Steve Stricker is a 12-time PGA Tour winner, 2017 Presidents Cup Captain, Champions Tour rookie and host of the American Family Insurance Championship, coming to University Ridge Golf Course June 19th through the 25th.
I was fortunate to sit down with Steve recently to chat about these things and more as he continues a busy year on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Here’s our conversation in the latest CEO Podcast.
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer about 15 years ago. I watched as she endured surgery and a significant treatment regimen. It showed me just how terrible this disease can be on those diagnosed, but also on family and friends.
It changed my life – and my outlook on this disease. Seeing it in real life – the way my mom battled through it – affected my thought process about what breast cancer is. More importantly, it made me think more about what needs to happen to combat it. To make more people aware of it. To make sure those folks get the treatment that’s needed. And to make sure that treatment is state-of-the-art and cutting-edge.
It’s why I got involved with a local Susan G. Komen’s annual Race for the Cure event. This year is the 20th anniversary of Komen Wisconsin’s event, and I’m proud to serve as honorary chair.
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more research in this area than any other nonprofit. But Komen also provides some pretty impactful resources to those facing the disease. It was founded by Nancy Brinker, who promised her sister, Suzy Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life.
There’s a real community that builds around those affected by this disease – through Komen events, but elsewhere, too. I’ve seen it with my mom’s treatment and recovery, and I’ve seen it through folks at American Family who have had similar experiences. There’s a real subculture community of people who support one another.
Grieve. Pray. Celebrate.
You can imagine the stories – and emotions – run the gamut. Breast cancer affects everyone differently, but the need for support and community is a common thread that ties them all together.
Want to help? There are plenty of ways – no matter where you live. Employees and agents from American Family are participating. Check out their fundraising pages online. Or maybe you have a family member or friend participating in your area? Cheer them on with dollars and high-fives.
This is built into the culture of our company and the actions of our people. This is part of how we do what’s right – for now and the future. Together, we can make an impact by funding additional cancer research, but also by helping patients and their families, and by building a community of support for our people dealing with this disease.
My mom was one of the lucky ones. She beat breast cancer. With your help, I’d like to see all women who get this terrible disease have the same access to outstanding treatment.
A Sweet 16 matchup on Friday. Scouting and practices. Travel to New York City. Newly announced regional brand ambassador for American Family Insurance. Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Greg Gard has a lot going on right now.
He’s a former Major League Baseball superstar, a philanthropist, and now media and business leader.
Derek Jeter exemplifies the power of a dream champion – someone who does more than just lead by example. “The Captain” has – and continues to – inspire people to keep chasing their dreams. To have courage and heart. To dig deeper.
I was thrilled to sit down with Derek recently for the latest episode of the CEO Podcast, where we discuss his role as a new American Family Insurance brand ambassador, joining former CEO Podcast guests, JJ Watt and Kevin Durant. We also talked about Derek’s charitable work and his vision for The Players’ Tribune.
Select the image below to listen to my conversation with Derek Jeter, or visit my SoundCloud page.
And look for American Family’s new advertising campaign featuring Derek, JJ and KD, debuting today. You’ll get to see how these guys are making a difference in the lives of others by removing obstacles and helping them achieve their dreams.
It’s a busy time for Steve Stricker. Fresh off a top two finish at the Fed Ex St. Jude Classic, Steve hosts this week’s inaugural American Family Insurance Championship, a PGA TOUR Champions event. It will include playing in a celebrity round of golf during the tournament with fellow Wisconsin athletes Andy North, Mark Tauscher and Brett Favre.
But Steve also has big plans for the future. Its In the latest CEO Podcast episode, Steve continues his conversation with my friend, colleague and guest host, Dan Kelly. Learn about Steve’s dreams for the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, his future plans on the PGA Tour, as well as his role as captain of the 2017 Presidents Cup.
The American Family Insurance Championship comes to Madison, Wisconsin June 20-26. I’m excited for our community, our state and my company. Host Steve Stricker addressed the media May 31, and talked about the inaugural tournament’s impressive field of players and the charities that will benefit from the event.
