EP186 - Beyond the Game: Leadership Lessons from the NFL with Ashley Smith

In this episode of The Impact Driven Leader, Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Ashley Smith, Manager of Player Engagement at the NFL, to discuss leadership, personal growth, and athlete development. Ashley shares how working with Pat Summitt shaped her leadership, the challenges athletes face in navigating identity and entitlement, and the role of coaches, parents, and mentors in shaping future champions. She also talks about gender inclusivity in the NFL, building confidence without overcompensation, and the mindset needed to thrive in any environment. Packed with insights on resilience, leadership, and growth, this episode is a must-listen for athletes, leaders, and anyone striving to make an impact. Follow Ashely: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ashley-smith? https://www.instagram.com/iameashleysmith https://x.com/iameashleysmith Impact Driven Leader Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@impactdrivenleader https://www.instagram.com/impactdrivenleader/ Subscribe to the newsletter: https://impactdrivenleader.beehiiv.com/ Tyler is on: https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/ https://www.facebook.com/tyler.dickerhoof.3 https://www.instagram.com/tyler_dickerhoof/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-dickerhoof-1960351b What We Discussed:  00:00 Intro 01:52 Experiences and lessons 04:36 Navigating change in the NFL 06:16 Solving the identity challenge 09:58 Incubator or incinerator? 11:44 Thriving in a work environment  13:40 NFL: Diverse team personalities  18:16 NFL: Personal and professional experience 20:47 Leveraging your experience 23:09 Gender inclusivity 25:05 Understanding your value 27:21 NFL calendar: Busiest time of the year 29:06 Transformative testimonies 30:28 From football to real life 32:21 Lessons Learned  34:40 Leadership, Collaboration & Accountability  36:25 Support & Care 40:44 Impact: Grassroots Development 50:36 Advice For The Dreamers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices