Tim Gokey
Broadridge CEO asks: Are you willing to take yourself out of the boat if it makes the team better?
Corporate Competitor Podcast Episode 191
Search Episodes
Fresh out of Princeton where he was a co-captain of the university’s sailing team, Tim Gokey went to Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship to study politics, philosophy and economics, while captaining his New College Oxford Boat Club to its most successful season in 40 years.
How did he and his teammates do it, and what is the leadership lesson to apply from this situation? The answers are one and the same. Gokey, who is now the CEO of Broadridge Financial Solutions, practiced the highest form of servant leadership by removing himself from the boat and putting in a better rower.
“If as a leader, you put your own needs above others, it undermines your leadership,” offered Gokey, under whose leadership Broadridge has not only achieved remarkable financial success, with $6 billion in revenue in 2023, but also pioneered an elite athlete management program by hiring eight of the women on the US Olympic rowing team.
By giving up his seat at Oxford, Gokey gave the team an historic win and a lifetime of memories.
“It was hard to keep the team together because they were in their final year,” he said. “People don’t usually row in their final year, so we were trying to keep this great group together.” Gokey had to talk one such final-year student, Gavin Cartledge, a more accomplished rower than he, back onto the team. Then Gokey stepped aside to make room for him in the boat.
“It was something I knew was the right thing. I still think about that now. We very easily won that year,” Gokey recalled
Listeners will appreciate the specific sports-to-business analogies and lessons Gokey has implemented to keep his widely distributed workforce of 15,000 associates in 23 countries locked onto a common vision and culture. Podcast lessons include:
- Recognizing the key moments when clients begin to feed off your team’s energy.
- Turning small wins into bigger victories that drive and sustain business growth.
- Making your leadership about service and optimizing your resources.
Resources:
- Connect with Tim on LinkedIN
- Learn more about Broadridge’s Elite Athlete Management Program
Never Miss An Episode
You will receive a FREE chapter from Don’s best-selling book on GREAT TEAMS when you subscribe.
Bonus Resource
Search episodes
Share Episode
Recommended For You
Never Miss An Episode
Love This Podcast?
We would be so grateful if you left us a rating and review!
![Greg Brenneman](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/e7/Greg-Brenneman-e7c0b6c4.jpeg)
Greg Brenneman
“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.”
![John Maxwell](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/42/John-Maxwell1-42ffe3fb.jpeg)
John C. Maxwell
“I am a subscriber because you are one of the greatest teachers, one of the best storytellers I have ever met, and I know you will maximize the people you have on the podcast. I’m telling everyone because when you find gold you point everyone to it.”
![](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/a6/Simon-Sinek-a63222f7.jpeg)
Simon Sinek
“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.”
![Beth Brooke](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/6e/Beth-Brooke-6e81c018.jpeg)
Beth Brooke
“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.”
![RIck Hendrick](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/98/RIck-Hendrick-983e8e6c.jpeg)
Rick Hendrick
“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!”
![Bill George](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/01/Bill-George-01daeb4b.jpeg)
Bill George
“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.”
Savannah Gallagher
Jon Rousseau
Francisco Nunez
Brett Rutherford
Special thanks to Dave Moore, Lauren Hafner, Samantha Clark, and the Florida State University Internship Program for consistently supporting our research team.
Join the Greatness Community
Download Don’s fill-in-the-blank notes and reflection questions so you can create powerful, positive change in your organization.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Step 1: Open the Apple Podcasts App.
Step 2: Search Corporate Competitor Podcast and click the episode art.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a rating and review.
BONUS Screenshot your review, and send to corporate.competitor@greatnessinc.com for a free gift!