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 Eric Stone, based in New York. Eric is a dynamic leader whose passion for business fueled a remarkable 26-year career at Enterprise Holdings, where he rose to become one of the most celebrated Regional Vice Presidents in the company's history. Leveraging his expertise in cultivating high-performance cultures, Eric authored the award-winning book Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture, which has inspired leaders around the world. As an international speaker, Eric captivates audiences with practical strategies and real-world insights, empowering organizations to drive engagement and achieve exceptional results. Through his company, Clear Path Ventures, he provides hands-on consulting to help leaders and teams develop tailored engagement strategies that foster transformation and measurable growth.
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?
ERIC STONE: The truth is, my favorite part of the Olympics is hearing the stories about the athletes’ journeys and backgrounds. But if I had to pick an event, it would be freestyle skiing. Watching skiers navigate moguls the size of a VW Beetle, all while racing down a steep slope and launching themselves off two strategically placed jumps, is a perfect mix of skill, precision, and pure adrenaline.
QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?
ERIC STONE: Hockey is the Winter Olympic sport that most visually demonstrates teamwork. It removes the spotlight from the individual and shines it on the team. With a roster of up to 25 players, success isn’t just about raw talent: it’s about chemistry, strategy, and leadership that comes from coaches, players, and even the support staff. What makes Olympic hockey especially powerful is that these athletes come from different professional teams and must quickly set aside rivalries to represent something bigger than themselves. As Herb Brooks famously said, “The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back.” You can literally see teamwork on the ice in every shift, every line change, and every goal.
SHARE THIS: The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back. ~Herb Brooks via Eric Stone #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
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?
ERIC STONE: The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team stands out in my memory more than any other Winter Olympic moment. This was a team of amateurs and college players who, on paper, had no business beating the powerhouse Soviet Union. Yet they defied the odds, won one of the most famous upsets in sports history, and eventually captured the gold medal.
What made it so powerful wasn’t just the win, it was the context. The Cold War was at its peak, tensions were high, and this victory became a symbol of hope and resilience. I can still hear sports broadcaster Al Michaels’ call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” That moment wasn’t only about hockey, it was about what happens when you define victory on your own terms, keep believing in your vision, and celebrate the progress you’ve made.
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?
ERIC STONE: If I were in charge of the Winter Olympics, I’d invite MrBeast and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Both have massive global influence but connect with audiences in very different ways. MrBeast could bring younger viewers into the Olympic story through creative digital challenges and philanthropy-driven content, while The Rock embodies resilience, inspiration, and unity; the core of the Olympic ethos. Together, they could bridge generations, cultures, and platforms. Not to mention, I’m sure they’d come up with a few hilarious skits of their own along the way.
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?
ERIC STONE: I’m excited about this decision. Kirsty Coventry’s versatility and remarkable journey from Olympian to politician to global sports leader make her someone everyone should be inspired by. This appointment shows that the IOC is committed to living its values rather than just listing them. In doing so, it proves that the organization promotes what it truly permits. The committee clearly isn’t afraid to break barriers to bring in the best leader for the future of the Games.
Please note, a small interruption to the series will take place tomorrow, on February 20th to celebrate "National Leadership Day," and then the Olympics series returns on February 21st. A series recap will be featured on February 22nd. Enjoy the Olympics!
Image Credit: Olympics.
Read Eric's previous appearance here on my blog:
SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Eric Stone (April 14, 2025)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/04/spring-leadership-series-2025-featuring_01306532703.html
Meet Eric at this link:
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