Merril Hoge

Being a leader is not easy, building a culture everyone can thrive in can be complicated. So, implementing sound principles and rules are important, but what is critical to leadership is influencing and guiding others. Modeling behaviors is also important. Modeling will be more impactful and powerful than just talking about behaviors Merril learned from two of the greatest leaders in NFL history: Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher Merril played for two of the greatest franchises in NFL history (Steelers & Bears) and watched the ownership team lead those teams. Merril worked under one of the greatest leaders ABC/Espn ever had in George Bodenheimer. Because of these great experiences, Merril has: • Led/coached at every level of football as a Head Coach. • Led many projects at ESPN and for the NFL. • Led and grown successful businesses. Merril knows leadership. Merril knows the good and the bad. All these experiences allow him to help other leaders widen their scope, to grow and build on their skills to make them a better leader. A leader that invests in themselves is more prepared to serve others. Learning how to challenge people, while believing in them will get the most out their team. Leaders that influence and guide people vs dictates to them, will lead companies to success.

Merril played for two of the greatest leaders in NFL history, Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. During 10 of his 21 years at ESPN, he worked with one of the greatest leaders in TV history, George Bodenheimer. He has led as a head coach at every level of football and has built programs for the NFL and ESPN that required leadership, along with owning his own business. The two keys to leadership are personal care and modeling. Being a great leader is about influencing and guiding. A leader must first take care of themselves, which allows them to serve and lead with strength, wisdom, and an open mind. When leaders create a boundary of “Don’t give me excuses, bring me solutions,” this will create a culture of success versus failure. Merril will leave the audience with tools they can apply or build upon to help them grow as leaders.

The message “Find A Way” is about opening people's minds and challenging them to take ownership of their lives. Taking ownership can be hard, but not nearly as hard as spending a lifetime running from it. Once a person takes ownership, that is when things in their life change. People become more productive and successful in their craft, profession, and life when they have peace, joy, and happiness. Every person has the ability to achieve these personal gifts when they learn to control their mind instead of letting their mind control them. Merril will leave them with tools they can use in any way they see fit to achieve this in their lives.

Physical trauma and emotional trauma can have very similar symptoms. Most of our emotional and physical trauma can be repaired by examining our lifestyle and daily routine. Having experienced cardiac arrest, spending days in intensive care, going through severe depression, and starting over at age 30, Merril knows what it takes to repair one's mental and cognitive state and recover from both physical and emotional trauma. The first step starts with the individual. The unfortunate message about mental health often emphasizes doom and gloom, but Merril counters that with practical ways to restore mental health.