In baseball, the hardest moments are not the strikeouts everyone sees—it is the quiet walk back to the dugout, wondering if you just let your team down. What matters most is what happens next. Do you lose confidence, or do you prepare for your next opportunity?
That was the experience that shaped Eric Martorano long before he became President and Chief Revenue Officer at Calero or helped drive more than $17 billion in revenue at Microsoft. After striking out in a defining moment as a young athlete, his coach did not criticize him—he reminded him he would be back in the lineup. That belief became a blueprint for how Eric leads today: The best leaders help their people rise after failure.
In this episode, you will learn:
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"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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