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Steve Young: An Example of a Paragon of GRIT

You cannot quit. You have the ability, so you need to go back and work this out.” - Steve Young’s Dad, (circa 1980s)
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the characteristics of a GRIT paragon
Steve Young: A Gridiron Paragon of Grit. From every touchdown to each hard-fought comeback, his relentless determination on the field defines the true essence of grit. A quarterback icon who faced challenges head-on, Young embodies the spirit of unwavering passion and perseverance.

Steve Young is the epitome of a GRIT Paragon. When he was a freshman at BYU, he was the 8th string quarterback and was barely even getting any practice time. Like most freshmen when things don’t go according to plan, Steve called his father (whose nickname was actually Grit). 

Steve’s dad basically said the following: “You can quit but you can’t come home because I’m not going to live with a quitter. You’ve known that since you were a kid. You’re not coming back here.”

With the words of his father ringing in his ears, Steve Young stepped up his game and put the work in. By all accounts, he threw over 10,000 spiral passes at a practice net the summer between his freshman and sophomore year. By his sophomore year, he had risen to QB2 and by his junior year he was BYU’s starting QB. In his final year with the Cougars, Steve Young won the Davey O’Brien award for the most outstanding college quarterback in the country.

Then … It happened all again when he got to the San Francisco 49ers. He spent 4 years on the bench as the backup to four-time Superbowl champion, Joe Montana. And because of his experience at BYU, Steve stayed, learned, and flourished under Montana’s apprenticeship. He eventually got his chance and the rest is history.

When Steve Young retired, he was the highest-rated quarterback in NFL history.

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Luis Figo: Real Madrid’s Change Agent

Luis Figo Served as Real Madrid’s Change Agent During the First Era of the Galácticos
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

In 2002, Luis Figo emerged as the winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or, recognizing him as the top football player in Europe. This accolade came shortly after his controversial transfer from Barcelona to their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.

Figo’s move to Real Madrid marked him as the chosen Change Agent by Florentino Pérez, who aimed to usher in an era of high-profile, world-class superstars. The 62 million euro transfer fee was just the beginning of a series of extravagant signings from 2000 to 2006, during which Madrid spent well over 290 million euros.

Over his five-year tenure with Real Madrid, Figo made a significant impact, with over 200 appearances and notable triumphs, including two league titles and the 2002 Champions League. His arrival injected new vitality into Los Blancos, albeit at the expense of his former club in Catalonia. Organizations often require a COO to serve as a Change Agent, focusing on implementing specific organizational changes. In this role, the COO spearheads initiatives such as turnarounds, major organizational transformations, or planned rapid expansions, while the CEO maintains the day-to-day operations. When executed effectively and in balance, this approach can lead to remarkable progress and success.

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Scottie Pippen: The Co-Leader to Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Formed a Strong Two-In-A-Box Partnership During Their 10-Year Run at the Top of the NBA
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen established an extraordinary and cohesive Co-Leader partnership during their dominant ten-year reign atop the NBA that ended in historic double three-peats. Throughout their intertwined careers, Jordan and Pippen exemplified the essence of a Two-In-a-Box partnership. Their collaboration on and off the court showcased remarkable synergy, mutual understanding, and shared goals. Pippen’s exceptional abilities, combined with Jordan’s unparalleled talent, propelled the Chicago Bulls to unprecedented success, and Pippen flawlessly assumed the role of Michael Jordan’s Co-Leader.

Their dynamic duo not only achieved individual greatness but also fostered a collective strength that elevated the entire team. Together, they formed one of the most electrifying and potent duos ever witnessed in the NBA. In drawing parallels to the COO’s role, Jordan and Pippen’s Co-Leader partnership exemplifies the power of a collaborative approach. By working together, leveraging their respective strengths, and nurturing a harmonious relationship, they propelled the Bulls to the pinnacle of the NBA. The impact of such a Co-Leader dynamic extends beyond basketball, highlighting the significance of a strong and complementary partnership in driving organizational success.

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Venus Williams: The Mentor to Serena Williams

Venus Williams and Serena Williams Formed a Strong Mentorship CEO-COO Relationship During Their past 25 years on the court
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

Venus Williams stands as one of the most compelling examples of mentorship in the world of tennis. Serena Williams herself acknowledges that her journey would not have been possible without Venus, but I believe the impact goes even further. The influence of Venus extends to players like Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, and Madison Keys, who have all been inspired by her trailblazing presence.

Venus brought a new era to tennis with her remarkable speed, distinctive style, and unapologetic confidence. However, her role as a Big Sister went beyond her on-court achievements. She served as a mentor, shielding Serena from the resistance of the tennis establishment and the pervasive racism that often accompanied their rise to stardom.

This mentoring dynamic can be likened to the role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the business world. In both cases, the mentor figure provides guidance, support, and protection, empowering their mentee to navigate obstacles and reach their full potential. Venus’s mentorship not only elevated Serena’s career but also paved the way for future generations of tennis players, exemplifying the transformative impact of a dedicated mentor, both on an individual and broader scale.