In the latest CEO Podcast, get the scoop on the American Family Insurance Championship from Steve and tournament director, Nate Pokrass. For this episode, though, I’ve turned over the podcast mic to American Family Insurance Chief Financial Officer, Dan Kelly.
Select the player below to listen, or visit my SoundCloud page.
Check out the American Family Insurance Championship website for ticket information. And be sure to follow the tournament action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Service anniversaries are normally really fun events. They give us a chance to congratulate folks for their efforts over time, reminisce a bit, and even roast colleagues for things we’ve shared over years of working together.
I attended one, recognizing a long-term employee’s service to the company. When the usual stuff was over (started on this date, had these jobs, etc.), someone asked, “What does it feel like to work for a company for so many years?”
His response was quick and simple: “It doesn’t feel like I’ve worked for this company that long, because this isn’t the same company as when I started.”
I looked up. This was not a knock on our company. Instead, he described many recent changes – new divisions, leadership, technology, business models, mergers and acquisitions, start-ups, a new employee value proposition, and changes to our mission and vision, a new strategic plan – all part of a new cultural environment. These are changes designed to keep our core mainstream business vibrant and strong and at the same time create new streams of business opportunities.
Change. Disruption. Opportunities. He acknowledged all three factors for his personal and professional growth and development, then thanked current and former bosses for opportunities to develop, learn and grow.It was a fun event, and after the comments, some congratulations and a little cake, I headed back to my office.
The first item in my inbox was from another long-term employee. This was someone I’ve known for years, and a similar service anniversary was on the horizon. But the tone of the email was different.
She explained that after basically working in the same area for an entire career, the energy and excitement of coming to work was not the same as it was years ago. Her supervisor was “ineffective and uncaring.” Over the years, more had been asked of her – more work, more technology, but with fewer people. At times, she said the resulting stress was unbearable.
“So, it’s time for me to go,” the email continued. “I wanted to stay a few more years, but this place has just changed too much.”
Change. Disruption. Opportunities lost.
What’s so different about these two situations? Obviously these are different people, with different skills, motivations and ambitions. They come from different backgrounds and value things differently. Their supervisors likely had different skills and effectiveness (or a lack thereof).
One employee moved around the company a bit. The concept of up, down and sideways was not only embraced, but lived. There was active personal learning and reinvention. In a way, work was more than a job. It was an extension of self. Or perhaps to this employee, working was was what my friend and colleague, Bill Westrate, described in his recent guest blog here as “a place where you can bring your heart, your passions, and your personal commitments.”
For the other employee, this was a job. Yes, a good place to earn a living, but something to set aside at the end of the day. And when the job life started getting too much into the home life, this employee became out of balance and wasn’t able to get that balance back. It’s easy for this to happen.
I fully understand and recognize both types of folks are in our workforce. And, yes, both are important to a company’s success. As leaders, we must find ways to reach both.
Here’s my challenge: How do we each think through how we deal with change, disruption and opportunities in the future – for our organizations and for ourselves? And, how do we find support from within and from each other to overcome the obstacles that accompany all three?
Change. Disruptions. Opportunities. How will you respond?
Note: This is a guest post from my friend and colleague, Bill Westrate.
Have you ever started a company meeting or event by sharing your work story?
Most of us have. If you’re like me, it’s a source of pride – and it should be.
But my story is a little different than most.
Later this year, it will be 20 years since I joined American Family … the first time.
Some of you may not know that early in my career I left American Family for a promotion into a management role with another Midwest insurance company. Unlike American Family, this company was a publicly traded insurance company, with an intense focus on quarterly results and the company’s stock price.
I quickly found this “results-only” environment was not for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have results on my mind. We have to be financially strong to deliver on our promises to our customers. I also see American Family strengthening its culture of accountability – important progress as we play to win in our industry.
But, for me – and, I think, many of you – our work has to be about more than just results. To bring my best every day, I need my heart involved as well.
