Daniel Hooven on LinkedIn: Swapped the treadmill for the pavement at the DICK'S Sporting Goods… (2024)

Business 💻 and Sports 🏈 Are the Ultimate MeritocraciesLike sports, the difference between wanting something and achieving something requires equal parts: natural ability, discipline, hard work, and execution.Look at it this way: if you were to walk through downtown Kansas City, you’d see many people wearing jerseys with the numbers “15”’ and “87” on them. And like every team, there are always one or two players who combine their God-given talent and hard work…and THOSE are the jerseys that fans buy.We all have limitations, but where we rank among the other players on the roster is up to us. The choices that we make in business will ultimately match our level of 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲 to our level of 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲.Our challenge is to have the will to maximize our potential and accept the responsibility and the reality of the outcome. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀.#KansasCity #BusinessTips #PersonalGrowth #LoneBeacon #JohnCapuano

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#NCAA MARCH MADNESS: THE POWER OF THE BENCH❗️🏀🏀🏀In anticipation of some crazy games beginning Thursday in the Sweet Sixteen, I need to reflect back on last weekend.Watching #Creighton MBB’s double-OT win over #Oregon reminded me of something huge in sports: 👉 the power of the bench.Everyone from the manager to the trainer to the players to the coaches wanted the “W” so badly.The assistants could barely stay in their seats, even though they’re supposed to as per the rules. They were up and down, intermittently bobbing, helping to instruct (any detail is huge at this level), as well as kneeling on the floor banging on the hardwood.I know the feeling!Pictured with this post is assistant coach Kellen Sampson — on all fours — from No. 1 seeded (South Region) University of #Houston.HOW BAD DO THESE GUYS WANT TO WIN?It is everything.And the players - of course - were on the edge of their seats, hanging on the every move of the five guys on the court, giving them the best possible energy transfer, ready to erupt into a collective celebration at the tiniest of victories.[Tiny victory; a teammate deflects a pass, his outstretched hand grazing the ball with only his fingertips. The hustle play leads to a loose ball and a second guy diving on the floor. The second guy flicks the ball to another teammate, a third one, who pitches it long to a final guy — for a breakaway dunk. ***towels snaps … bench erupts***]Yes, don’t forget the guys on the bench who snap the towels.THE ABSOLUTE BEST.A great team brings out this type of selfless and passionate commitment. You cannot deny the energy and momentum. There’s only one solution … 👉 to join in.And though no one is sitting cross-legged meditating with their eyes closed, being “in the fight” with your gals / guys during a huge game is the ultimate display of mindfulness.Nothing else matters.🏀🏀🏀But here’s the deal …It can be transferable to your company, and your team, too.If you are a #founder or #CEO, take note.SPORTS IS YOUR 🫵 MODEL.The bench is your blood.Your energy.Your heart.And the bench reflects your team & company personality.• Are you hyped?• Are you enthusiastic?• Are you pulling for each other?• Do you embody passion and energy?• Is it coming from the top and filtering down to everyone else?🏀🏀🏀Like it is in the NCAA tournament, winning isn’t a zero sum game in business, true.There can be multiple players in one discipline.BUT … don’t sugar coat it.Winning is fun.Create the climate and hire the right people who will be the BEST BENCH in the business.It is time to snap the towels and pound the floor!#founder #CEO #team #ncaamarchmadness #sweetsixteen #youngprofessionals #linkedinsports #mbb #wbb #basketball #smallbusiness #youngfounders #team #management #teambuilding #passion #commitment

