The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk:
Episode 245: Maria Taylor - ESPN Gameday, Embracing The Grind, The Value Of Versatility
Maria Taylor is in her sixth season as a host analyst & reporter. In the fall of 2017 Taylor will enter a new role as co-host on ESPN's College Gameday and sideline reporter for ABC's Saturday Night Football.
Show Notes:
- How to quickly build rapport with the people you interview?
- Be prepared with a purpose, truly try to learn about them as a person (quickly), it's not just about their sport or their job. Care about them as a person
- Being viewed as an athlete -- "It's helpful working in the sports world that they know I played sports"
- "As an athlete I was always a perfectionist, I always over prepare." -- Maria sending her producers a copious amount of notes -- thoughts on situations/games/ideas
- How to earn promotions quickly? "I never said no to anything. I was never too big for any game."
- Maria did high school football games, ACC digital. She's traveled everywhere, stayed in bad hotels, etc.
- "You have to be comfortable in the grind, you can't get discouraged."
- "If I'm not doing something (work wise), I feel wrong."
- Why Kirk Herbstreit is the best in the business -- "He's the most invested person I've ever seen. He's always the most prepared person."
- Adnan Virk "Always show up." -- "They remember how you made them feel." Be conscious of that
- Balance? It will never be perfectly balanced. Think of it as a stew - vegetable and beef... Certain bites are vegetables and other times it's beef. That's work-life balance. There are moments where it is all work, all day, every day. There are other times where you can relax at home. It's never a perfect 50 50 balance.
- The story of Maria making the decision to be a sports broadcaster as a junior in college at Georgia... And then also earning her MBA as a backup plan!
- She grew up loving sports. Her dad played college sports.
- Maria was recruited to play both volleyball and basketball at Georgia.
- Our mutual feeling about the structure of being "in season" and how the routine helped us get better grades.
- The first 90 minutes of Maria's day:
- Start the day with gospel music (worship/faith)
- New York Times daily podcast
- Joyce Meyer podcast
- Why do multiple jobs? (Gameday, sideline reporter, women's basketball studio host)
- To diversify -- "I don't want to just be one thing. It's an opportunity to flex different muscles."
- "I try to investigate to find the best answer"
- "I like challenges"
- Person most enjoy interviewing?
- Nick Saban. "I try to steer him off the line he's trying to stay on."
- Receiving coaching as a broadcaster... Who provides it?
- SEC network producers
- Feedback is just as important to what you put into your body. It needs to be healthy and helpful -- "What are we filling our minds with?"
- How to handle "Twitter haters?"
- "Sometimes I'll put them on blast..."
- What is an ESPN Gameday production meeting like?
- A cast of characters - (listen around the 43:00 minute mark to hear the inside scoop)
- Winning Edge Leadership Academy
- Helping young women and minorities in broadcasting
- Focused on student athletes
- Doing a retreat in Miami
- The sense of responsibility Maria feels as an African American woman
- "Being black.... Half time spent assimilating and half time spent helping your people."
- The Jemele Hill story at ESPN... Maria's reactions
Social Media:
More Learning:
Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon
Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great
Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions
Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why
