#73 - Former NFL Executive Mike Smith on Sports as a Framework for Leadership, Establishing Trust & Psychological Safety, the Importance of Feedback, and Seeing the System

2023-05-21

Mike Smith is the founder of Huddle Advisory, a firm that guides leaders and teams to peak performance. When organizations maximize the potential of their "Leadership Athletes", they consistently deliver better results. Having been both a CHRO and CFO, Mike has a special lens to align business and talent strategy. He guides leaders and teams through skilled inquiry, objective data analysis, and practical counsel. Mike’s diversified background allows him to work effectively with public company CEO’s, startup founders, and rising talent across consumer-facing and B2B industries.

Having been both a CHRO and CFO, Mike has a special lens to align business and talent strategy. He guides leaders and teams through skilled inquiry, objective data analysis, and practical counsel. Mike’s diversified background allows him to work effectively with public company CEO’s, startup founders, and rising talent across consumer-facing and B2B industries.

Mike founded Huddle after 25+ years in sports and entertainment working with the National Football League, NBC, and Deloitte. His unique background includes leadership roles in Human Resources, Finance, Technology, and Administration. Mike has been repeatedly tapped to lead the most important initiatives ranging from creating a coaching culture at the NFL to Super Bowl weather planning to NBC’s acquisition of Universal.

Mike’s 16-season career at the NFL culminated as the Chief Human Resources Officer. He worked closely with Commissioner Goodell and Owners on compensation governance and executive succession planning. Previously, Mike was the NFL’s first SVP - Talent Management with oversight for the entire talent lifecycle. He spearheaded a leadership development process, a new compensation mechanism, and an engaged workforce with a more diverse leadership team.

Previously, Mike was the SVP – Finance and Administration, where he upgraded the League Office’s reporting and analytic capabilities. Mike also led an office relocation and served as Interim Chief Information Officer. Mike began his NFL career as the VP - Finance for the Media Group, where he played an important role in television rights negotiations and the launch of the NFL Network and Digital Media properties. Mike also co-led the project to create the current Flexible Game Scheduling Process.

Prior to joining the NFL, Mike worked for NBC in both Los Angeles and Philadelphia. He began his career with Deloitte in Philadelphia, working with the office’s largest client, Comcast Corporation.

Mike is enrolled in Vanderbilt University’s Doctoral Program in Leadership and Learning. He received his MBA from Villanova University and completed Stanford University’s Executive Program for Talent Leaders and Columbia University’s Coaching Program. Mike is certified in several leadership assessments, including Emotional Intelligence, NBI Thinking Preferences, and DISC.

Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation. Any and all donations make a difference!

You can connect with Mike on:

Website - Huddle Advisory
Out of Our League - Podcast
LinkedIn
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Twitter

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