Imagine casting a vision for and leading a team where members change constantly due to injury or offseason moves. And imagine your job performance being evaluated and scrutinized not at a quarterly or annual review–but every week, by multiple coaches, professional pundits, and thousands of fans. That’s the context for an interview Rodger Price conducted with veteran NFL quarterback, Kirk Cousins.

 

leadership insights from with veteran NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins

 

Of course, it’s not everyday that you get to chat it up with an NFL quarterback, much less do so sitting on the high school field where his career was launched. But that’s exactly what Rodger Price got to do last month as he interviewed Holland native, Kirk Cousins at the annual Steak and Burger fundraiser event for the Boys and Girls Club.

Cousins got his start as the quarterback of Holland Christian’s (then) brand new football program in the early 2000’s. He was recruited by Michigan State University where he played from 2008-2011, and went on to be drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Since 2018, he’s been the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. To put that in perspective, the average career length of an NFL quarterback is less than 4.5 years. Cousins is coming up on 10 years in the league.

Whether or not you’re a football fan, this was a rich conversation with lots of insights for leaders. Check it out, and pass it on to a leader you know.