World Wide Technology CEO Jim Kavanaugh says working hard never goes out of style
Oct 2, 2024
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Jim Kavanaugh, a celebrated CEO leading World Wide Technology, shares how his professional soccer background shapes his leadership style. He discusses the significance of teamwork and a strong workplace culture, emphasizing that confidence must be grounded in integrity. Kavanaugh highlights lessons from Olympic soccer, like the value of diversity and resilience. He reflects on fostering cohesion within teams and the need for accountability to cultivate long-term success, proving that hard work remains timeless in the business world.
Jim Kavanaugh emphasizes that the lessons learned from sports, such as teamwork and resilience, profoundly influence effective leadership in business.
Creating a positive workplace culture requires intentional commitment from leadership to embody the company's values and prioritize employee development.
Deep dives
The Impact of Sports on Leadership
Many Fortune 500 executives share a common thread: their athletic experiences have significantly shaped their leadership styles. Sports, whether at a high level like professional soccer or even high school, instill valuable lessons about teamwork and resilience. Executives, including Jim Cavanaugh, highlight that the challenges faced in sports translate to business environments, emphasizing the importance of humility and the need to stay grounded. Learning to be 'confident, not cocky' is crucial, as leadership requires navigating both successes and failures with integrity.
Building a Great Workplace Culture
Creating a positive workplace culture does not happen by accident; it requires intentional effort and commitment from leadership. Jim Cavanaugh discusses how Worldwide Technology's consistent recognition as a great place to work stems from a focus on the right values and behaviors rather than just the accolade itself. He stresses the need for leaders to truly embody the company's values, as hypocrisy can erode trust and undermine the organization. By prioritizing employee development and creating a culture built on genuine commitment, companies can enhance retention and performance.
Grit and Determination in Overcoming Challenges
Starting a new venture often comes with significant challenges and the risk of failure, requiring leaders to display grit and determination. Jim Cavanaugh shares his experience navigating tough early years with Worldwide Technology, where the company faced potential closure multiple times. Success came through hard work and perseverance, demonstrating that putting in the effort often leads to unexpected opportunities and growth. By fostering a resilient mindset and focusing on continuous improvement, leaders can cultivate a team that thrives in adversity.
Ep. 200: Professional soccer shaped this executive who now leads more than 10,000 employees at WWT, a global powerhouse generating $20 billion in annual revenue. The company helps 80 Fortune 500 companies modernize their IT infrastructure and create cutting-edge digital experiences. Recently, Jim was named one of Glassdoor’s top 25 CEOs in America!
Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights.
Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness.
Special thanks to Lilly Mae Stewart and Samantha Clark for making this episode possible.
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