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Patrick Mahomes: The Heir Apparent to Alex Smith

Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes Formed a Strong Heir-Apparent CEO-COO Relationship During the 2017 Season with the Kansas City Chiefs
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

During his tenure from 2013 to 2017, Alex Smith served as the starting quarterback for the Chiefs, leading the team to the playoffs on four occasions and securing their first playoff victory in over two decades. However, in 2017, the Chiefs made a strategic decision to trade up and select Patrick Mahomes as Smith’s long-term successor. Coach Andy Reid demonstrated transparency with Smith, providing the reassurance he needed to embrace the role of mentoring Mahomes. Just a year later, Smith was traded, paving the way for Mahomes to step in as the new starting quarterback. This scenario exemplifies the Heir-Apparent CEO-COO structure, which can be instrumental in ensuring successful succession planning.

In this context, the COO plays the role of the Heir Apparent. Similar to the quarterback transition, the COO is identified and groomed as the successor to the CEO. By implementing a well-executed Heir-Apparent CEO-COO structure, organizations can facilitate a seamless transition of leadership. The COO, under the mentorship and guidance of the CEO, gains valuable experience, insights, and knowledge necessary to assume the top role when the time comes. This strategic approach allows for continuity in leadership and ensures that the organization can thrive even during leadership changes.

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Ed Reed: The Trusted Partner to Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed Formed a Strong Co-Leader Partnership During Their 11-Year Run with the Baltimore Ravens
Drawing by Brian Nwokedi to explain the purpose of a strong COO and CEO relationship

During their Super Bowl XLVII-winning campaign in 2013, the Baltimore Ravens showcased their defensive prowess, despite being ranked 12th in total defense. What set them apart was the remarkable partnership between Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Their collaboration as Co-Leaders began in 2002 and spanned an impressive 11 years, solidifying their status as one of the most formidable linebacker/safety tandems in NFL history. Together, they anchored a consistently outstanding defense that stood among the league’s best.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed epitomize the essence of a Trusted Partner relationship. Their deep bond and understanding on the field allowed them to anticipate each other’s moves, offering unwavering support and collaboration. With Lewis’s commanding presence and Reed’s exceptional playmaking skills, they formed an unbreakable foundation for the Ravens’ defense. Their synchronized efforts and remarkable synergy elevated their team to new heights.

This Trusted Partner dynamic in football can be likened to the role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the business world. Just as Lewis and Reed established a reliable and cohesive unit, a COO serves as a Trusted Partner to the CEO, fostering a strong partnership at the top. This collaboration ensures a harmonious and effective leadership team, capable of driving the organization towards success. The impact of a Trusted Partner, both in football and business, cannot be understated, and Lewis and Reed’s legacy as an exceptional tandem serves as a testament to the power of such a partnership.

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Lessons from Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

"Let everyone else call your idea crazy ... just keep going. Don't stop. Don't even think about stopping until you get there, and don't give much thought to where "there" is. Whatever comes, just don't stop."
--- Phil Knight, Shoe Dog (2016)

Introduction

In 1965, Phil Knight discovered a philosophy by which he centered everything he was doing: To have cash balances sitting around doing nothing made no sense to me. Sure, it would have been the cautious, conservative, prudent thing. But the roadside was littered with cautious, conservative, prudent entrepreneurs. I wanted to keep my foot pressed hard on the gas pedal.

By 1975, he was still having the same problem as they were undergoing an explosion in assets and inventory which continued to put enormous strains on their cash reserves. Sales were through the roof but they were still cash-poor. Fast forward to today, and Nike is a cash-rich business whose days of cash constraints are long gone!

The lesson I take away from reading this memoir is that cash in a growth company is a problem. Every penny you make will be reinvested back in the business and you will struggle to make every single payment. You will borrow every nickel you can and plow it right back into chasing growth. But always remember that fortune favors the brave.
Beating the competition is relatively easy. Beating yourself is a never-ending commitment.

Visual Representation of Lessons from Shoe Dog

Lessons from Shoe Dog by Brian Nwokedi
Lessons from Shoe Dog by Brian Nwokedi

Downloadable Content

3b.-Shoe-Dog-Lessons-LearnedDownload

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With Matt Campbell as coach, Iowa State will win a Big 12 Championship

"Iowa State's upward rise has been all about identifying and developing talent"
---  Blair Angulo & Steve Wiltfong of 247 Sports
Iowa State Football is heading in the right direction under Matt Campbell
The foundation is built for Iowa State Football heading into the 2022 season. Although they lose a lot of veteran starters like Brock Purdy and Charlie Kolar, recruiting has picked up substantially. Iowa State is slowly becoming a solid contender for the Big 12 year in and year out.
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Roman Abramovich Will Be Missed By All Chelsea Fans

"I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners."

--- Roman Abramovich. March 3, 2022
Chelsea FC and Roman Abramovich
Chelsea FC has averaged winning one major trophy a year since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003. They are also only 1 of 5 teams in Europe to win every single major trophy at least once.