They learned their leadership lessons on the fields and courts of their high school and collegiate sports teams. This is true for both men and women. Ernst & Young found that a whopping 94% of women holding a C-suite position played sports. Corporate Competitor Podcast, hosted by Don Yaeger, is your all-access pass to the brightest executives in the world and the lessons they learned through sports. Our partnership with Maxwell Leadership and commitment to these three areas attracts high-profile guests and loyal listeners.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Co-Founder Horst Schulze
Episode 123 | Soccer in Germany
Condoleezza Rice encourages you to build bridges as a leader.
Episode 82 | College Football Playoff Committee
Coach K offers two questions you should ask to elevate team performance
Episode 160 | Basketball
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian: Lessons learned leading through the darkest hour
Episode 66 | Baseball, Basketball
NFL Chief Revenue Officer Renie Anderson teaches you how to put your pride to the side.
Episode 121 | Gymnastics
Chick-fil-A Chairman Dan Cathy reflects on the most exhilarating moment of his life.
Episode 112 | National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole says: “At heart I am still a kid just trying to make my dad proud.”
Episode 144 | Baseball
P.F. Chang's CEO Damola Adamolekun says: Start your day with a conquest
Episode 147 | Football
Make-A-Wish CEO Richard Davis says: Set a direction not a goal.
Episode 119
Carla Vernon, Amazon Vice President of Consumables, asks: Athletes have a warm-up routine, does your corporate team?
Episode 94 | Dance
Brian Moynihan, Chairman and CEO of Bank of America, asks: Do you have a curious mind?
Episode 22 | Rugby
Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann asks: Are you good at saying no to protect your priorities?
Episode 110 | Harvard Football
Broadcast Legend Lesley Visser says: Treat every opportunity like it’s the Super Bowl.
Episode 111
Longtime Waffle House President & COO Bert Thornton teaches how to engage your team in conversation
Episode 57 | Football
ESPN’s Jay Bilas says: Leaders should be demanding not demeaning.
Episode 88 | Basketball
Dolf Berle, Topgolf CEO, asks: Do you practice courage?
Episode 1 | Track & Field
Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons Part Owner and Former NFL Running Back, Asks: Will You Choose to Be Bitter or Better?
Episode 37 | Football
Simon Sinek, Team Building Expert, asks: How do we win a game that has no end?
Episode 34 | Special Edition
Rick Hendrick, NASCAR Hall of Famer, asks: Are you valuing your people over profits?
Episode 27 | Baseball
Louis Carr, President of BET Media, asks: Can you overcome two pandemics?
Episode 2 | Track & Field
Chick-Fil-A Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Rodney Bullard shares a leader’s need for grace and forgiveness
Episode 45 | Football
David Ross, Chicago Cubs Manager, Joins Us For a World Series Special Edition
Episode 14 | Baseball
Dawn Hudson, longtime NFL Chief Marketing Officer and Pepsi NA President, asks: Do you look at your company from the outside?
Episode 21 | Tennis
John C. Maxwell, Leadership Expert, Asks: Do You Know The Top Time-Waster In Leaders’ Lives?
Episode 8 | Basketball
Fred Perpall, CEO of The Beck Group, asks: Do you have a deep understanding of your teammates?
Episode 20 | Basketball
Dr. Kent Thielen, CEO of Mayo Clinic Florida, asks: Are You Willing to Go Off-Script When the Situation Calls for it?
Episode 18 | Basketball
CEO of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux Brandon Landry asks: What is your underdog story?
Episode 39 | Basketball
Xavier Williams, CEO of American Virtual Cloud Technologies, Asks: Does The Content You Read Expand Your Thinking?
Episode 9 | Basketball
Carl Eschenbach, Sequoia Capital Partner, Asks: Do You Hate To Lose Or Love To Win?
Episode 6 | Wrestling
Dexcom CEO Kevin Sayer says: To inspire feedback, start by saying: “Help me!”
