In this insightful episode of The Agora Podcast, Aidan McCullen, a former professional rugby player for Ireland and now a leading figure in digital transformation, shares his journey of reinvention and discipline. McCullen’s transition from the rugby field to the corporate world wasn’t just a career change; it was a life transformation. Starting as an intern at 31, he rapidly climbed to become the CEO of a media company, playing a pivotal role in its survival through digital transformation. He attributes his success to the discipline he honed as an athlete, applying the same relentless work ethic to his corporate career. McCullen delves into the power of discipline, not just in sports but in every aspect of life, including business and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience, drawing parallels between his sports career and business strategies. He shares anecdotes and quotations that highlight his belief in the transformative power of discipline and hard work, underscoring that genius is often the result of relentless effort. His story is a testament to the potential of discipline and the ability to adapt and thrive amidst change.

Biography: 

After recently retiring from Nokia after 33 years (and Motorola 22 years) in account management and business development, Doug has retired to work on immersive metaverse technology full-time. He has worked with 1G-6G, automated vehicles, telepresence, distance learning, telemedicine, and metaverse technologies. Aidan is a change consultant and works with organisations to improve how they collaborate and create the environment for change.Aidan is the host and founder of the Global Innovation Show, which boasts Bill Gates as a listener and advocate and features on Irelands national broadcaster RTÉ and the only English-speaking show on Finland’s Business FM.

He reinvented himself after a 10-year career after rugby with over 100 caps for Leinster, Toulouse and London Irish and is a full Ireland Rugby International. Aidan is the author of the book, “Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations and Life” which features a Foreword by Visa founder and CEO Emeritus, Dee Hock.

Links: 

www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/

www.theinnovationshow.io

Key Takeaways:

• Reinvention is key: to adapting and thriving in both sports and business.
• The discipline: honed in sports can be a powerful tool in the corporate world.
• Success: often comes from hard work and perseverance, not just natural talent.
• The importance of embracing change: and using it as an opportunity for growth.
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