In the fall of 1991, the University of Miami’s football team wasn’t just racking up wins on the field—they were quietly shaping the future of leadership off it. Among the cheerleaders on the sidelines was Lila Snyder, a mechanical engineering student learning to stand tall and smile under the intense pressure of 100,000 fans. It wasn’t just the roar of the crowd that tested her mettle; it was the challenge of projecting confidence even when nerves took hold. That experience, Snyder says, laid the foundation for her approach to leadership today as the first female CEO of Bose.
During one high-stakes moment, her coach pulled her aside and said, “You look scared to death.” Lila replied honestly, “I am scared to death.” His response? “That’s nice, but that’s not your job. Your job is to act as if this is fun.”
It was a defining lesson in leadership presence—how to show poise under pressure. That mindset—carrying yourself with confidence even when you’re still finding your footing—became a core part of her executive playbook.
In the episode, Lila shares how her formative years—filled with a love for math and hands-on learning in her dad’s garage—shaped her problem-solving mindset. From earning a Ph.D. at MIT to tackling big business questions at McKinsey, she developed a structured approach to breaking down complexity, rooted in curiosity and practical action.
You will learn:
As a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, and 14-time New York Times Best-Selling author, Don Yaeger is one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. From walking into Afghanistan with the Mujahadeen to living with football legend Walter Payton, Don has spent three decades embedded with the world’s greatest "Greats." Now a sought-after executive coach and host of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, he translates the lessons of sports and business legends into actionable strategies for building a culture of greatness.
"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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