The Discipline Behind The Markel Style of Leadership with Tom Gayner

Better Experiences by Design™

Better Experiences by Design™
The Discipline Behind The Markel Style of Leadership with Tom Gayner
Mar 19, 2026 Episode 28
Susan Quinn

In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, Susan Quinn speaks with Tom Gayner, CEO of Markel Group, about his perspective on what actually drives long-term success. Rather than a single bold move or a series of strategic pivots, it’s a set of principles, applied consistently over time. 

From learning leadership in his father’s office to helping scale a company to 22,000 people, Gayner’s approach is rooted in curiosity, discipline, and a deep belief in doing right by others.

This episode is a powerful reminder that great companies aren’t defined by what they do — but by how consistently they live what they believe.

Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produced by circle S studio that highlights leaders across a variety of industries dedicated to delivering exceptional brand, employee, and client experiences. © circle S studio, 2026.

Episode Artwork The Discipline Behind The Markel Style of Leadership with Tom Gayner 51:32 Episode Artwork From $8B to $38B: The Leadership Discipline Behind Remarkable Growth with John Asbury 50:35 Episode Artwork Unlocking Hidden Growth Through Strategic Storytelling with Stephen Steers 27:30 Episode Artwork 2025 Leadership Insights from Better Experiences by Design 25:24 Episode Artwork A Reality Check for Leaders: Are You Interpreting Data Correctly? (And AI Can't Do It For You.) 30:26 Episode Artwork Is Strategic Thinking Your Comfort Zone or Danger Zone with Carla Johnson 31:53 Episode Artwork Competitive Pricing Strategies for Sustainable Business Growth with Casey Brown 35:04 Episode Artwork Beyond the Numbers: Inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond with Sonya Waddell 42:53 Episode Artwork How High-Performing Firms Build Creative Engines for Growth with Chris Martinez 38:02 Episode Artwork Smarter Hiring Strategies for Stronger Teams with Sue MacArthur 32:55 Episode Artwork Cast a Wider Net: How To Grow with Strategic Partnerships and Alliances with Pamela Slim 28:08 Episode Artwork How to Master the RFP Process and Land the Deal with Steve Boehler 40:41 Episode Artwork The Million-Dollar Mindset: Secrets of Top Performers with Stephen Harvill 36:04 Episode Artwork Change Isn’t Coming, It’s Here: How Leaders Stay Ready with Bill Coppel 36:35 Episode Artwork Business Transition: Preparing Your Business for the Future 37:38 Episode Artwork Understanding Gen Z: How to Lead and Connect with the Digital Generation with Steven Robertson 35:49 Episode Artwork Stand Out Moments From Season 1: Insights from 2024’s Industry Leaders 34:52 Episode Artwork Finding Your Zone of Excellence: What Separates the Good from the Great with Jeff Salzenstein 40:23 Episode Artwork Board Dynamics: The When, Why, and What for Building an Effective Board with Nancy Eberhardt 32:58 Episode Artwork Clients Are Speaking, Are You Listening? How Client Research Can Give You a Competitive Edge with Susan Baier 25:45 Episode Artwork Is Your Leadership Style Amplifying or Accidentally Diminishing Your Team’s Potential? with Elise Foster 35:04 Episode Artwork Business Development Tips for a Higher Win Rate and Stronger Pipeline with Drew McLellan 33:19 Episode Artwork Commanding the Conversation is a Full-Body Experience with Lena Sisco 31:50 Episode Artwork How to Harness the Jim Collins “Flywheel Effect” To Grow Your Business with Hunter Lansing 28:19 Episode Artwork How an Investment in Leadership Training Can Grow Careers and the Bottom Line with Kevin Fitzpatrick 33:38