Ron Rivera

Learn the secrets of how to build a resilient, winning culture as well as effective, high-performing teams from one of the NFL’s premier coaches. As the 2013 and 2015 NFL Head Coach of the Year, Ron Rivera knows what it takes to mold and motivate successful teams. His insight can help your organization succeed in the following areas:

• Creating and maintaining a culture of greatness in the midst of challenge and change
• Communicating with leaders, teammates, and stakeholders to build cohesive teams that align with organizational goals
• Mentoring and connecting in meaningful ways
• How to re-build a team affected by scandal or tragedy
• Shutting off the noise and protecting culture
• Establishing a diverse talent pool and why leaders need to be involved in the hiring process
• Building a disciplined, yet aggressive communication plan
• Bridging departments, encouraging teams to rally around an organization’s vision, and making a significant impact on the bottom line

Through inspiring stories of personal struggles, experiences as a head coach, and his faith, Rivera identifies the core values every leader must display to manage and motivate themselves and others. His insights include:

• How to become the type of leader others follow, even through adversity
• How to hold people (and yourself) accountable
• How to bridge the gap with difficult personalities
• Provide an honest assessment of what people need to hear (and not just what they want to hear)
• Leaders must set the standard and live by their core values before expecting others to do the same
• The difference between dreams and visions and participation and competition
• How to perform at your best
• The discipline it takes to innovate, lead, and take decisive action
• Stories of how his time as a player and coach has shaped his management philosophy
• How the lessons he’s learned can help make you a better leader and coach for your team

Ron Rivera, Head Coach of the Washington Commanders, shares the lessons he’s learned from over 40 years of playing and coaching in the NFL. As Superbowl Champion, winningest coach in Carolina Panthers’ history, and head coach for the Commanders, Rivera knows what it takes to overcome obstacles that stand in the way of success. His insights include experiences of overcoming both personal and professional obstacles:

• Rivera believes the greatest investment you can make is in YOURSELF. He teaches audiences to invest in the things you can control: your attitude, your preparation, and your effort
• As coach of the Carolina Panthers, he took a team that was 2-14 in 2011 and transformed it into an NFL force, including three consecutive NFC South division titles and an appearance in Super Bowl 50
• Soon after being named head coach of the Commanders, Rivera was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma – enduring treatment while continuing to coach, and never missing a game
• Picking up the pieces after having a house-fire while going through cancer treatment in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic
• The pain of losing his brother Mickey to pancreatic cancer
• Staying mentally tough and resilient through faith and personal relationships
• As two-time NFL coach of the year, Rivera has a reputation for hard work, a disciplined approach, and relentless preparation