CEO NOW

Asaw is an interesting tool because it loses its effectiveness the more it is used. As the blade dulls, more effort is required to make cuts and the results are not as good. That is the premise of “Sharpen the Saw,” which is one of best-selling author Stephan Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Covey’s seventh habit means you are preserving and enhancing your greatest asset — yourself. This is the result of a balanced program for self-renewal — physically, socially, mentally and spiritually — in order to grow and change.

That was part of the message from Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin in her closing session at this year’s Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit in Nashville. Franklin, one of the most decorated Olympians in U.S. history with five gold medals, shared some of the challenges that came with success on a global stage at 17 years old. The demands and expectations weighed on Franklin and led to mental health struggles as she got ready to compete in the Olympics a second time.

“There were times I’d have to slap a smile on my face and act like everything was OK,” Franklin said. “What is most inspiring is authenticity and being real. You have to leave time for yourself and time off to recharge is so crucial for me.

You have to turn it off because you can’t be on all the time. You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

Especially if you want to lead in the ways suggested by former NFL quarterback turned leadership expert Tom Flick at the Conference. Or if you want to stay on the cutting edge of innovation shared by Marcus Whitney, who became the cofounder and minority owner of Nashville’s Major League Soccer team.

You can’t let the daily grind extinguish your spirit and that’s not easy when you are trying to meet demands of your customers and your teams. But you must take care of yourself physically and mentally to lead effectively.

Unplugging from everything happening in your business can be challenging. But there are times you have to so you can recharge and stay mentally and physically sharp.

“Use the tools in your mental health belt,” Franklin said. That will help you keep the saw sharp so you can practice the other six habits that make you an effective and successful leader.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

PAT DONNELLEY

BSN Sports, Twin Falls, ID

CHAIRMAN-ELECT

GORDON GEIGER

Geiger’s, Lakewood, OH

PAST CHAIRMAN

DAVID LABBE

Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KEVIN BEZANSON

Cleve’s Source for Sports, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

BOB FAWLEY

Capitol Varsity Sports, Oxford, OH

TROY FREEMAN

Play It Again Sports, Minneapolis, MN

COLE JOHNSON

Johnson-Lambe Sporting Goods

Raleigh, North Carolina

MICK MONTGOMERY

Denver Athletic Supply, Englewood, CO

RON RUGAL

B&R Sporting Goods, Shelby Charter Township, MI

JOHN SCIPIO

SV Sports, Pottstown, PA

NSGA TEAM LEADERS

MATT CARLSON

President & CEO

MARTY MACIASZEK

Director, Team Dealer Division, Communications

JULIE PITTS

Director, Public Affairs and President, NSSRA

NICK RIGITANO

Director, Insights and Analysis

JENNIFER SHAFFER Comptroller

MATT CARLSON PRESIDENT & CEO