Joe Montana: Jackson Square Ventures Book Club

• The JSV Book Club hosted Bill Walsh's treatise on leadership, The Score Takes Care of Itself.
• Joe Montana gave an insightful discussion on lessons we can all learn from the book.
• Matt Maiocco covered many detailed, fascinating aspects of Joe's career.

I attended a Jackson Square Ventures Book Club event this afternoon. Hosted at their office, this evening's guest was none other than Joe Montana, legendary quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. Matt Maiocco, who has covered the 49ers for 23 seasons, led the discussion and Q&A.

I learned the JSV Book Club motto is "Ancora imparo" (Yet I am still learning). It's a phrase widely attributed to Michelangelo. It was a distinct pleasure to attend the event. Mahalo to Jackson Square Ventures for hosting!

The Score Takes Care of Itself: An Evening with Joe Montana

Here are my takeaways from Joe Montana's discussion on leadership, football, and competition:

• Joe’s older son works for him in the seed fund, Liquid 2 Ventures.
• “The closest thing I’ve seen to game day is cutting horses... It’s like being on the back of Barry Sanders.”
• Bill Walsh was gifted in his ability of organize and manage staff and players to get on the same page. He demanded everyone be on the same page, same team.
• “The worst thing you can do in the locker room is get mad.”
• Bill Walsh demanded perfection, especially from the quarterback.
• “By stepping backwards instead of forward, we actually moved forward.”
• Throw the ball 12 inches in front of the numbers, not six inches behind, not 24 inches in front.
• Bill Wallash did not have time limits on practice.
• Re: comebacks: “As a quarterback, you’re probably the reason you’re behind."
• Re: The Catch: “We really had never thrown the ball to Dwight.” (up until that point)
• Beforehand however, Bill Walsh actually had Joe and Dwight practice that play. It was such an unlikely play, they jokingly thought Bill was going senile.
• Joe got knocked down, didn’t actually see The Catch.
• Equipment coach Chico Norton to Joe after The Catch: “Boy your buddy saved your ass this time.”
• “I always try to be myself, whether we’re winning or losing.”
• Bill Walsh had a great sense of humor.
• Tom Rothmam was like a coach on the field.
• Base plays: The simple plays you learn early in the season. These are the same plays you go back to all the time.
• Joe’s leadership style: Usually first on field and the last off. Preparation was most important thing.
• “With preparation came success.”
• “I think we were a lot more successful when we tried to help each other as opposed to pointing fingers.”
• Ronnie Lott and Joe were the leaders on the team.
• Joe remembers every big game like it was last Sunday.
• “I’m very, very competitive.”
• Joe re: being a 3rd round draft pick: “I was just happy to be in the NFL.”
• Joe grew up Western PA: His grit comes from his grueling athletics experiences in high school.
• Accuracy was very important to Walsh when it came to qualities of a quarterback. Footwork was key to that.
• Ronnie and Joe were the last two players to see Bill Walsh.
• “Hey, you owe me any money?” Bill’s last words/joke to Joe and Ronnie.