From the roaring stands of soccer games to the echoing calls in boardrooms, Glenn Lurie emphasizes the intertwining journeys of sports and business. While the parallels may not be immediately apparent, Lurie’s experiences, both as a professional soccer player and as a business magnate, shed light on the lessons team sports provide to budding entrepreneurs.
Five Lessons Leaders Can Learn From Glenn Lurie’s Three Ps: People, Purpose, and Passion
Glenn Lurie’s Soccer-Infused Rise to Business Acumen
Lurie’s dedication to soccer, particularly during his time growing up and with Seattle Pacific University’s Falcons, where he won 3 NCAA National Championships, had significant bearing on his later success. Scoring not only on the soccer field, the Falcon player also achieved academically, passionately delving into Business and Marketing. However, it wasn’t just the sport that impacted him; it was the lessons, the camaraderie, and the discipline that soccer instilled.
Transitioning from successful stints with teams in various cities like Cleveland, Portland and Milwaukee, Lurie traded his soccer cleats for corporate shoes in the early 1990s. This switch saw him propel to the forefront of the cellular now wireless industry, shaping the course of IoT, smartphones, and more.
Invaluable Business Takeaways from Team Sports
Drawing from his personal journey, Lurie underscores three key teachings from team sports beneficial to entrepreneurs:
Fast, Efficient Problem-Solving: Athletes constantly face unpredictable challenges on the field. This pushes them to make swift decisions, adapting to the ever-changing dynamics. Likewise, in the business sphere, entrepreneurs confront unforeseen challenges, requiring them to think on their feet. As Lurie aptly puts it, unforeseen bumps are inevitable, but real-time problem-solving determines success.
Mastering Collaboration: Like sports teams aiming for a win, business teams collaborate to meet targets. Lurie notes that athletes often excel in workplace collaboration, suggesting that sports greatly enhance interpersonal dynamics. The camaraderie built on the field equips professionals to foster partnerships and find common ground in business settings.
Smart Competition Without Ego: While competition fuels both athletics and business, the approach towards it varies. Lurie’s journey taught him to channel his competitiveness strategically. As he points out, business victories come from leaving you ego at the door and focusing on the company’s best interests.
Shaping the Wireless World: Glenn Lurie’s Impact
Having played pivotal roles in the smartphone revolution, Glenn Lurie, former AT&T Wireless and Synchronoss CEO, showcases a legacy that’s hard to overlook. Starting with McCaw Cellular, Lurie’s impressive 27-year tenure at AT&T witnessed him helming major roles. This journey culminated in him joining Synchronoss Technologies, where he served for three impactful years.
Today, Lurie’s expertise is sought across various boards like Avis Budget Group, Pivotal Commware, Teal Communications and Blue Link Wireless. Moreover, his accolades, ranging from the Atlanta Telecom Professional of the Year to being named a “MobileGameChanger”, underscore his profound influence on the telecom industry.
Connect with Glenn Lurie on LinkedIn and discover more about his dynamic journey from the soccer fields of Seattle to the corporate corridors of the telecom world.
