McKinsey, Iraq, and La Liga: The Unique Journey and Lessons learnt with Matteo Mantovani – Executive Director

Matteo Mantovani, Executive Director, featured in JOH Partners' podcast on leadership lessons from McKinsey, Iraq, and La Liga.

In this episode

In this episode of Leadership Blueprint, we explore the remarkable career of Matteo Mantovani, whose journey took him from McKinsey’s structured world of consulting to co-founding a startup in Iraq, and later into the realm of sports management with La Liga. Matteo’s path is truly exceptional – navigating the complexities of corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and sports diplomacy in a challenging environment like Iraq makes his story a unique and compelling one.

Matteo offers valuable insights from his time managing operations in Iraq, a setting characterized by cultural intricacies, unexpected obstacles, and the need for constant adaptation. His transition from a traditional consulting role to spearheading innovation in a challenging region exemplifies the resilience and agility that every leader can benefit from.

Join us as Matteo reflects on the key leadership lessons he’s learned throughout his diverse career, spanning startups, sports management, and high-pressure situations. Whether you’re passionate about leadership, digital transformation, or managing teams in extreme environments, this episode delivers rare and powerful insights.

Sound bites

▶️ “Impact comes when you truly understand the environment you are in”

▶️ “A leader’s success is measured by the team they empower, not just the goals they hit”

▶️ “Be curious, because if you’re curious, you’re asking the right questions and making sure you’ve looked at things from everyone’s angle”

Advice for future leaders

▶️ Be open-minded and adaptable: Embrace new cultures and environments with a willingness to learn and adapt, especially when working in unfamiliar regions or challenging environments.

▶️ Acknowledge mistakes and learn from them: Recognize when things go wrong, take responsibility, and use those experiences as learning opportunities to grow as a leader.

▶️ Drive impact with purpose: Ensure that your leadership and decision-making are centered on creating a meaningful impact, not just achieving financial goals but improving people’s lives and careers.

About Matteo

Matteo Mantovani has forged an extraordinary career path that spans across multiple industries, with significant roles in engineering, project management, entrepreneurship, and sports management. Beginning his journey as a chemical engineer, Matteo quickly realized his passion extended beyond the technical field. He pursued further education in project management, which set him on a new trajectory, leading to executive leadership roles.

Matteo’s unique career transitions include co-founding a ride-hailing company in Iraq, where he gained invaluable leadership experience in a challenging environment. His hands-on approach, cultural adaptability, and innovative mindset helped him navigate Iraq’s complex business landscape, bridging the gap between Western and local work cultures. His leadership in this venture positioned him as a pivotal figure in the region’s emerging tech ecosystem.

His journey did not stop there. Matteo transitioned into sports management, taking on the role of Executive Director at La Liga, where he played a crucial role in promoting football in Iraq. This shift into the world of sports further demonstrated his versatility as a leader and his ability to create impact across vastly different sectors. Throughout his career, Matteo’s commitment to learning, cultural sensitivity, and people-first leadership have been the hallmarks of his success in driving transformation.

The Leadership Blueprint: Navigating the Future

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