Leading Is the Same

The University of Michigan men’s football team won the National Championship this season under the direction of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. 

Harbaugh’s core tenants as a leader consist of accountability, hard work, mental toughness, demanding excellence, chasing a standard — not wins — and always putting the team first by creating a sense of belonging for each member of the squad. 

The University of South Carolina woman’s basketball team won the National Championship this season under the direction of head coach Dawn Staley. Staley’s core tenants as a leader consist of accountability, hard work, mental toughness, demanding excellence, chasing a standard — not wins — and always putting the team first by creating a sense of belonging for each member of the squad. 

The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team won the National Championship this season — their second in as many years — under the direction of head coach Danny Hurley. Hurley’s core tenants as a leader consist of accountability, hard work, mental toughness, demanding excellence, chasing a standard — not wins — and always putting the team first by creating a sense of belonging for each member of the squad. 

All three leaders have different backgrounds, different mentors, different styles. All three need their players to want to be coached, even asking the parents or guardians for permission. 

Hurley said, “We spend a lot of time focusing on the parents. Are they going to be fans of their son or parents? Are they going to hold them accountable? Have an expectation that when something goes wrong, that it’s not the coach’s fault. Their son has to work harder, do more, earn his role.”

For Hurley, the role of a parent makes a difference in building a winning, TEAM culture and makes a difference in his ability to lead. 

Examining the qualities of Pat Summit, Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh, Bill Belichick, John Wooden, Sherri Coale, Sir Alex Ferguson, Andy Reid, and even fictional coach Ted Lasso, they all have the same tenants for winning championships. Examine leaders from any generation in any field, and they all share the same common bond of how to win championships. Times changes, issues change, politics change, styles change, fashion and music change BUT how to win will never change. 

During Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency, he was asked about public opinion:  “Here is the thing you must bear in mind,” Roosevelt said, clearly irritated.

“I do not represent public opinion: I represent the public. There is a wide difference between the two, between the real interests of the public, and the public’s opinion of these interests. I must represent not the excited opinion of the West, but the real interests of the whole people.”

As leaders, we made a promise and commitment to help those we lead improve, to reach their maxim level. And as we have learned through the college sports season, all championship teams share a commonality. They might look different, have different styles and taste yet their pathway towards being the best version of themselves comes from a leader who holds everyone accountable, works hard, demands mental toughness, chases excellence, not wins, and always putting the team first by creating a sense of belonging for each member of the squad. 

Great leaders don’t change their core tenants, they don’t react to public opinion, they follow the familiar and well-worn path of chasing greatness. 

Don’t believe us. Just ask Harbaugh, Staley, or Hurley. 

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