A blocked punt may have taught Polen Capital CEO Stan Moss the most important business lesson of his life. On Alabama’s first punt against Florida in 1990, a defender ran up the middle untouched, blocked Stan’s punt, picked up the ball, and ran it in for a touchdown. Florida went on to win the game, and in the post-game interview, Stan was asked about the costly error.
“I thought about what Coach Gene Stallings said to me after the play,” Stan recalled of that moment 32 years ago. “‘It is the punter’s responsibility to get the ball off–no matter what,’ he’d said. During the post-game interview, I thought about his words and about the offensive lineman I was tempted to blame and chose my reply, “It is always the punter’s responsibility to get the ball off, so it’s on me.”
His stand-up reply engendered the kind of trust between him and his teammates that cannot be manufactured. Trust must come from honest and straightforward ownership of challenging moments. “And looking back all these years later, serving as Polen Capital’s CEO, that lesson that’s benefited me throughout my career,” reflected Stan. “When bad things happen, leaders have to take responsibility. When good things happen, many can take credit for that.”
Turning tough times into opportunities for growth has helped Polen Capital gain recognition by Pensions & Investments as one of the industry’s “Best Places to Work” six years in a row, thanks in large part to its CEO’s reputation for maximizing productivity while prioritizing the well-being of its workers.
Listeners will understand why Polen Capital is no ordinary firm through glimpses into the firm’s innovative and resilient culture, including why Stan thinks storytelling is so critical and how he commissioned a book of deeply personal staff profiles, including his own.
You will learn:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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