Corporate Competitor Podcast
Johnny Ayers, founder and CEO of Socure—the world’s most valuable identity verification company—learned a critical leadership lesson in the most unexpected place: by bungling a punt in his first college football game.
On that day, Ayers, a standout athlete who played baseball and took on the role of punter at Boston College, faced a high-pressure situation that went disastrously wrong. “I’m looking up at the returner, and the ball gets snapped,” said Ayers. “The moment I look down, the ball hits me square between the letters. It was a perfect snap. I’m in our own end zone. So the ball hits, I go to pick up a fumble and get absolutely demolished at our three-yard line. It was the worst-case scenario.”
Ayers trudged to the sideline, bracing for the wrath of Coach Tom O’Brien—affectionately known as “Coach OB” by his players. But what happened next surprised him. Instead of delivering a harsh critique, Coach OB lightly tapped his whistle against Ayers’ helmet and, with a calm demeanor, said, “Junior, it can’t get any worse than that.”
That simple, supportive response from Coach OB was a game-changer for Ayers. “I took it as, ‘Hey, don’t worry about it. It’s only up from here. Look forward. We’re moving forward.’”
The encouragement from is coach helped Ayers shake off the disappointment and refocus. “I assure you, I did not drop another snap for the remainder of my college career,” he says.
Today, Ayers carries that lesson into his leadership at Socure, a company known for its phenomenal growth and innovative culture. Drawing inspiration from Coach OB’s approach, Ayers fosters an environment where employees are encouraged to learn from their mistakes without being defined by them. This philosophy has earned Socure numerous accolades, including a spot on Inc.‘s Best Places to Work list.
Ayers shared more insights during the podcast, including:
• The importance of adaptability, which he learned from transitioning from a versatile high school player to a specialized role in college.
• How participating in multiple sports at high school and at Boston College helped him develop discipline, focus and superior time management skills.
• The role of competition in pushing team members to excel and achieve collective success.
Recognized as a top entrepreneur, Ayers has led Socure to new heights, partnering with major businesses across the globe. He often reflects on Coach O’Brien’s sage advice after that infamous punt—and he ensures his team knows they have the support to recover from their own mistakes.
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