Nate’s Notes 91: Steve Young, Hall of Fame QB | “I screwed up!”

What great lessons from one of the most successful people of all time.

First, find the truest truth, and then own it. Steve learned that when he screwed up, and then took accountability, rather than talk mitigation, he created a cascade of accountability on his team. If you want to be a great leader, show humility and vulnerability when you screw up, and then own it and fix it.

Second, “I got your back.” When Steve was new on the 49ers, and one of the players told him he sucked, Ronnie Lott stopped practice and told the players that he had Steve’s back. Knowing that Ronnie had his back changed everything for Steve.

Third, competition is sacred ground. When we respect our opponents, including the person in front of us at the light, or the person who shows up to work before us that we say “hey” to, and we seek their goodness, wellness, and healing, life gets pretty good.

Steve has made a career out of making others look good. And he just gave us a roadmap for how to do it. Don’t blame others. Instead have their back and seek their goodness. It’s a simple idea. Please take it seriously.

Steve Young Bio:

Steve Young is a Hall of Fame QB, two-time league MVP, Super Bowl Champion, and Super Bowl MVP. And when Steve retired from football, he was the highest-rated quarterback in NFL history.

After football, Steve worked as a broadcaster for ESPN and ABC for more than two decades on NFL shows such as Monday Night Countdown, NFL Countdown, and as co-host of ABC’s Superbowl pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows.

As a businessman, Steve co-founded Huntsman Gay Global Capital, a multi-billion-dollar private equity firm that has completed more than $50 billion of transactions. Steve has also been a corporate spokesperson for companies such as Toyota, Marriott, Visa, and Nike.

As a philanthropist, Steve founded the Forever Young Foundation: A Global Charity for children who face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges, and provides them academic, athletic, and therapeutic opportunities.

Steve earned both his B.S. and J.D. from Brigham Young University.

I hope you enjoy learning from Steve Young today, because I always do.