120. It’s Not Personal. Go For It. Katie Woods, Tournament Director, NBC World Series
Katie Woods, Tournament Director - NBC World Series | Marketing Director - Wichita Sports Commission
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Named league’s Woman Executive of the Year in 2019 (California League), 2015 & 2013 (Northwest League)
Creative & passionate sports executive with more than a decade of leadership experience in Minor League Baseball. Specializing in business operations, fan experience, digital marketing, corporate partnerships, communications, and project management for successful franchises across the country.
Top 4 Takeaways:
It’s important for leaders (both men and women) to elevate their staff and put them in positions to grow and be successful. Katie’s GM in Everett gave her opportunities to network and grow - Winter Meetings, Promo Seminar, community connections, sales trainings etc., and also advocated for her when she was pregnant with her first daughter at a team without an existing maternity leave policy. Use this as an example of how to advocate for staff when you are in a leadership position.
Be prepared for a challenge. Decisions about life and career, and being prepared for things to always be changing, even when you're settled into what you think is your 'dream job'.
It's not personal. Step back and see the other person's perspective is a valuable skill, versus taking a lack of response/a negative response/a lack of support as a personal slight.
Networking and asking for help and expertise. Some of the best connections and friends in the industry have been from essentially cold calling them because they are doing something great. Have the desire to want to learn from them. Be curious.
Quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” Hunter S Thompson
