#27: Lauren Hobart, Dick’s Sporting Goods President & CEO—Communicate by Making a Connection

Today’s guest is Lauren Hobart, President & CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods. If you look at any job description for a leadership role, the one thing that’s ALWAYS going to be listed there is … drumroll, please … excellent communication skills. In fact, we talk about communication skills in leadership so often that it’s easy to forget what it actually means to communicate well. Today’s conversation with Lauren is the perfect reminder of what great communicators do.  It’s not just about being well spoken – although Lauren certainly is. It’s more than that.  Lauren sees communication as a way to connect with people. It’s a huge reason she has been tapped to take the reins at Dick’s Sporting Goods, making her one of only 41 women CEOs leading a Fortune 500 Company. This conversation is a masterclass in great communication – how you can relate better to your direct reports, address conflict, get your vision across, and so much more. I can’t wait for you to learn how to communicate by making a connection. You’ll also learn: One super practical strategy to use with your direct reports if you don’t already  Tips for navigating disagreements with a colleague you really respect What to do (and not do) when you’ve got a toxic person on the team Why giving your team clear objectives isn’t enough (plus what you need to add) Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go  Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.