How Australia’s national brand was rebuilt using a partnership mindset
What if your fiercest rival could become your most powerful partner?
Fiona de Jong has led Olympic teams, reshaped Australia’s national brand, and is now changing how leaders think about high-performance collaboration.
You’ll learn:
✅ How to partner—even with competitors—and win more
✅ The mindset shifts needed to grow across career chapters
✅ How national branding and sports strategy intersect to drive global relevance
Listen now to discover how world-class partnerships are built—from the inside out.
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Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn.
Key Insights:
✅ Fiona De Jong emphasizes the importance of partnerships in sports management.
✅ Her journey from law to sports highlights transferable skills.
✅ Collaboration among competitors can enhance performance.
✅ Building a national brand requires a unified vision and collaboration.
✅ Australia's global relevance is tied to its ability to market products and services.
✅ Wellbeing and high performance can coexist in sports.
✅ Scenario planning is crucial for managing unexpected challenges.
✅ Athletes need support for transitions after their sports careers.
✅ Media plays a vital role in sharing athlete stories and building empathy.
✅ Generosity in partnerships fosters stronger collaborations.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fiona De Jong's Journey
02:55 Foundations of a Sports Career
05:50 Transitioning from Law to Sports Management
08:45 The Role of Partnerships in Sports
11:41 Collaboration Among Competitors
14:36 Leveraging Skills Across Industries
17:38 Building the Australian National Brand
20:42 The Importance of Relevance in Global Perception
23:34 Creating a Unified Vision for Australia
26:37 The Duality of High Performance and Wellbeing
29:45 Navigating Curveballs in Sports Management
32:36 The Life Cycle of an Athlete
35:36 The Importance of Transitioning Out of Sports
38:41 The Role of Media in Athlete Stories
41:34 Scenario Planning in Sports
44:36 Ending Partnerships Gracefully
47:30 The Value of Trust in Partnerships
50:29 The Power of Generosity in Collaboration
53:14 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
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