On a recent episode of “Keep the Line Moving,” host Chris Gargano sat down with Olympian and Athlete Assessments co-founder Bo Hanson, to unpack episode topic, ‘The People Side of Leadership and Coaching’. Throughout the conversation, Bo shared quintessential insights illuminating the fundamentals of leadership. And explained the critical role of self-awareness in leadership and coaching, highlighting the importance of understanding oneself and others to maximize performance, both in sports and in the workplace.
A Journey of Resilience and Passion
Bo’s athletic career began with adversity—he lost almost every race in school. Yet, he remained committed, Chris questioned him about the reasons behind his dedication. He said, “It’s simple really, I just genuinely loved the sport. I enjoyed the feeling of the boat when it started to go well. I actually enjoyed the training. It was super hard, but I enjoyed the challenge”, he explained.
His perseverance, coupled with the belief of a dedicated coach, propelled him to his first Olympic Games at just 18 years old, and medals at 3 subsequent Olympics.
Reflecting he said, “Coaches often ask me: How do you help someone believe in themselves?” Answering his own question, Bo said, “In the early days, before I’d won anything, to have a coach as accomplished as mine – believe in me and teach me to row, gave me a lot of faith.” His story is a testament to the power of determination, support, and self-awareness in achieving success.
Applying Olympic Lessons to Business
After retiring from competitive rowing, Bo and his wife, Liz Mason, founded Athlete Assessments, a company dedicated to helping teams and leaders optimize their performance using behavioral assessments. Their work focuses on the idea that self-awareness is fundamental to effective leadership and teamwork.
“Understanding your team members and building better relationships is a performance factor,” Bo said. “If we don’t have good relationships, it’s detrimental to performance because it’s so distracting. Interpersonal stress is some of the most challenging stress to manage.”
Bo and Liz discovered the DISC behavioral assessment tool before the 2000 Olympics and realized its potential to enhance communication and collaboration in sports. “We thought DISC is such a useful tool, and it’s utilized in so many other parts of the world, particularly in business, to help teams develop and grow leaders. Why aren’t we using it in sport?” This question led them to integrate DISC into their work, transforming the way athletes, coaches, and organizations approach leadership development
The Importance of Self-Awareness
A recurring theme throughout the conversation was the necessity of self-awareness for personal and professional growth. “Self-awareness is key to success,” Bo emphasized, “People have to have the conversation they don’t want to have, about why their project didn’t work as well as it could have. It’s actually the first step in developing self-awareness.”
“Once someone starts to reflect on those moments where they haven’t performed well, often the next step is to reflect on when they did perform well. Why was that? What was different? If it was the same people in the same team, why did it work one time and not the next? That’s where self-awareness comes in.”
He explained that many people assume others think and behave the same way they do, which can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies. “That’s what DISC really highlights for people—that people are different. There are different behavioral styles, and when we start to understand those, it can be really beneficial.”
Bo also pointed out that self-awareness allows leaders to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to build stronger teams. “In the business world, people sometimes think they have to be good at everything. The reality is, no one is. What DISC does is give you a clear picture of your natural strengths and areas that might not come as naturally to you.”
“When leaders are aware of their weaknesses, they can communicate more effectively with their teams, delegate tasks to those who are stronger in certain areas and create a more balanced and efficient team.
Balancing Business and Family
Beyond leadership and business, Bo spoke about balancing work and family life. “It’s always a challenge, especially when you are passionate about what you do. Liz and I are both very dedicated to our work, but we also prioritize our family. We’ve learned to set boundaries and make sure we have quality time together as a family.”
For Bo and Liz, organization and communication are key. “We make sure to allocate time for work, family, and personal activities. It’s important to support each other and be flexible when we need to be.”
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
As the conversation wrapped up, Bo shared a final piece of advice for those looking to improve their leadership skills:
“Focus on self-awareness. Understand your strengths and weaknesses and be open to feedback. Build strong relationships with your team and create a culture of trust and collaboration. And always be willing to learn and grow. Leadership is a journey, not a destination.”
Bo’s insights reinforce that whether in sports, business, or life, self-awareness is a powerful tool for achieving success. Athlete Assessments continues to champion this message, helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential.
Join Leadership Coach, Chris Gargano, and Athlete Assessments’ Director, Bo Hanson, in an engaging new episode of the “Keep The Line Moving” Podcast. In this episode, Chris skillfully draws out Bo’s insights on founding Athlete Assessments and quantifying the people side of sports. Bo also shares his experiences from his Olympic career, emphasizing the value of self-awareness and the habits that contribute to successful teams.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of what a winning team looks like, what drives performance, the meaning of leadership, and much more. Tune in for an enriching conversation that offers valuable takeaways for anyone interested in team dynamics and leadership.
For even more insights, our CEO Liz Masen also joined the Keep The Line Moving Podcast in an episode that delves into the ideation and establishment of Athlete Assessments and shares strategies for leaders to optimize their behavior, fostering a leadership style that truly resonates with their teams.
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and The Gargano Leadership Group YouTube
