Utah Jazz Speaker, Mark Eaton
My career as a member of the Utah Jazz basketball team is something for which I will be eternally grateful. I played for 12 seasons in that most storied and classy NBA franchise! I credit the Jazz, and the people in it, with helping to mold me into the man and professional I am today. Every time I step on stage for my speaking events I make sure to represent myself well as a Utah Jazz speaker.
Lessons Learned
The two most important lessons I learned during that time were:
- How to be a professional, and
- How to achieve success by working in a team environment.
We were always discussing and practicing these concepts, and when I speak, I relay those valuable lessons learned and more.
Being a Professional
But let’s first talk about how to be a true professional in any field or industry. When I speak about professionalism, I usually talk about my early years in the NBA. During that time, I was heavily influenced by my first head coach, the great Frank Layden. Frank was a hard-working, blue collar, and professional coach. As a result, he made sure his teams and his players acted like professionals both on and off the court.
When I first entered the NBA I thought I had to be perfect all the time. If I messed up on a play or made a mistake, I would get visibly frustrated. But Frank stopped me with some very wise advice:
“Mark, stop getting mad about the mistake you just made. No one cares and it is distracting from your job.”
That was how I learned that being a professional meant moving on from past mistakes.
Another thing I teach is how to work well in a team environment. Since the franchise began back in 1974, teamwork, cooperation, and team success have always been a part of its framework. When I speak, I make sure to emphasize those three points.
Speaking to Your Team
While playing for the Jazz, I learned that executing my role would help our team gain success and prosperity overall. I protected the rim, grabbed the rebound, and threw the outlet pass to the guards who went on to score. That was my role and it’s how I helped my team win. As a Utah Jazz speaker, I talk to corporations and their employees about how they can discover their own roles.
The Next Step
Thank you for considering me as the speaker for your event. I’ll share the inside story on what it takes to win and and help you discover how to turn your people into top performers! To hear more about my experience and how what I learned can help your corporation, call or email:
Call 800–998-7067Email to Book Mark
To check my availability, complete the form to the right. A member of my team will contact you directly.

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