Claudio Reilsono on Why the Right People Matter More Than Talent
Tue Feb 03 2026
Claudio Reilsono, longtime Carnegie Mellon baseball coach and leadership author, joins The Next Interview to unpack a truth most leaders learn the hard way: talent doesn’t build winning teams—trust does. This conversation explores what happens when leaders prioritize the right people over resumes, and why culture always beats credentials.
This episode is for Directors, VPs, and executives navigating stalled execution, misalignment, or underperformance despite strong talent. Claudio shares real stories from elite sports and leadership environments that reveal how trust, communication, and accountability shape results.
Key Insights & Strategies
• Why the “right people” outperform high performers who resist coaching
• How leaders build trust by owning mistakes instead of hiding them
• When accountability strengthens teams—and when it fractures them
• How vulnerability accelerates execution instead of weakening authority
Mini Q&A
• How do leaders build trust fast? By being consistent, honest, and accountable first.
• What kills team performance most often? Tolerating misalignment too long.
Timestamps
00:02 Journey to leadership
09:40 Right people vs. talent
22:15 Accountability moments
38:50 Leading from the heart
Follow, subscribe, and comment to help more leaders turn insight into action.
Guest: Claudio Reilsono
Website: https://www.claudioreilsono.com/
The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy…
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Claudio Reilsono, longtime Carnegie Mellon baseball coach and leadership author, joins The Next Interview to unpack a truth most leaders learn the hard way: talent doesn’t build winning teams—trust does. This conversation explores what happens when leaders prioritize the right people over resumes, and why culture always beats credentials. This episode is for Directors, VPs, and executives navigating stalled execution, misalignment, or underperformance despite strong talent. Claudio shares real stories from elite sports and leadership environments that reveal how trust, communication, and accountability shape results. Key Insights & Strategies • Why the “right people” outperform high performers who resist coaching • How leaders build trust by owning mistakes instead of hiding them • When accountability strengthens teams—and when it fractures them • How vulnerability accelerates execution instead of weakening authority Mini Q&A • How do leaders build trust fast? By being consistent, honest, and accountable first. • What kills team performance most often? Tolerating misalignment too long. Timestamps 00:02 Journey to leadership 09:40 Right people vs. talent 22:15 Accountability moments 38:50 Leading from the heart Follow, subscribe, and comment to help more leaders turn insight into action. Guest: Claudio Reilsono Website: https://www.claudioreilsono.com/ The Next Interview is hosted by Doland White, executive coach, author of Lead With Confidence, and known as The Empowerment Guy…