Tom Brady: Man in the Arena (Part 1)

It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. 

Theodore Roosevelt

If high-level individual and team performance interests you, I recommend watching  Man in the Arena on ESPN+.  It’s a masterclass in confidence, mastery, and organizational alignment.  My original plan was to do an article on the totality of the series.  I couldn’t.  There were too many gems. 

Episode 1 gives us a peek behind the curtain on three things: the struggle and strife that accompanies high achievement; the path and mindset of Tom Brady, and the relationship of two elite competitors (Brady and Drew Bledsoe) as they pursue the same job.  

The Struggle and Strife of High-Achievement: 

As fans, we tend to see the jubilation that accompanies winning.  We see the smiles and hugs following the championship; however, we often fail to realize all of the struggle, sadness, and tough times that led to the victory.  In addition, even in the moments of joy there are people who are struggling.  It’s complicated.  

In episode 1, we see Bill Belichick’s brutally difficult decision to stick with Tom Brady after Drew Bledsoe recovers from an injury.  Bledsoe was the franchise quarterback who began the turnaround of the Patriots, even leading them to a superbowl appearance in 1997.  He was talented, tough and respected by his teammates.  He worked his tail off to come back from a major injury. Belichick made the tough call to stick with Brady.  To add to the drama, Brady gets hurt in the AFC championship game with the Patriots losing.  Bledsoe enters the game and leads the comeback win.  Once again, Belichick has to make a decision for the Superbowl: Brady or Bledsoe.  He chose Brady.  

 “As a leader, you have to make the tough decisions.  I have to make the best decision for everyone; the best decision for the team.”  Belichick.  

Almost 20 years later you can still see the hurt in Bledsoe. “I battled through a lot and the other guy was out there.”  The day after the big win he was skiing all alone when he finally broke down and cried..  He did everything right and still didn’t get the opportunity to play.  

The episode reminded me of how hard winning can be.  It’s never as joyous as it appears from afar. 

Mindset and Path of Tom Brady

At this point, it’s hard to argue that Tom Brady isn’t the best QB of all-time.  How does a 6th round draft pick who is limited athletically become  the G.O.A.T?  A few things jumped out to me.  

  1. He has an innocent, almost naive approach.  He always believed he would be a starting QB in the NFL.  He didn’t see the 10-year 100 million contract granted to Bledsoe as being a terminal blow to his dream.  He has a boyish charm. He doesn’t obsess about things others do.  For example, after Bledsoe replaced him in the AFC championship game he said this, “I was happy for Drew, the team…hell, I was happy for me.  We were going to the Superbowl.”  
  2. He worked while he waited.  Bledsoe said this about a young Brady, “He was extremely inquisitive.  Almost annoyingly so.”  When Brady wasn’t playing he was preparing for his moment.  When his number was called he was ready.  “The work I did in 2000, 2001 gave the coaches and my teammates confidence in me.”  
  3. He’s an elite teammate.   Following the AFC championship game, Bledsoe said, “I just remember distinctly that Tommy was one of the guys who was most fired up for me.”  He had a healthy view of competition. “I never looked at it like me vs. Drew. If Coach would have gone with Drew I would have accepted it….but he didn’t.”  
  4. He possesses unshakeable confidence.  How many 2nd year quarterbacks could handle the pressure of having been chosen to start over the undisputed team leader?  Brady could.  After Belichick’s controversial decision to go with Brady, he threw four touchdown passes.  He never blinked.  Brady says, “I always knew if they put me out on the field I’m not coming off.”  So cool, after the superbowl warmups he took a 10-minute nap in the locker room.  Veteran Willie McGinnis said this about Brady, “For a young guy, he just had this confidence.  Quiet confidence.  He was just zoomed in on what he had to do.  You could feel it.”  

The Brady/Bledsoe Relationship:

Oftentimes, the media and others want to make competition seem adversarial.  I have found the best of the best typically see competition as striving together.  I loved hearing the two of them reflect on what it was like.  Brady greatly admired Bledsoe- even looked up to him, “He was physically and mentally tough.  Just a special person and talent.  

I love the vulnerability of Bledsoe during the episode.  It hurt him then, and it hurts him now.  But, he said this, “If Tommy would have been an asshole it would have been hard, but he’s not.”   

Takeaways for You and I: 

I think every leader should watch this series.  There are so many transferable lessons.  First, success and leadership are hard. Decisions are a part of leadership, and with any decision, there’s a good chance someone will be negatively affected. It’s critical to have the awareness of others.  In addition, the leader must give herself grace as well.  

