BYU Management Society Meeting with Greg Clark

Cross posted from my Google Plus account. Email me if you'd like an invitation.

Thanks to Greg Clark (former tight end for 49ers) for coming to our BYU Management Society breakfast this morning. He emphasized two points:

1). Work hard and take chances so that you can make great things happen. He shared a story of being a rookie next to Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and other 49er greats. There was a lot of criticism from the veterans, so he decided that he was going to take all of the advice/criticism he got and work to improve himself. After months of hard work and showing up for his first practice with the veterans, he was matched against a 287 pound lineman defender on the first play. When Steve Young called the hike, he came off the line with perfect technique and floored the lineman. Everyone was stunned, especially the lineman! That play marked success from the hours of preparation.

2). Live a principles-based life and never compromise your principles. After retiring from the NFL, Greg decided to work in real estate buying/selling distressed properties. A practice in that industry was to pay money under the table to keep bids on properties low. This was against the law and against his principles. On January 11 of this year, the FBI did a sting on hundreds of real estate professionals who were engaged in this practice. When Greg's lawyer called him to warn him, Greg said that he was not worried. He had not compromised his principles. On July 1 of this year, eight of those real estate professionals plead guilty, one of them having only accepted one payment under the table! Because of his principles-based decision, Greg continues to have a successful and happy career.

The mission of the Management Society is to promote ethical business practices. These are two great examples that Greg showed.