Charles recounts his careers in basketball and business. His ten years in the NBA included time with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. Still today, Charles ranks in the NBA’s top one percent of all-time shot blockers.
He participated in the Executive Entrepreneurs program at Stanford University and has recently partnered with Fierce Inc., a global leadership development and training company whose client roster includes Apple, Coca-Cola, and HBO. One of Fierce’s critical areas of focus involves helping teams communicate better.
“There’s an old saying in sport,” Charles said, “The game tape or practice tape doesn’t lie. If you fall down, it’s there for all to see.”
And if the tape doesn’t get you, observed the 10-year NBA player, your teammate will. “If I messed up on the floor, Charles Oakley would be the first one to say, ‘C, get your butt over there when you’re supposed to!’ It was a quick dialogue,” recounted Charles of his former Knicks teammate. “I found that in corporations, there’s more room to deflect mistakes or lack of hustle or to hide behind fake tolerance.”
Listeners to this podcast will enjoy Smith’s no-nonsense insights forged in the heat of world-class competition, including:
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.”
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