In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Emmy-nominated content creator, strategist, and international table tennis competitor Justin Bookey. As the author of Ping Pong Leadership: 18 Principles to Succeed at Any Table in Business, Sports, and Life, Justin shares how his lifelong passion for ping pong evolved into a leadership framework that blends sport, strategy, and self-awareness.
From practicing with Olympians to advising Fortune 100 CEOs, Justin distills decades of insights into memorable “Pong Principles” that can help anyone become a more agile, authentic, and aware leader. Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or just trying to level up personally, this conversation is full of practical wisdom, unexpected metaphors, and even a few laughs.
🧠 Takeaways:
- Leadership is like ping pong: fast, strategic, and deeply personal.
- “Embrace your quirks” is more than a feel-good mantra—it’s a path to authentic influence.
- Don’t try to solve internal problems with external solutions.
- “What’s your ready position?” means more than being prepared—it’s about knowing your natural strengths and tendencies.
- Elegant learners stay curious and open, even when it’s hard to hear feedback.
- Rhythm is everything—understand your own and know when to break it.
👋 Connect with Justin:
👉 Want to start spending more time working on your business instead of in it?
- (00:00) - – Intro
- (00:34) - – Welcome & Guest Introduction
- (02:00) - – How Ping Pong Started It All
- (04:40) - – Can You Make a Living Playing Ping Pong?
- (06:20) - – Chess at 80 MPH
- (08:00) - – Building Confidence Through Sport
- (10:45) - – Training with Olympians & World Champs
- (12:50) - – The Birth of Ping Pong Leadership
- (14:00) - – Pong Principle #10: Embrace Your Quirks
- (17:30) - – Pong Principle #12: Don’t Try to Solve Internal Problems with External Solutions
- (21:20) - – The Wake-Up Call
- (26:00) - – Pong Principle #6: What’s Your Ready Position?
- (30:45) - – Finding Your Ready Position at Work
- (31:45) - – Leaving Law for a Creative Path
- (32:25) - – Pong Fit: Bringing Table Tennis to the Community
- (35:00) - – Playing for the Love (and a Little Prize Money)
- (38:30) - – When Your Kids Choose Their Own Path
- (39:00) - – Pong Principle #4: Be an Elegant Learner
- (41:30) - – Marriage Advice: It's a Plant, Not a Sculpture
- (46:40) - – Monday Morning Challenge: It’s a Rhythm Game/Outro