Leadership

Feb

2024

Leadership Lessons from the Gridiron Part III

It is Super Bowl Sunday as I write this. This year is a battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Two storied franchises. I was originally going to look at another coach, but instead I read and found some principles that have helped the coaches of these teams get their teams to the Super Bowl.

Trust

While researching I found an article highlighting what Andy Reid did in the beginning of his tenure at Kansas City to turn the team around. He intentionally built trust by creating a leadership committee with the players. Being around sports for many years personally I saw this was an effective tool for building leaders on the team.

This type of “committee” creates an environment to build open communication. When there is open communication with the leader issues can be addressed more quickly. Open communication will increase trust. When a team moves at the speed of trust, they can move much faster.

Culture

One article I read highlighted the culture that the 49ers have explicitly developed. Reid has developed a culture of trust and Shanahan has created core values to guide the team. Values such as mutual respect, competition with collaboration, empowering players, and focusing on fundamentals.

A team that is clear on its values will be able to make decisions more effectively. Take Johnson and Johnson in 1982 for example. When they decided to remove all Tylenol products after they learned people died from it being laced with arsenic, this was guided by their values. Values create the foundation of a team’s culture.

Strategy

Football is a game of strategy, not just during the season, but also in the off-season. Who will they keep? Who will they trade? Who will they draft? All these decisions, informed by a clear picture of the culture they want to create, are strategic.

People have differing opinions on the 49ers leadership, but as one writer reflected back they could see how their off-season personnel strategy has gotten them where they are. Once the season starts each team must trust their coaches, build the culture, and execute a strategy that is often adjusted along the way.

Consistency

Each team has gotten to this level because of consistency. The Chief’s players know what they get with Andy Reid. Some criticize Shanahan’s lack of emotion, but he is consistent. This is not an exciting word, but as leadership expert John Maxwell puts it . . . “Consistency compounds.”

If people feel they are walking on eggshells with you as a leader then you probably are not consistent. When people on the team know they will get a reliable response, whether in good or bad times, this builds trust and confidence and a willingness to take risks that will bring about growth.

As you look at these four areas, which one do you need to develop? Take a minute to reflect on these four areas and pick one to develop over the next week or two. People do not become champions by accident. Consistent cultures that develop trust and have a clear strategy they execute daily will climb the mountain of success. Keep growing and climbing and if I can help you think into your results contact me for a powerful coaching session. Lead Well.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/08/how-kansas-city-chiefs-coach-andy-reid-builds-trust-with-players.html

https://people.com/sports/all-about-andy-reid-kansas-city-chiefs-coach/

https://www.newspressnow.com/sports/chiefs/reids-leadership-paying-dividends-for-veteran-players/article_a8b8983a-c6d3-11ee-86e2-2b139006ce48.html

https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/drawing-leadership-lessons-from-the-49ers-super-bowl-run-b41dc090efdb

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/top-10-moves-49ers-leadership-duo-john-lynch-18387127.php

https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/the-49ers-have-a-leadership-problem

Feb

2024

Leadership Lessons from the Gridiron Part II

In less than seven days many people will be watching the latest battle for the Lombardi Trophy during the Super Bowl. Last week I shared part one of a three-part series on leadership lessons from Super Bowl coaching legends.

Since we are approaching the Super Bowl I thought it would be appropriate to highlight leadership lessons from the one the trophy is named after. . . .Vince Lombardi. Coach Lombardi was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960’s and won five National Championships in seven years including the first two Super Bowls.

In his book Run to Win Donald T. Phillips highlights many leadership lessons from Coach Lombardi’s career, but I will focus on just three in this post.

Teamwork

“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses or the complex problems of modern society.”

Vince Lombardi

Building a team can be a challenging process. As a leader you must take a group of individuals with their own agendas and get them working together toward a common goal. Lombardi loved the idea of getting group of individuals to work together as a unit. What helps us do that?

