Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1481923
P R E S E N T E D B Y Russo's Rants 30 largely because of dumb luck and a relationship that I built with someone that worked out well for me. I always talk about work ethic. That, I think, is a key component of anybody's success. But dumb luck and relationships is how I bridged the gap from silly college kid with a dream to president of an NHL hockey team." Majka offered some advice on how today's youth can get their foot in the door of a professional sports team: Michael Russo: You're more introvert than extrovert, quieter than loud, more shy than cocky. I think a lot of times kids think they need to go into an interview or a leadership position trying to portray they're the most confident person ever, the smartest person in the room. Are you proof there are many different leadership styles? Matt Majka: That 's exactly right. Before I got more comfort- able in my skin about taking on more leadership responsibility and being given more leadership responsibility, I had serious doubts about my ability to do that, because I thought that most leaders or most successful leaders were charismatic, big personality, present. They had a presence about them. Those people absolutely can be great leaders, no doubt. I figured out over time by watching others. But there was a book I read that really changed my thinking about my ability to lead. It's called "Good to Great." It's actually a pretty famous business book by James Collins. It's about how companies go from good to great, and there's a whole chapter on leadership. He went out and researched successful companies and even compared successful companies in similar sectors like Walgreens versus CVS. He did a ll these comparisons about CEO leadership st yles and what he discovered, to his sur prise, is that many leaders at successf ul companies in com- petitive sectors, had leaders who were introver ts. But they had this paradoxica l blend of profes- siona l w ill and humilit y, and that they were of tentimes introver ts who put others in the company before themselves. W hen I read that, I was like, 'OK, well, I think I'm more like that guy.' These people with these ty pe of personalities can be incredibly successful because they gain trust. Quieter ty pes who are incredibly talented can lead as well. A nd there's every- thing in between. So do not sell yourself short, whatever leader- ship style you are comfortable in. It can work. Russo: You became tight with Bob Naegele, got in with him, he mentored you and that relation- ship brought you to the Wild. How important do you think it is for young kids to try to network and have mentors? How important is it to know somebody if you want to get your foot in the door, whether it be more an NHL team or pro sports team? Matt Majka and Wild owner Craig Leipold were instrumental in helping Minnesota host the 2022 NHL Winter Classic at Target Field. M H J ON L I N E . C O M | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 Photo / Bruce Kluckhohn/Minnesota Wild