That’s why our brand message resonates so well with me. Our work is about restoring dreams when accidents or catastrophes occur. Our work is about protecting our customers, not stock prices or Wall Street expectations.
But, it’s more than our work.
We also have a tremendous, positive impact on our communities. We see this in big ways, like the American Family Children’s Hospital, which serves families throughout the Midwest and provides groundbreaking pediatric cancer research. And we see it through our work with the United Way, in Dane County where we’re headquartered, and in our regional and branch office communities. Our employees, agents and company support both organizations – with dollars and time.
We also make an impact in less visible, but important ways.
Our agents are the face of our company in their communities, and many of our employees have a strong presence as well. We provide small grants, support agent efforts in their local communities, and now have a matching program in place for agents and employees. I’m grateful our company supports the personal commitments our agents and employees make. We’re putting financial support to aspects that are, in my opinion, connected to the heart.
The purpose of this column, though, is not to promote what our company does. Instead, it’s to highlight that American Family is a place where you can bring your heart, your passions, and your personal commitments. When you care deeply and personally about our purpose and what we accomplish together, that’s when your heart is as fully engaged as your mind. That shows in the work we do. And our customers experience it, too.
Jack Salzwedel, CEO of American Family Insurance, has talked about individual performance in terms of IQ + EQ + AQ. I would suggest AQ (the ability to take action, get movement and momentum, and achieve results) is a function of the heart. It’s passion. It’s drive. It’s perseverance. And passion, drive, and perseverance come naturally when your heart is involved. We recently announced several retirements and promotions – I think these leaders embody the strong combination of heart and mind that built this great company and that we need to keep it that way.
Being a place where you can make a difference on our business results AND bring your heart to work with you … that’s what makes American Family special to me.
– Bill Westrate is Chief Operating Officer for American Family Insurance in Madison, Wis.
So, here’s a question: When faced with failure – like personal or career setbacks – why are some people able to learn from it, while others are not?
Maybe it was disappointment from being passed over for promotion, not winning that award, or missing out on recognition. Why do some people learn from setbacks and actually use them as launching points, while others resort to blaming, or other “political” behavior that is unhealthy, and in some cases, doused in self-pity?
It’s a loaded question, right?
But really, the topic of how we cope when things don’t go our way is a real and important question for us all. It’s something I call self-leadership, or our individual ability to be self-aware, self-manage and self-lead – away from personal and business failures and toward personal and business success.
I’m still a work-in-progress. And working on self-leadership is the key.
My former boss and then-American Family Insurance CEO Dave Anderson caught me in one of these moments. Something hadn’t gone my way. I wasn’t happy about it and felt that a colleague had let me down. Although I didn’t realize it, I was blaming someone else for not getting something done.
Dave’s simple response to me was: “Jack, you’re too good for that. You really are. Own up to this yourself. Deal with it. Move forward.”
Kind of like the time I fibbed to my parents, who caught me red-handed saying something untrue. Or like the time, when my wife was a little girl, someone called her two-faced. She didn’t like that comment, so she decided to change – immediately. We all have the ability to change our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors in an instant.
I didn’t like how lying to my folks felt, so I decided then and there to never do it again. And to my boss … yeah, Dave, you were right. I started thinking less about blaming and more about personal accountability and how I could be an instrument for positive change. I’m far from perfect, but this concept of self-leadership is one I work on daily, at work and at home.
People who are self-aware of their strengths and opportunities to learn and grow understand what I’ve touched on previously – the idea that our personal paths to success are not always linear, but can have sideways detours or downturns. Or what one leadership expert calls “career disruption.”
These aren’t bad things!
Here’s what’s interesting about this concept. Once you’re down this personal path of self-leadership, it’s so easy to identify others who share this belief and are down a similar path. And, in a way, it’s easy to see others who aren’t.
There is often a strange intersection between discouragement, frustration and defeat … and opportunity, accomplishment and success.
The gap between the two – our ability to move from defeat to success – often depends less on our ability to manage and lead others as it does on managing and leading ourselves.
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