Kent Maxson on Leadership, Culture, and Education-Based Athletics

What is the real purpose of sports? In this episode of Uncommon Impact, Nathan Whitaker sits down with Kent Maxson, Athletics Coordinator at the American School Foundation in Mexico City, to discuss leadership, culture, and why athletics should develop people—not just produce victories. Drawing from more than two decades of being involved in athletic programs in Qatar, Kenya, Vietnam, and Mexico, Kent shares how moving between cultures has shaped his philosophy of leadership. He explains why trust, active listening, and meaningful relationships create stronger teams than rules alone, and why great coaches measure success by who students become long after the final whistle. Whether you lead a business, a school, a team, or a family, this conversation offers practical insights into creating environments where people thrive. In this episode: • Why education-based athletics matters • Building trust before creating change • Leading across different cultures • Why listening is one of a leader's greatest strengths • Helping people discover answers instead of giving instructions • Why leadership is bigger than winning About Nathan Whitaker Nathan Whitaker is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, former NFL executive, Super Bowl champion, leadership speaker, and executive coach. Learn more: https://nathanwhitaker.com Subscribe for new episodes of Uncommon Impact every Thursday. Uncommon Impact explores the people, experiences, and principles that shape extraordinary leaders and teams. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:20 Learning leadership by observation 06:53 Building team culture 10:58 Leading through different cultures 12:18 Overcoming challenges overseas 16:49 Active listening builds trust 20:30 Creating buy-in through questions 25:00 It's bigger than winning