Episode 166 | Basketball
Spire Global CEO Peter Platzer challenges you to grow your “change muscle.”
Episode 165 | Squash
Google Executive Sarah Madden Armstrong says: Nobody can honor boundaries they don’t know about
Episode 164 | Georgetown Volleyball
Tampa Bay Partnership CEO Bemetra Simmons says: To lead you must have a coachable spirit
Episode 163 | Basketball
Creator of The Miracle Morning Hal Elrod teaches you how to achieve level 10 goals
Episode 162 | Ultra Marathon Runner
Walmart Executives taught Top Rancher Bob McClaren: “You’re Never too Big to Seek a Little Advice”
Episode 161 | Baseball
Coach K offers two questions you should ask to elevate team performance
Episode 160 | Basketball
Best-Selling Author Daniel Pink says: We overvalue intensity and undervalue consistency.
Episode 159 | Football
SMAC Entertainment CEO Constance Schwartz-Morini says: If you aren’t invited to the table, create your own.
Episode 158 | Softball
Former NFL QB Christian Ponder says: In moments of transition, focus on these four things
Episode 157 | Football
Entertainment Mogul Scooter Braun asks: Why not you?
Episode 156 | Basketball
Beacon Pointe CEO Shannon Eusey asks: Do you welcome a little bit of combat?
Episode 155 | Volleyball
Super Bowl Champion Michael Oher offers advice for When Your Back’s Against the Wall
Episode 154 | Football
Chicago Cubs Co-Owner Todd Ricketts says: Never expect anything you don’t earn.
Episode 153 | Baseball
Performance Psychologist Jim Loehr says: Know your stress limit so you don’t come apart
Episode 152 | Baseball & Tennis
Blue Angel Pilot turned Navy Federal Executive Keith Hoskins says: Compartmentalization isn’t always a bad thing
Episode 151 | Football
EY Americas Center for Board Matters Leader, Kris Pederson says: You can grow professionally through the power of saying “yes”
Episode 150 | Swimming
Infosys Consulting CEO Andrew Duncan says: To lead you must stay humble
Episode 149 | Rugby
Visa Global Sponsorship Strategy SVP Andrea Fairchild says: Behind every number there is a story
Episode 148 | Softball
P.F. Chang's CEO Damola Adamolekun says: Start your day with a conquest
Episode 147 | Football
Virgin Voyages President & CEO Tom McAlpin asks: Do you know the gap in your customers’ experience that they are missing?
Episode 146 | Wrestling & Football
Chevron’s Kim McHugh asks: Are you fully engaged on the sideline?
Episode 145 | Volleyball
Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole says: “At heart I am still a kid just trying to make my dad proud.”
Episode 144 | Baseball
Involta President & CEO Jim Buie says: The answers you receive are only as effective as the questions you ask.
Episode 143 | Football
Ashley Furniture EVP Drew Maddux asks: Are you suffering from “destination disease?”
Episode 142 | Basketball
GOLFTEC CEO Joe Assell says: It is not about the quantity of people you know, but the quality of the relationship.
Episode 141 | Golf
Longtime Apple and Burberry Executive Angela Ahrendts reminds us we are all in the “people business.”
Episode 140 | Tennis
Equitable President Nick Lane asks: How do you keep score?
Episode 139 | Football
Longtime Retirement Advisors of America CEO Ron Simmons says: To build trust have “no agenda” meetings
Episode 138 | Baseball
WD-40 President & CEO Steve Brass asks: Are you listening with the intention of being influenced?
Episode 137
MOD Pizza Co-Founder and CEO Scott Svenson reminds us that culture travels through stories.
Episode 136 | Football
Cigna’s Mike Triplett says: As you advance, reach back and bring someone with you.
Episode 132 | Football
The Wonderful Company CFO & EVP, Human Resources Stephen Howe asks: Are you aware of what happens when you walk in the room?
Episode 131 | Basketball
IBM Global Executive Stacie Mason asks: How do you know what to say if you haven’t listened?
