Fresh from the electrifying moments of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where USA teams stood out—basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and more—it's an ideal time to reflect on the qualities required to lead and inspire on the global stage.
At Sage Partners, we recognize that leadership extends far beyond the boardroom. It’s about rallying teams, nurturing collaboration, and driving meaningful change.
In our latest Focus on Growth podcast episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mary Harvey, an Olympian and the current CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights. Our conversation explored how leadership is evolving in today’s rapidly changing world and how it can serve as a catalyst for positive, purpose-driven change. Here are the highlights of our conversation:
The Evolution of Leadership: Mary’s transition from elite athlete to leadership roles in the private and nonprofit sectors--how her leadership style has been shaped by her experiences in sport.
Challenges of Leading a Global, Virtual Organization: The importance of maintaining inspiration and connection within a dispersed team-- the role of a strong strategic plan to achieve alignment and execution.
Intersection of Sports and Human Rights: The need for sports to operate within a human rights framework to fulfill its potential as a social good--the Centre's work in this area.
Inspirational Mantra: Founder Mary Robinson’s quote, "I'm a prisoner of hope," encapsulates the essence of leading with hope and vision in a rapidly changing world--change that endures.
From Athlete to Leader: Mary Harvey's Journey
Mary’s leadership journey didn’t begin in a corporate setting but on the field with the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team USNWT). As she shared her experiences, it became clear that true leadership isn’t defined by titles or positions. Instead, it’s about authenticity and the ability to inspire others toward a shared vision. Mary was part of the pioneering team that won the first Women’s World Cup in 1991 and clinched the Gold Medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996—accomplishments that required not just skill, but a deep sense of purpose and unity.
These principles of leadership are more relevant than ever, especially as we reflect on the stellar performances of our athletes in Paris.
Leadership and Social Justice
Mary then transitioned from the world of sports to the private sector and then to the nonprofit world. She found her calling in roles that aligned with her deep sense of purpose. This eventually led her to her current role as CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights. Mary shares how her leadership style evolved, influenced by her experiences in both business and sports, and her recognition of the importance of purpose-driven work. Mary discusses the unique challenges of leading a virtual organization like the Centre. With a team spread across the globe, including a headquarters in Geneva and staff in various locations, maintaining inspiration and connection is crucial. She emphasizes the importance of a strong strategic plan, which not only guides the organization’s work but also serves as a tool for inspiration and alignment. The plan, developed collaboratively, ensures that every action taken by the organization is rooted in their mission and values, such as trust, legitimacy, collaboration and integrity. Our conversation also touches on the intersection of sports and human rights. Mary explains that while sport is often seen as a social good, it must be conducted within the framework of human rights to fulfill its potential. The Centre works to prevent harm in sports and provide remedies when harm occurs, addressing issues from athlete welfare to the rights of workers involved in sporting events.
An Unsung Hero
As the discussion wraps up, I highlight the impact of Mary’s leadership at the Centre, likening her to the unsung heroes who build resilient structures, preventing disasters before they happen. I praise her for her work to make sports a safer and more equitable space for all. Mary concludes by sharing an inspiring mantra from the Centre’s Founder, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland: "I'm a prisoner of hope." This encapsulates the essence of inspirational leadership—leading with hope and a vision and then delivering with strong execution to bring impact.
About the Pod
Focus on Growth - Sage Insights is a concise, power-packed podcast by Sage Partners. Tailored for leaders and aspiring leaders of companies ranging from burgeoning startups to the established, each episode offers actionable advice and insights to help you accelerate growth. Each episode is 15-20 minutes - designed to fit into the busy schedules of C-suite leaders and decision-makers.
At the core of this series is the exploration of growth strategies and their impact on creating value for all stakeholders. Sage Partners brings their extensive experience and expertise to these conversations.
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Sage Partner Thomas Doorley III contributed this Sage Advice.
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