In this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, host Mahan Tavakoli engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Pete Steinberg, a seasoned rugby coach, leadership consultant, and author of the book, Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success. With a rich background in coaching women's rugby at Penn State and leading the U.S. Women’s National Rugby Team, Pete brings a unique perspective to organizational leadership, focusing on the parallels between sports coaching and business leadership.

Pete shares his journey from a mediocre rugby player to a celebrated coach, emphasizing the importance of empowering team members to make strategic decisions and manage their own culture. This approach, he explains, is crucial not only in sports but also in organizational settings where leaders must foster autonomy and accountability. His insights challenge the traditional notion of leadership, advocating for a shift from expertise-based selection to attribute-based selection for leadership roles.

Throughout the conversation, Pete discusses leadership shock, a phenomenon that occurs when leaders face unexpected changes or challenges in their roles. He provides actionable advice on how to navigate these shocks by aligning leadership actions with personal purpose and values. Pete's emphasis on self-awareness, time management, and intentionality offers a fresh perspective on how leaders can maintain effectiveness and resilience in dynamic environments.

Listeners will find Pete’s discussion on the role of luck in leadership particularly enlightening. He argues that acknowledging the impact of luck can lead to more balanced and fair assessments of performance, both in sports and business. Moreover, his insights on the democratization of coaching through AI present a forward-thinking approach to leadership development.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn how Pete Steinberg’s journey from rugby player to national team coach informs his unique leadership philosophy.
• Hear how to empower your team members to take ownership of their decisions and culture, drawing parallels between sports and business leadership.
• Discover why selecting leaders based on attributes rather than past performance can lead to more effective leadership in your organization.
• Uncover the secrets to navigating leadership shock by aligning your leadership actions with your personal purpose and values.
• Find out why luck plays a crucial role in leadership and how acknowledging it can lead to fairer performance assessments.
• Learn the importance of self-awareness and time management in maintaining leadership effectiveness and resilience.
• Explore the future of leadership development through AI and how it can democratize coaching, making it accessible to leaders at all levels.
• Understand the critical difference between being an expert and being a leader and why effective delegation requires letting go of your expert identity.
• Gain insights into creating a leadership model that tells you what not to do, helping you prioritize and focus on what truly matters.

Connect with the Pete Steinberg

Pete Steinberg Website 

Pete Steinberg LinkedIn 

Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success  

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website