Episode 130 | Cheerleader
Trend Micro COO Kevin Simzer says: Make your employees feel like superheroes.
Episode 129 | Hockey
KPMG US Chair & CEO Paul Knopp says: The best cultures have leaders who listen.
Episode 128 | Baseball
Best of 2022: Formulas for Success with Maxwell Leadership Executive Vice President Chris Goede
Episode 127 | Football
Avnet CEO Phil Gallagher says: Prioritize your tasks in alignment with your values.
Episode 126
Insight CEO Joyce Mullen asks: Do you balance hunger, heart, and harmony within your team?
Episode 125
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Co-Founder Horst Schulze
Episode 123 | Soccer
Ryan Leak asks: Do you know what it is like to be on the other side of you?
Episode 122 | Basketball
NFL Chief Revenue Officer Renie Anderson teaches you how to put your pride to the side.
Episode 121 | Gymnastics
Florida Power & Light Company Executive Pam Rauch: Lessons learned leading through Hurricane Ian
Episode 120 | Tennis
Make-A-Wish CEO Richard Davis says: Set a direction not a goal.
Episode 119
Warrick Dunn, NFL Running Back and Florida State legend says: Use adversity as fuel.
Rewind Episode | Football
CEO of Deloitte & Touche LLP Lara Abrash asks: Are you a leader or a manager?
Episode 117 | Softball
EVOTEK CEO Cesar Enciso asks: Do you make your employees feel like owners?
Episode 116 | Wrestling
Marketing Guru Brandon Steiner says: Consistency Over Time Equals Credibility
Episode 115
NFL Pro Bowler Karl Mecklenburg says: No matter where you are drafted, make yourself indispensable.
Episode 114 | Football
SAP Global SVP Tony Pante offers four questions to connect with your team.
Episode 113 | Football
Chick-fil-A Chairman Dan Cathy reflects on the most exhilarating moment of his life.
Episode 112 | National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Broadcast Legend Lesley Visser says: Treat every opportunity like it’s the Super Bowl.
Episode 111
Netflix CFO Spencer Neumann asks: Are you good at saying no to protect your priorities?
Episode 110 | Football
FanDuel CEO Amy Howe asks: Do you schedule time to think?
Episode 109 | Gymnastics
How to Overcome Burnout with Alan Stein Jr.
Episode 108 | Basketball
Harvest Restaurant Group CEO Chip Grabowski asks: Is your culture hug-worthy?
Episode 107 | Hockey
PwC US Chair Tim Ryan founded CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion
Episode 105 | Marathon runner
Walter Payton’s children Jarrett and Brittney celebrate lessons learned from the GOAT.
Episode 104
Polen Capital CEO Stan Moss asks: When things go wrong, will you say, "It’s on me"?
Basketball Pioneer Ann Meyers Drysdale celebrates 50 years of Title IX
Episode 101 | Basketball
Celebrating 100 episodes! How do you take a collection of individuals and make them a team?
Episode 100
NBA All-Star Michael Redd says: A moment of failure does not mean you’re a failure.
Episode 99 | Basketball
“Team-made Millionaire” Ed Mylett shares The Power of One More
Episode 98 | Baseball
Censia CEO Joanna Riley asks: When someone tells you no, what do you ask next?
Episode 97 | Rowing
World-renowned Daredevil Nik Wallenda asks: Does fear control you?
Episode 96 | High wire artist
Maxwell Leadership CEO Mark Cole says: Popularity is not the same as leadership.
Episode 95 | Marathon runner
NBA Mental Strength Coach David Nurse asks: If everything is taken away in your life, are you okay?
Episode 93 | Basketball
Fatburger CEO Andy Wiederhorn asks: Do you hit singles or swing for the fences?
Episode 92
Women’s Sports Foundation President Phaidra Knight says: To find success, you have to like being blindsided.
Episode 91 | Rugby
Mammoth President Jake Farrant says: Show courage and aggressively eliminate dysfunction from your team.
