Pete Bevacqua was the perfect speaker for the 98th episode of the Good Leadership Breakfast. His presence, perspective, and convictions were perfectly aligned with the three intentions for the day:
- Discuss leadership in terms of “good leadership” – which is all about working in teams, to create great results. Together.
- Launch the newest Good Leadership book: Good Leadership is a Team Sport.
- Explore why we should see our future with optimism.
Leadership and Teams
As the Chairman of NBC Sports, Pete’s job involves aligning Teams of Teams to create compelling broadcasts and streaming of local and global sports. Teams within his realm know they are creating compelling stories that showcase the human condition in ways that provide both motivation and escapism. “We know our work is important, because in 2021, 88 out of the top 100 television shows in America was a sporting event,” he shared.
The new book
The book launch included a short lesson in team leadership, specifically the introduction of Epoxy Theory: the idea that teams need an equal amount of “relational capital” and “structural integrity” to thrive. Pete owned his “relational” style, and spoke very clearly about his need for structure to keep people aligned and accountable. The book, Good Leadership is a Team Sport, is full of data and stories organized around the Good Leadership Team Momentum Survey.
Optimism
“We only have two choices as leaders – to be pessimistic, or be optimistic,” Pete said emphatically. “When we work on big things, or pay attention to the big things in our society, we will always see obstacles. And hear negativity. The only way we can thrive together now, and in the future, is to find our individual source of optimism, and be positive.”
The next Good Leadership Breakfast is Friday, October 21, when the speaker is Lisa Wright, CEO of Community Health Choice in Houston, Texas. She’s a fiery and charming leader whose work is improving the lives of the poorest of the poor in Texas. I’m excited to hear her answer to the question: Why do you think we should be optimistic about our future?