Second, we can learn a lot from Brady.  Of all of his gifts, I believe it’s his likeability that is his super power.  The way he interacts with coaches, teammates, etc. makes others want to play with/for him.  He’s not an asshole.  He’s not only about himself.  He works at a clip which instills confidence and belief in those around him.  What if we became intentional about treating our teammates like Brady?  

Finally, the healthy internal competition between Bledsoe and Brady is packed with lessons.  The way they both handled a difficult situation is admirable.  Years later, teammates still speak fondly of them.  Sure, we can get a short term win by doing things to enhance our position on the team, but it won’t scale in the long run.  

To end, I’d like to share my favorite quote from the episode: “The sustainable part of talent and potential is working hard.  There were always guys with more talent.  I had to make up ground by working hard”- Tom Brady.  

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The First Follower and Phones as Robbers

“We’re told we all need to be leaders.  The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow”- Derek Sivers, Leadership Lessons from a Dancing Guy. 

Below is a three-minute clip that applies to many facets of life. I find it fascinating. 

Here are my big takeaways: 
1. Leadership can be over-glorified.
2. Make things about the movement, not about yourself.  
3. Be public and easy to follow.  
4. The 1st follower is the key: They turn the “lone nut into a leader.”

Quote of the Week

“I find myself worrying most that when we hand our children phones we steal their boredom from them. As a result, we are raising a generation of writers who will never start writing, artists who will never start doodling, chefs who will never make a mess of the kitchen, athletes who will never kick a ball against a wall, musicians who will never pick up their aunt’s guitar and start strumming.”Glennon Doyle, Untamed

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Struggling with Being Content and Lessons on High Performance

I have two things I would like to share.  The first, is a quick read which has impacted me greatly.  The second is a podcast episode which I enjoyed. 

The Businessman and the Fisherman

At times, I feel horribly ungrateful.  In many ways, I’m living a dream.  I hit the lottery: great family, friends, and meaningful work.  On the other hand, I desire more….more money, better relationships, higher status, etc.

Have you ever felt this internal conflict?

I know I’m not alone.  Recently, I found this 1-minute read by Paulo Coelho: The Fisherman and The Businessman. 

After you read this, please reflect upon a few questions:

  1. Are you the businessman or the fisherman? 
  2. What are the positives and negatives for both?
  3. Is there a way to blend the two?

The Coaches Clinic:

We had our first guest, Ohio State Assistant Baseball Coach Matt Angle, on the Coaches Clinic Podcast (Listen Here).  If you haven’t listened yet, the show has a locker room feel (including some adult language).  Coach/Leadership development is something I believe strongly in.  One of the best ways to learn are the informal discussions over dinner or a drink.  That’s what we are attempting to create; good conversations and questions where a nugget or two gets delivered. 

In our conversation, Coach Angle provided great perspective.  Here are four concepts I particularly enjoyed:

Having the courage to compete against the best.  “I was vulnerable enough that I was willing to lose. I’d rather get embarrassed and learn than win on the B Court.” 

Finding a way to add value and having awareness. “In my first collegiate game I had a bunt hit.  I was facing 97mph for the first time- I never seen it before.  I watched the other guys struggling so I decided to do something different.” 

The aura of Derek Jeter: “He was a genuine, good person who cared.  In spring training I got to pinch run and he says, ‘Hi Matt.’  He respected the grind of someone like myself who had to work to get to the Big Leagues.”

The Importance of youth/high school coaches: “Please don’t discredit where you are at.  You are the ones baking the cake…college coaches are just putting the icing on.” 

A Favor:

I hope you find these two resources impactful.  I have an ask for you: Can you send me your best development recommendation….an article, book, podcast, conversation? 

Make it a great week,

Mike

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Consistency: Focus on the Floor not the Ceiling

“I don’t do anything special, I just don’t miss.”- Cory Gregory- Fitness Training Expert on his training “secrets.”

I saw a video of New York Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor, working on his pre-pitch movement.  The clip takes place during batting practice. Every time you hear the crack of the bat, Lindor is landing softly on the balls of his feet.  There is a beautiful rhythm to it.  

I watched in amazement as he worked meticulously on this seemingly mundane detail.  Keep in mind, this took place in September – he’s been playing most every night since February.  “Frankie” is obviously incredibly gifted physically; however, it’s his consistency that makes him elite. 

A friend of mine who’s in professional baseball once told me there is little difference between the skills of a AA baseball player and a big leaguer.  The quickness, arm strength, physicality, are virtually the same. The difference is not in their “ceiling”; instead, the difference is the “floor.”

The ceiling is what one is capable of on a given day or night.  For example, the majority of AA baseball players are capable of having a strong performance in an MLB game.  They could go 4-4 with 2 home runs and make great defensive plays. Or, a pitcher could throw well and hold a team scoreless for a few innings.  Their ceiling is high enough to have a great performance. 

