Erik Greupner Reminds Us of the Importance of Stability

Last month, Esteemed hosted The Gathering, our annual conference connecting members of the Esteemed Coterie of Professionals with the broader network of executives, advisors, and operators who support our community of leaders. The day featured an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Etienne de Bruin, founder of 7CTOs, several Esteemed members, and was headlined by Erik Greupner, CEO of the San Diego Padres.

Erik’s keynote provided a behind the scenes look at the business of professional sports. He shared updates on attendance, marketing campaigns, and the Padres’ strategy for leveraging Petco Park as a multi use venue, hosting concerts and non baseball sporting events that collectively attract more than four million visitors annually to downtown San Diego. He also offered early glimpses of future uniforms and brand initiatives. It was a rare and thoughtful look into the operating realities of a major sports franchise.

The most impactful moment came during the question and answer session. Erik was asked how a leader navigates uncertainty, particularly relevant given that the Padres are currently up for sale. New ownership often brings new leadership and that possibility creates real anxiety inside any organization. Uncertainty is unsettling. It is human nature to fear change.

Eric’s response was simple, direct, and deeply instructive.

Paraphrasing, he said that in times of uncertainty, leaders must project authenticity and stability, while continuing to offer hope. Leaders must remain calm in the face of panic. They must resist the urge to spin or obscure reality, because teams sense that immediately. Instead, leaders should acknowledge uncertainty honestly, remain steady, and reinforce belief in a positive outcome on the other side.

That answer aligns perfectly with the leadership philosophy we teach at the Esteemed MBA.

At Esteemed MBA, we spend less time talking about leadership as a title and more time teaching the discipline of followership. This concept was deeply influenced by Hewlett Packard executive Vyomesh Joshi, who taught that before someone can lead people, they must first earn the right to be followed. Leadership is not claimed from a pedestal, it is granted by others.

VJ emphasized four core attributes of followership. Trust, Compassion, Hope, and Stability.

Trust begins with doing what you say you will do, but it is earned through listening. VJ often spoke about “management by wandering”, being physically present with your people. He traveled relentlessly to stand in front of HP’s tens of thousands of employees, ensuring they knew he cared and understood the company’s direction.

Compassion is straightforward. Your people must believe that you genuinely care about them and are acting in their best interest.

Hope gives meaning to the work. VJ did not describe HP as a company selling printers and ink. He described it as democratizing content. A home printer was not just a machine. It was a small printing press that allowed people to express ideas, creativity, and learning. That sense of purpose mattered.

And finally, stability. The attribute that Eric Greupner’s answer most clearly reinforced.

VJ taught that stability comes in two forms. First, leaders must set a long term direction and stick with it. People crave consistency. No one wants to work at a restaurant that changes cuisines every three weeks. Strategic whiplash erodes confidence.

Second, stability requires stoicism. Remaining calm when circumstances are not. In moments of uncertainty, teams look to the leader. If the leader panics, the organization panics. If the leader remains composed, the organization steadies itself.

I often see this dynamic most clearly in sports. When a coach throws a headset or slams a clipboard on the sidelines, you can feel the momentum leave the team. The players mirror that chaos. But when a coach stays composed, focused on execution, adjustments, and fundamentals, that team still has a chance.

Leadership is no different.

So thank you, Erik Greupner, not only for serving as our keynote speaker at The Gathering, but for offering a powerful reminder of what leadership looks like when it matters most. Stability matters. Be calm in the face of panic. Be authentic with your teams and always give them hope.

Because before we can lead, we must first put ourselves in a position to be followed. Trust. Compassion. Hope. Stability.

Give it a try. Be Esteemed.