Episode 90 | Football
“Turnaround CEO” Michael MacDonald who led Xerox, OfficeMax, and Medifast asks: Do you have the courage to make tough decisions?
Episode 89 | Basketball
ESPN’s Jay Bilas says: Leaders should be demanding not demeaning.
Episode 88 | Basketball
Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole says: Stop doing what your customers hate.
Episode 85 | Baseball
WNBA All-Star and Nike Leader Michelle Snow says: Playing for Pat Summitt changed how I communicate.
Episode 84 | Basketball
Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an IRONMAN, and his father Nik Nikic on getting 1% better every day.
Episode 83 | Triathlete
Condoleezza Rice encourages you to build bridges as a leader.
Episode 82 | College Football Playoff Committee
Special Edition: John C. Maxwell Takes over as Host to Interview Don Yaeger on How to Ask Better Questions
Episode 81
Former Chick-fil-A Marketing Leader Jeff Henderson: Do you know the difference between success and excellence?
Episode 80 | Basketball
Growing Leaders CEO Tim Elmore asks: Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
Episode 79
America’s Life Coach Valorie Burton asks: Are others better having crossed paths with you?
Episode 78 | Cheerleading
Former SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby says: In difficult moments seek dialogue, not monologue.
Episode 77 | Football
2021 Behind the Scenes with host Don Yaeger and producer Savannah Gallagher
Personal Development Guru Becky Bursell says: Sign your name at the end of every day.
Episode 75
Kingdom Business Leaders’ Steve Dulin says: Make practice hard so the games feel easy.
Episode 74 | Football
Marketing expert Ryan Alford says: The questions an interviewee asks you reveal more than any answer.
Episode 73 | Basketball
Best-selling author John Bacon says: Be patient with results, not behavior.
Episode 72 | Hockey
Movement Mortgage CEO Casey Crawford says: Make yourself needed.
Episode 71 | Football
Alteryx CEO Mark Anderson asks: Do you know how your teammates define success?
Episode 70 | Hockey
Amicus Therapeutics CEO John Crowley teaches how to be purpose-driven.
Episode 69 | Football
Pro-football Hall of Famer Frank Tarkenton says: Don’t sit back and accept your fate
Episode 68 | Football
Saxum Founder & CEO Renzi Stone says 1,000 small conversations beat one big one every time
Episode 67 | Basketball
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian: Lessons learned leading through the darkest hour
Episode 66 | Baseball, Basketball
President of iHeartMedia Sports Kevin LeGrett on the #1 ability leaders want from YOU!
Episode 65 | Basketball
Acceleration Partners CEO Robert Glazer says there is no such thing as an overnight success
Episode 64 | Basketball
Former Denver Bronco Rafe Wilkinson says: Once a decision is made, agreement is optional, commitment is not.
Episode 63 | Football
President and CEO of First Command Mark Steffe Says: Don’t just tell people to get to a better place — help them.
Episode 62 | Basketball
Lokai Founder and CEO Steven Izen Says, "Don’t Cut Corners."
Episode 61 | Track & Field
Harvard Business Review Editor-in-Chief Adi Ignatius urges his team to “act like it matters.”
Episode 60 | Baseball
TD SYNNEX President of Global Business Units John O’Shea asks: Would everyone on the team know the goal if asked individually?
Episode 59 | Football
Three-time Olympic Medalist Elana Meyers Taylor Says You Can’t Spend Life in Your Gold Medal Moment
Episode 58 | Softball
Longtime Waffle House President & COO Bert Thornton teaches how to engage your team in conversation
Episode 57 | Football
Jacksonville Jaguars’ Head Coach Urban Meyer with guest host John C. Maxwell
Episode 55 | Basketball
Four-Time Olympian Angela Ruggiero says: Everyone is terrified, be confident in your preparation
Episode 54 | Hockey
Re/MAX CEO Adam Contos Recommends the Pain of Discipline over the Pain of Regret
Episode 53 | Track & Field
EY’s Kristy Ingram asks: How would you react if you lost your professional identity?
