Leadership – When You’re On Top And … When You’re Not

A week ago Sunday, more than a few of us had the opportunity to witness one of the best Super Bowls in recent history between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. (Sidebar – For those who know that I’m a diehard Eagles fan, I’ll get this out of the way now – Yes, it WAS a hold! … but I digress.) This was a game between two well-coached, well-disciplined, well-led teams. The veteran coach against the young upstart, and two of the best quarterbacks the league has seen in quite a while.

What struck me was not the game itself, but what happened AFTER the game. How each side handled the result was a lesson in leadership.

From the Chiefs side, as confetti rained down on the field at the end of the game, the veteran head coach repeatedly praised his offensive coordinator, Eric Bienemy, for coming up with a creative second-half game plan and leading the way to execute it. This head coach, Andy Reid, will most likely be recognized as one of the game’s all-time great coaches, but he chose to shine the spotlight on one of his staff on his team’s biggest day. Leadership lesson: Recognition.

Then there is the on-field leader and game MVP, quarterback Pat Mahomes. This is a guy who has had lots of television exposure over the past few years in his sport (two Super Bowl wins and two league MVP awards) and lots of commercial exposure. He is considered the best at his position, and already one of the best in history. One would have to wonder about what would be in his 27-year-old brain after all of that.

He, too, deflected any accolades to his teammates, choosing to focus on those performances rather than his own. This also included good words for his opposition. Two days later, he was asked what he would like his legacy to be, a definite trick question for the wrong person. In his words, “I want to be remembered for what I did on and OFF the field.” Leadership lesson: Self-awareness.

On the Eagles’ side, this game turned into a big disappointment after a record-breaking season. Led by young, second-year coach Nick Sirianni, the team showed an amazing togetherness that got stronger as the season progressed using his mantra, “We play for each other.”

His post-game interview contained nothing but praise for the opposing coach and team. On top of that, he defended the officials for having the unenviable responsibility of making split-second decisions on the field. No sour grapes. His final words: “We’ll use this as motivation so we can make it a strength.” Good message for his team and a strong leadership moment.

The Eagles’ sensational quarterback, Jalen Hurts, after a record-breaking performance of his own, talked about how he played for “those guys in the locker room” and not for his own performance. Six words from him say it all: “You either win or you learn.” He answered the final press conference question by saying you can use this all as a time to sulk or make it a teachable moment. His final words: “I know what I’ll do.” Leadership lesson: Empathy.

Whether you’re a GM, Market Manager, Regional VP, OM, GSM or PD, whatever leadership position you are in, go back and see how these men reacted in each specific situation – winning or losing. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “How have I handled the big ratings or revenue wins? How have I handled the big ratings or revenue setbacks? How did I handle my staff in each situation? How did my staff see me in each situation?”

You can bet players on each team saw how their leaders reacted in each specific situation. There is a reason these two teams made it to this big game and that the game was so evenly matched. You could feel and hear the trust, the respect and the self-awareness in each of their interviews.

Finally, one of the results of leadership is creating a passion and drive within your staff that always burns inside them. Check out Eagles running back Boston Scott (here) as he remained on the field to take in the Chiefs’ celebration.

Success in any organization starts at the top, but it does not happen without everyone on down. The managers who recognize that every day are the ones who can enjoy the victories while, at the same time, weathering the storms. Enjoy the good times with them and be there to learn with them in the not-so-good times. You are “playing” for each other!

“Taking Your Radio Presence To The Next Level. Be it an artist, radio programmer or on-air talent. Coaching and mentoring down to your foundational level”

Contact me:
John Shomby
Owner/CEO Country’s Radio Coach
jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com
757-323-1460
https://countrysradiocoach.com