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Corporate Competitor Podcast

World Wide Technology CEO Jim Kavanaugh says working hard never goes out of style

Oct 2, 2024
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.
31:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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