Drawing on Brock Purdy’s recent return in the 49ers’ win over the Cardinals, we explore what makes a successful comeback possible and how teams and organizations maintain stability when key leaders are out and reintegrate smoothly when they return. We highlight that great comebacks, both on the field and in organizations, don’t happen by accidents; they are the product of preparation, culture, and strong systems.

A firsthand look at what it means to belong — through the eyes of fans. Drawing on Siqi’s experience sitting front row at the 49ers–Rams game, this episode explores how fan loyalty and shared identity mirror the teamwork and community that define great organizations.

Explore what culture really means in a football organization — how respect, communication, leadership, and shared expectations from top to bottom create consistent success. Then connect that to how organization culture shapes performance, ethics, and motivation for business professionals.

Use the Texans’ game against the 49ers to explore the balance between systems and adaptability. Great teams and professionals rely on structure and preparation — but when adversity hits (injuries, road games, bad breaks, surprises), the ability to stay flexible and make smart adjustments separates the good from the great.

Explore how referees exercise judgment under pressure, interpret complex rules in real time, and draw parallels to auditors and accountants who must make informed, ethical judgments amid ambiguity. Discuss bias, consistency, pressure, and whether technology can (or should) replace human decision-making.

Explore how strong systems — in football, business, and accounting — allow organizations to perform consistently even when key people are out. Use the 49ers’ “next man up” mentality as a metaphor for structured processes, mentorship, and culture in professional development. Building your own system (habits, mentors, learning routines) sets you up for long-term success.

Introduce my guest (Steve) and set the tone for the series. Use his personal journey (a former college football player, a former 49ers practice referee, and now an accounting professor) to connect lessons from football — discipline, teamwork, accountability, leadership, and resilience — to professional growth in accounting and business.