The Essence of Leadership Beyond Athletics

This chapter examines how effective leadership goes beyond athletic prowess, focusing on the impact of personal experiences, empathy, and communication. It underscores the importance of feeling valued within a team and the role of effective communication in fostering a strong, aligned organizational mission.

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#449 What happens when a former D1 walk-on becomes a game-changing leader for pro athletes off the field? That's exactly what you'll learn in this impactful interview hosted by Marvel's former CEO and legendary turnaround expert, Peter Cuneo. Each week, Peter is joined by top performers from business, media, and beyond, leaders who have mastered the art of impact, resilience, and vision. Together, they explore Peter’s 32 leadership essentials, revealing what it really takes to rise, inspire, and lead with purpose. In this episode, Jon Harris, CEO of AthLife, explores how leaders create lasting impact by empowering others, fostering empathy, and embracing lifelong learning. From his journey as DePaul basketball captain to building programs that support athlete development off the field, Harris shares insights on creating a service-driven culture, learning from failure, and making space for others to lead — on the court, in business, and beyond. Listen to more Superhero Leadership episodes at https://link.mgln.ai/millionaireuni.

What Peter discusses with Jon:

+ Walking on at DePaul University

+ Launching a career in athlete development

+ Founding AthLife to support pro athletes

+ Working with all major sports leagues

+ Collaborating with Marvel and Mattel

+ Building culture through servant leadership

+ Helping athletes transition post-career

+ Lessons learned from leadership failures

+ Encouraging autonomy and accountability

+ Why diverse life experiences matter

Thank you, Peter and Jon!