A New View of Leadership

In this episode of Rick’s Room, host Rick Grant welcomes returning guest Michael Harris-known both as a business leader and a longtime youth basketball coach-along with his former player and mentee, Connor Gleason.

Connor recently graduated with a degree in finance and is now pursuing his MBA while exploring his passion for film production through his brand, Through It All. The conversation traces the journey from late-night gym sessions to college basketball, and now into storytelling and entrepreneurship.

Mike reflects on what first drew him to mentor Connor: relentless work ethic, humility, and a drive to keep improving. Connor shares how lessons from basketball-discipline, focus, and perseverance-translate directly into creative work and life goals.

Together, they discuss:

How mentorship and persistence shape personal and professional growth
The mindset shift from athlete to creative entrepreneur
Trusting your path and staying grounded in faith when challenges arise
Building a meaningful career by staying aligned with your purpose

Key Takeaway: Hard work, faith, and persistence-on or off the court-create the foundation for long-term success.

Show Highlights:

Rick: Hi, and welcome back to Rick’s Room. This is the show where we try to emulate that feeling at the end of a busy conference-the moment you finally sit down with people you’ve been wanting to talk to all day. That’s the feeling I get every time I talk to Mike Harris. Mike, that’s why I’m always glad to have you back.

Michael: It’s always fun, Rick. I really appreciate it.

Rick: As usual, I have no idea what you’ve brought me today, but I know I’m going to love it.

Michael: I’ve got a little surprise for you. As you know, I’ve coached youth sports for many years, and I’ve invited one of my former players, Connor Gleason, to join us. He’s got a lot going on-just finished his undergraduate degree, is in grad school now, and has big ambitions. Connor, welcome to Rick’s Room.

Connor: Thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here.

Michael: Connor and I worked together for a long time. He went from a hardworking high school player to a starting point guard at a Division II college-no small feat. He’s always been driven, both on and off the court. So, Connor, tell us what’s on your mind now that you’ve wrapped up your basketball career and started your next chapter.

Connor: It’s definitely been a shift. My whole life was basketball, and now I’m trying to take what I learned from the game-discipline, focus, hard work-and apply those lessons to something else I love: film.

I really enjoy telling stories through video. It’s about capturing those same emotions I felt in basketball and putting them into a story that resonates with others.

Rick: That makes sense now! Earlier, Mike sent me a video about a youth basketball camp, and I was blown away by it. I just found out-it was your work.

Connor: Yes! That was a project I directed, filmed, and edited myself. It was about a youth camp that used basketball to teach higher values like teamwork and perseverance. It was a really meaningful experience for me.

Rick: Mike, tell me a bit about your history with Connor.

Michael: I met Connor when he was in high school. He’d be in the gym late at night, just shooting by himself. I told him, “Let me know next time you’re shooting, and I’ll come rebound for you.” From there, we started working together constantly.

He never paid me a dime-he just worked hard. I saw myself in him: that drive, that love for the game. It grew into a friendship. We’d be in the gym on weekends for hours, and every time he’d ask, “What’s next?” Sometimes I’d make up harder drills just because I knew he could handle them.

Connor: Those were some of my favorite moments. You taught me how to push through.

Rick: Connor, you went on to play at Concordia-what was that transition like?

Connor: It was tough. In high school, I was the go-to guy. In college, I started as a walk-on, sitting on the bench. But I knew my dream was still alive.

I kept working, kept believing. By my third year, opportunities opened up-I started the last two years and eventually earned a scholarship. That was the dream Mike and I talked about years before.

Michael: I’ll never forget one Sunday workout when Connor was frustrated. I asked, “Are you playing college basketball?” He said yes. So I said, “Then shut up and get back to work.”

That moment summed it up. So few people get that opportunity, and he earned every bit of it.

Rick: That’s powerful. Now that you’re finishing your MBA, how are you looking at the business world?

Connor: My undergrad was in finance-I wanted to understand how money works. But my real passion is still film and storytelling.

I started a brand called Through It All during college. It began during a difficult time in my life, and it became a message: no matter what you’re facing, you can get through it and come out stronger.

Now I’m combining my business education with that creative passion-making films that inspire and connect with people.

Michael: That’s exactly who you’ve always been, Connor. You’ve had that mindset from day one, and that’s why I know you’ll succeed.

Rick: I agree. Get a good coach, do the work, keep taking your shots, and hold on to your vision.

Connor: Thank you, Rick. I appreciate both of you. This was awesome.

Rick: You’re just at the beginning of your story, Connor, and we’ll be following along. We’ll include links to your Through It All work in the show notes. Come back anytime-the room’s always open.

Connor: I’d love that. Thanks, guys.

Mike and Connor in Rick’s Room