James “JB” Bryant: Taking The Next Step to Management - a podcast by Brian Clapp - Work in Sports

The more you can prepare for an eventual role in management, the better off you will be. In this episode Colorado Rapids Manager of Inside Sales James Bryant talks about the management skills you need to develop starting now!Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…Of the 107 episodes so far on the Work in Sports podcast I’d say about 80% of the content is steered towards advice to achieve that first entry level job in the sports industry.Of course, we talk with experts in the field about their careers, but even then I tend to ask question like, what are you looking for when you hire new staff…or how did you get your first job in sports.I’m always leaning into the concept of “getting started”.Makes sense, so many of you are in school, recently graduated, or changing careers into sports.But this episode we’re taking a completely different approach. We’re talking about management skills.Now, before you turn this off, thinking management?! I need an entry level job before I can start thinking management!Well, you’re thinking too short term.Management skills like leadership, mentoring, training, setting strategy, building culture – these are all things that the earlier you become familiar with and start building your own personal approach to these subjects, the faster you will grow.Imagine this for a second – you’re an entry level employee, and you show yourself as a leader, you ask questions about strategy, you help out other team members with their training… these will show your bosses you are management material. That you aren’t just clocking in a clocking out, finishing your daily to do list and then hiding in the corner somewhere not to be noticed.When I was at CNN Sports Illustrated, there were probably about 20-30 production assistants hired all at once, we were all on a level playing field. But in a short time we started to differentiate ourselves for various reasons. Some of us took on bigger roles by being ambitious and always saying yes, some of us displayed natural leadership skills, some were better than others at time management.All of these people stood out.Then there were others…they would get their daily assignments, goof off for hours, and then hustle to get their lists done right before we went to air. Or they would do all of their assignments, then hide out away from seeking eyes, preferring to remain anonymous than take on a new challenge.These people didn’t grow.The point is, even if you are in a situation where your only focus is getting an internship or a first job… it is still the time to learn more about management, because that is where you are headed, and the more you can prepare for that eventual day, the faster that day will come.So let’s talk about today’s guest a little, James Bryant - who from this moment forward will be referred to as JB because that’s what he prefers – is the Manager of Inside Sales for the Colorado Rapids. He broke into the industry with Sporting KC as a Sales Associate and after two years moved to the New York Yankees for four years in premium sales and season ticket retention.And then the opportunity came… the Colorado Rapids came calling, recruiting JB to become a Manager of the Inside Sales staff. JB jumped at the chance and now two years later is sharing with all of us some of the incredible things he has learned in his management role.But before we get to JB  -- a reminder! Registration is open for our Sports Career Accelerator event September 13-14th in Atlanta! Executive staff with the Hawks, Falcons, Braves, United, College football hall of fame and more will walk you through their jobs, answer questions, network and engage… plus if that isn’t enough… I’ll be there too!I’ll be hanging out with all of you, and conducting some live podcasts… interviewing some of our guest...

Further episodes of The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

Further podcasts by Brian Clapp - Work in Sports

Website of Brian Clapp - Work in Sports