It isn't easy, but eventually, as Tidwell's performances improve and he becomes a highly prized asset, and then Maguire negotiates a huge 3 year deal for Tidwell which secures his family's future and also the future of Maguire's new business. Maguire persists despite the setbacks, and at times still getting it wrong. But it also opened up a new vista of opportunity. In fact, it led to his downfall at the company he worked.
What are the learnings from Jerry Maguire? The duo then embarks on a journey of growth in order to find the 'Quan' a word which Tidwell uses that for him defines respect, honour and success. The timing and the confluence of their destinies are perfect. It is a meeting of two minds, shared values and ambition. He also has a considerable chip on his shoulder. Tidwell has huge potential and ability, but at 5ft 10 is short for a wide receiver. He only succeeds in retaining one client, an undervalued wide receiver (Rod Tidwell) who wants a lucrative deal to renew his contract with the Arizona Cardinals and see out his career there. But less than a week later he is fired by the very person he had mentored.
Seemingly, his vision has been accepted, embraced even. He walks through the hotel lobby the next morning, to applause from his colleagues. Jerry gets the mission statement printed in the small hours, then he shares a copy with all who attend the sales conference. Or to let it bother us that a hockey player’s son is worried about his dad getting that fifth concussion. We are pushing numbers around, doing our best, but is there any real satisfaction in success without pride? Is there any real satisfaction in a success that exists only when we push the messiness of real human contact from our lives and minds? When we learn not to care enough about the very guy we promised the world to, just to get him to sign. That families are sitting waiting for a call from us, waiting to hear the word on a contract or a General Manager’s thoughts on an upcoming season. Driving home, I think of what was not accomplished, instead of what was accomplished. Every day I can look at a list of phone calls only partially returned. We are losing our battle with all that is personal and real about our business. Here's an excerpt from Jerry's mission statement The Things we Think and Do Not Say: The Future of our Business: Inspired by a new vision, he then writes, throughout the night, a mission statement to share with his colleagues. While away at a company sales conference in Miami Jerry has an epiphany moment. Jerry eventually comes to terms with the fact that the people (and their families) have been ignored, sidelined and forgotten in the mix.
The actual health and well-being of athletes mean very little. The players are merely a commodity to be traded. Money, glamour, success, beautiful wife to be. He seemingly has everything a person can want for. Jerry works as a high performing sports agent in the world of US sport. I think it has a number of applicable learnings within it we can all apply to business and to life. The best art always stands the test of time, despite obvious signs of age (such as early mobile technology) but regardless, it stands up on so many levels. Jerry is played by Tom Cruise and despite the film being over 20 years old, it retains its brilliance.
Rewatching the film recently reminded me that the Cameron Crowe classic also launched both René Zellweger's acting career and bagged Cuba Gooding Jr an Oscar for best-supporting actor way back in 1997.