Game Changers with Molly Fletcher Steve Koonin on Creating An Innovative Culture
Apr 13, 2017
In this engaging conversation, Steve Koonin, a marketing and sports executive renowned for his innovative leadership at Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Hawks, shares his insights on creating a culture of innovation. He discusses transforming the Hawks' branding to appeal to younger audiences and the importance of risk-taking in marketing. Steve emphasizes empowering teams, rewarding creativity, and learning from failures. He also highlights community impact through initiatives like building basketball courts and advocates for a servant leadership approach that values chemistry over just skills.
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Reward Risk-Taking And 'Fail Forward'
- Encourage risk-taking and reward employees who try new things even if they fail.
- Treat failures as learning opportunities and 'fail forward' rather than punish honest experiments.
Respect The Past While Leading Change
- Avoid damning the past when you lead change; acknowledge prior successes and build on them.
- Balance respect for history with clear direction toward future change.
Say No To Parents Applying For Kids
- Parents sometimes call Steve asking for jobs for their children, which he refuses to support.
- He offers direct career conversations to kids but not parental job applications.
