Dyl & Friends | #240 Tom Harley: 'The secret to sustained success'
May 26, 2024
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2x Premiership Captain for Geelong & current Sydney Swans CEO, Tom Harley, shares insights on leadership, stability in organizations, and staying fit outside of being a CEO. The podcast covers his playing days, transition into sports administration, and the importance of stability in an organization.
Building a culture of accountability and high standards was pivotal in Geelong's transformation under Bomber Thompson's leadership.
Setting clear expectations and investing in relationships are crucial for young leaders like Tom Harley to maintain high standards within a team.
Investing in relationships and effective communication, even during tough moments like delivering feedback to star players, is imperative for team unity and success.
Deep dives
Geelong's Transformation Under Bomber Thompson's Leadership
The transformation of Geelong under Bomber Thompson's leadership began with a comprehensive review that emphasized player leadership development. Key players like Matthew Scarlett played influential roles, fostering a culture of accountability and high standards. The team's shift from precocious talent to confident performers was evident in a pivotal preseason ahead of the 2007 season, leading to success.
Lessons in Relationship Building and Leadership Challenges
As a young, first-time captain, Tom Harley faced challenges in setting and maintaining high standards while balancing relationships within the team. Learning to set clear expectations and invest time in building relationships was crucial, especially when providing constructive feedback to influential players like Gary Ablett Jr.
Empowering Player Feedback to Drive Excellence
Utilizing player assessments and feedback, Geelong motivated players to push their limits, as seen in Gary Ablett Jr.'s transformation after receiving constructive feedback on his performance. Enabling players to hold each other accountable and strive for continuous improvement was a key factor in Geelong's success.
Cultivating Respect Through Challenges and Feedback
Navigating challenges like delivering tough feedback to star players such as Steve Johnson showed the importance of investing in relationships for effective communication and maintaining respect. Handling incidents like Johnson's suspension with empathy and clarity strengthened the team's unity and commitment to collective excellence.
Impactful Moments and Learning from Feedback
The podcast episode explores the significance of impactful moments in one's life where feedback can lead to profound insights. The discussion highlights how a critical comment from a coach about earning respect shifted the speaker's perspective on relationships and work ethics. The emphasis is on seizing such moments and utilizing them to grow personally and professionally.
Prioritizing Life's Responsibilities and Balancing Goals
The conversation delves into the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing love and commitments. The speaker shares insights on juggling roles as a father, husband, and AFL executive, acknowledging the necessity of making conscious decisions to fulfill various roles while maintaining self-care and clarity in goal-setting.
This week on Dyl & Friends I'm joined by 2x Premiership Captain for Geelong & the current Sydney Swans CEO, Tom Harley!
We spoke about his playing days leading a young and talented Geelong side, his transition from playing into sports administration, the importance of stability in an organisation and also how he stays fit and fresh outside of being a CEO.