Episode 52 | Equestrian
Former NBA star Charles Smith asks: Is versatility your blessing or your curse?
Episode 51 | Basketball
Keller Williams’ KWx CEO Carl Liebert shares two things that must happen before you can lead
Episode 50 | Basketball
Google Executive Sarah Madden Armstrong says: Nobody can honor boundaries they don’t know about
Episode 164 | Georgetown Volleyball
Longtime Apple and Burberry Executive Angela Ahrendts reminds us we are all in the “people business.”
Episode 140 | Tennis
NFL Chief Revenue Officer Renie Anderson teaches you how to put your pride to the side.
Episode 121 | Gymnastics
FanDuel CEO Amy Howe asks: Do you schedule time to think?
Episode 109 | Gymnastics
Visa Global Sponsorship Strategy SVP Andrea Fairchild says: Behind every number there is a story
Episode 148 | Softball
Condoleezza Rice encourages you to build bridges as a leader.
Episode 82 | College Football Playoff Committee
Carla Vernon, Amazon Vice President of Consumables, asks: Athletes have a warm-up routine, does your corporate team?
Episode 94 | Dance
Dawn Hudson, longtime NFL Chief Marketing Officer and Pepsi NA President, asks: Do you look at your company from the outside?
Episode 21 | Tennis
WNBA All-Star and Nike Leader Michelle Snow says: Playing for Pat Summitt changed how I communicate.
Episode 84 | Basketball
Four-Time Olympian Angela Ruggiero says: Everyone is terrified, be confident in your preparation
Episode 54 | Hockey
Laura Gentile, ESPN Senior Vice President of Marketing and founder of espnW, asks: Are you a leader with great followers?
Episode 17 | Field Hockey
EY’s Kristy Ingram asks: How would you react if you lost your professional identity?
Episode 52 | Equestrian
Google Marketing Executive Kate Johnson asks: Have you predicted your future in big bold letters?
Episode 41 | Rowing
Beth Brooke, Longtime EY Global Global Vice Chair – Public Policy, asks: Are you protecting part of your day?
Episode 28 | Basketball
Three-time Olympic Medalist Elana Meyers Taylor Says You Can’t Spend Life in Your Gold Medal Moment
Episode 58 | Softball
Jill Billhorn, CDW’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales, asks: In a world where distraction is at an all-time high, can you keep someone engaged?
Episode 13 | Gymnast
Kim McHugh, Highest Ranking Woman in Drilling Industry, asks: Are you fully engaged on the sideline?
Episode 3 | Volleyball
Olympic gold medalist Kikkan Randall asks: Do you let internal competition destroy your team dynamic?
Episode 35 | Cross Country Skiing
Gen. Maryanne Miller, United States Air Force, asks: If duty calls, will you be ready?
Episode 30 | Softball
Kraft Analytics Group CEO Jessica Gelman asks: What do you do to create your own luck?
Episode 46 | Basketball
Keith Hoskins, Navy Federal Credit Union’s Executive Vice President Branch Operations, asks: Can you remain calm when your senses hit overload?
Episode 32 | Football
Re/MAX CEO Adam Contos Recommends the Pain of Discipline over the Pain of Regret
Episode 53 | Track & Field
Gen. Maryanne Miller, United States Air Force, asks: If duty calls, will you be ready?
Episode 30 | Softball
Gen. Bernard Banks, United States Army, asks: Fortune favors the prepared, do you deserve fortune?
Episode 29 | Football
Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor Recipient, says: You are worth it
Episode 31 | Football
Dana Barnes, Palo Alto Networks Senior Vice President, asks: Do you value your rival?
Episode 26 | Football
Chick-Fil-A Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Rodney Bullard shares a leader’s need for grace and forgiveness
Don Yaeger is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, 11-time New York Times best-selling author, leadership expert and executive coach.