cover of episode 201. Ballpark to the Boardroom: How Alex Rodriguez Hits a Communication Home Run

201. Ballpark to the Boardroom: How Alex Rodriguez Hits a Communication Home Run

2025/5/6
logo of podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

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Alex Rodriguez
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Jeffrey Pfeffer
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Matt Abrahams
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Alex Rodriguez: 我在斯坦福大学教授“战略转型”课程已经七年了,与Allison Kluger共同授课。我们使用“播种、扫描和试点”的框架,帮助学生进行战略转型。我认为,试点应该从小规模开始,这样如果失败了,可以重新尝试。这个框架很受学生欢迎。 Matt Abrahams: Allison Kluger 和我们一起做了一期关于声誉管理的精彩节目。我总是告诉我的学生,在飞机上,你需要在需要之前知道紧急出口在哪里。我非常欣赏Alex能为退役生活做好准备。

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Alex Rodriguez shares why in sports and business, striking out is just a part of the game.

From the baseball field to the boardroom, great communication is critical for success. But as Alex Rodriguez) knows, we don’t always hit it out of the park. For this sports superstar turned entrepreneur, striking out is never the end of the story.

“I'm fifth all-time in the history of strikeouts,” says Rodriguez. “That means there's only four people in the history of mankind that have failed more than me.” For the 14-time Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion, failures aren’t endings, but opportunities to learn and grow. "The key is how you get back up with the same energy and enthusiasm," explains Rodriguez, who is now chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp, leading a team of experts in building high-growth businesses.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart,) co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Stanford GSB colleague Jeffrey Pfeffer), Rodriguez shares lessons on resilience, authenticity, and effective communication. From maintaining a "slow heartbeat" in high-pressure moments to his approach of "intentional listening," he offers insights on leadership, giving feedback, and viewing communication as "an unselfish act." Whether you're stepping up to the plate or stepping up to present, these strategies can help you turn strikeouts into home runs.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction

  • (02:53) - Teaching at Stanford: Strategic Pivoting

  • (04:28) - Preparing for Life After Baseball

  • (06:51) - Performing Under Pressure

  • (08:16) - Finding Balance Post-Pandemic

  • (09:14) - Building a Media Presence

  • (11:05) - Creating Great Teams

  • (12:15) - The Role of Ego and Intentional Listening

  • (14:26) - Giving and Receiving Feedback

  • (17:06) - Setbacks, Resilience, and Redemption

  • (20:09) - Developing Authenticity

  • (21:39) - The Final Three Questions

  • (25:31) - Conclusion

   *****This episode is brought to you by Babbel). Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast) and get up to 55% off your Babbel) subscription.

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