How Mike Tomlin Is Managing Expectations

One of the main jobs of any leader is to stand in front of those he/she leads and protect them from potential threats.

No one does this better than Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin. 

Tomlin is constantly asked when he is going to officially name Justin Fields his starting quarterback. Fields has been filling in for Russell Wilson since the first practice this summer because of a pulled calf muscle. 

Prior to signing with the Steelers, Fields was viewed as the savior of the Chicago Bears as their former No. 1 pick. The level of expectation for him rose to incredible levels, but his performance never came close to what others thought or predicted.

No one in the Bears’ front office managed these expectations. They allowed the tide to rise even with the team losing games and Fields not playing well. When something positive occurred, the expectation wave came crashing toward Fields, with no one sending him a life preserver. 

Before long, everyone was under water.

That all changed when Fields became a Steeler. Tomlin understands the media’s attraction to him, and he also recognizes the pressure outside forces put on the player. 

When asked this week about naming Fields the full-time starter, Tomlin said:  “I explained to you the variables of the week. It has not changed. He's going to walk in this building with that mindset tomorrow, and so really, there's no need to. Sometimes in this business, man, there's a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made. I've learned to make them when it's appropriate and it's not necessary as we sit here right now, when Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I'll make it and I'll announce it and I'll be really transparent about it, but until then, I don't care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that's unnecessary at this juncture.” 

As a leader, Tomlin is protecting Fields from what would occur if he is named the starter. The media will likely then ask, “Are you going to sign Fields for next season?”  “How much are you going to pay Fields next year?” 

After a loss, the questions may be, “Does this game affect your opinions toward signing Fields?” Then, reporters will go ask Fields the same questions, putting unnecessary pressure on him each week. 

Tomlin stopped all of this with his “no decision.” statement. He stood in front of the player and managed the expectations, thus allowing Fields to focus on the next practice and game. 

The team knows Fields is the starter. They know he has helped them win. But they don’t need him to become anointed. They need him to keep playing his best football without interference from outside forces. 

Tomlin is doing what all great leaders do — they look into their crystal ball and anticipate problems. They don’t take the easy path and give easy answers just to make everyone happy. 

A leader isn’t in charge of happiness. Leaders are in charge of protecting their team members and doing what is best for the group. They follow the Carpenter’s Rule of “always measure twice before cutting.” 

By protecting Fields from unnecessary expectations that doomed him in Chicago, Tomlin is shielding his team, which is why he is one of the game’s best leaders. 

Leaders understand how to manage expectations. And no one does it better than Tomlin. 

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