She spent the ensuing weeks “visualizing” herself as a member of the team, which included acting the part of a leader who was totally committed to her team’s success. “I made the team, and in the Olympics, my coach went down the boat and shook everyone’s hand before he launched us off,” recalled Kate. “When he got to me, he shook my hand and said, ‘Kate, you’ve earned every square inch of the seat you’re sitting on. You were absolutely relentless this year!’ He used my word ‘relentless’ without ever knowing that was something I had put on my wall all year!”
Kate’s boat went on to win a silver medal, and after retiring from competitive crew, Johnson applied her mental toughness and style of personal brand building to an elite business career that has included the vice presidency of global marketing at Visa and, currently, the directorship of Google’s global marketing for sports, media, and entertainment.
In this episode, Kate explains how to apply the techniques of visualization to live your day in the service of the person you want to become, “If you want to be CEO, then start figuring out the habits they have.” For example, how does the CEO go about her day, not just in the business practice, but also in her life? What is her routine in the morning? Does she practice meditation? Does she get a workout in before going into the office? And once you’ve learned the habits of those you seek to model, develop your own.
You will learn:
"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.”
Sign up to receive Don Yaeger’s weekly leadership contributions, and be the first to listen to new Corporate Competitor Podcast episodes.