A Playbook for Courageous Leadership and Championship Teams with Sports Icon Brian Lafemina
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A Playbook for Courageous Leadership and Championship Teams with Sports Icon Brian Lafemina
Episode Summary
Ever wondered what makes a championship team tick? It's not just about having talent; it's about rolling up your sleeves, rallying together, and daring to challenge the norms. And at the heart of it all? Trust and open communication.
In this episode, Paul sits down for a chat with the incredible Brian Lafemina, a visionary who's left his mark on both the NFL and the LA 2028 Olympics.
Their conversation dives deep into the idea of self-disruption and why it's so important to keep growing, even when you're already succeeding. Brian shares some fascinating stories from his work in Olympic hospitality, emphasizing the power of thinking outside the box. They also talk about what it takes to build a winning team – hard work, teamwork, and never being afraid to shake things up. Plus, they touch on the importance of trust and diversity when making decisions as a team. But it's not all serious stuff. Brian and Paul also swap stories about facing fears and finding the courage to do what's right, even when it's tough. And of course, they wrap things up with some practical advice for starting your week off on the right foot.
Key Takeaways
Embrace self-disruption as a catalyst for personal growth, particularly amid periods of success.
Brian Lafemina's trajectory underscores the importance of perpetual learning and evolution.
Building a stellar team necessitates diligence, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Trust, transparent communication, and diverse perspectives are indispensable for fostering innovation and team empowerment.
Leadership demands audacity and courage, including the willingness to do what's right regardless of potential repercussions.
Success preparation entails meticulous goal-setting and readiness to adapt to change.
The path to success is non-linear, demanding the right mindset and adaptability.
In This Episode:
[00:17] Introduction to Brian Lafemina.
[01:58] Career disruptions and opportunities.
[06:11] Insight from working with Commissioner Goodell.
[07:33] Challenges and learnings from the role at Washington Redskins.
[13:34] Value of relational capital and authenticity.
[14:26] Transition to the LA 2028 Olympics.
[16:13] Humorous story about a snowstorm and salt.
[18:33] Disruption of self.
[23:05] Leading a championship culture.
[29:21] Life lessons and insights.
[30:24] Being brave.
[35:27] Starting the week right.
Notable Quotes
[01:58]"Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, concerts—you name it, and I got an internship there, which was fantastic."-Brian
[07:33] "I love challenges and I love big opportunities, and I like taking big swings."-Brian
[09:36] "There are times in your career where you have choices to make, and you can take an expedient route or you can take the route that you know might be a little more challenging, but you believe that's the route to go down."-Brian
[30:51] "I encourage everybody to be bold, but more important than that, I want people to be brave."-Brian
[31:19] You can't go wrong by doing right."-Brian
[35:53] "Do the work before you get to Monday, and then you're going to win Monday."-Brian
Our Guest
Brian Lafemina is a seasoned Sports and Entertainment Executive, renowned Board Member, and Senior Advisor. With a distinguished career, he served as Chief Business Officer for LA28 and President of the Washington Commanders. His expertise extends from the NFL to Madison Square Garden, demonstrating his profound impact in shaping and elevating the landscape of sports and entertainment.
Winning Monday is for the separators. Those of us who are determined to become the best and fastest version of ourselves. Each episode is a masterclass in becoming 1% better each day, no matter your path to work-life mastery. Your guide for this journey is Paul Epstein, 15-year NFL and NBA executive, bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and Success Magazine’s top thought leader that gets results, and Founder of our Win Monday Community. Drawing from Paul’s high-profile separators of Fortune 500 CEOs, Olympians, and Shark Tank entrepreneurs to Guinness World Record holders, NYT bestselling authors, Navy SEALs, and more, this show will inspire you with the confidence required to win one day, one decision, and one action at a time.
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