Pershing's INSITE 2017 conference in San Diego had some extra fans this year, as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took the stage for the final session on June 16. Rodgers wrapped up three days of sessions on leadership, investing, technology and more that drew about 2,000 financial professionals, and likely some Packer fans. (Rodgers filled in for tennis star Serena Williams.)
Rodgers, who was interviewed by Pershing Advisor Solutions CEO Mark Tibergien, told the crowd that, "When you play in Titletown, they expect titles. I hope to get back there soon."
The athlete, who grew up in Northern California, says he follows other sports and other sports legends carefully. Rodgers says that NBA star Michael Jordan once explained that he drew inspiration "and challenged himself [from] negative things being said" by his critics.
"In business and athletics, you've got to be self-motivated and continue to be so," Rodgers said. "Find [your] sources of motivation and harness them. Never settle. Never. [It's about] continuous improvement."
The 2011 Super Bowl champ added: "I have a deep personal desire to be great and to have the satisfaction of proving people wrong." In other words, put that chip on shoulder to good use.
Rodgers recently attended the fifth game of the NBA finals, where he chatted with Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry after the team won its second championship. "I looked at all the talent at that NBA game. It was very inspiring to me. I left that game saying, 'I can't wait until the football season starts,'" he said.
Other keynote speakers at INSITE, which was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt (near the waterfront and Gas Lamp district), included Jack Lew, former head of the U.S. Treasury; Oscar Salazar, a founder and ex-CTO of Uber; Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit; Rana el Kaliouby, co-founder and CEO of Affectiva; and Platon, an award-winning portrait photographer.
"The annual INSITE conference is a true testament to BNY Mellon's investment across the enterprise in our clients' success," Pershing CEO Lisa Dolly said in a statement. "This year, we [brought] yet another group of exceptional speakers to offer clients unique insights and the latest thinking on macro trends impacting their business, as well as emerging issues and new technologies that are transforming the industry," Dolly explained.
Leadership Lessons
Tibergien told the crowd during his chat with Rodgers that Sports Illustrated and leadership blogger Brian Dodd have highlighted the following management tips from the quarterback's success:
- Be a continual leader
- Always be in control
- Create multiple options
- Commit to continual personal growth
- Be comfortable in your own skin
- Always have something to prove
To these nuggets, Rodger adds: be a really good notetaker. He says he is always listening to what the coaches and players say about certain game strategies or plays they like to run. "Be as engaged as they are," the quarterback said.
The two-time Most Valuable Player also says that being aware of one's image and public persona all the time is extremely important for leaders. "As the face of the franchise, I don't want to be in the headlines, be in the wrong place at the wrong time or make the organization look bad," he explained.
With technology, "You've got to be smart today. Back in 2005 when he was drafted, "You could get away with [things], which is very different from 2017. Now, the stuff will get out there … A reputation takes forever to build and one second to get thrown away."
Succession Planning, Team Work
Rodgers says he is in the process of creating a "post-career plan" for himself.
