Is your career a ladder or a jungle gym? How do you transition from reporting the numbers to being the one who drives them? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, we sit down with Daryl "DB" Butler, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Trusted Voices at Google. DB takes us on a masterclass journey through his "jungle gym" career—starting in finance and accounting before making a bold pivot to sales and marketing that led him to shape culture at iconic brands like Boost Mobile, Nike, Jordan Brand, and Beats by Dre. We go beyond the bio to explore how to embed brands in culture with purpose, why you need "angels" in your corner, and the strategic mindset of "Think Two, Take One."

As Vice President of Global Partnerships and Trusted Voices at Google, Daryl Butler (DB) is responsible for forging strategic alliances and partnerships across the company’s portfolio, including Cloud, Platforms & Devices, Search, Gemini, and YouTube. His team is focused on embedding the Google brand in culture with purpose. Under his leadership, DB manages complex partnerships with influential brands and talent like McLaren Racing, the NBA/WNBA, and Steph Curry. A proud graduate of Morehouse College and Pepperdine University, DB is a dedicated community leader and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

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Key Takeaways:

• The "Jungle Gym" Career: DB explains why a career isn't a linear ladder but a jungle gym where you climb, slide, and swing to gain the diverse experiences needed for C-suite leadership.

• Scorekeeper vs. Point Scorer: Hear the defining moment when DB realized he no longer wanted to just report on the money (Finance) but wanted to be the one making it (Sales/Marketing), prompting his major career pivot.

• Culture with Purpose: Learn DB’s philosophy on "contextual marketing"—how to authentically insert a brand into a consumer's life by understanding what they love (music, fashion, sport) rather than just selling a utility.

• "Think Two, Take One": A powerful strategy for navigating life and business. DB breaks down how to look two steps ahead (identifying the destination) to ensure the step you take today is the right one.

• The Power of "Angels": No one makes it alone. DB discusses the importance of having mentors and sponsors—his "angels"—who were willing to bet on his potential even when his resume didn't match the role.

Whether you are looking to make a career pivot or wanting to understand how major brands tap into culture, DB’s story proves that your "steps are ordered." If this episode moved you, please rate, review, and share it with a friend!

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Theme Song: No Boxes Just Verses by Thane Kreiner (Suno)

Stop Climbing the Ladder: How to Build a "Jungle Gym" Career and Win

Have you ever felt like you are climbing a ladder to nowhere? You take one step after another, doing exactly what you are "supposed" to do, but you still feel like something is missing. Maybe you are watching other people have all the fun while you are stuck on the sidelines.

This article is for anyone who feels trapped in a boring career path or is afraid to try something new. We are going to learn from Daryl "DB" Butler, a top leader at Google who has worked with some of the coolest brands in the world, like Jordan and Beats by Dre. He didn't get there by following a straight line. He treated his career like a playground, took big risks, and learned how to stop watching the game and start playing it.

Pre-requisites

Are you ready for this?

You have to be willing to let go of the "perfect plan." If you are scared of moving sideways or even backward to get where you want to go, this might be hard for you. But if you are ready to build a life that is actually fun, you are in the right place.

What you will need:

• A "Jungle Gym" Mindset: Be ready to move in different directions, not just up.

• Courage to Pivot: You might need to leave a safe job for a scary one.

• "Angels": A list of mentors or friends who believe in you.

• Your Vision: A clear idea of where you want to be two steps from now.

Step 1: Stop Keeping Score and Start Scoring

Imagine you are at a basketball game. There are people playing the game, and there are people sitting at a table writing down the score. Both jobs are important, but only one group gets to actually play. In your career, you might be a "scorekeeper." This means you are reporting on what other people are doing, or you are watching from the sidelines. Daryl started his career in finance, literally writing checks for people who were out selling and making big things happen. He realized he didn't want to just count the points; he wanted to be the one putting points on the board. You have to decide if you want to watch the action or be part of the action. It is scary to leave the safety of the sidelines, but that is where the real fun (and the real reward) happens.

Recap:

Don't just watch life happen; go make it happen.

