4. NFL to Executive: Playing Both Sides of Ball...Fred Wakefield's Playbook for Leadership

What does it take to excel both on the field and in business?

In this episode, I had the incredible pleasure of sitting down with former NFL player turned successful business executive, Fred Wakefield. Fred's journey is truly inspiring—from his humble beginnings in small-town Illinois, to an eight-year professional football career with the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders, and now as a thriving CEO and founding partner of thriveCXO.

Fred is not your typical executive. He's someone who understands adaptability and resilience better than anyone I know. His unique experience of playing both offense and defense in the NFL—something few athletes ever do—became a cornerstone of his business leadership style. Fred shares the highs and lows of his athletic career, the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership approach, and how he translates those lessons into his consulting practice today.

If you've ever wondered how elite athletes transition into successful business leaders, or how to truly leverage your unique strengths and adaptability, this conversation is for you.

Key insights from this episode include:

• How Fred navigated going undrafted in the NFL, overcoming setbacks, and ultimately securing an 8-year professional career.
• His unique experience playing both sides of the ball (offense and defense), and how adaptability became his superpower.
• Essential leadership lessons learned from his NFL coaches, teammates, and the challenging realities of professional sports.
• The crucial role faith and meaningful mentorship played throughout his life, both on and off the field.
• Practical insights into thriving in business and leadership roles after professional sports, including handling setbacks and "failing forward."

Whether you're an athlete, a leader, or someone simply looking for strategies on resilience and effective leadership, Fred's story will motivate you to embrace challenges and continuously grow.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

 

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Intro: Meet Fred Wakefield
• 02:00 - How Fred and I first connected through our mutual passion for Illinois sports
• 06:00 - Fred's upbringing in small-town Illinois and early life challenges
• 10:00 - Navigating recruitment and choosing the University of Illinois
• 14:00 - Fred's NFL draft journey and overcoming disappointment going undrafted
• 19:00 - The intense reality of NFL training camp as a rookie
• 23:00 - How Fred earned his spot on the Cardinals and the power of adaptability
• 28:00 - Unique challenges of transitioning from defense to offense mid-career
• 33:00 - Life after the NFL: Finding a new purpose and transitioning to business
• 37:00 - Fred's journey in entrepreneurship and founding thriveCXO
• 41:00 - The common pitfalls leaders face and how Fred helps them succeed
• 45:00 - Harnessing strengths, personality assessments, and the power of self-awarenes
• 47:00 - The integral role of faith throughout Fred's life and career
• 49:00 - Fred shares about his family and personal achievements beyond football
• 52:00 - Closing thoughts: How to connect with Fred and live a purposeful life