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Leadership thought for the daySWEEP THE SHEDS. Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done.- JAMES KERR (Legacy)With the Rugby World Cup in full swing, it reminded me of this quote above from James Kerr's book on the All-Blacks: Legacy. The book focuses on the culture which underlies their ongoing prominence as one of the greatest teams in the world.Kerr describes the All-Blacks celebrating a victory over Wales in their dressing room (In New Zealand: 'The Sheds'). The floor is littered with mud, drinks bottles and wrappings. The coach, Graham Henry, says a few words and the players start trooping out of the dressing room. Kerr then describes a strange thing happening. Two of the most senior players on the team pick up long-handled brooms and begin to sweep the sheds. They sweep the muck and the discards into neat piles and brush it into bins. As Kerr says, "While the whole country is still watching replays and kids are dreaming of becoming an All-Black, the All-Blacks themselves are tidying up after themselves."Andrew Mehrtens, a former All-Black himself, describes it as an example of personal discipline. "It's not expecting somebody else to do your job for you."I love this story because it speaks not just to humility and respect but also to role-modelling. Any new All-Black is going to see these senior players sweeping the sheds and demonstrating the culture of pride in performance combined with the humility to take the brush and tidy up after the team.The next time you get up to leave the conference room and look around at the empty drinks bottles, scattered coffee cups and half-eaten sandwiches; think about the All-Blacks sweeping the sheds. Ask your team to tidy up and show the respect for the person who is coming to clean up after you.This is how you build sustaining culture through small but powerful pieces of personal discipline.#AllBlacks #Leadership #Respect #Humility #Jameskerr #Rugby #Culture #RWC

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In the world of athletics, Usain Bolt stands as a towering figure, not just for his record-breaking speed, but also for the exemplary way he conducts himself both on and off the track. As we marvel at his achievements, there's a profound lesson to be learned about leadership and character.They say you can tell a lot about a person from the way they treat others. Bolt exemplifies this notion in every stride he takes. His interactions with fellow athletes, fans, and the public reveal a man of tremendous grace, humility, and respect.Beyond his unparalleled athletic prowess, Bolt's legacy is defined by his ability to inspire and uplift those around him. Whether he's breaking world records or engaging with fans, his infectious positivity leaves an indelible mark on all who encounter him.In the fast-paced world of business, where competition can be fierce and stakes are high, Bolt's example serves as a guiding light. His unwavering sportsmanship, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence, underscores the importance of integrity and professionalism in leadership.As we strive to achieve our own goals and lead others to success, let us remember the lessons embodied by Usain Bolt. Let us lead with humility, inspire with our actions, and always treat others with kindness and respect. In doing so, we can leave a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the finish line.On the other hand, we at Monks Agency say: There is no finish line!#Leadership #Character #Inspiration #UsainBolt #Success #Humility #Respect #Professionalism #teamwork

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Really enjoy reading and watching the story of the Savannah Bananas un fold & this quote:“The key is to never forget where you started, it will only help you appreciate more how far you've come.” #trusttheprocess #dreambig #bounceback

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How do you celebrate success with your team?Working in the entertainment sector, its all too easy just to go out for some beverage.Arguably, that’s lazy planning.It doesn’t suit everyone Me for example I don’t drink (207 days but who’s counting 😂)I do participate in product testing though - like earlier this week - with some new malts So at the end of the month Joe Manning has booked for us all to go crown green bowling. It certainly raised a few eye brows!Very left field but sounds like fun.A great leveller. I bet it will be quite the challenge and a good opportunity to spend time with colleagues off the pitch.There was talk of “water sports” but that soon got shot down. Quite fancy a day paddle boarding and canoeing 🛶 The business is doing ok right now, all metrics are pointing the right way. I can’t take all the credit - perhaps just 75% 😉 It’s a team effort and I’m looking forward to spending time with colleagues I rarely see.Any tips for smashing crown green bowls?#teambuilding #celebratingsuccess #oneteam

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Endurance and Excellence: The (Knicks &) Toth Event Staffing Spirit 🌟At Toth Event Staffing, our core values are more than just words—they are the very essence of our daily operations and achievements. Tonight, as we celebrate the wins of the Knicks and Villanova squad, I'm reminded of these foundational qualities that parallel the virtues seen on the court.1. Resourceful Service: Just as our staff tackles challenges head-on, solving problems before they reach our clients, our favorite teams displayed unmatched resourcefulness, turning potential setbacks into strategic advantages.2. Professionalism: Our team’s professionalism mirrors that of the Knicks and Villanova players who, well-prepared and poised, compete with integrity and respect.3. Calming Influence: Amid the high stakes of professional sports, like in our events, maintaining a calming presence is crucial. Both our staff and these athletes exemplify how staying composed can steer the course to victory.4.Gracious Leadership: Leadership on and off the court is about lifting others up. Our leaders, some who have been with us since our inception in 2011, share the same spirit of mentorship and guidance that coaches instill in their teams.5. Experience: Experience counts—whether it's hosting a seamless event or navigating a tight game. Our seasoned professionals and these veteran players both show the confidence that comes from years of practice and dedication.6. Quality/Longevity/Endurance: We make decisions for the long haul, much like how a sports team builds for future seasons. Tonight's victories are just one example of enduring success achieved through commitment to quality.Celebrating not just the victories, but the enduring spirit and shared values that make them possible. Let’s go Knicks! Let’s go Villanova Squad! Cheers to Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, McBride, Precious, Hart, Divencenzo, and Jalen Brunson for their incredible performances and embodiment of these principles.#TothEventStaffing #TeamValues #Sportsmanship

