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# Lessons from Ric Elias
- URL: https://www.antoinebuteau.com/lessons-from-ric-elias/
- Published: 2026-06-30T17:48:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-18T21:40:02.000Z
- Description: Ric Elias, Red Ventures CEO and 3 Things podcast host, survived US Airways Flight 1549 and began treating time as currency. His approach joins purpose-driven leadership, character building, and funding college for undocumented students through Golden Door Scholars.
- Author: Antoine Buteau
- Tags: Profile, Business Leaders & Executives Profiles

![Visual summary of operating lessons from Ric Elias.](https://www.antoinebuteau.com/content/images/2026/06/lessons-from-ric-elias-profile-infographic.webp)

## Lessons from Ric Elias

Surviving the 2009 crash of US Airways Flight 1549 clarified exactly how Ric Elias wants to spend his time. The Red Ventures CEO and *3 Things* podcast host now treats time as a strict currency, focusing his energy on building character and running a purpose-driven business. This profile covers his approach to meaningful leadership and his work funding college for undocumented students through Golden Door Scholars.

### Part 1: The Descent (Flight 1549)

1. **On instant change:** "Things can change very fast. In an instant, everything you know can disappear." — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On facing the end:** As the plane went down, he realized his only true regret was the experiences he would miss with his family. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On the illusion of control:** The silence inside the cabin as the engines failed was a stark reminder of how little control we actually have over our fate. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On absolute clarity:** The prospect of imminent death stripped away all trivial concerns, leaving only the bare essence of what mattered. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On the "gift" of the crash:** He views surviving the crash as a rare gift—the ability to see the end of his life and then return to live differently. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On emotional weight:** He noted that the descent was completely silent, a terrifying contrast to the chaotic noise of normal daily life. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On shifting focus:** Before the crash, his mind was occupied by business deals; during it, his mind was solely on his children. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On returning to normal:** The hardest part of surviving was figuring out how to live in the mundane world after experiencing such a massive perspective shift. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On the three lessons:** He walked away with three simple realizations: life changes fast, ego is a waste of energy, and being a parent is his ultimate purpose. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 2: The Urgency of Time

1. **On the ultimate currency:** Time is the ultimate currency, because it is the only resource that cannot be earned back or replenished. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On postponement:** "I no longer want to postpone anything in life. That urgency, that purpose, has really changed my life." — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On the power of 'no':** Saying 'yes' to something trivial is an indirect 'no' to something important. Guarding time requires strict discipline. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On drinking the good wine:** He resolved to stop saving things for a "special occasion," realizing that simply being alive is the occasion. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On tracking time:** He keeps a "no" journal to track the requests he declines, ensuring he actively protects his schedule. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On wasted hours:** "I regretted the time I wasted on things that did not matter with people that do matter." — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On bucket lists:** Bucket lists should not be deferred to retirement; the time to act on life goals is the present moment. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On living in the present:** The crash taught him to pull his attention away from future anxieties and root himself entirely in the current day. — [*Source: Happiness Plunge*](https://happinessplunge.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On compounding experiences:** Just like money, time invested in shared experiences with loved ones compounds into lasting joy over decades. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
10. **On false security:** We operate under the assumption of a long life, which lulls us into a complacency he refuses to return to. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 3: Redefining Relationships

1. **On choosing happiness:** "I no longer try to be right; I choose to be happy." — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On the cost of ego:** Winning an argument with a spouse or friend costs you positive energy and time, neither of which are worth the price of pride. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On negative energy:** He made a conscious decision to eliminate negative energy from his life, recognizing it as a leak in his limited reserve of time. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On mending fences:** The realization that life can end without warning prompted him to immediately repair neglected relationships. — [*Source: Happiness Plunge*](https://happinessplunge.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On connection quality:** It is not about the number of people in your life, but the depth and presence you bring to the few who truly matter. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On listening:** True happiness in relationships comes from listening to understand, rather than listening to formulate a counter-argument. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On forgiveness:** Holding grudges is a form of self-punishment that delays joy and damages the present moment. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On shared vulnerability:** Connecting with others requires dropping the facade of success and admitting fears and failures. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On the definition of wealth:** He defines personal wealth primarily by the strength and health of his closest relationships. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 4: Intentional Fatherhood

1. **On his ultimate goal:** Above all professional achievements, his singular overriding goal is to be a great father. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On missing milestones:** The sharpest pain he felt during the crash was the anticipation of missing his children grow up. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On parenting as tug-of-war:** He describes parenting as a "game of tug-of-war that you must ultimately lose," as children need to pull away to become independent. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On achievement culture:** He worries about the pressure of modern achievement culture on kids and tries to shield his children from linking their worth to their accomplishments. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On teaching by doing:** He believes children absorb belief systems and values through observing their parents' actions, not just listening to their words. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On focused presence:** Being physically present with children is meaningless if the mind is still at the office; true fatherhood requires mental arrival. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On evolving relationships:** A parent must continually adapt their approach, moving from a manager of a child's life to a consultant as they reach adulthood. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On defining success for kids:** He wants his children to measure their success by their character and their impact on others, rather than by wealth or status. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On the brevity of childhood:** The realization that the window of daily influence over his children is incredibly short drives his daily scheduling decisions. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 5: The "Well" Life vs. The "Good" Life

