Worklife with Adam Grant Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird on leading great teams and moving on
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Apr 1, 2025 Megan Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist and FIFA's best soccer player, joins her partner, Sue Bird, a basketball legend with five Olympic golds and four WNBA championships. Together, they share insights on building great teams, drawing parallels between sports and work. They open up about their retirement journeys, the emotional challenges of stepping away from competition, and finding new purposes in life. The duo also discusses leadership in women’s sports and the importance of character over competence, all while fusing humor into their conversation.
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Team Dynamics in Sports
- Sports teams are sensitive to small disruptions, impacting team dynamics regardless of tenure.
- Leadership hierarchies and team dynamics are fluid, influenced by factors beyond formal roles.
Evolving Leadership
- Megan Rapinoe reflects on her leadership style during the World Cup, acknowledging a need for vulnerability.
- Younger players felt they lacked space to speak up, highlighting Rapinoe's initial struggle balancing team needs and individual expression.
Culture's Impact on Team Performance
- Soccer is considered a "weak link" sport where one underperforming player can significantly impact the team.
- Basketball, being a "strong link" sport, allows star players to compensate for weaker teammates.