While these players are capable of highs, they are also susceptible to lows.  The highlight reel play on Monday can be replaced with two errors on Tuesday. Lack of consistency in preparation and performance cannot be tolerated at the highest levels.  The largest separator among elite athletes is not the ceiling, it’s the floor.

Most people focus on the ceiling.  In my profession, we watch recruiting videos that showcase an athlete’s potential. Attempting to determine the probability of success from a highlight video is equal to attempting to evaluate someone’s happiness by viewing their Facebook page.  Both showcase the ceiling while hiding the floor. 

Coaches, like me, are missing the boat.  There are a surplus of people who have the ceiling to play competitive collegiate baseball.  The real question is: what is their floor?

What does a high floor look like for a collegiate athlete?  They go to class. They show up everyday with a consistent approach and attitude.  They smile frequently. They are low maintenance. They see challenges as opportunities.  They have an ability to self-reflect and make improvements.  

What does a “high floor” look like in your business?  I’ve seen professionals from many different sectors make the same mistake as coaches – they hire off of potential while failing to consider the candidate’s floor.   

The next time you are at a professional game watch the defense as a pitch is delivered.  You will see all the players make some kind of prep movement in anticipation of a ball being hit to them.  Every player, 120-150 pitches a night for 162 games a year will be prepared to have a ball hit to them. On a given night they may get ten chances or none; it doesn’t matter, they will be ready.  They will have adversity in their personal life; it doesn’t matter, they will be ready. They may make errors and face hostile crowds; it doesn’t matter, they will be ready.

Have you been guilty of overvaluing potential?  It’s not uncommon to get swept away with talent.  We can find a competitive advantage by looking at things differently than others.  While many of our competitors focus on the ceiling, we can choose to value the floor.

Talent is important but consistency and maturity win.

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How Mike Tomlin Uses Language to Deliver Results

Shared Purpose———-Values———-Leadership———-Communication———-Results

Most teams or organizations gather around a shared purpose.  In sports, it’s often to win a championship.  High-level groups do the necessary work to identify their values and use those values, as a guide in the pursuit of the shared purpose.  Within the organization are leaders who are the gate keepers of the culture.  Their ability to communicate is critical in delivering results. 

Today, I wanted to dive further into communication; particularly language. Ideas that reside in our heads are useless if we can’t move people toward action. 

The inspiration comes from NFL Films, “Tomlinism’s”, about Pittsburgh Steeler head coach, Mike Tomlin.  Tomlin is a master wordsmith.  He uses phrases which paint vivid pictures.  Instead of typical coaching clichés, he calls upon metaphors which are memorable. 

Common Coaching PhraseMike Tomlin Phrase
There are two guys competing for one job.Two dogs one bone.
Stay focused.Don’t blink. Cut your eyelids off.
Whoever goes in has a job to do and they must do it well.The standard is the standard.
It’s a fine line between winning and losing.It’s a fine line between drinking wine and squashing grapes.
The focus is on us not our opponents.We are playing nameless, gray faces.

Final Thought:

As a leader, communication is critical in moving people toward a shared purpose.  The language we use can be a key resource in bringing the organizational vision to life.  A clear vision leads to extraordinary results.

Can you be more intentional with your language?  Is there an opportunity to create better mental images?  Could better communication deliver higher results? 

We can all learn from Coach Tomlin. “I’m just trying to use words that vividly capture the imaginations of our guys, so they can somehow make it come alive inside the stadium.”

Make your words come alive this week.

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What Makes Elite, Elite?

A friend and thinking partner recently posed a fun question: What makes elite, elite? 

This question can take you in many different directions.  Before you read any further, please take a few minutes and consider how you would answer.

Welcome back.  To no one’s surprise, I started this exercise considering high performers in sports and business.  In addition, the other lens I explored was thinking about serial winning organizations. 

After reflecting on this question for a week and having a conversation with my friend, here’s where I landed. 

