0:00

My role right now is to

0:02

literally model what it looks like

0:04

to be unabashedly yourself and

0:06

to just use your voice in the right way. The

0:09

more I try to reconstruct myself into

0:11

something that I believe the world wants

0:13

me to be versus being who the

0:16

world needs me to be, the more

0:18

trouble it is. Call

0:23

them changemakers. Call them rule breakers.

0:26

We call them redefiners. Join

0:28

us in conversation with daring leaders

0:30

who are creating extraordinary impact and driving

0:32

change from around the globe. Each

0:35

episode gives you a fresh perspective on

0:37

your leadership and career journey. I'm

0:40

Hoda Tahoon, a leadership advisor at

0:42

Russell Reynolds. I'm Clark Murphy, the

0:44

former chief executive officer and a

0:46

leadership advisor. And this is

0:48

redefiners. Hi

0:53

everyone and welcome back to redefiners.

0:56

We really hope you had a wonderful holiday

0:58

season and an amazing start to the new

1:00

year. After an always busy

1:02

end of year, it's really important to rest

1:04

and recharge. Clark, what did you do to

1:06

get some rest and relaxation during your holiday?

1:09

Well, I ate too much. I drank too much. But

1:12

fortunately, I slept

1:15

and then got on the ski slopes

1:17

and worked it all off. So

1:19

I'm ready to go. Clark, what is

1:21

your favorite holiday food? Stuffing

1:24

at Thanksgiving actually. Oh, so good,

1:26

right? Absolutely. Now, do you make your own?

1:28

From scratch. And I grew up in the

1:30

Chesapeake Bay, so it has roasted oysters in

1:32

it as well. What? So absolutely.

1:35

No fooling around. I don't think

1:37

I've ever heard of roasted oysters. Oh

1:39

my God, that sounds delicious. So you get stuffed

1:41

on stuffing is pretty much the goal. Love

1:44

it. What about you, Hoda? Did you hit

1:46

the tennis court? You were in the warm weather, I assume. What

1:48

did you do? I actually played tennis

1:51

while I was in Dubai and I

1:53

went back to Egypt for the first

1:55

time in about six years and

1:57

got to spend some time with relatives.

2:00

That got to be a tourist. I went down

2:02

to the south with the ancient temples. was pretty

2:04

amazing to be down. There that's pretty intense

2:06

or smoker. My ski trips feel a

2:08

little and of items we have of

2:10

the first the first episode is one

2:12

point for hotels. Zero for Clark. Okay

2:14

got it to my. We always have to

2:16

have a little bit of a healthy competition. With where

2:19

we take this is our i say

2:21

is pretty have proven that point that

2:23

suffer so okay Well as in today's

2:25

episode kicks off season for of redefine

2:28

are so assembly doing his podcast for

2:30

three seasons already. It's kind of amazing

2:32

and been a very fun ride. A

2:34

lot to learn. What do we have?

2:36

Another fantastic line of of guess few.

2:39

The season will cover topics like performance

2:41

and culture insights into see Sweden Boards

2:43

sustainability, tech innovation and of course some

2:45

amazing leadership lessons for all of us

2:47

from great redefining. Leaders Clark I

2:50

am. So so excited for this season!

2:52

It's gonna be a great when I

2:54

just. Know it So said we die

2:56

Then dive dive was go. I'm

2:59

really looking forward to today's episode as we're

3:01

going to talk with someone who is leading

3:04

one of the world's truly iconic brand. This

3:06

leader is clearly at the top of her

3:08

game when it comes to redefining. Her

3:10

company and her industry. She. Continues.

3:13

To break through barriers and make

3:15

history. As seats and throughout her

3:17

career. Clark Do you think this person's

3:19

going to give us some secrets and some

3:21

stories on the athletes that they work with?

