Leadership Learning from the GOATs

Tom Brady is considered the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). No other quarterback has accomplished what he has. The most incredible evidence is his seven Super Bowl wins with two different teams, and a 5-time Super Bowl MVP. 

Brady has acquired a lot of leadership wisdom. In the world of professional sports, success is very clear, obvious and measurable. You either win or you don’t. In the National Football League, winning also involves a cadre of teammates working well together. While the quarterback is pivotal, the entire squad is instrumental as well. The QB can’t do it alone. Leadership from the QB is vital. If the rest of the team isn’t able to rally around him the outcome is going to be disappointing. 

Brady’s reflection on what creates effective leadership is based on such credible real world experience. While the NFL is far removed from the organizations most of us have experienced, the intense focus on achieving success, overcoming adversity and merit based performance provides a superb leadership lab. So what does Brady teach us about effective leadership? The following is a summary outlined in a recent Harvard Business Review:

“A Team Focused Philosophy:

Leadership comes down to two things: Do you care about your teammates and their role on the team? And do you care about winning, which is what you’re ultimately trying to do together? Leadership requires trust, and trust usually comes from deeply caring about one another and the belief that winning is about the team. You must feel passionate about both."

Applying the following Brady guidelines are proven winners in supporting these two cornerstone beliefs: 

  1. Put the team first, always, even when facing personal adversity.

  2. Show appreciation for unsung colleagues. 

  3. Set the standard and create a culture of 100% effort. 

  4. Recognize teammates’ individual psychology and the best ways to motivate them.

  5. Understand and complement the style of the formal leader.

  6. Recognize and counteract the external forces that can cause selfish behavior.

  7. Create opportunities to connect as people outside the office.

  8. Leaders work within a system.

Brady recognizes that influencing and leading about 100 people (the number associated with an NFL team) is less complex than leading in large human systems. Still, much insight is transferable. 

Few of us ever become GOATs. However, we can be great (not perfect) leaders. And Brady understands that it is always about getting better, continuous practice, and excellence over perfection. While you’re at it, your win/loss record will keep you in the winning column more than not. 

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, 

- Lorne 

One Millennial View: The best lesson from Brady may contain a mysterious spin. Many might assume he (and all GOATs) play as long and intensely as they do for primarily selfish reasons (championships, generational wealth, statues, hall of fame, being mentioned in this blog). 

The real take away however, is when you’re as good as Brady, you’re going to win, so that begs the important question - how many other people can you help become winners too? When you are the GOAT, the personal achievements/accolades are guaranteed. That wasn’t the battle. What if his longevity was more about stretching his talents to help ensure 99 others earn the same championship? 

- Garrett


































































































































 

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