  1. Genetic or Environmental Advantage:  I believe it’s important to acknowledge that the best of the best usually have a great starting point.  For an easy example, the average height of an NBA basketball player in 2021 was 6’6 and some change.  The odds are stacked against the person who aspires to play in the NBA who’s under 6-foot.  The same holds true with those who are elite in medicine or business.  My hypothesis is they have a higher capacity to learn and retain than the average person.  Environmental advantages usually take some unpacking to understand.  A lot of great coaches grew up with parents who’ve coached.  Discussions about leading and x’s and o’s were a part of their daily lives.  It’s a built-in advantage. 
  2. Obsessed with Improvement: Once you are in certain spaces, it’s amazing how many people have these genetic or environmental gifts.  What I’ve observed from the best of the best is they have an insatiable desire to improve. For those rare people, taking an off-day is hard.  There’s a paranoia that others are getting better while they are not.  Even if they aren’t concerned with the competition, the thought of not discovering their absolute best scares them.  This obsession allows them to sacrifice and suffer more than the person who is merely good. 
  3. Able to Spot Future Trends: The elite of the elite use their gifts and obsession to be able to see into the future.  They have a clear vision of where the sport or industry is heading.  The rest are forced to play catch-up. They try to keep up with industry trends.  The best, however, are a few steps ahead. 
  4. High-Level Communicators: When I think of high level communicators I think of someone who is living in complete alignment.  Their written-words, body language, orator style, and behaviors all line up. This type of alignment attracts other high-performers to join them on the mission. The elite of the elite know they cannot do it on their own.  Their ability to communicate inspires others to join their team. 

Action Step:

I have two requests this week.  First, my thoughts on this topic are far from a finished product.  I need your help.  Please take a moment this week and let me know what you think makes elite, elite.  Send me an email and we can find a time to chop it up.  I’ve found wrestling with a fun topic helps to put language around things many people just assume they know. 

Second, throw humility out the window for a moment.  I’d love to hear an area in which you are elite.  If that’s too hard, using the framework I laid out, can you identify an area where you could become elite?  Do you have a genetic or environmental gift?  What’s an area you are obsessed with? Are you able to spot future trends?  Have your communication skills inspired others to join the mission? 

I’d love to learn more about you.    

Mike

P.S.  My great friend Joe Ferraro’s on-line course is now available.  The feedback has been amazing.  The Damn Good Questions course is for anyone looking to tap into their full potential.  By learning how to ask better questions, you will improve the quality of your conversations and deepen your professional and personal relationships.  The questions we ask are our most efficient and valuable tools to helps us tap into the creativity and curiosity of the world around us.  If you want to enrich your relationships and improve your work, there is no more efficient way than asking better questions.  Joe’s course has resonated with podcast hosts, hiring teams, and interview candidates.  I think you will enjoy!

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Why I Disagree with Lombardi Time:

Lombardi time: If you don’t show up 15 minutes early to a meeting, practice or appointment you are considered late. 

Coaches and leaders love Lombardi time.  Personally, I’m not a fan. 

Time is the most valuable asset humans possess.  We can make more money. We can’t make more time.  Forcing someone to be early for a meeting is robbing them of life’s most precious resource. 

I also believe arriving early is rude.  If someone invites us to their house at 1:00 and we arrive at 12:45 we are stealing their time.  They may be doing other tasks and getting ready when we barge in. 

In our program, we like our student-athletes to be prepared to engage at the start time of the meeting.  A few minutes prior the men move in with a purpose.  We don’t need them sitting and waiting for 15 minutes.  In addition, I typically need those last few minutes to prepare. 

An extra 15 minutes waiting adds up over the years.  It is selfish to have someone wait on us. 

On the other hand…..never be the person who arrives late carrying a fresh coffee! 

What are your thoughts on Lombardi time?

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Is Having a Goal Enough? Three Questions to Consider

On October 29, 2007 I wrote: “I am going to be the head coach of a Division I national championship team by the time I am 43 years old.”

I will turn 43 in September.  Mississippi State celebrated the D1 title on Thursday night….this goal is not going to happen.

I began journaling and goal setting in my twenties.  My compass was Brian Tracy’s, The Ultimate Goals Program- How to Get Everything You Want.  Tracy provided several steps to goal setting including: writing them down, visualizing the goal, and setting deadlines. I was convinced I could accomplish anything. 

The Common Answers

As a coach, you are constantly trying to uncover what motivates the athletes.  The common answer for most athletes revolve around playing time (“I want to start”) or accolades (“I want to be an All-American”). 

For most young coaches, the common goal is similar to mine from 2007.  In business, it’s to climb the ladder and be CEO.  As an entrepreneur, it’s to be an influencer and make lots of money. 

Nearly everyone mentions similar goals.  So, why do some people achieve the goal and others fail?  Here are three questions to consider:

  1. Is this what I really want?

The first step is asking, Is this what I REALLY want? Or, am I just seeking external praise and trying to satisfy my ego?

For me, it was all ego driven. I wanted the glamour which accompanies being at the top of your profession.   For most college athletes, they want the headlines from high achievement.  In business, they want to be seen as the boss or most powerful person in the company. 