1. **On the distinction:** He draws a hard line between a "good" life measured by resume metrics and wealth, and a "well" life measured by purpose and connection. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On internal scorecards:** A well life requires an internal scorecard based on personal values, ignoring the external scorecard imposed by society. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On the trap of success:** Early in his career, he fell into the trap of believing that professional milestones would deliver lasting personal fulfillment. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On character over capability:** He prioritizes the development of his character above the refinement of his business capabilities. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On quiet satisfaction:** The "well" life is often quieter and less visible than the "good" life, requiring a comfort with not being seen. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On aligning actions:** Fulfillment comes when daily actions are tightly aligned with deeply held beliefs, leaving no gap between the two. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On rejecting the treadmill:** He actively steps off the hedonic treadmill, recognizing that acquiring more will never satisfy the need for meaning. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On auditing life:** He frequently audits his life choices to ensure he is steering toward wellness rather than just accumulating more "good." — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On the cost of ambition:** Unchecked ambition can destroy a well life if it demands the sacrifice of health and family. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
10. **On true wealth:** The richest people he knows are those who have mastered contentment, not those with the highest net worth. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 6: Leadership and Purpose

1. **On the accidental CEO:** "There's zero chance I should be sitting here if you saw how I grew up and my journey." — [*Source: UNC Charlotte Interview*](https://charlotte.edu/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On the infinite game:** At Red Ventures, he believes in "playing the infinite game," prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term quarterly wins. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On employee development:** He views the primary role of his company not as generating profit, but as a platform for developing the people who work there. — [*Source: Red Ventures*](https://www.redventures.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On courage over fear:** Scaling a business successfully requires actively letting go of the fear of failure and making courageous decisions. — [*Source: UNC Charlotte Interview*](https://charlotte.edu/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On company culture:** A strong culture is built by creating a global consciousness among employees about their opportunities and responsibilities. — [*Source: Inc. Magazine*](https://www.inc.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On vulnerable leadership:** Leaders must show their human side and admit mistakes, as vulnerability builds trust faster than projected perfection. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On hiring for character:** He prefers to hire for adaptability, curiosity, and character, knowing that specific business skills can be taught on the job. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On the burden of leadership:** True leadership is a heavy responsibility to the families of employees, demanding ethical and long-term decision making. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On continuous learning:** He approaches his role with the mindset of a student, constantly seeking out mentors and guests to learn from. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
10. **On defining the mission:** A company must have a core reason to exist that goes beyond money, or it will fail to retain its best talent. — [*Source: Red Ventures*](https://www.redventures.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 7: Resilience and Growth

1. **On the value of struggle:** Overcoming difficult challenges is not just an obstacle to get past, but the very material required to build a rich life. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On post-traumatic growth:** Surviving the crash did not leave him paralyzed by fear; instead, it served as a catalyst for massive personal expansion. — [*Source: TED*](https://www.ted.com/talks/ric%5Felias%5F3%5Fthings%5Fi%5Flearned%5Fwhile%5Fmy%5Fplane%5Fcrashed?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On Puerto Rican roots:** He frequently credits his upbringing in Puerto Rico for giving him the foundational grit and perspective needed to navigate the corporate world. — [*Source: UNC Charlotte Interview*](https://charlotte.edu/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On reframing failure:** Failure is merely data collection. The faster you process the data, the faster you can adapt and succeed. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On taking risks:** The near-death experience taught him that the risk of looking foolish is mathematically zero compared to the risk of dying unfulfilled. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On mental endurance:** Building a multi-billion dollar business required the mental endurance to stay steady during severe market fluctuations. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On avoiding comfort:** He deliberately seeks out uncomfortable situations and conversations, knowing that comfort is the enemy of growth. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On gratitude as a tool:** He uses intense gratitude not just as a feeling, but as a practical tool to reset his mindset when facing adversity. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On second chances:** He lives every day acutely aware that he is on a second chance at life, which removes the space for self-pity. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)

### Part 8: Philanthropy and Legacy

1. **On leaving it better:** His guiding principle for both business and philanthropy is a commitment to leaving the woodpile higher than he found it. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
2. **On leading with giving:** In his Giving Pledge letter, he stated, "Our goal is simple; lead with giving." — [*Source: The Giving Pledge*](https://givingpledge.org/pledger?pledgerId=376&ref=antoinebuteau.com)
3. **On the Golden Door Scholars:** "This isn't a political issue; it's a human rights issue." He founded the program to give high-performing, undocumented students a chance at college. — [*Source: PR Newswire*](https://www.prnewswire.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
4. **On ignoring criticism:** When warned about the political backlash of supporting undocumented students, he replied, "I don't really care. It doesn't faze me." — [*Source: Idaho Statesman*](https://www.idahostatesman.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
5. **On providing a hand up:** He believes philanthropy should not just be writing checks, but providing wrap-around support, mentorship, and real career opportunities. — [*Source: Golden Door Scholars*](https://www.goldendoorscholars.org/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
6. **On wealth and luck:** "We write this letter with tremendous gratitude, both for the luck that has allowed us to accumulate wealth as well as the opportunity to use that wealth for the greater good." — [*Source: The Giving Pledge*](https://givingpledge.org/pledger?pledgerId=376&ref=antoinebuteau.com)
7. **On the responsibility of success:** Those who have won the economic lottery have a moral obligation to lower the ladder for those trapped at the bottom. — [*Source: 3 Things Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-things-with-ric-elias/id1528242493?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
8. **On systemic barriers:** His philanthropic work focuses heavily on dismantling systemic barriers to economic mobility for underrepresented youth. — [*Source: WFAE*](https://www.wfae.org/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)
9. **On the ultimate legacy:** He wants his legacy to be defined not by the companies he built, but by the trajectories of the lives he helped alter. — [*Source: The Drive Podcast*](https://peterattiamd.com/ricelias/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)