Put the team in front of our own individual agendas. Human nature causes us to naturally consider our desires before others. As a leader the challenge is to provide a big enough “why” that everyone wants to align their agenda toward the teams. The job of the leader is to create a compelling vision that unifies the team and keeps them unified.

Desire Over Ability

“I’d rather have a player with fifty percent ability and one hundred percent desire, because the guy with one hundred percent desire, you know, is going to play every day, so you can make a system to fit into what he can do.”

Vince Lombardi

People need ability, but the challenge as a leader is to discern where their desire is. Hiring people can be one of the more challenging parts of leading. It may be tempting to hire the talented person even if you don’t know their desire level.

I have worked with individuals who are talented but lazy. Ultimately it ruins the culture and brings others down. On the other hand, an individual who is willing to learn, work, and grow can develop skills, and if they are on board with the vision, will continue to be an extremely valuable team member you will always find a place for. Your job as the leader is to find the best fit with what skills he or she has.

Culture of Discipline

“[Lombardi] established his authority by setting the rules, explaining them clearly, and enforcing them evenhandedly. . . creating a culture of discipline on his team.”

Donald T. Phillips

Culture will eat leadership for lunch. As a leader you mold the culture. Just as a football coach creates the culture on his team, so as a leader you can mold your team’s culture. Phillips gives us three keys: set, explain, and enforce the rules.

Within your organization or team are the expectations of how you do things clearly explained? Are they clearly enforced? If not, it may be a sign you need to get clear on what expectations you have for your team. Clearly explaining what you expect and holding people accountable to those expectations will create a culture of discipline and results.

How are you doing in these three areas? Which one do you need to work on in the next week? Need accountability or help thinking into your leadership? Contact me for a no-cost-powerful coaching experience. In the meantime, lead well.

Jan

2024

Leadership Lessons from the Gridiron Part I

Two people run full speed at each other and crash into one another with nothing but some plastic armor to protect them. This is football simplified. Since we are just a couple weeks away from the Super Bowl I thought I’d highlight some legendary football coaches and the leadership lessons we can learn from them.

In this blog I am going to explore lessons from former USC and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Years ago I read his book Win Forever which I will draw on for some of his principles and how we can apply them to our leadership.

Know Your Philosophy

If you are a basketball fan, then you are familiar with legendary basketball coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. This was his philosophy in one diagram. During a period in between coaching jobs, Coach Carroll developed his own pyramid which defined his philosophy of leading and coaching.

Brene Brown in her book Dare to Lead emphasizes that “clear is kind.” When I meet one-on-one with leaders, I find that clarity can be the biggest challenge. If the leader is unclear where they are going, the team will be even less clear. As the leader get as clear as possible on where you are going and what are the key priorities (beyond money) in your organization. This philosophy will be your North Star to keep you pointed in the right direction and a roadmap for decisions along the way.

Use Competition as a Tool

“However successful you may be, there is always some element you can improve upon, some achievement to exceed.”

Pete Carroll

I have had the opportunity to be around successful teams when as a strength and conditioning coach. Becoming successful was a lot easier than staying successful. As Coach Carroll suggests above, there is always room for improvement. Keeping this in mind helps the team stay hungry.

How does competition fit into this? I would suggest the healthiest way to use competition is to get individuals to compete against themselves while working with one another toward a common goal they are attempting to achieve. When a leader uses competition to pit people against one another it creates backbiting and politicking. This will encourage an unhealthy team. Help team members set goals and allow them to see how they rank against one another, but make any reward tie to the team effort which maintains unity of purpose.

Practice

Recently I was preparing for a talk I was going to give to a group of professionals. I don’t enjoy talking to the wall or a camera, but I need to. There is part of me that wants to wing it, but I realized during this time that in my years of playing sports I had no problem preparing and practicing for the game because I knew it was necessary to perform at my best. This is no different with any other skill.

Leaders are busy, but they still need to create time to practice and grow. Maybe as a leader you need to improve your delegation skills, how you lead a meeting, or how you communicate. Take a minute and get feedback from your team on where you need to grow. This will show you where you need to practice. Maybe you need a coach to help you or invest in some sort of training. We all have areas for growth and practice helps us improve.