2. What’s the pathway to reach the goal? 

If we can honestly say, “This is what I want,” it’s time to establish a roadmap for success.  Success leaves clues, the best way is to observe others who have already achieved the goal. This doesn’t mean we have to take the exact path, but using others as examples can be a cheat code.

I didn’t know the process to becoming a D1 national championship coach.  No one in my family coaches, I didn’t play at that level, and I didn’t have a deep relationship with any high performing D1 coaches.

 I was simply wishing. 

This is where a coach or mentor can make an impact. They cannot do the work for you, they can illuminate the path. 

3. What am I willing to sacrifice? 

There would have been tremendous sacrifice to achieve my goal.  I would have to work numerous camps, change jobs frequently, travel heavily, and upskill in multiple areas (and experience some luck along the way……) 

When our players state their goals we ask, how are you going to get there?  The majority of kids struggle to articulate a plan.  We then make suggestions. “You’ll have to go travel and play in a competitive summer league.” “You’ll need to increase your athleticism.” Then we suggest strategies. They are often shocked to hear goal achievement is unlikely without high-level commitment. 

It’s not much different in the business world.  You want to be the boss?  Well, you’ll have to be working while your buddies go to happy hour.  You’ll have to accept roles which are uncomfortable, maybe even be the bearer of bad news.  Visiting family and friends will be difficult due to the demands. 

As a coach, it’s easy to see what kids are willing to do the required work versus those who are just hoping. 

Final Thought:

Coach Lemonis and the Mississippi State Bulldogs ended my chances of accomplishing the goal I wrote down nearly 14 years ago.  In reflection, it’s clear- I didn’t really want to be a D1 national championship coach by age 43. I didn’t work to create a pathway, nor was I willing to sacrifice at the required level. 

The goal is embarrassing and reeks of entitlement. 

Having goals is a great start.  However, in order to accomplish the mission, reflection is required, a vision is critical and sacrifice is necessary. 

Without those things, it’s simply a wish. 

Mike

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Eventually I Will be Fired and I’m O.K. with It
 
I’ve come to grips with the fact that at some point in my professional career I’ll either be fired or forced to resign. It is a freeing feeling to come to this conclusion and accept it.  Please let me explain. In the coaching profession, there are a plethora of reasons to be fired: win/loss record, the behavior of your athletes, player accusations, parent accusations, not recruiting enough, over-recruiting and the list goes on.  At the higher levels ticket sales and other “business decisions” come into the fold. In addition, there are “hot button” topics that can lead to a coach’s termination.A strategy many adopt in order to preserve their livelihood is to avoid taking risks.  I know leaders who have completely changed their approach to not “rock the boat.”  While change and evolving as a leader is admirable, it can be devastating if it leads to a loss of personality in attempt to please everyone. I’ve been guilty of this.    

Another strategy is to avoid confrontation at all cost.  This approach calls for the leader to drop the standards, including not holding people accountable.  Accountability can make people uncomfortable and when people are uncomfortable they can become upset. This can lead to accusations and confrontation.  Unfortunately, many leaders believe it is just easier to “look the other way” than to fight for the standards. 

Have you ever been fired or forced to resign? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt you may be fired?  Here are three things to consider:

1.     You are in good company: The list of elite coaches and leaders who have been let go is impressive: Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Jerry Seinfeld, J.K. Rowling, and Bill Belichick just to name a few.  One of my favorite firings was Walt Disney for “lacking imagination.” Clearly, being let go isn’t a death sentence. You can bounce back.

2.     “Next Play” focus: In sports, you must learn that the previous play or game is in the past.  You can’t do anything about it, the focus must be on the next play. After facing a set-back professionally, the same approach is necessary.  Learning from the past is important; however, staying stuck in the past could lead to terminal issues. It’s time to start thinking, “What’s next?”

3.     Could this be positive?  Change is hard. Most people will not change unless they are forced. The fear of the unknown is debilitating.  Being terminated forces change that otherwise would not occur.  If we put aside our bruised ego, this could be the opportunity that leads us to starting that new business or working for a company we always admired. 

Final Thoughts:

The discussion of being fired comes with a scarlet letter.  I believe many people suffer in silence thinking they are the only ones going through difficult patches. No one is going to post on Facebook, “Met with my boss today. I have this Quarter to improve or I’m done.”  We think we are alone and that just isn’t the case. 

The world needs strong leaders who have standards and values.  If we have the courage to lead issues will develop. I’ve made a choice that I am going to be true to myself as a leader.  That means accusations and confrontation will likely follow. Unfortunately, this may put me and my family in tough situations.  I’ll focus on the next play and respond in a positive manner. I refuse to live in fear and I am not willing to comprise my standards.   
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