CHICAGO–Every credit union has heard the words disruption, innovation and digital transformation across all sorts of contexts. But perhaps not in the context of Lamar Jackson, the record-breaking quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
Writing on Inc.com, John Brandon said Jackson personifies those words in the sense of the old saying of “not knowing what something is, but knowing when you see it.”
“Disruption is one of those weird moments. It's like someone walks on stage with a new gizmo and everyone sort of acts perplexed,” wrote Brandon. “The Apple iPhone was like that for me. It was a game-changer in my career because it actually worked. It helped me stay connected and productive. I view Amazon Alexa the same way. It changes your viewpoint.
“With Jackson, this is a major moment in sports history. You can argue that it might be short-lived, that he will "settle down" and start acting like a normal quarterback soon. He is only 22,” continued Brandon. “And yet, I don't think so. This is a radical shift for the NFL, and I would not be surprised if new quarterbacks emerge who are also running backs. (You know, that's how they play the game in college so it is not really much of a stretch.)”
Going Stagnant
Brandon said the challenge is to model Jackson in other contexts.
“Sometimes, in business, we tend to go stagnant. We accept the current customers we have, we choose to maintain the status quo,” Brandon. “I wrote something new like Snapchat emerges and disrupts how we communicate (and by "we" I mean teenagers) but then it gets old. To me, disruption is an overused word because what we really mean is safe innovation.”
Added Brandon:
- Safe progress.
- Safe improvements.
- Safe ideas.
“Jackson is anything but safe,” said Brandon, before asking, “Will you follow his lead?”