Doctor Hayley Wickenheiser is a ‘Game Changer’!

I had the pleasure of hearing Hayley Wickenheiser speak at the fantastic MacKay CEO Forums: CEO & Executive Peer Support Waterstone Human Capital EDGE summit in Toronto. Thank you to Nancy MacKay and Marty Parker and the amazing team that organized this fantastic event.

I asked her if she can come out of retirement and suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year :).? #22 helping us win a cup in 2022!? What do you think?

Hayley is an amazing presence and role model in hockey and is now proud that girls can walk into any hockey rink without any glances, criticism or negativity.? She is a trailblazer who endured through adversity (cut her hair short to look like a boy, changed in boiler rooms or cars and much more).? She got cut from a hockey team simply because she was a girl, after having the tournament of her life.??

She is a Canadian hero who did not stop after her 4 gold medals and many other sporting achievements.? She continues to write her story and inspire many people around the world and is now a doctor.??

Here are 10 of my learnings from her keynote speech:

1. Always learn and grow.? After winning multiple Olympic gold medals, breaking so many barriers and paving the way for girls to play hockey in this Country, Haley decided to become a DOCTOR at age 38!? You can do anything if you put your mind to it.
2. Small acts can change the world.? During covid, Hayley sent a tweet and it led to the Conquer Covid movement and solicited support from so many Canadians including Ryan Reynolds

1. Champions put in the work!? Hayley recounted the Canadian gold medal in Sochi and talked about the team having a grueling 50 day training camp in beautiful British Columbia.? At the end of the camp, the team had to ride up Apex mountain in crazy weather conditions.? She talked about this being a requirement for champions to continue to dominate. That gruelling ride came in handy in overtime in the gold medal!
2. Keep it simple and straight as a leader.? Hayley talked about how head coach Kevin Dineen kept messages to the team very simple.? As leaders, we may tend to ramble on with long speeches and diatribes when all the team needs is direct and sincere communication.? Before the overtime period in the gold medal game, Kevin came in and said 2 things: a) 3 forwards, 1 defence (we are going for it!).?b) Safe=death (we are going for it)?
3. Adopt a rookie mindset.? Being curious and always learning is a trait of game changers.? When Hayley was doing her practical experience in the ICU units of hospitals, she had to adopt a rookie mindset.? This was insightful for her and her advice was for veterans to always be learning.

6. Have a kind eye as a leader.? In this day and age it is so important to do the little things.? Say hi and develop authentic relationships with junior team members.? The traditional command and control hierarchy is dead!

7. Blossom or bloom wear you are planted - I love this quote and it is so true.? No matter where you are within a team or organization, give it your very best.? Whether you are a third or fourth liner or the star player, we all have roles to play.? Whether you are the CEO or the junior Accountant, give it your very best and good things will happen!?

8. Be an energy giver (not a taker) - be conscious of whether you bring energy to a room, meeting or situation.? Energy is contagious so try and be the energy giver in the room and stay away from energy takers!

9. Lead from the front and the back - leadership is a continuum and understanding what your team needs is important.? Sometimes you can be in the shadows and lead with encouragement and other times you have to step up and be a vocal leader who is right on the front lines.??

10. Buck it!? Hayley’s TED talk is amazing and I love the creativity.? Her tag line was to BUCK IT.? Buck the trend, Buck the people holding you back, Buck the self-imposed limitations and people who say you can’t do it.?