Name: Leonardo Scheinkman

Title: President

Organisation: Triumph Sports Marketing

With a solid academic background and extensive experience in the sports industry, Leonardo Scheinkman has made a significant impact in the field of international business, sports management and athlete representation. A dedicated professional with a passion for football, Leonardo Scheinkman has held senior roles with renowned organizations, demonstrating exceptional leadership and consulting skills.

Education: Leonardo Scheinkman began his educational career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in International Business. During his time at the university, Leonardo Scheinkman not only excelled academically, but he also showed that he represented the university by playing football for it.

Seeking to further enhance his knowledge and expertise in the sports industry, Leonardo Scheinkman earned a Masters in Sports Administration (MS) from the University of Miami. This program provided a comprehensive understanding of sports management, marketing and the complexities of the industry.

Professional experience:

Leonardo Scheinkman's professional journey began with the establishment of Triumph Sports Marketing in November 2006. As President of this boutique management and marketing company, Leonardo Scheinkman has successfully served the marketing needs of football players in Europe. With a wide range of athlete representation services, Leonardo Scheinkman played a key role in the growth and success of the company where he had 9 players with passage in the Brazilian national team.

Leonardo Scheinkman serves as chairman of the board of GAMA Sociedade Anônima do Futebol, a prominent soccer club based in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil. His leadership and strategic guidance contribute to the development and achievements of the club.

In addition, Leonardo Scheinkman occupies an important position as a consultant at Shirtum®, a company that specializes in presenting clubs and players with NFTs. Through his expertise and consulting skills, Leonardo Scheinkman plays a crucial role in facilitating connections and opportunities within the industry.

Combining his educational background, extensive experience and unwavering passion for football, Leonardo Scheinkman has established himself as a respected figure in the world of sport administration, athlete representation and club management.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Leonardo's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Leaders often face the challenge of making difficult decisions that can have a significant impact on their team or organization. Balancing various factors, considering multiple perspectives, and dealing with uncertainty can make decision-making a challenging task.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

In 2005 I was in Europe and I talked to a few footballers and I saw a need to represent Brazilian players in Europe. Some of these players gave me a chance to work with them and the rest is history.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

God, family and work. I wake up early around 5 am to swim. I swim around 3500 meters until 7 am. Then, go home, shower and time for prayer, put tefilin and mediatate. I help kids go to school. Then, only then, is when the work day starts until 6 pm. Then, again, time to take the kids to sports and around 8:30 i am back home to my wife and kids and we do things together. Before going to sleep, we have prayer session as well.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Leaders often need to guide their team through periods of change, whether it's organizational restructuring, implementing new strategies, or adapting to market shifts. Managing change requires effective leadership skills, including managing resistance, addressing concerns, and maintaining team morale.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight. He emphasises that the key to success is hard work and continuous learning. Despite the amount of money that came with Nike’s success, Phil notes that nobody at Nike was driven by money. He warns that money has a way of trying to define our lives, and as humans, we must not let it.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

As a leader, building a cohesive and high-performing team is essential. Challenges may arise in finding the right talent, fostering teamwork, managing conflicts, and motivating individuals with diverse skills, backgrounds, and motivations.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

All the titles that my clients have won have been special. We work hard for them to achieve success and when they do is really special. It made my job easier and more exciting and challenging. However, in 2013, when FC Bayern won the Club World Cup, after the game, my two clients Dante and Rafinha with their medals on their chest came to me and said: "Leo, you are a World Champion as well. Without you this would not be possible."