Opening Doors: Ad Davies' Journey from Coaching to Leadership

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Ad Davies, a cultural architect who transitioned from sports coaching to business leadership. Ad shares his experiences from the football field to the boardroom, highlighting the power of storytelling and the importance of opportunity in shaping company identity.

Tune in to hear how Ad's unique journey can inspire and guide future leaders in any field.

Key Highlights:

Ad's early aspirations in sports and his transition to business leadership. The role of storytelling in building company culture and identity. Insights on leadership from Ad's time at Gymshark. The significance of being given opportunities and access in career growth.

Quotes:

"I always start keynotes by saying I'm a lad from a local area with absolutely no way I should have been stood on a pitch when Leicester won the Premier League." "The lessons I take from sport I'm constantly taking into business and vice versa."

#Leadership #Storytelling #BusinessGrowth

00:00 Introduction to Ad Davies

02:02 Ad's Journey and Early Aspirations

04:19 Career Development and Boxing Experience

05:29 Lessons from Sport Applied to Business

08:00 Cultural Insights from Gymshark

09:54 The Importance of Opportunity

12:04 Access and the Role of AI in Job Applications

13:49 Building Resilience and Confidence in Youth

16:41 Understanding Individual Styles in Leadership

19:30 Navigating Conversations and Leadership at Gymshark

22:18 Generational Shifts in Workplace Expectations

24:52 The Future of Careers: Shorter Roles and Value-Driven Work

26:42 Geographical Differences in Work Culture

27:36 Building a Connected Culture in Organizations

30:42 Emerging Talent in the Greater Birmingham Area

33:10 The Power of Storytelling in Shaping Culture

37:11 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations