201. Ballpark to the Boardroom: How Alex Rodriguez Hits a Communication Home Run

Alex Rodriguez shares why in sports and business, striking out is just a part of the game.

From the baseball field to the boardroom, great communication is critical for success. But as Alex Rodriguez knows, we don’t always hit it out of the park. For this sports superstar turned entrepreneur, striking out is never the end of the story.

“I'm fifth all-time in the history of strikeouts,” says Rodriguez. “That means there's only four people in the history of mankind that have failed more than me.” For the 14-time Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion, failures aren’t endings, but opportunities to learn and grow. "The key is how you get back up with the same energy and enthusiasm," explains Rodriguez, who is now chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp, leading a team of experts in building high-growth businesses.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, co-hosted by Matt Abrahams and Stanford GSB colleague Jeffrey Pfeffer, Rodriguez shares lessons on resilience, authenticity, and effective communication. From maintaining a "slow heartbeat" in high-pressure moments to his approach of "intentional listening," he offers insights on leadership, giving feedback, and viewing communication as "an unselfish act." Whether you're stepping up to the plate or stepping up to present, these strategies can help you turn strikeouts into home runs.

Episode Reference Links:

Alex RodriguezJeffrey Pfeffer • Ep.166 Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail YouEp.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to Communication •

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction (01:32) - Teaching at Stanford: Strategic Pivoting (03:07) - Preparing for Life After Baseball (05:30) - Performing Under Pressure (06:55) - Finding Balance Post-Pandemic (07:53) - Building a Media Presence (09:44) - Creating Great Teams (10:54) - The Role of Ego and Intentional Listening (13:05) - Giving and Receiving Feedback (15:45) - Setbacks, Resilience, and Redemption (18:48) - Developing Authenticity (20:18) - The Final Three Questions (24:10) - Conclusion