3:23

What we want some of the secret sauce

3:25

is no question about it up. As we

3:27

work with Ceos and board members, I want

3:29

to find out how she marriages are these

3:31

athletes and. Teach. Them moving forward

3:33

and in smiling. I've always found the

3:35

entertainment business and the sports business unique

3:38

because you've gotta run a business but

3:40

you've got all the personalities. So oh

3:42

yeah we need secret sauce is no

3:44

question. Without further ado are just today

3:47

is Sarah Mensa who's the first female

3:49

prisoner the Jordan Brand. Sarah join our

3:51

team two thousand and thirteen and is

3:53

held several leadership roles including Vice President

3:56

of Jordan Brands Latin America and a

3:58

specific regions along with another. Here's here's

4:00

the first black woman to lead Nike's

4:02

North American businesses General Manager their largest

4:04

market by far. Prior to joining Nike,

4:06

she was Chief Operating officer of the

4:08

Portland Trailblazers from Oh Nine to Two

4:11

Thousand and Twelve, where she was responsible

4:13

for increasing revenue by over one hundred

4:15

percent and season ticket sales by a

4:17

hundred and twenty percent. My goodness, she

4:19

should join Russell Reynolds associates. Sarah welcome

4:21

to redefine or a thank you so

4:23

much Stay to be here There were

4:25

so excited to speak with you and

4:27

I wanna. Die Right! And so you're

4:29

an executive with the Portland Trailblazers and executives

4:32

that Jordan Brand and at Nike and now

4:34

you're the President of Jordan Brand. There seems

4:36

to be a common sports themed year ago,

4:38

not as your career for you into sports

4:41

is a can't tell us a little bit

4:43

about that. You know it's. So. Funny

4:45

how to us and many people

4:47

ask it to me I was

4:50

a for all my basketball focus

4:52

at the moment. I was not

4:54

a basketball player really. I ran

4:56

for asked. Okay for as it

4:58

was my mojo. one hundred four

5:01

hundred and two hundred sprinting. So

5:03

not a basketball team doesn't it

5:05

doesn't translate wonderfully. But track with

5:07

my game. And is you think

5:10

about your previous role as V

5:12

P and Gm of Nike North

5:14

America You. Helped lead. A decade

5:16

of gross. Tell us about your career

5:18

journey. It's clear Journey has not

5:20

been linear so I love to sell

5:23

of that I will as I wish

5:25

I could say that I knew as

5:27

a young girl brought up here in

5:30

Beaverton Ore again that I would one

5:32

day run this incredibly beautiful band. But

5:34

truly said Journey is a really interesting

5:37

than with lots of twists and turns.

5:39

Like. Any young woman growing up

5:41

in the eighties and nineties. The

5:43

course this was all pre title

5:45

nine. When I was growing up,

5:47

we did not have the opportunity

5:50

to be celebrated and to be

5:52

recognized. Or are great participation.

5:54

And Sport and says Allied allowed

5:56

sport and know I really wanted

5:58

to run track and. Calibrated

6:00

for running track. I was part

6:02

of that generation of young women

6:04

that participated and had very few

6:06

people. You know, in the stands

6:09

and and so. Because that I

6:11

think the idea that a young

6:13

woman particularly with set her sights

6:15

on running a professional sports organization

6:18

it just doesn't translate. Fell.

6:20

And said I went to University of Oregon.

6:22

I wanted to be a journalism major. I

6:25

wanted to go after big corporations that we're

6:27

doing bad things and get the story and

6:30

never see. And of course being an amazing

6:32

organization for journalism I just had that vision

6:34

for me as and again. That sort of

6:36

that was because I was seeing other women

6:39

in that role and so he you know

6:41

he they say see it to be it

6:43

as something that seemed. Really exciting to

6:45

me. Started. My career

6:48

in journalism working at

6:50

a local broadcasting and

6:52

B C affiliate quickly

6:54

translated into business. Recognize.

6:57

That she had a lot of

6:59

curiosity around what was the underpinning

7:01

of journalism, what's the business behind

7:03

it, and what was the driving

7:06

force behind why we decided to

7:08

leave with whatever stories we decided

7:10

to lead, And that led me

7:12

to. Pursue a career in

7:14

sales again. Had some incredible

7:17

people show up along the lines.

7:19

Same serres if you do anything

7:21

you need to get some good

7:23

baseline business skills. Did. Sales for

7:25

broadcasting and radio for a few

7:28

years and that's when the Portland

7:30

Trailblazers actually called on the recommendation

7:32

of some of great. Customers

7:35

that I was serving as a broadcast.

7:37

Sales. Executive and the Blazers.

7:39

Were of course expanding their operation.

7:41

They had a new arena. Said.

7:44

As A developed some new rights agreements

7:46

that allowed them to sell their own

7:48

television and radio rights. And

7:50

they were poking around for for

7:53

executives and that's how that whole

7:55

chapter started to was literally them

7:57

calling me and saying wow. That's

8:00

great. I knew nothing about sports,

8:03

knew nothing about the sports industry, but

8:05

I knew at that point I had

8:07

like that's. Kind of a

8:09

base fine kind of curiosity

8:11

and. Confidence. That said,

8:13

even if I didn't know about something, I

8:16

could work really hard and hopefully figure it

8:18

out and sit. Ended up spending nineteen years

8:20

of the trailblazers and at the end of

8:22

that it assignment I was actually. Running

8:24

the team. So that's the story.

8:26

Their. Tell. Us about what was

8:29

like to be a woman in that

8:31

type of role, running a team and

8:33

an industry. And certainly in a sport where that

8:35

wasn't the case. And the it it

8:37

there's a book in there somewhere I

8:39

would ssssss. Other out of he

8:42

added in there there are

8:44

many experiences and there are

8:46

frustrations. There are a. Delay

8:48

since. ah better side to that but

8:50

I would I just I would just

8:53

say a heel. I approach that whole

8:55

experience from a place curiosity night. Was

8:57

very aware that most of what I

8:59

was doing said i I might have

9:02

been. A first in that space

9:04

And instead of really letting that keep

9:06

me down I had to clinic has

9:08

that trailblazing experience said that trailblazing spirit

9:10

of like of see what that feels

9:13

like? Let's see what it feels like

9:15

to sit in the locker room and

9:17

be the one that takes the teams.