• Identify your role: Are you playing or watching?

• Take the risk: Step onto the field, even if you might miss a shot.

• Own your impact: Be responsible for your own wins and losses.

• Leave the safety net: Comfort zones are where dreams go to sleep.

Step 2: Treat Your Career Like a Jungle Gym

We are taught that a career is a ladder. You start at the bottom and climb up one rung at a time. But what if the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall? Daryl believes a career is actually a "jungle gym." On a jungle gym, you can climb up, but you can also swing to the side, slide down, or jump to a different bar. This helps you build different muscles and learn new skills. You might need to leave a fancy job in one department to try something totally different in another. It might look like a step backward to your friends, but it is actually giving you the superpower of knowing how the whole playground works. When you know how to do many things, you become unstoppable.

Recap:

Move sideways to move forward.

• Don't fear the drop: Sometimes you have to go down to find a better path up.

• Collect skills: Learn different parts of the business to become a complete leader.

• Ignore the "ladder" rules: There is no one right way to succeed.

• Have fun: Exploring is more exciting than just climbing.

Step 3: Find Your "Angels"

You cannot do big things by yourself. You need people in your corner who believe in you, even when you don't fully believe in yourself yet. Daryl calls these people his "angels." These are mentors, bosses, or friends who are willing to give you a shot. When Daryl wanted to switch from finance to marketing, he didn't have the right resume. But he had a mentor who knew he had "lived experience" and gave him a chance. You need to surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth but also open doors for you. You have to earn their trust by working hard, but once you have them, they will help you fly.

Recap:

Build your personal team of supporters.

• Look for believers: Find people who see your potential, not just your past.

• Ask for a shot: Don't be afraid to pitch yourself for a new role.

• Deliver on promises: If someone gives you a chance, work hard to prove them right.

• Keep it real: Find mentors who will give you honest advice, not just compliments.

Step 4: Think Two, Take One

How do you know which step to take next? If you only look at your feet, you might walk into a wall. Daryl uses a strategy called "Think Two, Take One." This means you look two steps ahead to see where you want to end up. Once you see the destination, you can figure out the one step you need to take right now to get there. It is like being a runner. A runner doesn't stare at their shoelaces; they look at the finish line. This helps them avoid obstacles like cracks in the road. When you have a vision for the future, the confusing choices of today become much clearer.

Recap:

Look ahead to walk straight.

• Set the destination: Know where you want to be in the future (Step 2).

• Plan the path: Figure out what you need to do today (Step 1) to get there.

• Watch for cracks: Having a long-term view helps you avoid short-term traps.

• Trust the vision: Keep your eyes on the prize, even when the road gets bumpy.

Step 5: Reset Your Foundation

Sometimes, you can be winning at work but losing at life. You might have the cool job, the money, and the title, but your family misses you, and you feel empty. This is a sign that your foundation is cracking. Daryl had a dream job with the Jordan brand, but he was never home. He made the tough choice to leave that job to save his family life. It felt like a loss at the time, but it was actually a "reset." You have to be willing to rebuild your foundation on things that really matter, like family and faith. When your foundation is strong, you can build an even bigger and better tower later.

Recap:

Success isn't worth it if you lose yourself.

• Check your base: Are you happy at home, not just at work?

• Be brave enough to quit: It is okay to walk away from a "dream job" if it hurts your real life.

• Prioritize people: Jobs come and go, but family is forever.

• Trust the rebuild: Fixing your foundation prepares you for even greater success later.

Daryl "DB" Butler teaches us that there is no perfect straight line to success. You might start as a "scorekeeper" and decide to become a "scorer." You might swing from finance to marketing on the "jungle gym." You might even have to stop climbing to fix your foundation.

Here is your plan to win:

1. Get in the game: Stop watching and start doing.

2. Explore the gym: Don't be afraid to try new skills and different jobs.

3. Find your squad: Connect with "angels" who will open doors for you.

4. Look ahead: Use the "Think Two, Take One" rule to make smart choices.

5. Protect home base: Never trade your family or peace for a paycheck.

Your career is your playground. Go have some fun!