Nike Nailed It—Here’s What Leaders Can Learn from Their Playbook
Melissa Schmidiger
?? Helping High-Achievers Lead with Clarity, Confidence and Purpose —Without Burnout | Former McKinsey, Singtel, Credit Suisse | Executive & Leadership Coach,Founder: Bravo Darlings
Nike doesn’t just sell shoes. They sell transformation.
Their slogan isn’t “Wait until you’re ready.”
It’s Just do it.
That message has turned them into a global icon—and it’s one that leaders should embrace.
Why This Mindset Matters in Leadership
Too many high-achievers hold themselves back because they feel they’re not ready yet:
? Not ready for that promotion.
? Not ready to speak up in meetings.
? Not ready to lead with confidence.
But the truth? No one ever feels 100% ready.
High-performance athletes don’t start off as world-class. They put in the work, embrace the struggle, and refine their craft over time. They became legends because they embraced the journey of transformation.
Transformation Doesn’t Happen to You—You Create It
Leadership works the same way. You don’t wake up one day “ready.” You build your leadership confidence by taking action, making bold moves, and committing to growth.
3 Ways to Step Into Leadership with the Just Do It Mindset
Here’s how you can embrace the Just Do It mindset in your career:
1?? Say yes before you feel 100% prepared. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. If you wait until you feel ready, you’ll stay stuck.
2?? Turn setbacks into fuel. Nike’s athletes don’t give up when they lose a game. They analyze, adjust, and come back stronger. Leaders do the same.
3?? Take action, even if it’s small. Success isn’t one big leap—it’s a series of steps.?
What’s one bold move you can make this week?
Your Leadership Challenge
?? What’s one leadership challenge you’ve been hesitating on? Hit reply and tell me—let’s tackle it together.
???? Hi, I’m Melissa Schmidiger. I help ambitious leaders transform their careers—turning bold goals into sustainable success while preserving their energy and well-being.
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Nike’s success isn’t about selling shoes—it’s about inspiring transformation. Leadership works the same way: it’s a journey, not a destination. Melissa Schmidiger
Sr. Career Advisor | IC, Manager & Exec | Complex or Technical Career Marketing | Resumes, Interviews, Profiles | Forget Hype - Crack Your Market with 2nd Order Thinking
1 周Love the analogy of Nike's transformation mindset applied to leadership! Progress over perfection and taking that first step is key. Melissa Schmidiger
Founder and Director Mindsmith
1 周Life is not about what you do, it is what you become.
Helping Tech Companies Hire the Top 3% of AI & Data Engineers—80% Faster, 40% More Cost-Effective | CEO @ NovaForge
1 周Love your posts, Melissa. You always find ways to motivate me ?
Executive and Leadership Coach. Empowering Leaders to lead with clarity and confidence. Passionate about emotional intelligence and positive influence. Women leaders advocate. Fluent in French.
1 周Well said Melissa. Leadership doesn't mean having all figure out. It is about improving along the way.