David Solomon: From Flipping Burgers at McDonald’s to CEO of Goldman Sachs | E38

Goldman Sachs CEO & Chairman David Solomon sits down with Randall Kaplan on In Search of Excellence for a deep dive into leadership, career strategy, and communication mastery. David shares how to break into investment banking/finance, turn rejection into results, make high-stakes career decisions, build influence without a title, and why long-term thinking beats speed on Wall Street and beyond. If you’re a student, founder, executive, or ambitious professional, this is a masterclass in elite performance and career resilience. What you’ll learn: Why clear written + verbal communication is the most underrated leadership advantage—and how to practice it daily A repeatable mindset for turning cold calling rejection into results (follow-ups, persistence, and compounding) How to break into finance/investment banking without connections: credibility signals, early wins, and momentum A practical “stay vs. go” decision framework (culture fit, growth rate, trajectory, timing) How to build influence without authority through preparation, clarity, and consistent delivery Long-term optimization in fast environments: reputation compounding and playing decades, not quarters Prestige vs. fit: choosing environments that accelerate learning Decision-making under pressure: simplify complexity, invite counterpoints, act with conviction Chapters 00:00 – Opening: Why patience wins in the long run 01:12 – Family values, work ethic & early mindset 05:05 – First jobs: humility, initiative, and learning to sell 08:18 – College & the secret edge: written + verbal communication 12:42 – Cold calling 101: rejection, resilience, and real sales skills 16:55 – The first break in finance & betting on yourself 20:40 – Inside early-career Wall Street: lessons that last 25:28 – Entrepreneurship within big firms: creating opportunities 29:15 – Culture fit vs. prestige: making the right moves 33:02 – The pivotal call that changed everything 37:20 – Should you stay or go? A decision framework 42:45 – Managing pressure, feedback, and public perception 46:30 – Long-term optimization: compounding skills, trust, and impact 50:10 – Final takeaways: communication, character, and consistency About David M. Solomon David Solomon is the CEO & Chairman of Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s leading financial institutions. He is known for his focus on communication excellence, talent development, and long-term strategy in fast-moving markets. Enjoying the show? If this episode helped you, like the video, comment your biggest takeaway, and subscribe with notifications so you never miss weekly conversations with world-class performers. Share this with a friend building their career. Want to Work One-on-One with Me? I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally. If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here:    • How to Get Your Dream Job with Extreme Pre...   Listen to this episode on the go! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC... For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/ Follow Randall! Instagram: @randallkaplan LinkedIn: @randallkaplan TikTok: @randall_kaplan Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan Website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/ 1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching