From Playbook to Business Plan: Leadership Lessons from Sports with Dr. Jamil Northcutt
In episode 181, Coffey talks with Dr. Jamil Northcutt about the business of sports and the competitive advantages former athletes bring to business teams.
They discuss the similarities and differences between sports organizations and traditional businesses; the importance of balancing analytics with human judgment in talent decisions; the challenges of managing high-performing individuals who may not work well with teams; the value of consistent feedback and communication in performance management; the successful transition of college athletes into corporate roles; the unique challenges faced by African American athletes in career transitions; the application of transition theory in managing organizational change; the critical role of understanding employees' personal circumstances in leadership.
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About our Guest:
Dr. Jamil Northcutt is a sports executive who brings over 20 plus years of experience to the industry. In 2024 he founded Strategic Transitions Advisors, LLC (STA) to help people and organizations navigate change strategically. He currently serves on the Governing Board of Pro Sports Assembly, the Business of Sports School Advisory Board, the Sports Business Journal’s All-In Advisory Board, and the Advisory Board for Alterity Capital.
Prior to founding STA, Northcutt served as Major League Soccer’s Senior Vice President of Player and League Advancement where he was responsible for the implementation of league programs, initiatives, and worked to identify new business opportunities and strategic partnerships that enhanced the league’s player and competition relationships.
Before joining MLS, Northcutt held numerous roles in professional and collegiate athletics, including roles at the NCAA, National Football League, Cleveland Browns, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Kansas City Chiefs, and Southeastern Conference.
Dr. Northcutt played football at Ole Miss, where he earned the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, helped the Rebels to four bowl games and was selected to the 2003 AFCA and SEC Good Works teams.
Northcutt received his Ph.D. from Ole Miss. He also completed an executive education certification program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Jamil Northcutt can be reached at
https://www.strategictransitionsadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamil-northcutt-ph-d-28781b4
https://www.instagram.com/strategic_transitions_advisors
About Mike Coffey:
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.
Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.
Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.
Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).
Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.
Learning Objectives:
- Implement a balanced approach to talent management that combines both analytical data and human factors when making personnel decisions
- Develop effective feedback mechanisms that provide regular, constructive communication about performance while demonstrating genuine care for employees' success
- Apply transition theory principles (relationships, assumptions, roles, and routines) to better manage organizational changes and support employees through various life and career transitions