Action Journal Eric Wood Former UofL and Football Player

Eric Wood is a former NFL player for the Buffalo Bills from 2009-2018. He was a first round draft pick in 2009 and started 120 games for the Bills. Eric was a 3 time captain and was named to the 2015 . He was also the Bills nomination for the Walter Peyton Man of the Year award in 2015 and 2016. Eric suffered a career ending neck injury during the 2017 season and now lives in Louisville with his wife, Leslie, and two kids, Grace and Garrett.

Eric attended the University of Louisville from 2004-2008 and received a degree in political science. He was a two time captain on the football team, 3 time All Big East player, and academic all conference. Eric started 49 consecutive games at center for the Cardinals and won the Orange Bowl in 2006.

Eric started the Eric Wood Foundation in 2014 to support chronically ill children and their families. It has raised a large amount of money and supported countless families in Western New York. It is now called the Eric Wood Fund and will be under Oshei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. The foundation was started in honor of Eric’s younger brother Evan who was born with cerebral palsy and passed when he was 11 years old.

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1 Key Points

Eric’s upbringing helped shape him for the better. He grew up in a loving household with parents who did everything they could to care for his brother who had severe cerebral palsy. Being surrounded by nurses and often cared for by a babysitter gave Eric a unique perspective. Eric’s brother passed away when Eric was only 11, but his brother’s life still has an impact even today. Eric started a foundation in his brother’s honor to help families with sick children.

How has your upbringing affected your life perspective?

Who has helped shape you for the better?

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2 Key Points

Eric lives by this important life principle: a generous person will prosper, but he who oppresses others will be oppressed.

Eric says you can’t control much in life, but you can control how generous you are.

What life principles guide you?

Do you value generosity in leaders?

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3 Key Points

Eric started playing football when he was ten, but it wasn’t always his best sport. He never imagined he would play for the NFL. In high school, most of his fellow football players were offered scholarships early on, but not Eric.

Near the end of the season, Louisville’s football coach came to watch Eric. Realizing this could be his last chance, he told his coach to let him have plenty of playing time so he could show Louisville’s coach what he could do. After the game, Eric was offered a scholarship. Low on options, Eric accepted the offer, even though he had never been to Louisville.

Imagine your colleagues kept getting picked, but never you. Would you give up or keep going?

Have you ever had to wait for a great opportunity to come along?

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4 Key Points

When Eric discovered that he had a chance to play for the NFL, he began making little changes to help him reach this goal. He ate foods with higher nutrition and worked out more. Instead of going home on the weekends, he stayed on campus and worked on his football skills.

All of these small decisions gave him an edge and helped him develop his leadership skills. Others recognized his hard work and wanted to follow him. He became University of Louisville’s football team captain during his last two years there.

Who has inspired you by their hard work?

What small changes can you make that will help you reach your goals?

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5 Key Points

When Eric joined the NFL, he had to amp up his practice time. Training takes its toll; it is a lot of work and stress on your body and mind. Someone advised Eric to give time to things outside of football.

If your job is very consuming, it’s important to have a break and get away from it. Read a book or spend time with friends.

Is your job very consuming?

How can you make sure you are taking a proper break from your work?

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6 Key Points

Eric knew he was perfect for the position of center because he would rather do the prep work and take on the extra responsibility. He says, “When you’re the center, the play starts with you.”

How much of leadership is about prep work?

What do you think Eric means when he says “the play starts with you”?

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7 Key Points

At one point, Eric’s team wasn’t doing well. He was tired of losing, so to boost morale he gave a motivating speech to his teammates, reminding them that they had a lot to play for and it would be the last time they took the field together. They won the game, which set the tone for next year.

One of Eric’s teammates told him how much he appreciated the pep talk. This encouraged Eric’s confidence in his leadership skills. Now, whenever someone gives a good speech, Eric makes sure to give the person a compliment.

Describe a time when you encouraged a colleague:

How often should leaders give compliments to others?

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8 Key Points

Good leaders know how to be demanding without being demeaning, and care but will be firm when the need arises.

Leaders must hold people accountable, though it’s important not to put people in a position that causes them to lose confidence. You want to empower your team.

How do you hold people accountable?

Hardwiring is equally as important as Heartwiring. How can you maintain both in your leadership?

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9 Key Points

Eric has learned that being good in a lot of areas does not always pay off. It’s better to focus on one thing and do it really well. This is true in football and in business. If you spread yourself too thin, you can’t make as much of an impact.

What area do you want to develop in?

Where might you be spreading yourself too thin?

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10 Key Points

Eric gives the following advice to leaders:

• Create winning habits. • Practice gratitude. • Put stuff in your brain that helps you grow, whether it’s books, podcasts, or spending time in meditation. • Be intentional instead of coasting.

Which piece of advice resonates with you most?

Think of ways you can you can be more intentional and list them here:

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11 Podcast Reflection Questions

Review what you learned from Eric Wood and answer these questions.

1. What is your biggest learning from Eric Wood?

2. What is one action you can take to become a better leader based on his wisdom?

3. Complete the action plan on the next page.

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12 Action Plan

What am I going to do? By When?

Date Completed

What am I going to do? By When?

Date Completed

What am I going to do? By When?

Date Completed

How will this action make a positive impact on your leadership? On others?

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