I recently took a quick trip to Hawaii with Malcolm Mitchell in my role as his Keynote Producer and Creative Director, where I help shape his brand, storytelling, and on-stage experience.
On the surface, it was a few school events and a corporate keynote. But the conversations we kept coming back to (on stage and off) were all about culture. Specifically, this idea:
What your culture prioritizes is what your teammates will focus on.
And Malcolm’s story makes that lesson impossible to ignore.
Growing up, Malcolm was an incredible athlete. As a wide receiver, he was breaking school records left and right. Athletics were celebrated. Trophies were handed out. He went on to become a standout player for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, where football was clearly the priority and he thrived in that environment.
Academics? Not so much.
Eventually, Malcolm realized that if he wanted a future beyond football, something had to change. That shift became even more clear when he was drafted by the New England Patriots and stepped into the NFL.
To survive (and win) you need both preparation and performance. You have to study relentlessly, understand complex playbooks, and execute under pressure. Culture demands it.
Malcolm was part of the Patriots’ Super Bowl winning team that famously came back from a 28–3 deficit against the Falcons. He was also the only rookie to ever catch a pass from Tom Brady in the Super Bowl — in the same game they completed the comeback and won.
That’s why Malcolm’s message resonates so deeply with students, educators, and corporate teams alike. Leadership isn’t about one big speech or moment.
It’s about the small, daily signals that shape how people think, prepare, and show up.
Culture always wins.
