Leading a team through change demands the same instincts as an NFL quarterback: read the field, set direction, and earn the trust needed to move as one.

On this episode of Electrifying Growth, Chris Sugden talks with Tom Flick, former NFL quarterback and President of Tom Flick Communications. Tom shares how his experience on the field shaped his views on leadership, especially the importance of clarity when people feel uncertain. He explains why resistance to change is emotional, not logical, how urgency is created through shared purpose, and why influence becomes a leader's most reliable tool in complex environments.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why emotional buy-in matters more than logic when leading change
• How trust shapes team behavior in high-pressure environments
• Why influence keeps teams aligned as conditions shift

Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (03:10) From NFL quarterback to leadership advisor (07:59) Talent is not enough, culture wins (09:42) Leadership vs management (14:32) Complacency and the illusion of urgency (20:30) When someone doesn't want to be on the team (25:55) The quarterback job and winning the day (28:06) Three ways to build real urgency (32:03) The leader's voice and why words matter (37:53) Culture means care and safety drives performance (42:48) A simple way to measure safety and run better meetings (46:20) What Tom would tell his younger self