9:19

Through what our new marketing campaign is

9:21

gonna be. And let's. Be. The

9:23

first person suffield all those questions

9:26

and even if you're season, even

9:28

if it's uncomfortable, And even as

9:30

he know people think it's weird that

9:32

you're in that space like someone's gotta

9:34

do it first, right? Seized in that

9:37

type of environment other spots in high

9:39

school. Flowers,

9:41

some. Of our players depending on who they

9:43

were at that time. Word on a high school

9:45

A It's now.lot. of

9:48

that did happen. Was era defining or

9:50

as we called are redefining moment when

9:52

you move past this kind of curious

9:55

young woman to them becoming a general

9:57

manager of a than be a team?

9:59

Yeah. Think that there were several

10:01

redefining moments and the were like to

10:03

think about it is. One of

10:06

the moments was. A very personal moment.

10:08

And one of the moments was more

10:10

of a business oriented brands and a

10:12

story moments and sell the person on

10:15

moment. Happened. Shortly. After

10:17

I had given birth to

10:19

by San Davis. And

10:22

anyone who was to professional sports

10:24

know. That it's very unglamorous. I love

10:26

to tell people you know forty five

10:28

home games if you're making the playoffs.

10:31

That's fifty five nights at as a

10:33

year that you're usually starting. Your day

10:35

at around seven am. An endangered

10:37

day around eleven thirty. Wow, yeah,

10:39

I'm and so on this particular

10:41

day, I was doing my normal

10:43

pattern which was to leave the

10:45

office. Madly. Make.

10:48

My way home so that I said nurse my

10:50

son and then come back to the office of

10:52

that I consider to clients and it's and the

10:54

game. And I was rushing out of a

10:57

meeting. So that I could do that and one

10:59

of my colleagues are said to me hate when

11:01

you ever going to figure out which of.

11:03

Your jobs is most important and do

11:05

that when for typhoon was a semi

11:08

as i'll the at a basketball nearby

11:10

set up up up up up she

11:12

said. It in that joking teasing

11:14

kind of way. As I

11:16

was going home at a

11:18

humiliated add a spirit rose

11:20

up and inside of me.

11:23

And I decided right then and

11:25

there that I was going to.

11:27

Inside or myself and I use.

11:30

That word. Very. Specifically.

11:33

I was gonna inside or myself

11:35

the right. To work as hard as

11:37

I was working and a hustle as hard

11:39

as I was. Or to add to be

11:41

unabashedly a mom set with going home to

11:44

nurse her child so that she to come

11:46

back to the game at work until eleven.

11:48

And so I just owned it. I just decided that

11:50

I was and own it and I would. Do things

11:53

on purpose at that time with put

11:55

a sign on my door that says

11:57

something and process Wow for at your

11:59

own risk. I've

12:01

found that in in Seeking that stands

12:03

and really close, standing up for myself

12:05

and and doing it in a final playful

12:07

way the up with my male colleagues.

12:10

As everyone ended up getting the message and

12:12

it actually worked and I was happy to

12:14

see that other women. In the

12:16

office tickets you and I think we're

12:18

kind of enabled. As a result

12:20

of my having made that declaration said it

12:22

was just gonna be okay. And.

12:25

We ended up fit know that is Sigma. As

12:27

to back via com and place with

12:29

a groundbreaking at the time groundbreaking if

12:31

a nicer right and professionally speaking. So

12:33

professionally speaking it's It's more

12:36

about. Using my boy.

12:39

I think a so many. Of

12:41

us whether were male or female. Have.

12:43

Been in that meeting since. There's

12:46

a saying that needs to be said. And

12:48

nobody theater in in this case, the trailblazers.

12:50

It's sort of lost our way and

12:53

we were in. Our players were actually

12:55

asked the now in the community and

12:57

degree Some of our management. Has

12:59

actually been called out for behavior

13:01

that was an appropriate and in

13:03

this case or general manager had

13:05

come under fire. So one of

13:07

the fans. Had held up a sign

13:09

that said say. Frayed, that general

13:12

Manager and somebody made a decision

13:14

to kick that person out to

13:16

accept fan it was as you

13:19

really. Great. Like a superfan

13:21

pounds. Unfortunately we kick this person

13:23

out and said have violated their.

13:26

Sense. Of their own First Amendment. Rights to

13:28

Complain About Our General Manager. Thank God

13:30

this was. Before. Social media list but

13:32

it is today. But there is beginning

13:34

to be type of a burgeoning hue and

13:37

cry the community against the key and what

13:39

are you guys doing it out and that

13:41

that meeting that just kept happening was like

13:43

a you know what are we can do

13:46

about this and no one to take accountability.

