Karl Mecklenburg

These lessons were learned in the crucible of NFL competition and apply to any team or individual looking to accomplish their mission. Teamwork – with leadership being the ultimate expression of teamwork; Courage – the courage to try new things and the courage to be decisive; Dedication – hard work, constant learning, and refusing to quit; Desire the dream, the passion, the mission; Honesty & Forgiveness – with yourself in self-evaluation and with others; and Goalsetting – the reasonable short term specific steps to success. Universal and unchanging, these key lessons will inspire and motivate your team to accomplish their goals.

We can all recognize teamwork or the lack of teamwork in a sports competition. How do less talented teams beat a roster full of superstars? Teams with leaders throughout the organization win. Karl teaches leaders to utilize the C’s of leadership. Clarity and Consistency of the following three team focuses: Cornerstones – the team’s purpose, Commitment – to the team’s mission, and Connection – with the individuals on the team. Great teams use the strengths of the individual to help the team win, and the strengths of the team to cover for the weaknesses of the individual. Story based and full of humor, Karl’s presentation brings a team together in times of change, and fights complacency in times of success.

Mecklenburg’s life is a testimony to this truth. Karl’s journey through junior varsity football, losing a partial scholarship at his first college, walking on at the University of Minnesota, and coming to the Broncos as the 310th pick of the draft were all obstacles. He achieved his dream by becoming the most versatile player in the NFL and a team captain. Karl’s twelve year NFL career included six Pro Bowl and three Super Bowl appearances. Story-based and full of humor this motivational presentation will inspire and motivate your team to peak performance.

Playing linebacker in the NFL is not a safe job, but it is a job that requires passion and commitment to preparation. Karl’s presentation drives home the value of daily preparation that breeds decisiveness in the split second safety decisions that your people need to make. Safety is a team mindset, a team passion, in much the same way that winning is. NFL players are constantly coached and corrected. When mistakes are made, they need to be amended quickly or the team will lose. If sloppy safety behavior is left uncorrected on your field, injury, death and/or litigation can be the result. Appropriate leadership and oversight are required for teams to make and maintain changes in safety procedures. Karl’s presentation covers the value of coaching and oversight in becoming the best and safest your team can be. Story-based and humorous, Karl’s speech will help your team take a big step forward and reinforce your commitment to safety.

A culture of honesty allows your team to adjust to change, to retain customers and employees, and to deal with failures and successes. Karl’s 10 minute story based TED talk is entertaining and thought-provoking.