During the “Human Capital Week” of an Executive MBA program, students had the unique opportunity to learn from Gigi Datome, a renowned NBA and European basketball star. His talk offered valuable leadership insights, drawing from his successful sporting career.
Charisma in Leadership
Datome discussed charisma in leadership, considering whether it’s innate or developed. He emphasized its importance for coaches in gaining players’ immediate trust. Referencing his experience with coaches like Brad Stevens, Zeljko Obradovic, Ettore Messina, and Pozzecco, Datome highlighted the common traits of authenticity and spontaneity as key to effective leadership.
Dedication and Sacrifice
Reflecting on Giorgio Armani’s praise, Datome shared his thoughts on dedication. He differentiated between daily commitment to training, which he didn’t view as a sacrifice, and the real sacrifices made in personal life due to professional commitments. He believed in making sacrifices only for true passions.
Embracing Change
Change played a significant role in Datome’s career. Starting from his teenage years, moving to different cities helped him step out of his comfort zone and adopt an open mindset, eventually becoming essential for seeking new challenges and stimuli.
Dealing with Failure
Datome also addressed dealing with failure in sports and leadership. He stressed the importance of owning up to mistakes, focusing on performance, and learning from failures to avoid repeating them in the future.
Engaging with Students
The session concluded with Datome answering personal questions from the students. He recalled specific games and recommended Simon Sinek’s “The Endless Game” for further exploration of the discussed topics.
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