13:48

Clearly the right route here is

13:50

to say you're sorry. The made

13:52

a mistake. should have done that. We. Were

13:54

not in a place where we were ready to do? that

13:56

is so I read. I found myself in the back of

13:58

the room Really? frustrated? And said pretty

14:01

loudly like hey, this is about. Needing.

14:03

Somebody. To take

14:05

accountability for that. I volunteer power.

14:08

I'll say I'm the one. Said.

14:10

Made that decision, To. Kick this

14:12

person out and then we can actually. Say.

14:15

We're sorry we could decide what we want to do but

14:17

with we need to move off of this. It

14:19

was like one of those moments like

14:22

just came out a me and it

14:24

was. It was at that point in

14:26

like the way that one person can

14:28

hopefully sit and entire conversation. Over

14:31

we tipped into humility and we.

14:33

Tipped into the ability to sort

14:35

of call a singer thing, we

14:37

tip tend the ability to actually

14:40

apologize. For. A mistake and begin

14:42

since I moved to Brand in the

14:44

right direction. And it just sucks

14:46

somebody having the humility. And the courage

14:48

to sir said in a fire said that

14:50

you can move through it. And said

14:52

that became a defining. Moment for

14:54

me in recognizing. That most

14:57

pain that happens in business and.

14:59

In the boardroom happens because

15:01

you're trying to avoid the

15:03

reality. A quicker you can get

15:05

into naming. A thing and calling a

15:07

thing as saying the better it is And you

15:09

know, let I hate to be biased. Here, but

15:12

a lot of times it's the women who

15:14

are sitting back and saying that ceredase around

15:16

what could really be dime not say that

15:18

I don't have my brilliant men friends that

15:21

are often with me as well. but this

15:23

is why I'm such a proponent for. Diversity.

15:26

And rooms. Because. There's always that

15:28

person has and have that perspective as saying

15:30

that thing that like they're at. It. It

15:33

sounds like that was a huge. Paradigm

15:36

Shifts. And the moment.

15:38

And if we go back.

15:41

To the birth of Air Jordan. That

15:43

was also paradigm shifts. I think neither

15:45

Nike nor Michael Jordan were really household

15:47

names as a time, and so this

15:50

was. you know, quite a big risk

15:52

if you think about it from both

15:54

sides, But that deal? That ground breaking

15:57

deal in partnership back in Nineteen Eighty

15:59

Four revolution? Or. Tell

16:01

us a little bit about risk

16:03

taking and innovation is that still

16:05

part of the Dna is absolutely

16:07

central to the brand. Best we

16:09

think of the the chaired by

16:12

now is a cultural panelists. It

16:14

really is living at that intersection

16:16

between the culture of the game.

16:18

And the actual experience of the game.

16:21

I think that he was always known

16:23

for sleep. When you walk around World

16:25

Headquarters you'll often turn a corner and

16:27

they'll be a big quotes It's Britain

16:30

I was that says listen to the

16:32

voice The Astley I think it's really

16:34

important. Like. In the cases,

16:36

the Mj story. What? Was

16:38

really happening. There is Nike

16:40

was actually staying true to

16:42

its values. Which. Has always

16:44

been about listening. To. The Voice

16:47

The Athletes Source Respecting that

16:49

voice and and giving an

16:51

athlete. This case, Mj. An

16:54

opportunity to as synthetically express

16:56

who they are. At

16:58

three point is not smartness.

17:00

Celliott are value, Men are

17:02

value is set. We deeply.

17:04

Respect. And want to

17:07

provide a platform for an athlete

17:09

to uniquely express and I feel

17:11

like through the platform a basketball

17:14

and see the platform of just

17:16

extraordinary. Individual and human

17:18

being that Michael Jordan is.

17:20

We. Landed on lightning in a

17:23

bottle. Yeah, that's he would be.

17:25

Such an incredible

17:27

example, an inspiration

17:29

for humans. Literally

17:31

everywhere on what's possible when

17:34

you just truly connect in

17:36

see your authentic expression of

17:39

excellence. It's it's it's

17:41

mind blowing. I'm very tempted now

17:43

because you've opened up the idea

17:45

of quotes on the walls of

17:47

you know, Global Headquarters And one

17:50

of my favorite and most famous

17:52

quotes from Mj is and I

17:54

quote as missed more than nine

17:56

thousand and shots. In my career

17:58

I've lost almost. Three hundred games,

18:00

twenty six times I've been trusted to

18:03

take the game winning shot and messed

18:05

I failed over and over and over

18:07

again in my life and that is

18:09

why I succeed and quote. Are

18:12

there any commitments? Are quotes that you think

18:14

about. For yourself that inspire you as

18:16

a leader? Yeah, I mean that's one of

18:18

them. And ask one of them lead Design.

18:20

That while, and if you think about that,

18:23

Behind. That statement. Can.

