Sometimes, making it big is all about following the fun. Ask Richard Branson. The founder of the Virgin Group built a business empire by solving the problems that fascinated him, disrupting every industry he touched, and pursuing dreams that seemed impossible. The adventure took him from humble beginnings to the stars. Learn how you, too, can find ideas so good they’re scary, lean into your fear, and achieve liftoff.

Syllabus

Meet Your Instructor

Richard introduces the adventurer’s mindset, which he uses to guide many of his decisions in business and life. He shares one example of this kind of audacious thinking and then sets the expectations for what members will learn in this class.

Light the Fire With Your First Ventures

At fifteen, Richard started his first successful venture—a student magazine—at boarding school, where traditional British schooling was at odds with his interest in the world. Learn how he analyzed his passions and used them to guide his decisions.

Screw Convention: Diving Headfirst Into the Music Industry

Richard’s philosophy on life has informed his risk-taking approach at Virgin, starting with his decision to establish a music label, and solidifying its place in the music industry by signing a truly unconventional band—the Sex Pistols.

Confront Your Frustrations: Upending the Airline Business

Richard explores how his frustrations with airline service became the spark for Virgin Atlantic, and how he quickly made it a reality. He also shares business strategies such as organizing ideas into manageable lists that fuel innovations.

How to Be a David to an Industry Goliath

When you enter a big industry, you’re bound to stir up some trouble. Richard discusses the pioneers who guided his strategy against a goliath of the airline business—and how he defended himself in one of the biggest battles of his life.

Fight Tooth and Nail to Solve Problems

Between adventures, Richard has gotten himself in and out of a variety of predicaments. Here, he shares how he’s found his way through problems, from taking on governments to making big decisions in a hot-air balloon—in the eye of a storm.

Finding Great People

Richard describes the care needed to find great leaders. He shares strategies to gauge character, break the ice with a submission video, and toss aside the résumé for good.

We, Not Me: Bringing Value out of Your Team

You’ve assembled your team, but how do you get the most out of them? Richard shares examples of constructive feedback, ways to keep your team nimble, and keys to retaining top talent.

Listening Deeply and Getting Things Done

It all starts with a notebook, a pen, and your ears. Richard shares what it really means to listen deeply, and gives an exclusive look into his notebooks—the organizing foundation of how he keeps his businesses running at a high standard.

Experiencing Your Product Firsthand: Richard’s Spaceflight

Richard believes it’s essential to put yourself in the shoes of your customer, so naturally he took a ride on Virgin Galactic’s spaceship and became an astronaut—taking note of the tiniest details that could affect the customer experience.

Draw a Ring Around Yourself

Richard introduces a philosophy for taking care of yourself and the world around you. He explores examples of Virgin Active gyms in South Africa, and how business leaders can step in during the aftermath of the opioid epidemic.

Case Study: Forming The Elders

If you were in the position to intervene in global affairs, what would you do? Richard discusses how his experiences of wartime negotiation led him to found a global council of elders.

Never Forget the Fun

Everything Richard does comes back to fun. Your team, your customers, and the world at large want to laugh and enjoy themselves, and it’s up to you as the leader to set the tone for this in every aspect of your business.