From The Boardroom To The Pitch: Michael Smith On Building Teams, Tech, And Community Retail Relates podcast

From the Boardroom to the Pitch: Michael Smith on Building Teams, Tech, and Community

5d ago 49:51

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From NIKE to The Estée Lauder Companies — and now the football fields of Northern Ireland — Michael Smith has built a career around people, purpose, and progress.

As the former CIO of Estée Lauder, a 22-year NIKE executive, and a C-suite leader across multiple Fortune 500 companies in sports, fashion, beauty, and pharma, Michael shares how leadership principles transcend industries. He reflects on lessons from mentors, the power of feedback, and how technology can strengthen human connection rather than replace it. In 2023, he became the majority owner of Carrick Rangers FC, where he’s investing in community, inclusion, and opportunity. He also founded Tech Day of Pink and co-founded TechPACT to expand impact beyond work.

Hosted by Rich Honiball, Judy Sedjiny, and Guy Courtin, this episode explores how culture drives performance, how courage sustains change, and how true leadership reaches far beyond the boardroom.
Michael Smith Bio

Michael W. Smith is a business executive, investor, and philanthropist with more than 25 years of global leadership experience across technology, retail, and consumer brands. He has served as a C-level executive at multiple Fortune 500 companies across sports, fashion, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries, including former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of The Estée Lauder Companies and 22 years in senior leadership at NIKE, Inc., spanning technology, commercial operations, and supply-chain management.

In August 2023, Michael became the majority shareholder and chairman of Carrick Rangers Football Club in Northern Ireland — a passion investment focused on community impact, youth development, and expanding opportunity in sport.

Beyond business, he is the founder of Tech Day of Pink, a global initiative supporting breast cancer research, and co-founder of TechPACT, which advances diversity and access in technology careers. A lifelong soccer enthusiast and advocate for purpose-driven leadership, Michael continues to merge commerce, culture, and compassion to create lasting impact.

Chapters

1. From the Boardroom to the Pitch: Michael Smith on Building Teams, Tech, and Community (00:00:00)

2. Opening And Guest Introduction (00:01:32)

3. Three Pivotal Leadership Moments (00:04:11)

4. Feedback, Coaching, And Continuous Growth (00:07:58)

5. Strengths Versus Weaknesses (00:13:24)

6. Culture, People, Purpose As Constants (00:20:25)

7. AI, Risk Appetite, And Retail Innovation (00:22:45)

8. Cross-Industry Lessons And Tech’s Impact (00:27:26)

9. Traits That Derail Teams (00:32:38)

10. T‑Shaped Careers And Roles Beyond Tech (00:35:00)

11. Owning Carrick Rangers: Why And How (00:38:09)

12. Empowering Talent And Managing A Club (00:42:46)

13. Authenticity, Transparency, And Leadership Myths (00:46:30)

14. Tech Day Of Pink: Origin And Impact (00:50:30)

30 episodes