Jazz Owner Ryan Smith Talks Leadership With Tom Brady
Apr 13, 2021, 3:43 PM
Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a first down against the New Orleans Saints late in the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith sat down with Tom Brady to discuss leadership principles across the world of sports and business.
The co-founder and Executive Chairman of Qualtrics talked with Brady as part of the Qualtrics “WorkDifferent” series, a group of conversations between Smith and various industry leaders designed to provide solutions to help drive change within the workplace.
Brady, a seven-time Superbowl champion won his most recent championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after six Superbowl victories in nine trips with the New England Patriots.
Loved talking with Tom Brady. His leadership advice applies to everyone. Check out how he works different at #WorkDifferent
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) April 13, 2021
The superstar explained what he’s learned as a leader through his unprecedented 21 seasons in the NFL, especially when walking into a new environment.
“The first thing you do is you don’t go in there and think you know it all, and you’ve got all the answers,” Brady said. “You go in there and you earn the trust and respect of the group of people that you’re doing the work with. And they’re only going to trust you and respect you if they see you do the work first.”
Smith began the process of purchasing the Jazz in October before the NBA’s board of governors approved the sale in December.
In a major shakeup, the Larry H. Miller Group of companies announced they are selling majority control of the @UtahJazz to @RyanQualtrics. #TakeNote https://t.co/NZ4rvxmAb3
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 28, 2020
Like Brady who has gone from the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft to arguably the greatest player in NFL history, Qualtrics began as a small startup being run out of a garage in Utah County and now has a multi-billion dollar valuation by Forbes.
The three-time NFL MVP told Smith that confidence in himself was one of the driving factors for his success.
“If you’re fearful of something, it’s serving no purpose,” Brady said. “It’s understandable to be cautious. But to be fearful is a different emotion and fearful doesn’t lead to a lot of confidence. So, when you don’t have confidence, it’s hard to believe that you’re going to do anything well. So, you have to believe in yourself.”
You can watch the full conversation with Brady, as well as conversations with other industry leaders at Qualtrics’ WorkDifferent site.
