245: Maria Taylor - ESPN Gameday, Embracing The Grind, The Value Of Versatility

<p>The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk:</p> <p>Episode 245: Maria Taylor - ESPN Gameday, Embracing The Grind, The Value Of Versatility</p> <p>Maria Taylor is in her sixth season as a host analyst & reporter. In the fall of 2017 Taylor will enter a new role as co-host on ESPN's College Gameday and sideline reporter for ABC's Saturday Night Football. </p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li>How to quickly build rapport with the people you interview? <ul> <li>Be prepared with a purpose, truly try to learn about them as a person (quickly), it's not just about their sport or their job. Care about them as a person</li> <li>Being viewed as an athlete -- "It's helpful working in the sports world that they know I played sports"</li> </ul> </li> <li>"As an athlete I was always a perfectionist, I always over prepare." -- Maria sending her producers a copious amount of notes -- thoughts on situations/games/ideas</li> <li>How to earn promotions quickly? "I never said no to anything. I was never too big for any game." <ul> <li>Maria did high school football games, ACC digital. She's traveled everywhere, stayed in bad hotels, etc. <ul> <li>"You have to be comfortable in the grind, you can't get discouraged."</li> <li>"If I'm not doing something (work wise), I feel wrong."</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Why Kirk Herbstreit is the best in the business -- "He's the most invested person I've ever seen. He's always the most prepared person."</li> <li>Adnan Virk "Always show up." -- "They remember how you made them feel." Be conscious of that</li> <li>Balance? It will never be perfectly balanced. Think of it as a stew - vegetable and beef... Certain bites are vegetables and other times it's beef. That's work-life balance. There are moments where it is all work, all day, every day. There are other times where you can relax at home. It's never a perfect 50 50 balance.</li> <li>The story of Maria making the decision to be a sports broadcaster as a junior in college at Georgia... And then also earning her MBA as a backup plan! <ul> <li>She grew up loving sports. Her dad played college sports.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Maria was recruited to play both volleyball and basketball at Georgia.</li> <li>Our mutual feeling about the structure of being "in season" and how the routine helped us get better grades.</li> <li>The first 90 minutes of Maria's day: <ul> <li>Start the day with gospel music (worship/faith)</li> <li>New York Times daily podcast</li> <li>Joyce Meyer podcast</li> </ul> </li> <li>Why do multiple jobs? (Gameday, sideline reporter, women's basketball studio host) <ul> <li>To diversify -- "I don't want to just be one thing. It's an opportunity to flex different muscles."</li> <li>"I try to investigate to find the best answer"</li> <li>"I like challenges"</li> </ul> </li> <li>Person most enjoy interviewing? <ul> <li>Nick Saban. "I try to steer him off the line he's trying to stay on."</li> <li>Receiving coaching as a broadcaster... Who provides it? <ul> <li>SEC network producers</li> <li>Feedback is just as important to what you put into your body. It needs to be healthy and helpful -- "What are we filling our minds with?"</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>How to handle "Twitter haters?" <ul> <li>"Sometimes I'll put them on blast..."</li> </ul> </li> <li>What is an ESPN Gameday production meeting like? <ul> <li>A cast of characters - (listen around the 43:00 minute mark to hear the inside scoop)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Winning Edge Leadership Academy <ul> <li>Helping young women and minorities in broadcasting</li> <li>Focused on student athletes</li> <li>Doing a retreat in Miami</li> </ul> </li> <li>The sense of responsibility Maria feels as an African American woman <ul> <li>"Being black.... Half time spent assimilating and half time spent helping your people."</li> <li>The Jemele Hill story at ESPN... Maria's reactions</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Social Media:</p> <ul> <li>Follow Maria on Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.com/MariaTaylor7" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">@MariaTaylor7</a></li> <li>Connect with me on <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhawk12" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a></li> <li>Join our Facebook Group: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/groups/LearningLeader" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Learning Leader Community</a></li> <li>To Follow Me on Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12">@RyanHawk12</a></li> </ul> <p>More Learning:</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/1OOLpjJ">Episode 078:</a> Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2v8THlf" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Episode 216:</a> Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2h4yhvT" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Episode 179:</a> How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/21vBS5d">Episode 107:</a> Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why</p>