The Sport of the Start

... Winning words from Joel Goldberg

His catchy podcast theme song says it best: “Everybody knows Joel Goldberg!” And if by chance you don’t, put him at the top of your list.

Not only is Joel the MVB (Most Valuable Broadcaster) of the Kansas City Royals, he’s a stARTist with two super powers: First is dodging post-game Gatorade splashes. Second is inspiring audiences, from the small screen to the big stage.

Years of behind-the-scenes work in the clubhouse and on the diamond have given Joel a unique perspective on what makes a winning culture. So he leveraged these lessons, launching a speaking business to motivate corporate audiences.

This was the start that inspired Rounding the Bases with Joel Goldberg, his podcast about leadership and culture with a baseball twist, and the book Small Ball, Big Results.

Joel has a lot to say, and it was fun to ask HIM the questions for a change.

Becky: Thanks for playing ball, Joel. You’re a stARTist. How do you know?

Joel: I’m a bit all over the place with new projects and stories. I like just jumping in.

It shows most on television, as evidenced by my love of ad libbing. I’ve been known to go off-script live in front of the cameras, just to see where the thoughts go. I pursue new story lines with players every day.

My curiosity has led me to lots of great stories, as well as plenty of dead ends.

StARTistry is built into the job of journalism. What is your personal process and philosophy about starting and finishing outside of the job?

I love writing, but scheduling anything regularly is a waste of time. I just have to feel it.

I finish anything I need or truly want to finish. I warn people that I’m willing to try anything but never guarantee I’ll stick with it. Like joining the water polo team in high school. I didn’t make it a week, but I tried.

What motivates you to start new things?

I get bored easily, so starting new things keeps me interested. I also don’t love structure, so thinking on my feet and getting to explore is fun for me.

Which starts have given you the most bragging rights?

I don’t know about bragging rights, but I started my podcast Rounding the Bases five years ago and intentionally made it about business instead of baseball.

Hundreds of episodes later, it continues to evolve in ways I never could have imagined, with interviews ranging from Grammy-nominated rapper TechN9ne to my childhood broadcast idol Bob Costas to author Simon Sinek.

I even did a multi-part series on human trafficking that included an undercover police ride along.

Name something you now start easily that used to be difficult.

Speaking to audiences used to make me nervous, so did the process of building a speech. Now, the speech itself and the creation of it rarely make me uneasy.

Repetition makes anything more normal, and the payoff is the thrill of the experience, for both myself and the audience.

Lots of people are terrified to start. How did you build your stARTistic muscles?

I’m not terrified to start, but I’m a world-class procrastinator. And I learned about five years ago that this can be a strength if I stop beating myself up over it.

What I mean is that I love and thrive on deadlines. I believe in myself when I’m under the gun.

Starting, for me, usually doesn’t happen until it has to. So I embrace the excitement, the pressure and the need to think…without overthinking it.

What would you say to someone who is having a hard time pulling the trigger on their idea?

My business coach Mark LeBlanc often says, “Done is better than perfect.” It’s such a stARTistic mindset.

I found myself waiting for perfection when starting my podcast and writing my first book. Of course, nothing went as planned, but nothing would have gone at all if I had kept waiting. I would tell someone to just go and see where it takes you. What do you have to lose?

The teacher has sent you to the chalkboard. What is the last thing you want to be told to do?

Actually write anything. No one can read my handwriting, even me. Plus, I’m left handed, so it all smudges. Fingernails on the chalkboard would be better.

Would you rather jump out of an airplane or ride a rollercoaster?

Neither. But if I had to choose, I would go with airplane. Assuming there’s a parachute.

Dressing tossed in or on the side?

If I’m eating healthy, on the side. If I’m eating poorly, I don’t want a salad.

What power tools do you know how to use?

I own a bunch of power tools but don’t know if I can actually find them. Maybe my wife hid them from me. Usually I don’t actually build or fix things, I just break them. Sometimes I’ll start, but end up calling someone to come fix what I broke.

Erasers: Yes or no?

Doesn’t matter. Anything I write will be illegible anyway.

Ok, we’ve rounded third. Finish these statements to bring it home.

The best way to kill an idea is to …make it too complicated.

My favorite flavor of Gatorade is …orange.

Once I start, the worst that can happen is …I move on to something else.

I once forgot to pack …dress pants to wear to the White House.

The best time to start something is …in the moment. Being impulsive can have its benefits.

It’s the hotdog derby. You’re running as …mustard. I did lose once running as bratwurst in the Milwaukee Brewers Sausage Race. I got second.

If I had never started …my speaking business, I would never have …written a book, begun a podcast, met thousands of people, or created a new professional world for myself. It’s a cascade of outcomes I never could have envisioned. I would never even been given this interview!

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I was lucky enough to be a guest on Rounding the Bases with Joel Goldberg. Listen to the interview here or read his blog about it here.

Learn more about Joel: