No Regrets: Lessons from One of the Greatest Leaders in Pro Hockey | Zdeno Chara
Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais
Dr. Michael Gervais
4.7 • 1.7K Ratings
🗓️ 3 July 2024
⏱️ 89 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
If you’re familiar with professional hockey, you likely know the name Zdeno Chara (also known as, ‘Big Zee’). He’s the legendary 6-foot-9 defenseman, enforcer, and team captain of the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins who was a dominant force in the NHL for an incredible 24-season career.
He also represented his home country of Slovakia in numerous world championships and three Olympics.
What you might not know is that humility, kindness, and leading by example are the cornerstones of his leadership philosophy. Not what you think when you consider his legendary status in the rough-and-tumble world of pro hockey.
You also may not know that since retiring from the NHL, Zee has not slowed down – he’s competed in 8+ marathons, a half iron man, and a 50K race. Not typical for someone with Zee’s monstrous 6’9” build.
That’s the thing about Zee – he’s more than meets the eye.
In our conversation we discuss how he puts his philosophy into practice:
- How good days as well as bad days are opportunities for learning and growth
- The importance of an athlete’s schedule… even when you’re no longer in the game
- Using mental imagery for peak performance
- How giving up control is the key to great leadership
- …and much more!
Zee surprised me with his insight and compassion – and I think we all have something to learn from the way he organizes his inner life, and executes at the highest level. I can’t wait for you to jump in and learn as much as I did about the real Zdeno Chara.
With Fire,
MG
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | As much as you have a good heart and want to be a nice guy, it's a war. |
| 0:06.0 | Losing that game seven, that's when I kind of went down on my knees and I just, I broke down. I think that you drive to be perfect even in |
| 0:16.5 | back of your mind you know it's not gonna be perfect you're still driving for it. |
| 0:23.0 | When you think about that commitment, |
| 0:25.4 | like who's set the standard, the world standard, |
| 0:27.6 | or your very best? |
| 0:28.9 | This is a great question, Michael. |
| 0:38.0 | Okay, welcome back or welcome to the Finding Mastery Podcast. I am your host Dr. Michael Jervais by Trade and Training a High |
| 0:42.0 | Performance Psychologist. If you're familiar with professional Drvet by trade and training a high performance psychologist. |
| 0:43.7 | If you're familiar with professional hockey, |
| 0:45.6 | you know the name Zadeno Chara, |
| 0:48.2 | also known as Big Z. |
| 0:50.0 | He's the legendary six foot nine intimidating |
| 0:53.8 | defenement and enforcer who as captain of the Boston Bruins |
| 0:58.7 | led his team to three Stanley Cup finals |
| 1:01.5 | and a win in 2011. And talk about longevity, Z played the game at the highest |
| 1:06.7 | level for an incredible 24 seasons. Not to mention representing his home country of Slovakia in numerous world championships and three Olympics. |
| 1:16.4 | It's really amazing. |
| 1:18.8 | From all of those accomplishments, you might think you have a pretty clear picture of Zichara and yet he is so much more than the |
| 1:26.0 | giant enforcer he was portrayed as in the league. It's his unique psychology and his commitment to himself |
| 1:32.4 | and others that makes him one of the best in the world. |
| 1:36.0 | In our conversation today, Z shares his personal regimen for mental imagery, his unique leadership philosophy, |
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