My Story
The pursuit of learning and improving was always a driving force in my life growing up in Northern California. I remember taking batting practice and ground balls either with my dad or my friends, not just because I loved baseball (which I did!), but because I always wanted to get better. That quest was as fun for me as the games.
In addition to playing baseball and football, I was also a fan of these sports. So, when I started covering them and all sports as a reporter/anchor right out of St. Mary’s College of California in 1990, it was a dream come true.
My Story and my service to you.
Being a leader is difficult. There are no playbooks and, because everyone is unique, we all approach leadership with a different lens. To provide personal context, I was an individual contributor who became a leader that had to figure it out fast. I believe that maximizing the potential of emerging leaders is an undervalued area of business and that is why I started The Gargano Leadership Group. I hope you think that my story, experience, and service can help you.
Throughout my career, I have created, studied, and observed the link between the mental toughness required to be successful in sports and how these principles apply to business. I had the opportunity to lead teams of incredibly talented individuals in the content departments for the Oakland Raiders (2002-2008), San Francisco Giants (2008-2015), and the New York Jets (2016-2022).
Throughout these years, we were recognized with numerous content awards, including several Emmys. These awards represent leadership and teamwork - everyone working together to produce at the highest level.
From traditional media to then moving to the team side, I always had a passion for storytelling. Specifically, what makes people great and how do they perform at such high levels? I have had the good fortune of working alongside and telling the stories of some of the best athletes, coaches, business, and front-office leaders in the world of sports. To tell a great story you have to ask the right questions. This curiosity proved key when I became a leader.
Throughout my career, I led teams of incredibly talented individuals in the content departments for the Oakland Raiders 2002-2008, the San Francisco Giants 2008-2015, and the New York Jets 2016-2022. Throughout these years, we were recognized with numerous content awards which have included several Emmys. These awards represent leadership and teamwork - everyone working together to produce at the highest level.
Speaking of the highest level, I was with the San Francisco Giants Front Office for three World Series-winning teams (2010, 2012 and 2014). This was leadership at its best, and a prime example of everyone working together.
In addition to playing baseball and football growing up, I was also a fan of these sports. So, when I started covering them and all sports as a reporter/anchor right out of Saint Mary's College of California in 1990, it was a dream come true.
From traditional media to the team side, I always had a passion for storytelling. Specifically, what makes people great and how do they perform at such high levels? I have had the good fortune of working alongside and telling the stories of some of the best athletes, coaches, business, and front-office leaders in the world of sports. To tell a great story you must connect, communicate, and ask the right questions. This curiosity and love for communicating proved key when I became a leader.
I was with the San Francisco Giants Front Office for three World Series World Series-winning teams (2010, 2012, and 2014). This was leadership at its best, and a prime example of everyone working together.
With the goal of increasing my worldview and overall knowledge of the art and science of leadership, I returned to St. Mary’s in January 2015 to get my master’s degree in Leadership Studies.
In 2018, I began teaching leadership at New York University as an adjunct faculty member at NYU’s School of Professional Studies. The mission for my class, Senior Seminar in Leadership, is for the students to understand themselves as leaders so they can successfully navigate the complexities of leadership in today’s business world.
My passion for supporting leaders on their journeys extended to the New York Jets where I created and launched a successful leadership workshop series targeted at emerging leaders throughout the organization. The workshops focused on techniques to enhance communication, inspire passion, and improve culture. Since then, I successfully implemented these workshops for my GLG clients. (See Testimonials)
So now my primary focus is just that – sharing key leadership strategies. I aim to apply the decades of my cross-section of leadership experience, education, and teaching to serve organizations and individuals like you.
Let’s talk about how I can help you and your organization.
Chris Gargano - chrisg@garganoleadership.com
With the goal of increasing my worldview and overall knowledge of the art and science of leadership, I returned to Saint Mary's in January 2015 to get my master's degree in Leadership Studies. In 2018, I began teaching leadership at New York University as an adjunct faculty member at NYU's School of Professional Studies. The mission for my class, Senior Seminar in Leadership, is for the students to gain a deep understanding of themselves as leaders so they can successfully navigate the complexities of leadership in today's business world.
My passion for leadership extended to the New York Jets, where I created and launched a successful leadership workshop series targeted at emerging leaders. The workshops focused on techniques to enhance communication, emphasize self-awareness, and improve culture. Since then, I have now successfully implemented these workshops for my GLG clients. (See Testimonials)
So now my primary focus is just that – sharing key leadership strategies with you, the emerging leaders. I am applying decades of my cross-section of direct leadership experience, education, and teaching to serve organizations and individuals like you.
I would welcome the chance to talk about how I can help you and your organization.
Chris Gargano - chrisg@garganoleadership.com
