#213: Erika Ayers Badan, CEO of Food52 and former CEO of Barstool Sports – Acknowledge the tough stuff
Nov 14, 2024
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In this insightful discussion, Erika Ayers Badan, the CEO of Food52 and former head of Barstool Sports, shares her journey from leading a struggling brand to building a media empire worth over $550 million. She emphasizes the importance of honest leadership to foster trust and collaboration. Erika reveals strategies for upstart brands to outmaneuver giants and offers advice for women navigating male-dominated industries. Her experiences highlight the value of creativity, transparency, and adaptability in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Erika Ayers Badan emphasizes the importance of transparency and direct communication in building trust and solving organizational issues.
Her transition to Food52 highlights the necessity of adapting leadership styles to align with company culture and foster employee engagement.
Deep dives
Embracing Challenges as Motivators
Taking the Barstool Sports job was a significant risk that fueled determination due to the widespread skepticism surrounding her decision. The speaker found motivation in the belief that many underestimated both her capabilities and the potential of the company. Understanding that there was no option for failure allowed her to channel this pressure into driving success. Discussing the importance of addressing organizational issues candidly with one's team also came forth, indicating that transparency is vital for effective problem-solving.
Lessons from Childhood and Leadership Development
Growing up without a television sparked a love for reading and sports, fostering valuable skills in negotiation and time management. These formative experiences contributed to an adaptable leadership style focused on creativity and collaboration. Advice from her father on leadership underscored the merit of allowing people the freedom to navigate their own paths, emphasizing trust and support rather than control. Embracing mistakes as learning opportunities helps cultivate loyalty and growth within a team.
Authentic Leadership in a Male-Dominated Industry
Entering a predominantly male industry presented unique challenges, yet the speaker's success was rooted in her genuine passion and knowledge of the brand. By demonstrating strong motivation, she distinguished herself from numerous male candidates during the interview process. Her journey emphasizes that commitment and competency are more critical than gender, urging both men and women to focus on hard work rather than being limited by gender-related expectations. The idea of caring deeply and showcasing knowledge can significantly impact career advancement.
Creating a Thriving Environment at Food52
Transitioning from Barstool Sports to Food52 required an adjustment in her leadership style to align with the company culture and values. Recognizing the low morale and lack of trust within the team, she implemented a process for gathering employee feedback through anonymous surveys. This approach helped her understand the underlying issues while fostering open communication and engagement. By actively listening and acknowledging team concerns, she aims to create a more inclusive environment that supports growth and collaboration.
When Erika Ayers Badan became the CEO of Barstool Sports, they didn’t even have a P&L. Eight years later, they’re a media empire and a household name worth over $550 million.
Listen to this conversation to get an inside look at how Erika led that effort, and what she’s up to now as the CEO of Food52.
You’ll also see how Erika leads with honesty and directness. She doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, and that’s important if you want to build trust, solve problems, and get people working together toward a big vision.
You’ll also learn:
The strategy every upstart brand can use to beat the big guy
How to get the most out of your creative team members
What it takes to build an engaged online following
Advice for women who work in male-dominated industries
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