What if your childhood passion could shape your entire career? In this episode of Sandy on Talent, I’ll take you on a journey from my early days fueled by sports enthusiasm to my profound experiences at the US Coast Guard Academy, where playing under the legendary Otto Graham molded my leadership skills. Hear how these formative years have inspired not just my professional path but also the very essence of this podcast, dedicated to uncovering the secrets of nurturing talent and leadership.

We also tackle the modern landscape of youth sports and its critical role in developing future leaders. Drawing from personal experiences with my sons, Michael and Alexander, we discuss the shift from high school sports to travel sports and the barriers it creates for many families. This very issue inspired my wife and me to start a foundation aimed at supporting underprivileged athletes. Join me as I explore the concept of finding the “click” in every role, a transformative element for job satisfaction and career success, through engaging conversations with leaders across various sectors like the Coast Guard, Motorola, Unilever, and Blackstone.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Evolution of youth sports and its impact on scholar-athletes
• Leadership development through academics and athletics
• Exploring fulfilling and disappointing roles
• The concept of finding the “click” in every role
• Connecting talent in corporate transformations

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Think about the worst job you’ve ever had. What made it so? How did you feel about yourself and your abilities while you were stuck in that awful position?

Welcome to Sandy on Talent, where we discuss the unfortunate reality of good talent going to waste and uncover how business leaders can unlock hidden potential in themselves and others to achieve personal and organizational growth. Join Sandy and his renowned guests for insightful and honest discussions on executive leadership, talent optimization, and entrepreneurial success.

Now think of the best job you’ve ever had. It felt entirely different, didn’t it? Our mission is to help everyone find fulfillment, dignity, and success in their jobs. We call that magical union "click" —the moment talent perfectly aligns with their role, connecting abilities and superpowers to tangible value, and everyone wins. Whether you're a CEO, business executive, ambitious employee, or an entrepreneur, our insights are tailored to provide actionable strategies for harnessing potential and driving organizational success.

Host Sandy Ogg brings over three decades of experience as a CEO advisor, talent expert, and entrepreneur. He founded CEO.works and has served as an operating partner at Blackstone Group and as CHRO of Unilever. Throughout his career, Sandy has collaborated with top global business leaders, gaining insights into the consistent practices that drive value for stakeholders. He leverages this knowledge to develop talent-focused tools to help leaders and organizations thrive in today’s economic environment.

On our podcast, Sandy and his guests will tackle one of the top issues highlighted in every CEO annual survey: the persistent shortage of talent where it's needed most. Through thought-provoking conversations, they will address burning questions like "How do we hire the best people?” “Is the organization talented enough?” “Is the hierarchy dying or already dead?” And, “Why do transformations fail?”

If you're ready to transform your approach to leadership and talent, join us for Sandy on Talent, where we ignite the spark that propels individuals and organizations toward excellence.