It is such an incredible feeling to have an executive be so excited and honored to participate in my blog. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. DeMaurice Smith, the NFL Players Association’s Executive Director. From the beginning his outgoing and optimistic attitude was contagious; an absolute pleasure to speak with. Mr. Smith described to me his exhilarating but non-stop day to day schedule and I am extremely grateful that he made time to talk to me. We discussed the following questions:
What has made you successful in your career?
Mr. Smith answered, “I think I have always appreciated hard work and looking at barriers not to keep you down, but as something that can be overcome.” He went on to admit that there are some days where he doesn’t feel so successful. He then told me the inspiring story about his parents and how they are the definition of success. Mr. Smith’s father was drafted into the Marines right out of high school and when he returned from fighting in the Korean War he had to find a way to get a degree. His father then went to D.C. and earned his bachelors degree and went to work for the commerce department for forty years. Mr. Smith proudly explained how hard his parents both worked to put two children through college. He said that his parents did things he could never do and to him, that’s successful. He said he looks to his parents for motivation and I could tell how genuinely proud he was.
What advice would you give to graduating seniors?
For this question Mr. Smith had two things, “First, do what you dig and if you don’t dig it, trust me don’t do it. Next, too many times people will try to steer you to what you should be doing instead of letting you figure out what your passion is and trying to excel at that.” Another word of advice he has was to never let anyone tell you no. “There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can never do that, especially your peers.” He explained that some people doubted that he would be the right person for his current position because he had never played or worked for any sort of football program previously. He took those odds and what it came down to was that the players figured out who was the best from them. He explained that there is not a day he doesn’t look to the past twenty years of his career and try use his past experiences to help benefit him today.
What was your first job out of college and how does that experience relate to your current position?
“I had two jobs, one at Jerry Sub Shop and the other at the department of labor.” He then went on to become a paralegal. Mr. Smith said that anytime you are in a service industry, whether you are making copies or sandwiches, you realize early on that no matter what you do it’s providing a service to someone. He gave me a negative example of working with young lawyers that were very, very good at school and graduated at the top of their class but feel that they are too good to get someone a copy. He explained that it’s a service and whether it was pushing subs or making copies, it’s really not philosophically different then what I do today. He explained that there is a not so glamorous side to what he does; taking red eye flights, only getting to lie down for 30 minutes, getting calls and text from players at two o’clock in the morning, working after he puts his kids to bed and before he gets to go to bed. “It’s a service; I am working for the people.” Mr. Smith also explained, and I could tell from all of his stories, that he truly loved his job and all of the people he represented. He encouraged me to find a career where I can continue learning and excel.
Mr. Smith’s positive attitude and great sense of humor made this interview one of my favorites. I am gracious for your time and am sincerely thankful!
What has made you successful in your career?
Mr. Smith answered, “I think I have always appreciated hard work and looking at barriers not to keep you down, but as something that can be overcome.” He went on to admit that there are some days where he doesn’t feel so successful. He then told me the inspiring story about his parents and how they are the definition of success. Mr. Smith’s father was drafted into the Marines right out of high school and when he returned from fighting in the Korean War he had to find a way to get a degree. His father then went to D.C. and earned his bachelors degree and went to work for the commerce department for forty years. Mr. Smith proudly explained how hard his parents both worked to put two children through college. He said that his parents did things he could never do and to him, that’s successful. He said he looks to his parents for motivation and I could tell how genuinely proud he was.
What advice would you give to graduating seniors?
For this question Mr. Smith had two things, “First, do what you dig and if you don’t dig it, trust me don’t do it. Next, too many times people will try to steer you to what you should be doing instead of letting you figure out what your passion is and trying to excel at that.” Another word of advice he has was to never let anyone tell you no. “There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can never do that, especially your peers.” He explained that some people doubted that he would be the right person for his current position because he had never played or worked for any sort of football program previously. He took those odds and what it came down to was that the players figured out who was the best from them. He explained that there is not a day he doesn’t look to the past twenty years of his career and try use his past experiences to help benefit him today.
What was your first job out of college and how does that experience relate to your current position?
“I had two jobs, one at Jerry Sub Shop and the other at the department of labor.” He then went on to become a paralegal. Mr. Smith said that anytime you are in a service industry, whether you are making copies or sandwiches, you realize early on that no matter what you do it’s providing a service to someone. He gave me a negative example of working with young lawyers that were very, very good at school and graduated at the top of their class but feel that they are too good to get someone a copy. He explained that it’s a service and whether it was pushing subs or making copies, it’s really not philosophically different then what I do today. He explained that there is a not so glamorous side to what he does; taking red eye flights, only getting to lie down for 30 minutes, getting calls and text from players at two o’clock in the morning, working after he puts his kids to bed and before he gets to go to bed. “It’s a service; I am working for the people.” Mr. Smith also explained, and I could tell from all of his stories, that he truly loved his job and all of the people he represented. He encouraged me to find a career where I can continue learning and excel.
Mr. Smith’s positive attitude and great sense of humor made this interview one of my favorites. I am gracious for your time and am sincerely thankful!
No comments:
Post a Comment