The Learn-It-All Podcast 64: This SVP Built a Winning Culture and High-Performing Team at the Atlanta Braves | Paul Adams
What if the key to long-term success wasn't just about winning games or closing deals but about building a culture that naturally fosters collaboration, trust, and growth?
If you’re a leader struggling to retain top talent or build a high-performing team in an increasingly competitive market, this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast is for you.
Host Damon Lembi speaks with Paul Adams, Senior VP of Ticket Sales for the Atlanta Braves, who shares his 35 years of insights on cultivating a high-performing, enduring team in both sports and business. Paul reveals the secret to building teams that excel beyond individual talent—through creating a minor league-style development system and focusing on long-term employee growth and collaboration.
This episode isn't just theory; it’s a deep dive into practical, actionable steps Paul has used with the Atlanta Braves to create a thriving sales team. Business leaders will discover how to apply these same principles to create high-performance cultures in any organization. Tune in to learn actionable strategies that can transform your team's culture and performance, regardless of industry.
This Episode Covers:
- How to build a “farm system” that develops talent from the ground up
- Why athletes thrive in sales environments (and how you can build similar discipline in your team)
- The importance of trust, communication, and personal growth in a successful workplace culture
- Real-life examples of Paul’s leadership, including tough decisions that improved team performance How to build a winning sales culture from the ground up
- The importance of hiring for potential and investing in continuous training
- Why focusing on strengths is more effective than fixing weaknesses
- How to adapt and evolve leadership in response to change
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Paul Adams – Damon introduces Paul Adams, SVP of Ticket Sales for the Atlanta Braves, and sets the stage for a discussion on leadership and building a winning culture.
(02:00) Building and Sustaining a High-Performing Sales Culture – Paul shares how the Atlanta Braves have built a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous learning within the ticket sales team.
(05:46) Hiring for Potential – Paul explains why the Braves hire based on potential and how their minor league-style training system helps develop future leaders.
(09:00) Focusing on Strengths Over Weaknesses – Paul discusses why he believes in leveraging employees' strengths rather than spending too much time fixing their weaknesses.
(12:33) Leadership by Example – Paul emphasizes the importance of leading by example and building trust through open communication and hands-on leadership.
(17:42) Navigating Challenges and Change – Paul reflects on how the Braves’ leadership team adapted during the pandemic, using communication and relationship-building to stay connected with their fans.
(21:30) The Role of Values in Leadership – Paul talks about how the Braves’ core values—commitment, trust, professionalism, and diversity—shape the team’s culture and guide their decision-making.
(33:18) Leadership Advice for the Future – Paul offers his final thoughts on how leaders can leave a lasting impact on their teams by investing in people and maintaining a culture of continuous growth.
Guest Bio:
Paul Adams is the Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales for the Atlanta Braves, where he has worked for over 35 years. Paul has been instrumental in creating and maintaining a high-performing sales culture within the Braves organization, focusing on collaboration, trust, and continuous development. He is passionate about building teams that excel both on and off the field.
Resources Referenced:
- Paul Adams’ LinkedIn Profile
- Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek: https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/
- The Ride of a Lifetime" by Bob Iger: https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Lifetime-Lessons-Learned-Company/dp/0399592091
Podcast Contact:
- Website: www.learnit.com
- Email: podcast@learnit.com
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