18:25

You hear that concert and senate

18:27

Oh is in the end of

18:30

the day citizen that so incredible

18:32

about Michael Jordan is that it's

18:34

feel das to the to continue

18:36

to believe in yourself. It's the

18:38

audacity to continue to keep trying.

18:40

It is that courage to believe

18:42

that when you keep taking said.

18:45

That. Eventually that's gonna go in. I

18:47

think that's why. Mj and

18:50

this brand. Has resonated.

18:52

So far me my goodness. We

18:55

had a collaboration with Jay Ball

18:57

then and we were all exchanging

18:59

emails and texts over the weekend

19:01

on. How like within, let's

19:04

see no culture. Of for and

19:06

is resonating. And that's true

19:08

in Tokyo is to in

19:10

Seoul it's true in Shanghai

19:13

it's to the New London

19:15

said there's something really special

19:17

that is happening. For people

19:19

cross the world. With this

19:21

brand, even today and I think it's because

19:24

of that, Who doesn't relate? The idea of

19:26

trying? yeah, and not just trying, just staying

19:28

on something is so that quote is one

19:30

of them for me. Will

19:33

be right back with their message. At first

19:36

to hear from Honey Pie the Managing Director

19:38

or London office who discussed the gender imbalance

19:40

and to they see sweets and the steps

19:42

organizations can take to close the gap. We.

19:45

Have all known for a long time

19:47

said diversity to sit teams are more

19:49

resilience it is it is and drive

19:51

faster Sustainable financial performance. So why do

19:54

women still only accounts twenty cents? The

19:56

topic that is the Us if he

19:58

one hundred and their equivalents. It

20:00

is certainly not a capability is she.

20:02

In fact, when we measured a number

20:04

of t leadership competencies, we found there

20:06

was no empirical difference between men and

20:09

women leaders. Relatives effectiveness when reviewed

20:11

by the direct reports this to

20:13

competencies where. Women came out stronger

20:15

than their male counterparts. These or in

20:18

coaching and people developments and driving innovation.

20:20

The messages are always so

20:23

clear. By not boosting cc

20:25

diversity organizations are missing out

20:27

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21:10

shown us. Now back to our conversation

21:12

for Sara: Sara.

21:16

Or talk about taking shots. And Jordan is

21:19

a brand of taking risk. But I was

21:21

around when I started hotel was probably not

21:23

even born yet for Michael Jordan and his

21:25

Essex integrity. Is this an amazing person? Be

21:28

that know at the beginning, how do you

21:30

look at taking a risk with emerging athletes

21:32

harassment? You don't know. And as one look

21:34

at that from a business perspective of. I

21:36

think everything is at risk. You

21:39

know is is interesting to think

21:41

about. Back to that idea

21:43

of listening to the voice of the athlete

21:45

And as now we are. Seeing

21:47

the definition of athlete is

21:49

expanding so we're expanding that

21:52

sent to include women athletes

21:54

athletes into sports that works

21:56

historically side as as sports

21:59

are those. to be considered risks.

22:01

I think there are less risks when you

22:04

spend the time to ensure that you're

22:06

aligning yourself with

22:09

athletes that have similar

22:12

brand values. And in this

22:14

case, from an MJ standpoint,

22:16

the types of people who really wanna

22:18

break boundaries, those that wanna be

22:20

at the top of their game, those

22:23

that are willing to work harder, people

22:25

who are willing to outwork the competition,

22:27

maybe people who could have been cut

22:29

from their JV basketball team and respond

22:32

to that in a way that says,

22:35

I'm not gonna accept that, I'm gonna go back,

22:38

I'm gonna work harder at that. I think as

22:40

long as we're rooted in our values around

22:42

the types of athletes that we are bringing

22:44

into the Jordan family, we do talk about

22:46

it as a Jordan family, less

22:49

and less risk associated

22:51

with that. And does that mean that people

22:53

don't make bad decisions or that

22:55

people are human beings? That's part of

22:57

the beauty of the sports business is

22:59

that it's about the agony and the ecstasy,

23:01

right? Of all of that in front of us.

