Mastering Leadership Through Ping Pong: Insights from Justin Bookey, Author of 'Ping Pong Leadership

Breakfast Leadership Show

Justin Bookey is the author of Ping Pong Leadership: 18 Principles to Succeed at Any Table in Business, Sports, and Life. He’s a former lawyer, an award-winning marketing strategist, and a competitive table tennis player with medals from the US Open. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, playing a lot of ping pong in the family basement. He now lives in Santa Monica, California, and runs PongFit, a nonprofit that builds fitness and community through ping pong. He has played table tennis on seven continents.
Website: pingpongleadership.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebookey/

Table Tennis and Leadership Principles Justin shared his passion for table tennis, which he started playing at six. He discussed how the game helped him develop leadership skills, which he later applied in his professional life as a lawyer, digital strategist, marketer, and filmmaker. Justin realized the similarities between the principles used by successful leaders in table tennis and other professions, leading him to write a book titled "Ping Pong, Leadership." He interviewed 18 leaders to exemplify these principles, called the "Pong Principles." Michael, the host, expressed his admiration for the book and its potential to inspire others. Leadership, Strategy, and Deception in Sports Michael and Justin discussed the importance of discipline, strategy, and understanding the field of leadership. They highlighted the ability of successful leaders to have a big-picture view and focus on specific matters when needed. Justin also emphasized the accessibility of ping pong, which brings together people from different backgrounds and skill levels. Using table tennis and football examples, they touched on the concept of deception in sports. Justin shared a story about Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, who faced competition from larger gaming companies and intentionally mislabeled parts for his competitors. Michael agreed with Justin's account and reminisced about the excitement of Pac-man's release on Atari. Both acknowledged the strategy behind the mislabeled parts and their impact on the gaming industry. Michael and Justin also discussed the importance of continuous learning and improvement in leadership. Justin shared his favorite principle from the book, "Ready Position," which emphasizes the need to be prepared for any situation by mastering probabilities and optimizing resources. Passionate Gamer's Life and Gaming Community Justin discussed the life of a talented individual who was passionate about creating games since childhood. This person, who studied enigmatology, has been actively involved in the gaming community, running contests and joining clubs. Despite pursuing a career in law, his love for games never waned, and he continued to create and participate in various gaming events throughout his life. He also has the world's most extensive collection of historical gaming books, showcasing his deep reverence for the game's history. Michael agreed, describing the individual as a creator and a caretaker of gaming. Discussing Passion, Dedication, and Cultural Differences Michael and Justin discussed the importance of passion and dedication in one's profession, using the example of gaming. They agreed that seeing people make their talents work for them, even in challenging circumstances, can be inspiring. They also shared personal experiences, with Justin recalling his time in a large agency where he found enjoyment through playing table tennis. Michael discussed the cultural differences and challenges faced by IT professionals from various countries, highlighting the importance of connectors like table tennis in bridging cultural gaps and fostering camaraderie. He also emphasized the game's stress-reducing and calming effects, which can lead to improved mental agility and clearer thinking.