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Passing the baton!!In our school and college, many of us participated in a relay race during the annual sports event. The deciding factors between the teams and excellent athletes for winning or losing the race were -:1. The smooth exchange of batons between the two runners.2. The recipient started running and accelerating even before getting hold of the baton.3. The focus was always on the baton and not on the runners. 4. Understanding the strength of each member of the team and ensuring that the quickest in the team was the last runner who went all out for the finish.5. Finally any one person was not a winner and it was the team which won or lost.In our work space and business, relay race teaches us some very important lessons in team building and the coming together of different individuals to achieve organisational goals.There are instances, where after a change of leadership at the top or even in department, the new leader is busy looking backward, finding faults and lacunae’s of his predecessor instead of focussing on the way ahead. In the new environment, there are so many things to do, sometimes with imperfect information and never enough time. While several of the challenges appears familiar for the new incumbent coming from outside, leading to overconfidence and complacency, however, ultimately nothing in a leader’s background, even running a large business successfully in the past, fully guarantee him to be a winner in the new set up with a different team, culture and business process/flow.In an organisation, the quality of exchange of batons ie, handover between the ex and current leader, a positive mindset, gaining knowledge of the industry, understanding and gaining trust of the new team so that they concentrate on the ‘baton’, which in work space is the business flow normally determines the success or failure.

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“Thank you for creating an environment that allowed us to be our best”. As a student of sports coaching and how that translates to the playing field of leadership and the boardroom, I’m always fascinated to hear from players, reflecting on my experiences having spent many hours playing tennis as a junior. For those not into AFL, last night was the AFL - Australian Football League Hall of Fame. Cats legends, Jimmy Bartel and Corey Enright, were both inducted into the Hall of Fame - both triple premiership players. What struck me in the acceptance speeches was the comments both Jimmy and Corey made about the environment and culture they were operating within at Geelong Cats and the things that made the difference for them as players:- There's sliding door moments that you look back on we all have every week - there’s opportunities there even if we didn't see them at the time- It takes confidence, trust and belief from the whole team for success to happen, not just the few superstars- the role that fun and happiness had for the players to be their best - the tough calls needed at a club level to shift team performance “where were we wasting energy?”- they each named 1-2 people “who believed in me” at early points in their careers who had their backs Who would thank you in their ‘acceptance’ speech for believing them and having their back?How are you creating an environment that allows your team to be their best?#culturefirst #highperformanceteams #executiveleaders #executivecoaching

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How do you develop this level of confidence?Michael Jordan, often referred to as the greatest athlete, demonstrates what true confidence and excellence look like. His 15-year NBA career, 6 championships, and numerous awards are impressive, but it’s his work ethic that sets him apart.While many attribute his success to natural talent, Jordan’s practice routine reveals a different story. The average NBA player practiced 200 shots a day, 5 days a week, during the offseason, totaling 76,000 to 96,000 shots over a 4.5 to 6-year career.Jordan, on the other hand, practiced 500 shots daily, year-round, for 15 years, amounting to an astonishing 2,737,500 shots! With 12,192 shots made in games, he hit just 0.45% of his practice shots.This level of dedication exemplifies that true greatness lies beyond talent; it’s the commitment to consistently outdo oneself, practice by practice, shot by shot. Jordan’s journey reminds us that to achieve extraordinary success, we must embrace extraordinary effort. It’s not just about doing what’s required; it’s about going above and beyond, relentlessly honing our skills to turn the impossible into reality.#MichaelJordan #SuccessMindset #HardWorkPaysOff

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