23:04

I think that doesn't preclude us from

23:06

making sure that as we are looking

23:08

at bringing athletes into the family that

23:10

they really reflect the similar kind

23:12

of values that MJ embodies as

23:15

well. And speaking of MJ, renowned

23:17

to be enormously competitive in every aspect

23:19

of his life, not just on the

23:21

court. What's it like to work with him

23:24

and to have someone who's so focused

23:26

on winning, so focused on the details,

23:29

as I understand it, drive, drive, drive

23:31

every day. What's that like and what

23:33

do people learn who want to work

23:35

with super competitive driven

23:38

people? First and foremost, we

23:41

get to be inspired by MJ

23:43

every day. And we are seeking

23:45

to create a culture within

23:47

the Jordan brand that also

23:50

invites people that are

23:53

similarly yoked, meaning similar

23:55

types of personalities. Like everybody

23:58

wants this brand. to grow,

24:01

everybody feels a huge

24:03

sense of responsibility to make sure

24:05

that it grows in a way

24:08

that's reflective of MJ's vision. And

24:10

so I'd say he's tremendously inspiring to us,

24:13

the idea that our logo lives in

24:15

Greece and walks around and is able

24:17

to see our work and sometimes likes

24:19

it, sometimes doesn't. I find it tremendously

24:21

inspiring, and I believe most of the people

24:23

who are working in the brand find that

24:26

as well. It's so fascinating,

24:28

Sarah. If we take a bit

24:30

of a different direction and we

24:32

think about sports not only

24:34

being a big business, but it's

24:36

also become such a big, big

24:38

part of our society today with

24:41

pro athletes having a huge influence

24:43

on culture, especially youth and businesses

24:45

responding to social issues. For

24:47

example, after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, I

24:50

know that Jordan Brand announced a donation of $100 million

24:53

over the next 10 years

24:55

to organizations that promote racial

24:57

equality, social justice, and

24:59

also greater access to education. Can

25:02

you tell us a little bit about Jordan

25:04

Brand's Black community commitment and

25:06

how social issues factor into

25:08

the culture? We've been

25:10

just so clear on this

25:13

point that until the ingrained

25:16

racism that allows this country's

25:18

institution to continue to fail,

25:21

until that's completely eradicated,

25:23

this brand is going

25:26

to stay completely committed to protecting

25:28

and improving the lives of Black

25:30

people. That's something that we've

25:32

used that moment as a

25:34

chance to be super declarative

25:37

about this particular space and how we

25:39

really want to roll in it. And

25:42

that's led us to be really deliberate

25:44

in thinking about where we want to

25:46

give and how we want to be

25:48

specific from a giving platform. I also

25:50

feel like we just have a unique

25:53

role to play in inspiring communities across

25:55

the world about what's possible

25:58

and about what accountability looks like and

26:01

what narrative change looks like

26:03

in this area of black

26:05

and basketball culture specifically. We

26:08

have such an important leadership role

26:10

to play in helping drive a

26:12

new narrative around these

26:14

communities. So super excited

26:16

about how we're using what was it an

26:18

extraordinarily painful and even as I'm talking about

26:20

it, you know, think about that moment and

26:22

I'm talking to a lot of the folks

26:25

that work in the brand. That

26:27

was a really pivotal moment for us and

26:29

I'm so proud of the way that the

26:31

brand took it and it was super specific

26:33

on what we're gonna do in a giving

26:36

but also how we're going to use that

26:38

moment as a way to sort of intensify

26:40

the role that the brand has to play

26:42

in culture in general. It's absolutely incredible. Yeah.

26:46

I love this idea of aspiration and

26:48

accountability. Are you deliberate in other

26:50

parts of the world or it's caught on

26:52

in other parts of the

26:55

world? We have a very specific giving

26:57

platform in China and also

26:59

in Europe. Obviously those areas

27:01

didn't necessarily feel George Floyd

27:03

in the exact same way

27:05

but they have their own George

27:07

Floyd issues and so what's wonderful

27:09

to see is the elasticity of

27:11

this brand and how it can

27:13

extend to other parts of the

27:16

world and how that can lead

27:18

to very specific programs

27:20

in this same space that

27:22

resonate with consumers in those

27:24

communities as well. Fantastic. Powerful.

27:27

We were teasing you before about managing

27:29

and working with large personalities. We do

27:31

that in our business in the executive

27:33

search business. We don't want to say

27:36

that too loudly. You're trying

27:38

to create a business that goes forward

27:40

and we have inspiration and aspiration and

27:42

accountability. We also have revenues and profits.

27:45

We've got to keep programs going. You

27:47

know every human particularly a competitive athlete

27:49

is unique. How do you yourself as

27:52

a leader think about working with people

27:54

as strongly competitive as they might be?

27:57

I think it starts with just recognizing

27:59

that some has achieved

28:01

some level of stature as an athlete,

28:03

they're still just a human. And I

28:05

think that's one of the beauties of

28:07

the way Jordan and Nike has

28:10

approached working with athletes.

