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Michael Sprouse joined Epic Advertising as Chief Marketing Officer on June 1, 2007. His current responsibilities include overseeing all marketing strategy for the company, media buying, direct marketing programs, public relations strategy and outreach, internal communications, corporate development and cross-platform initiatives.

Prior to Epic Advertising, Sprouse served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for Playboy Enterprises, Inc. In his time at Playboy, Sprouse helped to oversee a business transformation as the youngest senior executive in the company's 54 year history. His marketing leadership opened up many public speaking and PR opportunities including the Keynote presentation at ETail (twice) as well as numerous press mentions.

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Lessons to Live by From Russert and Woods

Written on
June 20th 2008
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by Mike Sprouse  |
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davidgoliath2.jpgADOTAS EXCLUSIVE — As of press date for this article, we are a short time removed from two landmark events in our history: the passing of the legendary journalist Tim Russert; and Tiger Woods’ monumental U.S. Open performance. In a span of 72 hours, I felta range of emotions in watching Tiger perform, in addition to viewing the well-deserved tributes to Mr. Russert. I reflected on my own outlook relative to professional life, and I think there is a lot, specifically in business and beyond, that we can take from each person’s life and accomplishments. Each person reached the pinnacle of their profession, and their examples are to be emulated.Let’s start with Tiger. Have you ever had a day when you don’t feel quite yourself? Maybe don’t have the energy to get through that series of tough meetings or conference calls? Can’t get fired up to pour through the dozens of unanswered email? We’ve all fought this. But try fighting through five rounds of golf against the world’s best golfers shortly after debilitating knee surgery, amidst unfathomable pressure and expectation as the world’s #1 ranked golfer, with well over $1 million dollars – and golf history — on the line over a span of five days.

I think lessons we can take from Tiger, among countless others, are true perseverance, focus, and dedication. It helps to be the most talented of the bunch like Tiger is, but the difference in Tiger’s performance is also rooted in an unmatched set of intangibles that are uniquely his, which set him apart from the rest.

Apply this in business for a moment, as most businesses by nature involve some level of competition: what are the characteristics that might set you or your company apart from your competitors that you can leverage? What are the key characteristics or strategies you or your company needs to focus on? What would you focus on if you could pick an area in which to improve, either for yourself or your company?

Perhaps the bigger question: what amount of dedication, focus and perseverance will it take to achieve your professional goals and can you relentlessly pursue them without distraction, as Tiger does in his trade?

I believe that some companies are not able to execute their strategies seamlessly because of a lack of focus. Think about what Tiger Woods did the last two days at the U.S. Open in particular; while he was in tremendous discomfort, and as we’d find out later season-ending discomfort, he executed his game plan near flawlessly. He was focused on his game and not distracted by outside factors (the pain in his knee). My favorite quote from him was “the knee didn’t bother me as much until after impact with the golf ball, so it was largely a non-issue in my mind.”

That statement illustrates his tremendous focus in executing his strategy without the biggest potential distraction, the throbbing pain in his left knee. He said often during the week of the U.S. Open that he knew there would be some pain, but that he had to stick with the game plan no matter how bad the pain seemed. He knew he was executing the right strategy and knew what it would take to win. I call that total focus through the toughest of times that we can all learn from no matter the profession.

It makes one wonder how folks at Yahoo could focus on strategy and execution amidst a cloud of constant disruption recently; it’s clearly very tough and often not simple to do.

When asked if he ever thought about throwing in the towel and stopping, he quickly, and without hesitation, answered “Never.” This should teach all of us that have to deal with our own intense pressure each day to never melt, and never lose sight of what you want or need to accomplish. Things might not go how we envision them all the time.

Consider that Tiger started the tournament not expecting his knee would hurt as badly as it did – but he dealt with it, adjusted his game, and ultimately succeeded; persevering through the turbulence with laser-like focus. We’d find out later that the pain in his knee would ultimately end his season, further exhibiting his sheer will and determination on display during the tournament. He would not let anything stand in the way of his goal, though, and through the entire time never once made any excuses.

Let’s shift gears and consider what we learned in the untimely and unfortunate passing of the legendary Tim Russert. After watching hours of coverage on Mr. Russert, and learning of the tremendous values he stood for, not only did I wish I had met him on a personal level, but I took some very important lessons from what I now know about his life. I heard countless stories of his preparation, integrity, enthusiasm for his trade and commitment – all virtues that executives should embrace in business.



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Reader Comments.

Michael,

Appreciate your comments on Russert and Woods. Yes last week we learned again about the fruit of pain, perseverence, integrity and leadership. They have lived these values for their whole lives, and a lot of other ethical values as well that permeate a character shaping. We see the outworking of their public lives on “Sundays” in Russert and Woods, yet their inner lives are shaped 24/7 by years of ‘working it out’ and Dads/Moms and many others. Their inner spiritual life is also exposed like all of ours by how we live and choices make. So all is revealed. Tim and Tiger, a dicotomy of differences, are yet similar as they reveal an integrated surrendered identity that even with cracks is sustaining.. and worth emulating. It takes time, and even suffering for others to reach our purpose.

Posted by JohnPills | 12:52 pm on June 20, 2008.

Interesting comparison between Tim Russert and Tiger Woods.

Mr. Russert certainly lived up to the challenge put out by Ed Murrow during his famous “lights and wires in a box” speech.

Tiger is simply one of those rare athletes that come once in a generation. Regardless if you’re interested or not in their particular sport, they absolutely draw you in with their pure achievment and excellence.

In Tiger’s case there has been much discussion if he’s the best golpher ever, or was he a better athlete than Michael Jordan etc?

Who cares? Enjoy watching him do what he does.

And let’s remember just how good Tim Russert was at what he did. He set a high standard for others to follow. Just as Murrow did.

There’s a torch out there, hopefully someone plans on picking it up.

Brian Olson

Brian Olson

Posted by Brian Olson | 11:33 am on June 23, 2008.

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