In Part 2 of this conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan and France Margaret Bélanger, President of Sports & Entertainment for the Montreal Canadiens, go deep into the personal side of leadership, discussing courage, conviction, and composure.
France Margaret shares how calm strength and self-awareness guide her through high-stakes decisions, what she’s learned about emotional control in negotiation, and why courage means making the right choice even when it’s unpopular. Together, she and Dwayne explore what it truly means to lead with heart, to face criticism with elegance, and to never let labels define who you are.
Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or your own personal evolution, authenticity, self-mastery, and grace under pressure are key.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Courage in Tough Decisions
03:00 - Intensity vs Standards
11:09 - Leadership and Politics
15:41 - Montreal Canadiens Rebuild Strategy
24:19 - Leadership Decisions in Canadiens' Success
29:45 - Business Rebuilding Strategies
31:21 - Jeff Gordon's First Decision Impact
35:47 - Kent Hughes: Key Decisions
36:58 - Martin St. Louis' Role in Rebuild
39:21 - Observing the Rebuild Process
44:02 - Women in Male-Dominated Industries
51:23 - Navigating Business as a Woman
59:03 - Showing Up in Intimate Relationships
Notable Quotes
"The minute that you, France, is getting mad or angry or whatever, you lost. Might as well give up right now because this other person that managed to get you in that position, won." - France Margaret Bélanger
" Hopefully we do things elegantly, right. Firmly, with determination, but elegantly." - France Margaret Bélanger
"You show up as who you are, and that's what people will know about you, and that's what people will talk about you. You gotta be authentic and honest to who you are" - France Margaret Bélanger
" It's the ultimate control. If somebody can influence your emotion into, especially into anger, you're done. They are now in control of you." - Dwayne Kerrigan
“The most powerful force in the human psyche is to remain congruent with how you identify yourself.” - Dwayne Kerrigan
Key Takeaways
1. Elegance Wins: Deliver hard messages with composure and respect.
2. Authenticity Over Labels: Show up as yourself; skill and preparation speak louder than gender.
3. Rebuilding Takes Vision and Grit:True progress comes from honest assessment and bold change.
4. Stay Grounded in Values: Your identity and integrity are your anchors under pressure.
Resources Mentioned
The Rebuild – Behind-the-scenes documentary series on the Montreal Canadiens
France Margaret Bélanger is President, Sports and Entertainment at Groupe CH since 2020, which includes the Montreal Canadiens, the Laval Rocket, evenko and L’Équipe Spectra. She joined the organization in 2013 as Senior Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer, and has held several executive positions over the years.France Margaret is the first woman to sit on the Executive Committee of the Montreal Canadiens in the club’s 104-year history and also the first woman to lead the organization.
Links:
Website: https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/team/france-margaret-belanger
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/france-margaret-belanger-833b6b41
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadiensmtl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadiensmtl/?hl=fr
Spectra: https://www.instagram.com/spectramusique/?hl=fr
Evenko: https://www.instagram.com/evenko/?hl=fr
Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/
Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com
Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
