Transcript Senior Executive Interview

Senior Executive
Interview
Senior Executive Interview
Interview Team:
Debby Kinsley, Jamie Boone & Bob Dullea
Debby Kinsley
Bob Dullea
Jamie Boone
Wally Walker - Bio
• Former NBA player, played eight seasons in NBAfive with Seattle. Played on two championship
teams.
• After basketball, earned MBA at Stanford.
• Became a Chartered Financial Analyst, worked for
Goldman Sachs for seven years.
• In 1994, began work as Sonics General Manager.
• Engineered acquisition of Sonics in April 2001,
bought in as part of new ownership group headed by
Howard Schultz. Became President and CEO.
Sonics Culture
• Old Culture: Centralized command and
emphasis on maximizing revenue.
• New Culture: Greater entrepreneurial spirit
through organization. Decisions pushed
down. Focus on reducing costs and
increasing margins.
Sonics Culture
• Basketball Model:
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Play to win every game.
Goal to make playoffs this year.
Rebuild while remaining competitive.
Keep Payton, but develop younger talent.
Future is in three years.
• Business Model: A sustainable business model is as
important as a winning team.
• Cultural Model: Have to enjoy coming to work, and
share excitement around organizational success.
• Basketball Personnel Decision Model: Input from all
basketball operations team members=> consensus.
Leadership Style
• Emotional Resilience
• Develop a long-term plan, and stick to it,
unless there is a substantive reason to
change.
• Work with people you like and respect.
Leadership Style
• Hire Good People and let them take
responsibility: Nate McMillan, Rich Cho,
Rick Sund.
• Focus on mission of creating a great
experience for all Sonics fans- fun and
friendly. Players are assets.
• Casual and Friendly Style – came out to
greet us, open collar, open attitude.
• Passion for organization, along with game.
Professional Challenges
• Zero sum game: as many losers as winners.
• Competition includes owners willing to
throw away money.
• Media Management: People who have to
write every day about the Sonics need to
build drama. Must set correct expectations.
Personal Challenges
• Occupying a highly public position: He knows he
will be personally criticized in public media.
• Not getting too caught up in the highs of winning
or lows of losing. Keep sight on long term goals,
not last night’s game.
• Maintaining work/life balance. Carve out time for
family. Keep other interests including reading and
board work.