I believe that the opportunity to serve others is one of God’s greatest gifts to man. I combine the events, breakthroughs, turning points in my personal life and coaching career to generate my style and leadership approach.

I have worked with and trained individuals to lead teams for almost 40 years. I was blessed to play an integral role in transforming the University of Oregon Football Program “of old” to the new and iconic “O” of today. We successfully captured 7 Pac 12 Championships, 2 National Championship Appearances, and along the way I earned ESPN and Sporting News National Recruiter of the year.  

Our team started at the bottom of our conference, yet we worked our way to the top of the collegiate football world. Although we had limited financial resources, we realized that we were rich with great people who understood the concept of “team” and hard work.  When we started this journey, the idea of somehow Oregon Football winning championships was a foreign and fleeting notion. We flipped the table by focusing on and investing in our people. The outside voices screamed “the Ducks cannot win a championship.” However, we believed that we could, our players were willing, and we led the way.   

Along my journey I have trained a host of players who have gone on to play football at the highest level, and some earning Super Bowl Championships. Moreover, I have assisted hundreds of young men in achieving their potential and accomplishing their goals. Today they are great fathers, husbands, businesspeople, and unbelievable men in their communities.  

In 2017, I was motivated to pursue a career in Inspirational Speaking and Business Consulting.  While using the precious knowledge and wisdom I have gleaned from coaching I have assisted   people in developing into the person they desire to be.

“Coming out of high school I was a league MVP and all-state receiver with multiple offers to play at the collegiate level. Though I was committed to Colorado for a short period of time, Don Pellum saw something in me no one else did — the ability to play outside linebacker in a Power 5 conference. 

 During my growing pains transitioning from WR to OLB, Coach Pellum handled my progression with care, but did not shy away from pushing me when needed. His strategic approach to game planning always carried life lessons woven throughout because he knew he was preparing men for the game of life long after our playing days were over. 

 Simply put, no coach has ever gotten more out of me than Don Pellum. With accountability being the centerpiece of his approach, Coach Pellum convinced a decent high school receiver to trust the process and the result has changed my life forever.”

Spencer Paysinger 

Univ. of Oregon ‘10 

Super Bowl XLVI Champion 

Writer/Producer - All American

Pillar I.  Five Phases of Leadership   

1. 1. Leading Self- As individuals move toward a leadership space, a healthy examination of current strengths, weaknesses, and desired persona, including emotional intelligence, must be assessed, and adjusted. 
2. The Transition- We focus on the process, obstacles, and mindset of transitioning the individual into a leadership position:  
3. Approach and Presentation- How does a newly appointed leader walk into the meeting room for the first time? Do they look and present themselves as an important person with something to say? Why should we listen to you?
4. Leadership Skills-Vital area because we can learn a new skillset. We can improve. Today's leaders must be able to reach and move a diversified workforce (team) employing a multitude of skills and techniques. 
5. Leadership Style- Where do you currently land on the spectrum of leadership styles?  Where do you want to land? Are you a servant-leader or a transactional leader? It is crucial to understand the difference when referring to others and understanding when people categorize you. Current research suggests that modern leaders need to possess the ability to use the appropriate leadership style for a particular task. 

“When it comes to achieving your next level of success, you have to know how to lead yourself, how to challenge yourself, but also how to grow into the next version of you and keep winning at the pure focus of your intentions, and there’s no better man than I know of teaching someone how to do this than Don Pellum.”

Speaker, Author, Former NFL, American Ninja Warrior, Identity Shift CEO - Anthony Trucks

Leadership Pillar
Target Audience: 

Sports or Business Leaders.

a. Transitioning leaders in an organization or team who are first time leaders. Whether promoted from inside the team or transferring from outside the organization. 

b. Current sitting leaders who need to reboot and then return to the team with a fresh, focused, and energetic leadership approach. 

Support Material:
Follow up video based on the targets of your customized program.
Post event phone and email support.

