leadership - Nathan Whitaker

Patience – The Steeler Way

by Nathan Whitaker | Apr 27, 2023 | Blog, football, leadership, Resilience, teambuilding, teamwork

Be patient. Mean Joe Greene was drafted in 1969 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the team actually fell from 2 wins to only 1! The next year they drafted Terry Bradshaw and won 5. In 1972 Greene was tired of the slow progress and QUIT after the fourth game (the...

2 Takeaways from the Final Four

by Nathan Whitaker | Mar 28, 2023 | Blog, leadership, teambuilding, teamwork

I had the privilege to speak to the Florida Atlantic basketball team a couple of years ago. They were gracious and attentive, and I enjoyed sharing with them on building teams and culture, simply trying to reinforce what they were already hearing from their...

Lessening Super Bowl Distractions

by Nathan Whitaker | Feb 2, 2023 | Blog, football, leadership, Resilience, teambuilding, teamwork

Such an exciting times for members of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles! Last Sunday both qualified for the Super Bowl, and they are heading to Glendale, Arizona for the game. We went through the same thing twenty years ago when I was in the scouting...

Backdating Goals

by Nathan Whitaker | Dec 26, 2022 | leadership, relationships, Resilience

I’m sure Tony Robbins might not approve, but I’ve been known to backdate my goals. Yes, backdate. (Yes, having actual, forward-looking goals or a “One Word” is good, but stick with me – this is different.) At the end of December,...

Twists and Turns of the UNCommon Variety

by Nathan Whitaker | Aug 20, 2022 | Blog, football, leadership, relationships, teamwork

I’m sure my Duke Football teammates will think I’m nuts. (I probably am, but I’d argue for other reasons.) A week ago, I found myself on the practice field at the University of North Carolina, where my daughter is starting graduate school. We visited...

I Thought It Was Only Ice Cream

by Nathan Whitaker | Apr 12, 2022 | Blog, leadership, teambuilding, teamwork

I thought we were just getting ice cream. I certainly didn’t think I’d be getting a reminder in mission, vision and values. Our youngest daughter had rowed in the state sculling competition earlier that day, so here we were, figuring we’d chase...