If you are like a lot of people, Sunday you will be watching the Super Bowl. You might be with a group or alone. You might be a true fan of the game (or of the Chiefs, 49ers, or Taylor Swift). Or maybe you are just watching the commercials. Whatever your reasons or watching, the Super Bowl is more than a chance to relax, root, eat, or spend time with friends.
The game is the Super Bowl for leaders too. It offers you a leadership learning opportunity.
It really does.
The players will have a game plan to help them prepare to win and this article is your game plan for gleaning leadership lessons from the game. Unlike the players, however, your game plan is a guaranteed winner. Here is a plan that tells you specifically what to look for that will certainly offer you lessons, ideas and even inspiration for next week at work.
The Power of Persuasion
The Super Bowl is almost as famous for its commercials as it is for the game itself. Companies have hired very smart people and invested large sums of money to persuade you about their products in just a few seconds. Watch individual commercials, and then think about them in total. What lessons do they teach that will help you be more persuasive in your work?
The Importance of Passion and Energy
We expect professional athletes playing in the biggest game of their lives to be excited and have positive energy. In fact, if a team came out with no energy or passion to play, it would be the biggest story of the weekend. Why do we expect passion and enthusiasm from these players, but don’t expect it of ourselves or those around us? Our work is arguably more important and valuable to society than that of these players. What lessons about energy, attitude and enthusiasm can you take from the game?
The Role of Coaching
Cameras will be focused on the coaches often during this game. They can’t get on the field, make a tackle, carry the ball, or make a block. But they will have a huge impact on the outcome of the game. The coaches have different strengths, approaches, and backgrounds – watching them is worthy of reflection. There is truly more than one way to be a successful leader and coach. How is your coaching style helping you and your team succeed?
The Importance of Momentum
I can guarantee you that the announcers will use this word during the game. Why? The changing tide of emotion and energy is real, and when it shifts, it will alter the outcome of the game. Look back on the moments when momentum shifts during the game. There will be lessons for us off the field to help us create this shift on our team. What are you doing to create momentum for you and your team?
The Necessity of Preparation
Winners prepare to win. Both teams will come into the game well-prepared. And without a doubt, that preparation will play a role in the outcome. Most people don’t spend nearly enough time or focus on preparing to succeed. What does your preparation look like? What type of preparation do you expect from your team? What can you learn about high-level preparation from the high-level examples in the game?
The Value of Agility and Flexibility
As world-class athletes, these players are agile and flexible, but that isn’t what I am talking about. Both teams will have a game plan, and both teams will adjust and tweak the plan as the game unfolds. The most adaptable team will likely win. How adaptable, agile, and flexible are you? Are you and your team able to shift focus and approach when the situation presents itself?
Each of these themes will have lessons associated with them. You may see examples worth emulating (or not). You may find a story to illustrate a point in your next presentation. I don’t know what you will find, but hopefully now you know where to look. You are bound to find the leadership lessons in the biggest game of the year just by looking.
Enjoy the event, the game, and the people who watch it with you. And be ready to apply your lessons on Monday.
Kevin, I saw the G E commercial and thought of you…..ideas. let me know your thoughts.
Now that I learn to relate a game (in fact most of the games) to leadership lessons…great post Kevin!
It was great watching the game thinking about this post. The passion for success, even though you are injured you continue to go on. When your behind you continue to push forward with your plan and take opportunities as they come to you. You build on these opportunities; this is what you have been preparing to do.