When you look at these three areas, which do you need to focus on this week? Put time in your calendar today to focus on the area you need to make a priority in order to lead and build a more productive team. Need help thinking into your leadership? Contact me for a no-cost-powerful coaching session. Lead well!

Jan

2024

Thinking – A Leaders Weapon

As leaders, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of work. From meetings and calls to emails and deadlines, the noise and constant activity can be overwhelming at times. But what if I told you that the key to success may lie in the power of silence and thinking time?

At first, the idea of silence and thinking time may seem counterintuitive to the go-getter mentality we’ve been conditioned to embrace. If you are like me, you like to keep going. There is always another goal to accomplish, a task to do, and life to impact. Maybe we can go fast by slowing down. Let’s look at a few benefits of slowing down to think.

Clarity

One of the most important benefits of silence and thinking time is the opportunity for clarity. In the midst of our busy schedules, it’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of day-to-day tasks, losing sight of the bigger picture. Taking time to quiet our minds and reflect allows us to gain a fresh perspective and see our work from a new angle. This helps us make more informed decisions and set strategic goals for the future.

Creativity

Silence and thinking time also give us the space to tap into our creativity. When we’re constantly on the go, it challenges our ability to access our creative potential. By allowing ourselves the time to be alone with our thoughts, we create an environment that is conducive to innovative thinking and problem-solving. Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas or finding solutions to existing challenges, the power of silence can be a game-changer for our businesses.

Well-being

Silence and thinking time are essential for our mental and emotional well-being. The constant noise and busyness of a leader’s life can take a toll on our mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Taking time for silence and reflection allows us to recharge our batteries, reduce stress, and foster a sense of inner peace. This not only benefits us personally but also has a positive impact on our leadership abilities and decision-making.

So, how can we incorporate more silence and thinking time into our daily routine? It’s all about making intentional choices to prioritize these moments. This might involve scheduling regular breaks throughout the day to step away from our work and simply breathe, or setting aside designated periods of time for quiet contemplation.

Ultimately, as leaders, it’s important to recognize that silence and thinking time are not a luxury but a necessity. By embracing these moments of stillness, we can find greater clarity, creativity, and emotional well-being, ultimately leading to more success in our businesses. What will you do in the next week to create space for silence? Need a tool to guide your thinking specifically on your business in these silent moments? Check out https://bit.ly/6WaysLead to get a free e-book on Six Ways to Think Into Your Leadership. Lead well.

Jan

2024

Four Leadership Principles from the Life of MLK

Each year when we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. I like to explore his leadership and share some leadership lessons we can learn. Dr. King was a true visionary and his approach to leadership has left a lasting impact on the world. His passion and vision were two of the most evident leadership qualities, but let’s explore what else we can learn.

Commitment

One of the most notable aspects of his leadership was his unwavering commitment to his cause. He was incredibly passionate about achieving equality and justice for all, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that vision a reality. One example is the fact that he went to jail 29 times. This level of passion and dedication is something that every business leader can aspire to. When you are truly passionate about your business and your goals, it becomes much easier to inspire and motivate your team to achieve greatness.

Communicator

In addition to his commitment, Martin Luther King Jr. was also an incredibly effective communicator. He had a way with words that was both powerful and compelling. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech is a perfect example of this.

In his book Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership Donald Phillips highlights a number of reasons why public speaking is crucial for a leader. A few that I think are critical to our leadership as leaders are:

Building support and enthusiasm
Inspiring people to take action
Keeping the team informed on the leaders actions
Educate, persuade and sell people on new ideas
Clearly identify the values of the organization¹

Composure

Another important aspect of Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership style was his ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity. Although he was thrown in jail 29 times, violently attacked, received threatening phone calls, and even his home was bombed,² he never wavered in his ability to maintain poised. As a business leader, you will face challenges and setbacks. By emulating Martin Luther King Jr.’s ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, you can lead your team through tough times with grace and confidence.