28:13

Appeal to, relate to,

28:15

and care about the human beings

28:17

first. That means we

28:19

need to unabashedly be on the side of

28:21

the athlete. That goes back to our founder,

28:24

Bill Bowerman, who was

28:26

just absolutely passionate about doing everything that

28:28

he could in his power to

28:31

make athletes better. You know, I'm not

28:33

gonna name names, but other companies may

28:35

come at athletes like, hey, let's

28:37

use this athlete to endorse our products

28:39

for this. From a Nike standpoint, it's

28:41

different. When we get into the relationship

28:43

with an athlete, it's about what can we

28:45

do to actually enrich this

28:48

athlete's experience, body, mind, and

28:51

spirit. And sure, there's endorsement that

28:53

goes along with that. But really

28:55

at the crux of it, what

28:57

we're about is being in it

28:59

with that athlete. And you can

29:01

really feel that, right? You can feel

29:03

that every time there's an Olympics. And

29:05

when a Nike's athlete is triumphing

29:07

in some of our innovation. So

29:10

it sounds like putting the athlete at the

29:12

center of the entire journey

29:14

so that the individual, the athlete can

29:17

have full expression. As we

29:19

think about the other side of

29:21

the equation and the consumer, the

29:23

consumer is able to go direct

29:25

and indirect retail stores. And certainly

29:27

the e-commerce platform has transformed over

29:30

the last decade and continues to

29:32

transform. And many people, I think

29:34

for some time were thinking that there was gonna

29:36

be a death knell for brick and mortar. And

29:38

certainly that's not the case. We still

29:40

need the physical in-store experience and

29:42

the full expression of what the

29:44

brand is. Retail has not only

29:47

survived, it continues to grow and is

29:49

evolving, of course, not just in the

29:51

sports space, but in other industries as

29:53

well. Sarah talked to us about how

29:55

retail And emerging

29:57

technology are enabling further.

30:00

Actions for Jordan brand consumers.

30:02

Yeah, I mean this innovation and

30:04

acceleration in in the digital space

30:06

isn't gonna go away. Some tests

30:08

gonna be. Integral to our future. It's

30:11

gonna be integral to the future of how.

30:13

We design products, It's

30:15

gonna be encircled the future as

30:17

how consumers access products. It's gonna

30:19

be integral to everything. In the

30:22

future of said Jordan brand, It's

30:24

it's not going away. And at

30:26

the center of this. Is this

30:29

relationship? That. We seek to have

30:31

with the consumer such a life

30:33

long relationship and that requires as

30:35

some made sure that we are.

30:37

In that consumers top of

30:39

mind in their pasts inspiring

30:41

that and actually. making that

30:44

consumer better athlete. We. Talk

30:46

about the Consumer. We we call the

30:48

consumer an athlete because we believe that

30:50

if you have a body you are

30:52

an athlete. Yep, so we talk about

30:54

all consumers as being an athlete and

30:56

we talk about wanting to make sure

30:58

that where ever they are. Were.

31:00

In their Ups. And. Tests and

31:02

digital assistant another way of

31:05

us being able. To do that

31:07

has a lifelong relationship and that lifelong

31:09

conversation. So whether it's in a store.

31:12

They should be able to fill us in

31:14

a similar feel supported. By Us and

31:16

by the brand. If. It's if

31:18

you're accessing as digital the Us is so

31:20

so channels it should still the same and

31:22

at the end of the day. Or

31:24

consumers should feel the same way

31:27

the athletes says she's skill. Set.

31:29

That Jordan brand is on their side. And.

31:31

Perspective of them understanding fan

31:33

So. I mean, I'll tell you I'm

31:35

an amateur. a tennis. Player but I have. you know,

31:38

Jordan's and I actually feel like an athlete when I'm

31:40

on the tennis court. Area Gov. The area

31:42

though it's it's wearing a gas.

31:44

I felt that that as you

31:47

think about consumer support, consumers are

31:49

desiring and wanting sustainable products and

31:51

circularity in your industry. How

31:53

do you all look at that, Jordan and

31:55

what's that? level of support as well? As

31:58

part of the beauty of feeding. Part of

32:00

this big. Incredible cooperation with had

32:02

a bad as I say no

32:04

plan it, know sport and so

32:07

we believe we have a very

32:09

important role to play within the

32:11

sustainability space and Jordan is that

32:13

the unique role a big part

32:15

of this overall Nike family were

32:17

saying ability has been identified as

32:19

like one of our most important

32:21

purpose agenda and I'm just so

32:23

proud of the work that the

32:25

teams are doing in that space.

32:28

I just feel like a future

32:30

is so bright and. They're still

32:32

so much opportunity for us to

32:34

lead in the sound. Speaking

32:36

of leaving, you have led has

32:38

a woman as a black executive.

32:41

He. Plowed new ground, You

32:43

are competitive edge, your athleticism in

32:45

the corporate room have you look

32:47

at helping others and being the

32:49

first. So many things has it

32:51

affect how you lead and how

32:53

you develop the next generation either

32:55

Jordan or Outside Jordan. It's.

32:58

A balance And the older I

33:00

get. Them lawyer recognize

33:02

the importance of that balance. And

33:05

you to get into your head too much. Around

33:07

whereas like to be first. And

33:10

and then you think you're over thinking every

33:13

bows and you're over thinking. Like.

33:15

How should I say this? Or session

33:17

I speak to this person. I'm going

33:19

into this or conversation. I think it's

33:22

important that use that redefining moment that

33:24

you talked about purchase. You need to

33:26

be. Unabashedly yourself. In

33:29

each situation as I've gotten older

33:31

safety belt even more humility to

33:33

recognize that my role right now.

33:36

Is that literally model? But

33:39

it looks like to be unabashedly yourselves.

