From Revelation to Revolution

Lessons from Richard Montañez

On the Leadership Lifter Talk Podcast, Nicole Gonzalez sat down with Richard Montañez, the creator of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, to uncover leadership truths from his remarkable journey.

Richard’s story is one of vision, courage, and faith. He began his career as a janitor at Frito-Lay, but he didn’t stay there. What set him apart was his ability to see what others could not. One revelation sparked a revolution that would eventually become one of the most successful product lines in snack history.

Revelation Precedes Revolution

Richard explained it this way: “All you need is one revelation to create a revolution.” Ideas are not accidents. They are God-given insights waiting to be discovered. He challenged leaders to go beyond what is obvious, to search for the unseen, and to bring forth ideas that shift culture.

Innovation over Invention

Richard also shared a crucial leadership insight: invention creates something brand new, but innovation makes something better. As he said, “God invented this world. He made us innovators so we can make it better.” Great leaders recognize the potential that is already present and elevate it to a higher level.

The Antidote to Fear

Fear often keeps leaders from stepping forward, but Richard reminded us that hunger is the antidote. “If you’re not hungry enough, fear will win. But when you’re hungry for more—more growth, more impact, more purpose—fear loses its grip.”

The Courage to Look Ridiculous

Many never step into their greatness because they’re afraid of how they’ll look. Richard put it plainly: “If you’re not willing to look ridiculous, you’ll never achieve your greatness.” Pride disguises itself as fear, but humility opens the door to courage.

A Life of Learning

One of Richard’s disciplines has been reading. He’s been reading a book a week for over 30 years. He explained that knowledge expands your voice. Leaders must speak what others have not heard, and that requires feeding on wisdom from many sources. Books can serve as mentors when you don’t have one.

Passing It On

Richard’s passion now includes feeding the hungry through his foundation. His life mission extends beyond business success—he wants his grandchildren to see hunger without ever experiencing its pain. Leadership is never just about personal achievement; it is about lifting others.

Final Thoughts

Richard Montañez’s story is a reminder that leadership is not reserved for the most educated or most qualified. It is for those willing to see differently, step out boldly, and pursue their God-given ideas with hunger and humility.

From janitor to executive, from revelation to revolution. Richard’s journey proves that when you seek God’s vision and step out in faith, there is no limit to what He can do through your life.

Listen to the full conversation with Richard Montanẽz on the Leadership Lifter Podcast on YouTube or on davidblunt.org