With the eyes of the world on Italy for the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics, which events are you looking forward to? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked a dozen leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics in new and interesting ways.
For today's post, I'd like to introduce Aileen Day, Australia’s premier customer, employee, and human experience thought leader, advisor, and author. She is a sought-after speaker, consultant, mentor, and also, clinical therapist. She works with medium to large enterprises who are scaling or transitioning the way they operate to ensure their customer, employee, and human experiences (CEHX) are foundationally and sustainably strong. Aileen is one of Australia’s few, formally qualified and globally recognised certified CX Professionals (CCXP) through the international CX governing body, CXPA.
SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?
AILEEN DAY: My favourite Winter Olympics sport is the bobsleigh as it reminds me of one of my all-time favourite childhood movies, "Cool Runnings." It was also one of the first movies I saw that I recall taking a life lesson away from in that resilience, purpose, and synchronicity can really get you to places you only dreamed of.
SHARE THIS: Resilience, purpose, and synchronicity can really get you to places you only dreamed of. ~Aileen Day #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?
AILEEN DAY: I think visually you can’t go past curling as a sport that details the power of teamwork. Every brush stroke decides the direction and not one player can outperform the other without everyone losing.
QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?
AILEEN DAY: This quote reminds me of the sport, Ski mountaineering. There is no prize for doing it one way or another. It is left to the participant to set their course, taking obstacles into account, and defining solutions on the run. Every participant’s path is slightly different. No two athletes will have the same experience the whole way through, and with that, it is imperative to celebrate the successes of your own challenges and work as strategically as possible to finish your own race, with integrity and humility.
QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?
AILEEN DAY: I would invite the Labubu dolls, they are known worldwide and are a favourite amongst tweens thanks to famous K-pop star, Lisa from Blackpink. They are not only in a longstanding trend but they have become collectibles (think an updated version of Beanie Babies). I would have them collab with athletes and encourage a new and younger generation to become educated and enthralled by the heights of which competitive sport can take them.
QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?
AILEEN DAY: I would say that glass ceilings are meant to be shattered, and yet we still see it occur so infrequently. However, her appointment in this case was won on her extensive experience in sports and sports leadership, not just the administration or business acumens of many of the other candidates. I think it is important to have a leader who has come from the trenches and can empathise and listen to all manner of stakeholders, including and most importantly, the athletes - for without them, we would have no Olympics.
A final reminder, a series recap will be featured tomorrow, on February 22nd. Until then, the countdown begins until this Winter Olympics' Closing Ceremony.
Image Credit: Olympics.
Meet Aileen at this link:
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