Grit

Guest: Brandon Schneider, President and Chief Operating Officer at the Golden State Warriors

In this episode, we cover: Record-setting: The Golden State Warriors’ recent successes and its $4.7 billion valuation. (2:01) ... Making an impact: Why Brandon stuck with working at the Warriors during the team's downturn — and the importance of finding a job you love. (6:20) ... How the Golden State Warriors evolved once Joe Lacob and Peter Guber became owners — and the importance for leaders to hire and recruit great talent. (12:44) ... Fan experiences, arenas, and digital presences: Creating a business that is sustainable despite 'the inevitable ups and downs of a basketball team.' (22:03) ... Why the Warriors look at talent and character when recruiting athletes — and the relationship between fan experience and revenue. (26:49) ... Building resilience in business: Withstanding adversity and making the most out of challenges. (31:17) ... Work ethic, passion and confidence: The traits Brandon looks for in sales hires — and the parallels between sales and athletics. (34:51) ... How the digital age has changed the importance of geographical markets in professional sports. (38:43) ... How Brandon defines grit. (41:53)

Show Notes

Throughout his over 18 years working for the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Schneider has held several positions and seen it all.


From the depths of rarely making the playoffs, to the heights of making it to the NBA championship five times in a row with three wins, Brandon has held 10 titles at the Warriors — most recently, the role of President and Chief Operating Officer.


On this episode of Go to Market Grit, Joubin and Brandon geek out over their shared love of the Golden State Warriors, talk about building resilience in business, and the traits Brandon looks for in new sales hires.


In this episode, we cover:
  • Record-setting: The Golden State Warriors’ recent successes and its $4.7 billion valuation. (2:01)
  • Making an impact: Why Brandon stuck with working at the Warriors during the team's downturn — and the importance of finding a job you love. (6:20)
  • How the Golden State Warriors evolved after Joe Lacob and Peter Guber took charge — and the importance of hiring and recruiting great talent. (12:44)
  • Fan experiences, arenas, and digital presence: Creating an economically sustainable business despite 'the inevitable ups and downs of a basketball team.' (22:03)
  • Why the Warriors look at talent and character when recruiting athletes — and the relationship between fan experience and revenue. (26:49)
  • Building resilience in business: Withstanding adversity and making the most out of challenges. (31:17)
  • Work ethic, passion and confidence: The traits Brandon looks for in sales hires — and the parallels between sales and athletics. (34:51)
  • How the digital age has changed the importance of geographical markets in professional sports. (38:43)
  • How Brandon defines grit. (41:53)


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What is Grit?

Grit explores what it takes to create, build, and scale world-class organizations. It features weekly episodes highlighting the leaders who are pushing their companies to make a difference. This series is hosted by Joubin Mirzadegan, go to market operating partner at Kleiner Perkins, a venture capital firm investing in history-making founders.