Rick Woodbury shares insights on leadership, trust, and real estate with UVU students during the Reed and Christine Halladay Executive Lecture Series.
Mr. Woodbury opened by speaking candidly about success, noting that to be good, you
must be willing to put in more work than others, while also recognizing the role that
preparation and a bit of luck can play. He shared that balance does not come from
doing less, but from being intentional. One of the most important commitments he made
early in his career was to always be home for dinner with his family. To honor that
promise, he adjusted his routine by waking up earlier, using those quiet hours to
get ahead of his to-do list before the day began.
Mr. Woodbury emphasized that family lies at the core of everything he does; His love for his wife and family shapes not only how he manages his time, but how he leads, builds, and makes decisions. For Mr. Woodbury, professional success is inseparable from both personal integrity and presence at home.
One of the central themes of his lecture was the importance of having a good name. For the Woodbury family, reputation is an obligation built on being smart, tough-minded, hardworking, creative, loyal, honest, fair, transparent, trustworthy, and caring. Trust, as he explained, cannot be manufactured or replaced. As Mr. Woodbury remarked: “You can’t draft around trust.”
Mr. Woodbury cautioned that businesses and properties regress if they are not constantly
being improved. Growth requires ongoing attention and stewardship. He shared insights
from the Woodbury Corporation’s history, including the evolution of University Place
in Orem, as an example of adapting over time while remaining committed to a long-term
vision.
Another point that Mr. Woodbury stressed was the lasting impact of exercising emotional control, emphasizing that managing your temper— especially in difficult moments —pays dividends in relationships over a lifetime. Giving people your best builds respect and credibility, even when it’s challenging.
Turning to real estate, Mr. Woodbury quoted Mark Twain:
“Invest in real estate— they’re not making any more of it.”
He acknowledged that real estate is cyclical and unpredictable, but encouraged students not to be intimidated by risk. Referencing Wayne Gretzky, he reminded them:
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
To illustrate how small margins matter, he shared a baseball analogy: a lifetime .300 hitter makes the Hall of Fame, while a .250 hitter fades into obscurity: the difference being just one extra hit every twenty at-bats. Over time, he said, consistency and courage compound.
Mr. Woodbury concluded by encouraging students to take thoughtful risks, stay optimistic, and remain patient in their pursuits. He then engaged in a meaningful Q&A session with attendees, offering practical advice on real estate, decision-making, and long-term success.
The Woodbury School of Business extends sincere thanks to Rick Woodbury for sharing his time, experience, and wisdom with UVU students. His message reinforced that lasting success is built through hard work, trust, emotional discipline, and a deep commitment to family.
Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL SPRING 2026 HALLADAY LECTURE SERIES SPEAKERS HERE.
Watch Rick Woodbury's full lecture below.
