog story speaks to a fundamental human truth: we are capable of so much more when we refuse to accept limitations and meet adversity with determination. Passion, focus, and resilience can overcome almost any obstacle. History and business are filled with examples.

So today, on National Underdog Day, take a look at the horizon. Identify the challenges and the Goliaths you face. Then, make a conscious choice to embrace the underdog’s path. Be hungrier. Move faster. Cultivate that unshakeable belief in yourself and your team. Let this be the start of your own comeback story, because the underdog’s advantage is real, and it’s yours for the taking.

Are we connected on LinkedIn? There, I share posts about professional development skills, self-care reminders, and other relevant topics.

The Most Meaningful Gifts Are the Ones Money Can’t Buy

December 3, 2025/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

Creative gestures and shared experiences form the foundation of lasting love.

National Make a Gift Day (Dec. 3) is a call to generosity and intentionality, encouraging people to craft something meaningful for someone they care about.

Long before I led USANA Health Sciences or became a bestselling author, I was a college student trying to win the heart of a woman who would eventually become my wife. The problem? She had a serious boyfriend.

I knew if I was going to win her heart, I had to be extraordinary—and extraordinarily creative. That meant no typical dinners or movies. Instead, I turned dates into personalized experiences: a surprise meal and firepit outside ancient ice caves, a science-lab-themed dinner, drinking through beakers and test tubes, and impromptu jam sessions where couples formed their own makeshift bands in the music room.

We came up with all sorts of creative activities. And we still enjoy creative dates to this day.

Decades later, my wife and I are still crafting creative memories. For our 30th anniversary, we leaned into humor and heart, camping at a Walmart in our RV and dressing in thrifted leisure suits to make a music video for our kids.

Gifts aren’t always wrapped in bows. Sometimes the best gift is presence, effort, and creating a memory together. Those are the things that last.

I often speak about the power of service and creativity in building strong relationships—both personally and professionally. My book All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony explores these themes through real-life stories and heartfelt lessons.

Service and Creativity: The Lasting Impact

The principles behind creative giving (e.g., intentionality, presence, and connection) can also strengthen relationships, boost resilience, and inspire service. In fact, my book’s proceeds support the USANA Foundation, which provides food and nutrition to underserved communities worldwide.

Service is one of the most powerful ways we can uplift others and nourish our own well-being.

To date, All the Right Reasons has provided more than 1.8 million meals through its partnership with the USANA Foundation. Each book purchased contributes 40 meals to those in need.

I shared a version of this article in a news release on Dec. 3, 2025. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

Smart Leaders Learn from Everyone

November 17, 2025/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

Great leaders know one thing for sure: growth isn’t a solo journey.

The most transformative insights often come from the people around us. That’s the heart of what I call the Plato Principle, a concept I explore in my book, All the Right Reasons. It’s about committing to learn from everyone and intentionally broadening your perspective beyond your own experiences.

Here’s the beauty of it: every person you meet has lived through something you haven’t. They carry unique experiences, knowledge, and perspectives that can challenge your assumptions, refine your thinking, and sharpen your judgment. All it takes is a little curiosity. When you approach conversations with an open mind, every interaction becomes an opportunity to grow.

This holiday season, as you gather with family and friends, you have the perfect chance to put the Plato Principle into action. So, how can you use it to fuel your own growth? Here are a few simple steps to transform your conversations into something truly meaningful.

Apply the Plato Principle

1. Lead with Curiosity

Instead of waiting for an opening to share your own thoughts, start by asking better, more open-ended questions. Move beyond surface-level topics and try prompts like, “What’s a challenge you’ve been thinking about recently?” or “What’s a perspective you hold that others often disagree with?” WOW. That can instantly invite deeper, more meaningful dialogue.

2. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond

Remember, the goal is to absorb, not to rebut. When someone shares an opinion that differs from your own, resist the immediate urge to counter-argue. Instead, focus on understanding their reasoning. A simple phrase like, “Let’s get curious about that,” can shift the dynamic from debate to discovery.

3. Seek Out Different Viewpoints

Make a conscious effort to engage with people whose backgrounds and roles differ from yours. At a family gathering, this might mean talking to a younger cousin about their view on technology. In a professional setting, it could involve having lunch with someone from a completely different department. Each conversation offers a unique lens on the world.

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I’ve noticed that the best leaders, the ones who truly stand out, are always learning from others. They build stronger teams, spark innovation, and consistently deliver better results. They are also the ones who bring fresh ideas to the table and help everyone level up.

When you embrace the Plato Principle, even a casual holiday conversation can become a turning point for your leadership journey. You might be surprised by the insights you uncover, insights that sharpen your perspective and strengthen your connections with the people who matter most.

Are we connected on LinkedIn? There, I share posts about professional development skills, self-care reminders, and other relevant topics. Here’s a video from 2019 in which I discuss the Plato Principle in action.