EP186 - Beyond the Game: Leadership Lessons from the NFL with Ashley Smith
In this episode of The Impact Driven Leader, Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Ashley Smith, Manager of Player Engagement at the NFL, to discuss leadership, personal growth, and athlete development.
Ashley shares how working with Pat Summitt shaped her leadership, the challenges athletes face in navigating identity and entitlement, and the role of coaches, parents, and mentors in shaping future champions. She also talks about gender inclusivity in the NFL, building confidence without overcompensation, and the mindset needed to thrive in any environment.
Packed with insights on resilience, leadership, and growth, this episode is a must-listen for athletes, leaders, and anyone striving to make an impact.
Meet Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith is a decisive, detail-oriented, and results-focused professional with over 10 years of experience in the sports industry. Currently serving as the Manager of Player Engagement at the National Football League (NFL) in New York City, Ashley excels in developing and executing strategies while cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders. In her role, she supports the Vice President of Player Engagement, liaising with agents, coaches, heads of player engagement, and players on NFL rules and regulations. She has developed mission, vision, and execution strategies for the Personal and Professional Development pillars of Player Engagement and leads the planning and organization of personal and professional development offerings for NFL current players and Legends (former players). Ashley manages new and existing partnerships to enhance the player and Legend experience and leverages these partnerships to execute strategies, provide resources, and manage events for player engagement. She also collaborates with various NFL affinity groups to deliver world-class events and experiences and audits Player Engagement events to identify growth opportunities.
Before her current role, Ashley served as a Norma Hunt Player Personnel Fellow for the Kansas City Chiefs, where she created player evaluations for the General Manager and assisted in the daily operations of the Player Personnel department during training camp. At the University of Tennessee, she was the Assistant Athletics Director for Player Relations & Development, where she developed a holistic development program, positively impacting players and managing partnerships, marketing efforts, and events. As the Director for Student-Athlete Development, she led initiatives for over 500 student-athletes across all sports and developed inaugural development programs and initiatives. In her earlier roles, she managed special events and collaborations as the Director of Football Administration & Special Events for the Tennessee Football Program. During her time at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Ashley served as an Assistant Coordinator where she helped plan and execute 19 national championships across Division I, II, and III sports.
Ashley began her career as a Student Manager for the Lady Volunteers Basketball Program at the University of Tennessee under the legendary Pat Head Summitt while pursuing her degree in marketing. Her senior year, she was promoted and served as the team’s Head Student Manager where she assisted the Director of Basketball Operations with the day-to-day management of the team. She holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a collateral in Entrepreneurship from the University of Tennessee. Her accolades include being selected to serve as the Vice President of Professional Development & Outreach for the University of Florida Gotham Gators Alumni Association, receiving the University of Tennessee Knoxville Alumni 40 Under 40 Award, and completing the University of South Florida Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate. Ashley’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to helping people reach their full potential make her a dynamic leader and a valuable asset to any organization.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
00:00 Intro
01:52 Experiences and lessons
04:36 Navigating change in the NFL
06:16 Solving the identity challenge
09:58 Incubator or incinerator?
11:44 Thriving in a work environment
13:40 NFL: Diverse team personalities
18:16 NFL: Personal and professional experience
20:47 Leveraging your experience
23:09 Gender inclusivity
25:05 Understanding your value
27:21 NFL calendar: Busiest time of the year
29:06 Transformative testimonies
30:28 From football to real life
32:21 Lessons Learned
34:40 Leadership, Collaboration & Accountability
36:25 Support & Care
40:44 Impact: Grassroots Development
50:36 Advice For The Dreamers
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Ashley:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-ashley-smith?
https://www.instagram.com/iameashleysmith
Impact Driven Leader:
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About the Impact Driven Leader Podcast
The Impact Driven Leader Podcast, hosted by Tyler Dickerhoof, is for Xillennial leaders who have felt alone and ill-equipped to lead in today's world. Through inspiring interviews with authors from around the world, Tyler uncovers how unique leadership strengths can empower others to achieve so much more, with real impact.
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