Jim Keyes is a transformational leader whose impact spans industries and generations. From his leadership at 7-Eleven to navigating the evolving landscape at Blockbuster, Keyes has consistently championed adaptability and learning. In a recent interview on Learning From Leaders, he shared his journey, the role of education in his success, and the importance of embracing change.
“I had a series of catastrophic events. But looking back, that adversity became my superpower.”
Jim Keyes
A Journey Shaped by Education
Keyes’ story is one of perseverance. Growing up in a three-room shack without running water, he recalls his childhood as an adventure, though his mother didn’t see it the same way. “She left when I was five years old,” he shared. “I had a series of catastrophic events—my parents divorced, my father became ill, and our home was condemned. But looking back, that adversity became my superpower.”
He credits education as the transformative force that allowed him to rise above these challenges. “Education was the path for me to transcend my circumstances and eventually lead Fortune 500 companies,” Keyes said. His book, Education is Freedom: The Future is in Your Hands, serves as a testament to the power of learning, aiming to inspire future leaders to take charge of their destinies.
Change Equals Opportunity
One of the central themes in Keyes’ philosophy is the ability to embrace change. “As humans, we naturally resist change,” he noted. “Fear creeps in, and we hesitate to embrace the new. But change generally leads to something good—depending on how we respond to it.”
Keyes believes that confidence in the face of change comes from knowledge. “It’s not the change itself that matters; it’s how we respond. And our ability to respond effectively comes from learning.” His career is a testament to this mindset. At 7-Eleven, he encountered his first major professional disruption when the company underwent a leveraged buyout, leading to financial turmoil. Instead of seeing this as an insurmountable challenge, he saw it as a chance to innovate. “We transformed our business model, introduced fresh food options, and implemented ATMs in every store,” he explained. “That crisis became an opportunity.”
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Blockbuster Lessons
Keyes carried this paradigm into his role at Blockbuster, a company at the forefront of technological disruption. “We saw the rise of digital streaming and knew we had to adapt,” he said. Under his leadership, Blockbuster acquired the streaming platform MovieLink and launched Blockbuster On Demand. “We had what Netflix didn’t—new releases in digital format.”
However, external financial crises posed significant challenges. “In 2008, when Lehman Brothers collapsed, refinancing our billion-dollar debt became nearly impossible,” he recalled. Despite the hardships, Keyes takes pride in the fact that Blockbuster survived its restructuring and was ultimately sold to Dish Network. “It was a difficult road, but it reinforced my belief that change, no matter how daunting, can lead to new opportunities.”
Jim’s zeal for leveraging technology is matched by his philanthropic passions. He strongly believes that corporate profit and social good are not mutually exclusive but can work effectively together to make positive change.
He recalls asking himself, “Why can’t I find a philanthropic cause for which I can measure positive results for the shareholder?” That question inspired Jim to found the Education is Freedom Foundation. The foundation advises young people and gives them an opportunity for success. It shows them the pathway to a job.” Jim has also been a member of the Southwestern Medical Foundation Board of Trustees since 2018.
Leveraging New Tools
Always eager to embrace new learning tools, Jim spoke of the emergence of AI and how transformative it can become in the field of education. As an early adopter, he sees the future of innovation taking off through the use of AI, stating, “You can take AI to another level in being able to truly analyze topics and help craft a vision.”
Jim believes AI will be a game-changer in education, especially for medical schools like UT Southwestern. “We can take a young person right into an operating room. It inspires them and shows them what’s possible.”