Strategic Planner and Organizer

Dr. King was a master of strategic planning and organizing. He mobilized thousands of people to participate in peaceful protests and marches, all with the goal of effecting change. As a business leader, it’s crucial to be able to plan and organize your team effectively in order to achieve your business objectives. Not only this, but like Dr. King, go with them as you execute the plan.

As you look at these four areas, which one do you need to grow in this week? Take time to think of one action step you can take to lead with greater commitment and composer or improve your communication and planning skills. Need help growing in your leadership? Contact me for a no cost to you coaching session. Lead well.

Phillips, Donald T. Martin Luther King Jr. On Leadership. Warner Books, NY. 1999.
https://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/events/king68/king68.htm#:~:text=King%20faced%20many%20obstacles%20while,and%20he%20was%20even%20stabbed retrieved 1/15/24

Dec

2023

Three Keys to Reducing Hurry

I have to close out the year and finish strong.

I have to attend all the holiday parties I’m invited to.

I have to get all the gifts bought and wrapped.

I have to create my plan and set myself up to start the new year strong.

I have to . . . .

I thought this time of year was supposed to be full of joy, but it seems we all get caught up in “have to” syndrome. Ironically, I just finished reading two books others recommended to me that help us with the hurry of life. Hurrying occurs not just during the holidays but throughout the year.

One book is by a pastor, and the other is by a sports psychologist. One was recommended to me a while ago, and the other is a friend of mine. Both have great insights, but I don’t have time to share them all, so I have put links to the books at the end of this post, but below are a few principles I hope help you to lead yourself well during this holiday season and beyond.

Our Time Creates Us

“…how we spend our time is how we spend our lives. It’s who we become (or don’t become).”

John Mark Comer

As one year ends another begins maybe you create time to reflect on the past year and look at where you spent (or hopefully invested) your time. I have heard there are two places to find out our priorities . . . our bank account and our calendar.

We all have the same amount of time. The question is, are we leading ourselves intentionally or accidentally? Whether you have decades or years of life the way we use our time creates us.

I have a friend who passed away a year ago and in the last months of his life he was living his best life. He poured his time and energy into people. At his funeral, the room was packed, and it was a demonstration of a life lived on purpose, not just chasing the urgent.

Our Time Can Be Directed

“If everything in life is urgent, then fast is the only speed we have toward everything. And urgency toward everything will cause stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed.”

Dr. Rob Bell

Comer discusses disciplines such as silence, solitude, and slowing to help us with the problem of hurry or urgency that Dr. Bell mentions above. Your life is full as a leader, and you have a bent toward action. We can’t stop moving forward, but maybe we need to consider slowing down and creating space to relieve the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

In my book 25 Ways to Lead Better at Work and Home, I suggest nine ways to recharge, such as reading, being in a community that supports you, exercising, and others. This concept of recharging during the holidays can be as simple as a few minutes with your coffee in the morning, thinking and prioritizing your day to direct us out of hurry and into an intentional investment of time.

Patience is Essential

“Success grows in those who know what is important, and act with urgency toward the important. Peace rests with those who are also patient with the results.”

Dr. Rob Bell

A successful leader focuses on his or her priorities and moves with laser focus toward those few priorities. This leader patiently works the plan and knows the results take time.

This is a journey that is difficult for me because I want it done . . . yesterday. I am learning to enjoy the process and continue to consistently take steps toward the goal, knowing the results will come in time. Our job is consistently planting the seeds that will lead to our desired success. This requires persistence and patience.

How are you doing in these three areas? What could you do this holiday season to slow down and enjoy the process? As you look ahead to the new year, maybe you want to focus on your priorities to help you move purposefully and patiently forward with less hurry. Check out Prioritizing for Success to help you get focused as you round out this year and head into the new one. Resist the hurry, choose patience and lead well.

Comer, John Mark. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Bell, Dr. Robb. I Can’t Wait to Be Patient (And The Fastest Way to Get There).

Wheeler, Randy. 25 Ways to Lead Better at Work and Home.