33:42

And just use your voice in the right

33:44

way. The more I tried

33:46

it. You. Know reconstruct myself

33:48

into. Something. That I

33:50

believe the world wants me to be versus

33:53

being to. The world needs me to be.

33:56

Ah, That that the more

33:58

trouble it as and so I think right? I'm

34:00

just thinking about like how can I just use

34:03

myself and model that for

34:05

other women Who may look

34:07

or have more similar experiences to

34:09

me might have similar aspiration for

34:11

me. I'm just grateful To

34:15

be in a position to be able to test it out

34:18

and we'll see how it goes Authenticity

34:20

goes a long way. We agree. Love that. So

34:23

Sarah We love

34:25

to end each podcast with

34:27

some rapid-fire questions This

34:30

is where we'll ask you a series

34:32

of questions Don't overthink as we were

34:34

just talking about and just respond as

34:36

quickly as possible. Are you ready ready?

34:41

Alright if you could be a pro athlete in any

34:43

sport, which sport would it be and why? Definitely

34:45

track because I love to run and I'd

34:47

love to be the fastest at something What

34:50

trait most defines who you

34:52

are courage? Love that have

34:55

you ever asked an athlete for their autograph

34:57

and if yes, who was it? No Big

35:01

room. Yeah, no autographs. Who is

35:03

your inspiration and why? My

35:06

father is my inspiration because of

35:08

how he supported me in the

35:10

latter part of his life Sacrifices

35:12

career in order for my career

35:14

and the life of my son

35:16

to be continued What a blessing

35:19

if you could have an extra hour of free

35:21

time You probably want more than an extra hour,

35:23

but let's say it's an extra hour free time every day

35:26

How would you use it? It would be

35:28

a combination of walking and reading I

35:30

now love to use listen to podcasts

35:33

like this one and to read books

35:35

while walking my dog Valentino So

35:37

I'd probably be used in that

35:40

way very well love it by the

35:42

way Well, listen Sarah We thank you

35:44

for being here with us today Sharing

35:46

your learnings and also shaping who you

35:48

wanted to be and how you got

35:50

there this ongoing theme of confidence And

35:52

curiosity defines who you are. And when

35:54

you talked about your redefining moments, both

35:56

were about owning it bottom line You're

35:59

gonna own being a mother and being who

36:01

you want to be, but owning the mistakes to

36:04

say as a corporate executive, let's talk about what's

36:06

not being said in the room and go to

36:08

owning it. But we also

36:10

talked about this broader thing about

36:12

the brand of Jordan, listening to

36:14

the voice of the athlete, as

36:16

Michael Jordan did authentically expressing his

36:18

voice and how that shaped the

36:20

brand to have the audacity to

36:22

go find courage, to keep taking

36:24

the shots. And that is

36:26

a brand you all keep taking the shot

36:29

and you're trying to find those who take

36:31

shots with the similar values as

36:33

Jordan. So break the boundaries, outwork the

36:35

competition, work harder, but don't forget people

36:38

are human. And as you talk

36:40

about working with Michael Jordan, personally the

36:42

human, that you invite those in as

36:44

yoked as he is in terms of

36:46

their competitive spirit, in terms of their

36:48

outlook. But recognize when we have big

36:51

brands or big people or big personalities,

36:53

there is a responsibility as well as

36:55

an inspiration. And so to

36:57

align with excellence around authenticity and

36:59

marketing and products, but communities as

37:01

well, which leads us into the

37:03

communities after George Floyd and your

37:06

communities are global. You're

37:08

committed to eradicating racism around

37:10

the world for aspiration,

37:13

but equally for accountability. And

37:15

for yourself, you have, whether you like

37:17

it or not, you've been first again and again, but

37:20

you've learned to not overthink it. I love this, that

37:23

humility and using a redefining moment

37:25

that as a role model for

37:27

others, just being yourself, being natural,

37:29

modeling who you are the way

37:31

you are, not modeling that someone

37:33

wants your expectations of being the

37:35

first woman or the first black

37:37

woman at something. It's Sarah.

37:40

And so Sarah is the first at something because she's Sarah.

37:43

So as we take away this

37:45

concept of curiosity and confidence, be

37:48

yourself and be that outperforming

37:50

person. Thank you for being yourself with

37:52

us. We greatly, greatly appreciate it. Thank

37:55

you, Clark, Hoda. So great. Wonderful

37:57

having you. Oh my God. What a great

37:59

conversation. Thank you so much, Sarah. Thanks

38:02

for joining us on this episode of Redefiners.

38:04

For more compelling insights from

38:06

leaders across industries and around

38:08

the world, listen to Redefiners wherever you

38:11

get your podcasts. And to learn more

38:13

or to get in contact with us,

38:15

visit our website at russellreynolds.com, find

38:17

us on LinkedIn and follow us on

38:19

X, formerly known as Twitter at RRA

38:21

on Leadership.