In this engaging conversation, Alex Rodriguez, Chair and CEO of A-Rod Corp and former MLB All-Star, shares his insights on success and resilience. He emphasizes that striking out is a part of life, whether in sports or business. Alex discusses the importance of maintaining a 'slow heartbeat' in high-pressure situations and the value of 'intentional listening.' His transformative approach to communication focuses on authenticity and viewing it as 'an unselfish act.' Discover how these strategies can help turn failures into valuable learning experiences.
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Keep a Slow Heartbeat Under Pressure
Maintain a 'slow heartbeat' in high-pressure moments to stay calm and avoid mistakes.
Cultivate emotional control as a leader, imitating top athletes and CEOs under pressure.
insights INSIGHT
Own Your Message, Simplify It
Controlling your own message via direct media engagement is crucial today.
Simplify complex knowledge to be understood by a broad audience, even novices.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Build Diverse, Complementary Teams
Build diverse teams with varied perspectives to foster innovation.
Partner with people who bring complementary strengths and be open to learning from them.
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Alex Rodriguez shares why in sports and business, striking out is just a part of the game.
From the baseball field to the boardroom, great communication is critical for success. But as Alex Rodriguez knows, we don’t always hit it out of the park. For this sports superstar turned entrepreneur, striking out is never the end of the story.
“I'm fifth all-time in the history of strikeouts,” says Rodriguez. “That means there's only four people in the history of mankind that have failed more than me.” For the 14-time Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion, failures aren’t endings, but opportunities to learn and grow. "The key is how you get back up with the same energy and enthusiasm," explains Rodriguez, who is now chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp, leading a team of experts in building high-growth businesses.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Stanford GSB colleague Jeffrey Pfeffer, Rodriguez shares lessons on resilience, authenticity, and effective communication. From maintaining a "slow heartbeat" in high-pressure moments to his approach of "intentional listening," he offers insights on leadership, giving feedback, and viewing communication as "an unselfish act." Whether you're stepping up to the plate or stepping up to present, these strategies can help you turn strikeouts into home runs.
(02:55) - Teaching at Stanford: Strategic Pivoting
(04:30) - Preparing for Life After Baseball
(06:53) - Performing Under Pressure
(08:18) - Finding Balance Post-Pandemic
(09:16) - Building a Media Presence
(11:07) - Creating Great Teams
(12:17) - The Role of Ego and Intentional Listening
(14:28) - Giving and Receiving Feedback
(17:08) - Setbacks, Resilience, and Redemption
(20:11) - Developing Authenticity
(21:41) - The Final Three Questions
(25:33) - Conclusion
***** This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.
Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques 