🏈 Navigating Non-Linear Paths: Howard Little's NFL Success

🏈 Howard Little, Manager of Brand & Influencer Marketing for the Chicago Bears, is a Chicago native with an extraordinary sports industry journey. His career started as a NCAA Division 1 basketball player at Valparaiso University and then played professional basketball in China. He then spent eight years as a Brand Marketing executive at Nike before joining the NFL. Howard’s commitment to humility, authenticity, and patience has propelled him to the top of the sports industry.

🌟 Key Highlights of Howard Little’s “Big Picture” Approach

• The path has never been direct, find the opportunities along the way.

• Willingness to take risks along the journey to gain exposure and experience.

• Perseverance and positive long-term thinking are essential.

🌟 Gaining Experience through Volunteering:

Howard's journey began at Nike in retail, where he maximized his impact through active networking and seizing volunteering opportunities. Volunteering offers a chance to experience various aspects of an organization that may not be encountered otherwise. According to a report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, candidates with volunteer experience have a 27% better chance of finding employment than non-volunteer counterparts. Furthermore, in a Deloitte survey of human resources executives, 81% felt skilled volunteering should be considered in a hiring decision and 76% felt volunteering made a candidate more desirable. Similarly, the NFL provides numerous internships and diverse roles, presenting exciting opportunities for those willing to explore different paths within the industry. Volunteering can not only reinforce existing skills but also develop new ones, expand leadership capabilities, and provide valuable networking prospects.

🛤️ Embracing Non-Linear Paths:

Success rarely follows a linear trajectory. Howard emphasizes the value of unexpected opportunities that provide valuable experiences aligned with future endeavors. Taking a step back, envisioning ultimate goals, and strategizing the path forward is key. The traditional linear path up the corporate ladder may not always be the most fulfilling or rewarding. Exploring different sectors of the industry, pursuing freelance work, or following passions outside of the main job can lead to greater job satisfaction, purpose, and personal growth. A nonlinear career path allows for standing out in a crowded industry and maintaining a sense of fulfillment.

💡 The Importance of Authenticity:

Authenticity is paramount in any industry, especially within sports. Howard emphasizes the need to align his core values with his work and the companies he works with. Authenticity goes beyond simply being a good person; it encompasses who you really are, your why, and all your unique traits. Additionally, authenticity goes beyond surface-level impressions. It requires self-awareness, embracing strengths, and acknowledging weaknesses. Authenticity attracts customers, fosters genuine connections, and enables a broader perspective on business and life. Authenticity is the quality of being the true you. It’s about being real, being true, standing forth with confidence and conviction, and showing up every day as the person that you truly are.

🗣️ Share your values: Define the values that drive your business and communicate them to your clients and audience. This helps them connect with you and understand what you stand for.

📣 Share your passions: Let your audience in on the things that excite you, whether they are related to your business or personal life. Showing your human side helps people decide if they want to work with you.

❤️ Embrace imperfection: Don't strive for perfection in everything you do. Your audience wants to see the real you, including your mistakes and vulnerabilities. Being relatable makes you more trustworthy and saves you time trying to achieve unrealistic perfection.

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