Pillar II. The Battlefield of Communication -6 Strategies

1. Message, Intention and Impact - What we believe we are communicating versus our real impact on the listener. It is about impact.
2. Responding to Criticism -One of the toughest interactions to handle is being criticized, even when we know that it is necessary. 
3. Raising Difficult Issues- This is public enemy number one for stifling    communication by creating topics, subjects and people that become off limits. Difficult sensitive issues are killers for teams and individuals. 
4. Power Listening- A great listener can acquire all the information desired. There are skills and techniques which allow you to create a space where the speakers feel compelled to keep sharing. 
5. Infusing Positive Culture/Thanksgiving and Gratitude- There are strategies for fostering a positive workspace, including how to deliver a compliment, and as equally important, how to receive one. They are all foundational drivers in growing a positive and healthy culture.  
6. Renewing The Team Through Collaboration- 

Leadership change occurs in every team or organization, whether from      stagnation, loss of production, or poor leadership. There will be a need to   gather the entire team, hear everyone's voice, tear up the old way, and set a new course to move forward.

“When I stepped back and looked at the rate our business and team were growing, I knew I needed to engage a real expert in team building and communication to come provide some guidance to our team in Phoenix. Coach Pellum leveraged his decades of coaching and building teams at a high level combined with his formal education to develop a highly effective and unique custom communication workshop for our team. Businesses are teams, and all teams are made up by people, Coach Pellum understands the complicated and ever-changing dynamics associated with maintaining high performing teams! I would highly recommend Coach Pellum’s services to anyone trying to maximize their team’s potential.”

Phoenix Brinkmann Constructors - Joe Strobbe, Vice President

Communication Pillar 

Target Audience: 

Any team or organization that desires to thrive and continue to grow will improve their success through improved communication.  

Communication skills should be handed down to the next generation similarly to the way important family possessions are handed down. For example, imagine being in the 8th grade and understanding how to respond to criticism or raise a difficult issue.

Support Material:
Follow up video based on the targets of your customized program.
Post event phone and email support.

Pillar III. Team Building:  6 Points on Building Team Culture

1. Drive Buy-in. Think about working hard to be a part of something special. It is about the team. It must be special, and we must drive this home. 
2. Understand Leadership- Every team member is a leader and is responsible for looking for opportunities to move the team towards the desired goal.  
3. Build the Core- The Core is the glue and a team, and a team built through a strong core can function and be successful despite poor leadership.  Vision, Standards, Accountability, Respect and Trust.  
4.  Anticipate the Turns- If it is Predictable, it is Preventable. The team must protect the organization. For instance, we already know what the results of a competition will be if we train poorly. Defensive drivers are constantly on the lookout for and scanning for potential bad drivers (issues) before they arise. 
5. Resiliently Strain for the Win-It will come down to us outworking and out communicating our opponent. We must outwork, strain, and win in the end.
6. Renewing the Team Through Collaboration- Leadership change will happen within every team or organization, whether from stagnation, loss of production, or poor    leadership. The need will arise to gather the entire team, hear everyone's voice, clean up and tear up the old way, and set a new course to move forward.

Team Building Pillar 

Target audience: 

Sports Teams and Business. 

  This Culture Building Program is excellent for energizing existing teams or organizations and it is vital for programs charting new directions. 

Support Material:
Follow up video based on the targets of your customized program.
Post event phone and email support.

“I’ve had many great teachers and mentors in my life, and I consider Coach Pellum to be one of the best. I was fortunate to have him as a linebacker coach during my time at the University of Oregon. He truly was ahead of his time preaching mindset, belief, passion, enthusiasm, and optimism. He taught me how to be a great player in the game of football and even more importantly, a great person in the game of life. I’ll always remember the quote he showed us by Ralph Waldo Emerson “nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Coach Pellum is that quote personified.”

Kiko Alonso

University of Oregon ‘12

2013 NFL Rookie of The Year

NFL Linebacker ‘13-’20