Former World No.1 Tennis Player Stan Smith and Business Partner Gary Niebur on Winning Trust: How to Create Moments That Matter
Corporate Competitor Podcast Episode 238
In tennis, everything can shift in a moment. A ball scrapes over the net, an unlikely sprint pays off, belief flickers—and suddenly, momentum swings. For Grand Slam champion and Former World No. 1 Stan Smith, chasing every ball wasn’t just a tactic—it was a mindset.
“You may not get there,” he tells young athletes, “but if you don’t start, you have no chance.”
Smith’s legacy stretches far beyond Wimbledon. From inspiring millions through the iconic Adidas sneaker that bears his name to mentoring young players at his academy and leading through faith and service, his journey is one of reinvention and purpose. Alongside longtime business partner Gary Niebur—a former tennis pro turned entrepreneur—they’ve spent three decades creating unforgettable corporate experiences that blend elite sports with transformational relationship-building.
In Winning Trust: How to Create Moments That Matter, Smith and Niebur reveal the S-E-R-V-E framework they’ve used to lead, connect, and earn trust at the highest levels of sport and business.
In this episode, you will learn:
How to redefine victory through personal bests
Why your best match might still end in a loss—and why that’s okay
How to volley ideas with your team and arrive at better solutions together
"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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