Treat Your Career Like Athlete Training, AT&T Exec Says

Joe Drygas, Vice President of AT&T’s Global Enterprise Business, believes career growth mirrors the way elite athletes approach training — constant adaptation, not standing still. In a recent interview, Drygas explained that professionals who thrive treat every new role as a chance to build a new version of themselves, much like a quarterback adjusts his game with experience. Having spent 25 years climbing the ranks at AT&T, he credits this mindset of continual reinvention for his own advancement.

The Power of Scheduling and Routine

Drygas pointed to a surprisingly simple habit that shaped his leadership style: deliberately scheduling personal time, including workouts, meals, and sleep. He said this small shift reduces daily uncertainty and mental clutter, giving leaders a clearer, calmer arc to their day — particularly useful for those who travel frequently for work.

Leading AI Adoption From the Top Down

On the challenge of driving technology adoption within experienced teams, Drygas said transformation can’t be achieved through memos alone. Instead, leaders must visibly use new tools themselves. He described running skip-level sessions where he demonstrates AI tools in real time to managers, setting a highly visible example rather than just talking about change.

Drygas also touched on AI’s potential in healthcare, saying it can help close care gaps by expanding remote access and lowering costs. He noted that businesses can apply similar logic — turning localized processes into scalable systems — to expand their own offerings globally.

Finally, Drygas emphasized customer-centric problem solving, advising professionals to structure meetings around client needs, follow up consistently, and avoid making conversations solely about their own agenda.