3 WAYS TO WIN AS A LEADER

3 WAYS TO WIN AS A LEADER

In 2019, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 7–9 and missed the playoffs. In 2020, they went 11–5 and won the Super Bowl.

What changed?

Well, a bunch of variables went into creating this great team. But one of the biggest influences was signing Tom Brady. The quarterback position is unique in football and greatly influences a team.

“Just like the impact a quarterback has on a team, the influence of a leader is immense.”

-Joshua A.E. Melancon

Just like the impact, a quarterback has on a team, the influence of a leaderlea on his team is immense. The QB influences the team—for good or for ill—based on his leadership. Similarly, as a leader, you have a major role in helping your child win. Here are 3 ways leaders influence how their teams win.

1. Your team wins BECAUSE of you.

The great teams win because they have great quarterbacks. From Peyton Manning to Patrick Mahomes, they are engaged in every way possible. They’re at practice before anyone and stay later. They get to know the entire team and encourage those around them. A team often takes on the personality of its quarterback. Great quarterbacks often create great teams.

Like QBs, great leaders help their reps win because they are engaged in every way. Your reps winning because of you looks like this: when my reps ask me to do something, I try my best to say yes. Whether I’ve been traveling over a weekend or exhausted after a long day of work when I walk through the door to my house—it’s not time to say no—it’s time to ask, “How can I help?” Sure, I can always improve in this area, but I walk around knowing the win is connecting with my reps. Imagine looking back years from now at the time invested in your reps and having no regrets.

Do your reps ask you to be a part of the things they’re passionate about?

2. Your team wins WITH you.

You don’t have to be the greatest who ever lived at the QB position to win. But you do have to show up, be present, and be consistent. It’s tough for a team to win at the professional level without a strong quarterback.

As a leader, you may not know what it takes to lead in every situation. But, you’re there. You’re around. You’re consistent. You encourage when encouragement is needed. Be sure you’re modeling the right behaviors for your reps. You may not always have the perfect words to say, but keep showing up. Your reps will win with you if you’re consistent.

Would your reps say you show up for them?

3. Your reps win IN SPITE OF you.

The teams that don’t have that one starting QB are often the teams that win a few games in spite of not having a strong quarterback. In some cases, you can have the guy who checks the boxes of a decent player, speaks well in interviews, and has the physical talent, but his work ethic isn’t there. Or maybe he simply makes too many mistakes, creates too many turnovers, and generally leads badly. He doesn’t model what the best QBs do. He’s not willing to put in the work and be consistent on and off the field. It’s possible to win with that guy, but it’s tough.

Maybe you’ve been the leader whose reps are winning—but it’s in spite of you rather than because of you or with you. Perhaps you’ve made promises but something always gets in the way. Maybe you’ve said hurtful things, been overly negative, emotionally distant, or constantly sarcastic. It’s time to ask forgiveness if you’ve been this leader. I’m here to tell you your reps can still win. But they’ll win in spite of you if you don’t resist the urge to be absent or antagonistic.

Would your reps say you often say one thing but do another?

Sound off: Are your teams winning because of you, with you, or in spite of you?