When seven-time Dutch National Champion diver Hanneke Faber accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Houston, she had yet to set foot in Texas. But soon after arriving in the Lone Star State, Faber realized that true team bonds were often formed in the moments outside of the pool. Those shared experiences, she recalls, were what transformed a group of talented individuals into a unified team.
“I call it filling the scrapbook. You have to invest time getting to know each other,” Faber explained. “It was the days of the Southwest Conference, so we would go everywhere in the van. I learned there are only two kinds of music, Country and Western, which, to a Dutch girl, was news.”
For Faber, those hours spent singing along to unfamiliar music with her teammates created memories that formed the foundation of lifelong friendships and taught her that strong teams are built through shared experiences.
Studies show that bonding with employees, especially younger ones, helps strengthen team connections and build loyalty to the company. That’s something Faber has implemented at Logitech, where one of her approaches to connecting with her team is through company-wide events.
“Celebrations are part of filling the scrapbook, with a huge Halloween bash at the office,” Faber shared on the podcast. “Chinese New Year for our businesses in China and Taiwan is a big, big deal. When you do those things together, you start to know each other. You have things to talk about, you have shared memories. And then I find it easier to win together.”
In this episode, Faber shared other insights into her leadership at Logitech, including:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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