Whether you’re a football fanatic, there for the snacks, or watching for the commercials, the big game will hit TV screens this weekend. While you’re waiting to see who will take home the trophy, see if you can spot these five leadership lessons playing out in real time on the field.
- What happens off the field matters as much as what happens on it.
It’s not impossible to be successful without putting in work beforehand, but often it is much more difficult. As a leader, how you speak to your team to motivate them and prepare them to tackle challenges has a significant impact on their performance. Training for best- and worst-case scenarios pays off.
- Trust the team and players.
You know your team best—no one can see their strengths and how much they’ve grown like you can. Some players may be consistently reliable, and others may rise to the occasion when push comes to shove. When you trust your team, each player is equipped and prepared to make decisions quickly.
- Resiliency as a response to failure.
The ability to bounce back from failure or mistakes is key in football and everyday work environments. No one is perfect, and shortcomings are bound to happen. The important thing is what happens next—taking action to come back better, stronger, and faster. When you’re leading a team through failure and morale is decreasing, you may have to get creative to inspire resilience.
- Perseverance pays off.
It can be disappointing, frustrating, and upsetting if the game isn’t going your way. But the game will go on, no matter what’s on the scoreboard. This is an amazing opportunity for a leader to set the example of making the best of a situation. Persevering through opposition always has the potential to yield the desired outcome, but that’s never a guarantee. Regardless, there are lessons to be learned along the way and opportunities for growth.
- Being proactive and adaptable is a requirement.
There may be times when you can only make one move at a time, but that doesn’t limit your ability to plan ahead and readjust as needed. Leaders must practice a unique scenario of looking forward and proactively planning, while being ready to change those plans at the last minute. Football players don’t know what their opponent is planning, and you won’t know what challenges lie ahead for your team. It’s easier to tackle obstacles when you’re proactive in looking for challenges and ready to adapt.
How have you been inspired by players on the field to lead your team? Let us know in the comments!
