Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, community, and progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the sports industry, this podcast isn’t about preaching or claiming to have all the answers. Instead, it’s a platform for honest, thought-provoking conversations exploring how to create positive, actionable change in and through sports.
Born from a passion for progress, Pre-Zero Sports Talk explores the pressing topics shaping our world today—leadership, innovation, community impact, performance and well-being, regenerative agriculture, governance, and more. Each episode goes beyond the surface, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives.
This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues—conversations that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark action. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, industry leader, or someone seeking to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, entertains, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in building a cleaner, safer, and more connected world—one episode at a time.
Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Leading with Emotional Intelligence in Sports and Business
In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah talks with Kirk McCarley, a leadership coach, and founder of The Seed Sower Coach with a fascinating background in corporate HR, executive coaching, and working as a statistician for ESPN. Kirk shares how emotional intelligence (EQ) is the key to effective leadership in sports and business.
What You’ll Learn:
- How Kirk’s journey shaped his approach to leadership and EQ.
- Why listening is a critical skill for leaders and how to improve it.
- Balancing accountability and empathy in high-performance environments.
- Lessons from sports that apply to business leadership.
- How cultural and generational factors influence communication styles.
Key Highlights:
- The Power of Listening: Practical ways to slow down and create meaningful connections.
- Leadership Styles: The differences between enthusiastic, vocal leaders and those who lead quietly by example.
- Pause and Reflect: Kirk explains how to manage high-energy conversations by practicing the art of pause.
Quote of the Episode: "Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence." – Pat Summitt
Whether you’re a coach, executive, or team leader, this episode will inspire you to lead authentically and purposefully.
☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk!
Join Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real sports, leadership, and progress conversations. Follow us, share your thoughts, and be part of the movement:
📲 Follow & Engage with Us:
🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST
🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Watch Full Episodes
🔹 LinkedIn → Join the Conversation
🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 Substack → Read & Subscribe to Exclusive Content
Your Voice Matters!
Got feedback, suggestions, or a topic you'd love us to cover? We want to hear from you!
Fuel Our Mission → Help us continue bringing honest conversations and impactful storytelling. Support the podcast here.
Let’s reshape the conversation and drive real change in sports. Every voice counts—what’s your take?
