Three Questions with... TJ McConnell, Don Yaeger and Rob Bronfeld

Welcome back to Three Questions with... and a new selection as we kickoff 2024. This week's post includes the marketer, the storyteller and the talent. All the sides to create a story...and brand. Enjoy the thoughts and self-reflections from Indiana Pacers TJ McConnell, author Don Yaeger and MikeWorldWide Rob Bronfeld. Note: TJ's passion is special. Knowing your place and optimizing it!

TJ McConnell is a dad and husband first; and a wonderful NBA player for the Indiana Pacers. As Sports Illustrated recently said: possesses the perfect blend?of?competitiveness, optimism, and ability to encourage others to elevate his teammates. What incredible traits!

Mistake: At one point in my life I was very stubborn. In turn I became more self aware and eliminated most of my stubbornness. So I would say I was/am able to change my perspective on life and truly give my energy to what really matters.

Purpose: That’s an easy one, my daily purpose is to live my life for my wife and two sons.

Passion: Personally I’m passionate about spending as much time with my family as I can. I’m also very passionate about Leeds United . work related I’m passionate about being the best backup PG in the NBA and being the best teammate I can be.

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Don Yaeger has authored and co-authored more than 30 books, a podcast host and an in-demand leadership speaker. Did you hear me? 30 BOOKS! After you peek at some of them, feeling confident you will already have them on your bookshelf. Have enjoyed Don’s company for twenty+ years. List here: and of course Deion Sanders recent book here too.

Mistake: Many years ago, a close friend, an industry trendsetter, reached out with an idea that was then at the cutting edge of content delivery: podcasting. He believed I could excel in this emerging space, given my network and relationships. But, to be honest, I laughed it off. The thought of people tuning in to listen to podcasts seemed far-fetched to me. Now that I am three years into my Corporate Competitor Podcast, interviewing Fortune 500 executives who played sports about how the lessons from the field translate to business, I wish I had embraced the emerging trend earlier.

Purpose: My daily purpose is telling stories and helping others tell their story in a way that allows them to connect with their audience (of one or one thousand.) I believe every individual holds a unique and powerful narrative that others can learn from when delivered well.

Passion: My two favorite words are compete and finish. I'm passionate about any opportunity to live out those two words. I became a father late in life, which led me to have even more passion for the daily opportunity to spend time with my wife and two children.

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Rob Bronfeld is a long-time marketing communications specialist. campaigns for Fortune 100 brands.??His experience in?shaping their narratives and propelling brands to new heights of cultural relevance has resulted in various award-winning campaigns…and more importantly, impactful brand experiences.

Mistake: Early on in my career, I stumbled by taking a one-size-fits-all approach to managing my team, overlooking individual expectations and motivations. I learned to pivot my leadership style and started spending more time getting to know each team member—understanding their strengths, goals, and what makes them tick. This enabled me to tailor my management approach, realizing that what motivates one person might not work for another. I also came to appreciate the power of failure. I began embracing setbacks as learning opportunities, letting my team experience failures, and fostering resilience. So, what was once a management misstep has now become a strength as I prioritize personalized leadership, motivation, and the positive lessons that come with overcoming challenges. I also learned that relationships are the key to success. I have been fortunate enough to establish a significant number of relationships in the industry with people I also call personal friends, not just colleagues or business associates. I have learned over time that being a trusted resource and counselor plays a huge role in professional development.

Purpose: Purpose is the North Star that shapes my daily journey, both professionally and personally. It's the understanding of why I do what I do, serving as a constant source of motivation and fulfillment. Purpose isn't just about hitting personal goals; it's about making a positive impact in the universe. Daily, it translates into actions and not hollow speech. When I think about purpose and mentorship, it's not just about helping others grow, although that's a big part of it. It's this cool two-way street of learning and growing together. It's what keeps me on my toes, striving to be better for others. Diversity is another integral part of my purpose, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and the value that comes from diverse perspectives. Giving back is the tangible expression of my purpose, whether it's contributing to my community or fostering a supportive environment professionally.

Passion: Oh, that's a great question! In addition to doing great, meaningful work, what really gets me fired up is seeing people grow. There's something about helping someone reach their potential that's just so fulfilling. Seeing others on my team succeed and then celebrating their achievements is a huge driver for me. And speaking of growth, doing great, meaningful work is at the heart of what I'm passionate about. I love a good challenge, not just for me but for our teams too. It's in those moments of pushing ourselves that we really discover what we're capable of. Many times, in my career, I have said, 'How are we going to do this?' But seeing how our teams have galvanized to achieve success is what always has me coming back for more. Treating people well—it's not negotiable. Whether it's in the office or out there in the world, I believe in kindness and respect. And the thing about always doing the right thing? That's a non-negotiable principle for me. It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but I've found that doing the right thing always wins, both personally and professionally. It's not always the easiest path, but it's the one that feels right in the long run. And, of course, my family—that's everything to me. They're my support system and the reason I keep pushing for success. I tell my kids all the time: you get the results from a task, whether it’s a school project or something else – based on what you put into it. So, I try to practice this with everything I do to constantly serve as a role model for them.

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