High-Performance Leadership: Excelling On and Off the Field with Jerod Mayo

World Reimagined

What drives a Super Bowl champion, a top-notch angel investor, a healthcare executive, and a coach for the ultimate NFL dynasty?

Today’s guest, Jerod Mayo knows that growth and opportunity begin with getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. As leaders, how can we get to the point where discomfort is something that we lean into, not away from? We all start as rookies but not all of us become champions, and what differentiates the two? It may be the desire to never stop learning, and never stop leveling up.

In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with mentor, leader, investor, former linebacker, and current inside linebacker coach for the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo, about the difference between motivation and discipline, how he uses Impostor Syndrome to his benefit, the importance of asking for help, and what makes Coach Bill Belichick such a powerful leader.

“The guys understood I have no pride here. I have nothing to lose. I’m going to go in there and fight for you guys. That’s how it started. The guys knew I cared about them. I think that is first and foremost what a leader has to be able to do.”

- Jerod Mayo

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Books Referenced:

The Bible

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, by Joshua Foer

Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of Blackberry, by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff

Guest Info:

Jerod Mayo is the linebacker coach for the New England Patriots and an Angel investor. He has had an impressive career achieving success across the diverse sectors of professional sports, finance, and healthcare. Beginning by playing college football for the University of Tennessee and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management, he joined the New England Patriots as a first-round draft pick in 2008, going on to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Mr. Mayo remained with the Patriots for the entirety of his professional football career, and in 2015 won a Superbowl XLIX with the team against the Seattle Seahawks.

After retiring as a player from the NFL, Mayo went on to a successful business career in technology and healthcare. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Vice President of Business Development for UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division, the consumer-technology initiative of the health insurance company. In his capacity there, he leveraged his extensive expertise leading successful teams strategically through challenges. Additionally, he has been an active early investor in several successful tech ventures.

In 2019, the Patriots tapped Mr. Mayo to return to the organization as a coach. He is based in Massachusetts with his wife, son, and three daughters.