After Stellar NFL Career, Tom Brady Leaves Behind Leadership Examples And Lessons
Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady officially announced his retirement today.
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady wrote on social media. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”
The Washington Post reported that, “Brady’s official pronouncement came three days after Saturday’s confusion in which his health and wellness company announced that he was done playing, then backtracked. But this time, Brady made the announcement himself.”
“I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions,” Brady wrote. “And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100 [percent] of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”
What worked so well for Brady on the playing field for the past 22 years could serve as an inspiration for company executives on their own “playing fields” in board rooms, corporate and virtual offices and on factory floors.
‘Lessons Beyond Football’
Baruch Labunski, a reputation management expert and founder of Rank Secure, said that Brady’s leadership, attitude and overall career success “carry lessons beyond football. These include that you must work to succeed, be teachable, you can't succeed alone, and give your work more than required. Brady is known for his work ethic and coaches identify him as a ‘very coachable player.’
“Business leaders can model both of those attributes by working longer, smarter, harder but also by allowing others to show them better ways of doing things. Football, as in a company, requires a team.
“Brady learned early on that the game's success depends on how he works with the team. You can't be self-serving in a successful business either. Everyone contributes. Brady would do one more pass if asked. You must be willing to go a little further, give a little more, to find success in any field you choose.’’ Labunski advised.
Success Tied To Hard Work
Ashley W. Folkes is the director of growth strategies at BridgeWorth Wealth Management. “Tom Brady isn't known for being the most gifted athlete in the QB room. However, he is known for being the greatest of all time, and that success is tied to his hard work, dedication, and an overwhelming belief in himself. In addition, he has mentioned several times in his career that he focuses on being a great leader and a great teammate.
“Great leaders lead by example, and when they need to step up and carry a team, they do, as Tom has done over and over his entire career. They have a tremendous drive, dedication, and an overwhelming belief in themselves and their teammates. Leaders never rest on their accomplishments and have the mindset to get up every morning to learn, grow and improve for themselves and their teams,” Folkes said.
A Career Leaders Should Emulate
“As a business strategist and former college athlete, Tom Brady’s illustrious career is one that leaders around the world should emulate,” observed business coach Jenny Melrose. “He led his teams to more than double (10) playoff games than any other quarterback in the NFL because of his consistency on and off the field.
Brady “was underestimated when he came into the league, but he put in the work both mentally and physically that made him the G.O.A.T. Every business owner needs to have the same diligence in setting goals for their teams and carrying out the procedures that need to take place in order to hit those goals,” she said.
‘A Classic Combination’
Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, said that "Tom Brady's unparalleled leadership marries individual excellence with team success—a classic combination that equals greatness.
“The drivers of his success are a combination of God-given talent with a passionate commitment to preparation, both physical and mental, as well as the excellent talent that surrounded him. These qualities would be beneficial to leaders in all industries, and Brady's ability to maximize the potential of any team he is given would be especially valuable to business leaders,” Morial concluded.
‘Contagious Work Ethic’
Cheryl Dixon is a strategic communication consultant and adjunct professor at Columbia University. She pointed out that Brady, “has demonstrated that despite his incredible resume, he believes there is a need…and value in continuing to work hard and prove oneself.
“This work ethic is contagious, sets expectations for others to follow his example and creates trust and credibility. ‘They’re only going to trust you and respect you if they see you do the work first,’ said Brady in a recent Tampa Bay press conference.”
Brady’s Leadership Lessons
Sports figures often provide important lessons for business executives on how to lead—especially in times of crisis.
In 12 Lessons in Business Leadership: Insights From the Championship Career of Tom Brady, the co-authors devoted a chapter to each of the following lessons:
Create a winning playbook
Make time your ally
Lead through each and every moment
Meetings are a championship tool
Empower the team and hold them accountable
Always prepare for crisis
Trust is the twelfth man
Elevate everyone
Talk to people where they are
Executing team success
Attitude is everything
Live the image
In a blog post on Carew International last March, Scott Stiver listed these “leadership lessons we can all take away from Tom Brady”:
#1: Success is earned, not given. Work harder (and smarter) than everyone on your team
“Tom Brady's tireless work ethic is well-documented. He is usually watching film and working out longer (and smarter) than anyone on his team. Brady's former coach Bill Belichick once said, "Nobody works harder than Tom. He's earned everything that he's achieved." So, leaders, let your team see your dedication. Commit to sharpening and perfecting your craft and set the tone of excellence on your team.’
#2: Do not just give feedback; seek feedback
“Tom Brady watches film to break down his throwing mechanics, his footwork, how he read a defense during a crucial moment in a game. Ask yourself, "When is the last time I actively sought candid feedback on my performance from my team?"
#3: Educate yourself
“He educated himself on what it takes to be the best player and the best leader, both on and off the field. Let this be a reminder to continue your own education. Are there industry conferences or webinars you can attend, training programs you can participate in, or certificates you can work to receive?”
Stiver noted that, “Tom Brady is the epitome of an influential, effective leader, and effective leaders get results. Sometimes, though, it's difficult to compare yourself to someone with incomparable success. But the qualities that make Brady so remarkable are human qualities, and we can all strive to be a better leader every day.”