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How Former Athletes Excel as Successful Business Leaders

The recent 2024 Olympic Games have left a lasting impression on viewers worldwide, showcasing the pinnacle of human achievement, resilience, and determination. These qualities, which propel athletes to excel on the global stage, are not just limited to sports. In fact, they are crucial traits for success in any field, including business. In our latest episode, host Paula Macaggi explores this powerful connection between athletics and business with the help of two remarkable guests: former athletes turned business leaders, Jenna Posner and Brian Librach.

Jenna Posner, a former U.S. national rugby player, and Brian Librach, who spent his formative years on the baseball field, have successfully transitioned from sports to thriving careers in retail leadership. Their stories are a testament to how the mental toughness, discipline, and teamwork learned on the field can translate into effective business strategies and leadership skills. During the episode, they discuss how their athletic backgrounds have shaped their approach to challenges, decision-making, and driving business growth.

One of the key insights from the episode is the importance of resilience—an attribute that athletes cultivate through years of training and competition. Jenna and Brian share how this resilience has helped them navigate the fast-paced and often unpredictable world of retail. Just as they pushed through tough games and intense training sessions, they now apply the same determination to overcome business obstacles, adapt to market changes, and lead their teams to success.

As Paula Macaggi and her guests highlight, the lessons learned from sports are invaluable for anyone in a leadership role. The ability to persevere, work as a team, and maintain focus under pressure are skills that can elevate any business professional. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned executive, or simply inspired by the Olympic spirit, this episode offers a wealth of insights on how to harness the power of athletic grit to achieve your business goals.

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The Power of Positive Leadership in Retail

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Book Author

Few know this better than April Sabral, who began her career as a part-time sales associate at 17 and went on to lead hundreds across global brands like Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea.

The Power of Positive Leadership in Retail

Few know this better than April Sabral, who began her career as a part-time sales associate at 17 and went on to lead hundreds across global brands like Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea.

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Recognizing the need for change, Loblaw took a bold approach, creating a separate digital division with its own P&L, operating outside the traditional corporate structure.

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Recognizing the need for change, Loblaw took a bold approach, creating a separate digital division with its own P&L, operating outside the traditional corporate structure.

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Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

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Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

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Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

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In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

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In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Why Retail Leaders at Central Retail and 2degrees Put Employees First — and Saw Results

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

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In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

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Interview

In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

Scaling Connection: Inside Mecca’s Emotion-Driven Retail Model

In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

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