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| 27 May 2010 12:19:31 am |
| RANDY BERNARD, New CEO for Indy League Racing |
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“The most important thing I can do is to listen.”
These inspiring words were spoken by Randy Bernard, new CEO for Indy League Racing, in a recent interview with USA Today . Here is his complete answer to the question: What is the secret to gaining the trust of your new employees?
“The most important thing I can do is to listen. I want to listen to everyone. Not only the best driver in the world but also the 24th-best driver. The No. 1 team owner and the smallest team owner. It is my job to make sure I understand all their concerns, while at the same time do what is right.”
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The Indy Racing League has a new CEO and his name is Randy Bernard. He comes from Professional Bull Riders where he transformed that sport into a mainstream event and increased sponsorships from $360,000 to a staggering $26 million.
Randy’s goal as the new Indy CEO: take Indy race cars to the top. How does he propose to start? By listening. By finding out what people’s concerns are, what they care about. In his words: The most important thing I can do is to listen.
Maybe the most important thing we can do is to listen.
But not the way we usually listen – which can be counterproductive, judgmental and disempowering. The way we listen often communicates these kinds of messages: I already know what you have to say. Or … What do you want from me now? Or … Here we go again.
But that’s not how Randy Bernard listens. He’s new to Indy Racing and out to transform the sport. To do that, he needs to know where people stand and what they’re thinking. His listening will be open, inviting, and accepting.
If we listened the way Randy Bernard does, I believe we’d start seeing miracles – saved marriages, blossoming children, appreciated employees, enhanced creativity. If our listening conveyed: I’m interested in who you are and what you have to say – life would transform.
The more I think about it, the more convinced I am. The most important thing we can do … is listen?
To learn more Randy Bernard, please keep reading.
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Prior to reading the USA Today interview, I knew nothing about Randy Bernard. After two weeks of research, I feel I know him much better and have tremendous respect for not only his accomplishments, but the way he thinks and operates. To give you a sense of this man, I’ve taken a few excerpts from interviews with him over the last two years. I share them below.
From a February 2008 Sports Business Daily interview with Randy while he was CEO of Professional Bull Riders. Best professional advice you received:
“Barry Frank is one of my biggest mentors in the sports world and he has always said just do it right. Do it with honesty and integrity and you will always benefit.”
Most influential person:
“So many, starting with my dad. You hang around champs, you become a champ.
From a May 2010 interview with National Speed Sport News:
When you started your current job, you told the IndyCar Series staff that one word you don’t believe in is “can’t.” Can you elaborate on that?
“I don’t like the word ‘can’t.’ I don’t want to hear that this is the way it’s always been done. I challenge everybody. … The one thing I want to do is make people think outside the box. …”
And to close, another insight into Randy from his interview with USA Today. :
A former PBR rider said, "There always comes a time when a man needs to saddle a new horse and go in a different direction." Is that how you felt about your decision to join Indy as a newbie to the racing game?
“It is really important in all of our lives to embrace change. When you step outside your boundaries, you grow in another way. … ”
Words from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Words from an inspired individual, inspiring the world. |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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