Something Jerry Maguire Taught Me

In the 1996 Cameron Crowe film Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise plays a sports agent who after having an attack of conscience over the way his firm works and manages clients, decides to write a company memo to express the need for more quality and purposeful relationships with the athletes managed. After his memo is released his company fires him (as they don’t share the same sentiments Jerry expresses) later prompting Jerry to build his own sports management company. Along the way one of the employees (who he later falls in love with #spoileralert) from his former firm, joins him on his journey of highs and lows as he manages his one and only client, a football player named Rod Tidwell, and in the process, Jerry begins to learn a lot about life, love, and what it means to establish purposeful relationships in massive ways.

This film is well-known for two lines: You complete me and show me the money! But I gleaned something deeper from the film than those quotes or a romantic-comedy plotline: the relationship between Jerry and his client, Rod. When Jerry is fired, and Rod agrees to keep Jerry as his agent, they both endure a lot of challenges together as they try to renegotiate Rod’s professional football contract and career. Jerry believes in Rod, even during some of their lowest and most discouraging moments. And as the film progresses, the vision Jerry had in mind for establishing quality and purposeful relationships begins to unfold. When I think about work or any career opportunities, my mindset goes far beyond a paycheck or accolades as well. I enjoy doing meaningful work, investing in other people, helping them see their potential, and encouraging them to believe in themselves.

Quality and purposeful relationships should be at the forefront. It’s an incredible investment. If you can establish those things, profit and praise usually follow anyway.

Towards the film’s conclusion, Rod lands a lucrative contract deal and as he thanks his loved ones, he also thanks his agent, Jerry Maguire, who he refers to as his “Ambassador of Quan.” The word quan has a significant meaning throughout the film and if you’ve never seen this movie, I highly recommend watching it. Pay attention to the meaning of quan. Jerry Maguire is a great film to take in with Thanksgiving coming up. Check it out.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

Dear Young Black Professionals

As you embark on your career, I want you to know some things and stay woke about what you’ll be up against. Please understand that no matter what, you have value, and you matter. Always remember that. As progressive as this world and different workplaces may seem, every workplace has a culture. You’ll be in different places where a lot of people who don’t look like you will be in the room. But know that you belong in those rooms too. Spend some time observing and studying those spaces and learn as much as you can. There will be people you work with who will make presumptions about your competence, education, and ability to fulfill your job duties. There will be more who will think less of you because of the color of your skin and try to disqualify you the moment you make an error, mistake, or ask questions about things you may not understand. This will all feel uncomfortable and you may get insecure, feel like you’re all by yourself, and think you don’t belong there, but ride it out...

Making Waves