Antonia Bowring ABstrategies LLC, MBA. Top Ranked Executive Coach, Author and Speaker. Pre-order her book "Coach Yourself" via her website.
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I am not a big football fan. I don’t know much more than hulky guys score touchdowns and field goals and hurt each other. I know it's often snowing during a football game and that Tom Brady has been a quarterback (QB) since I remember knowing football was a sport.
The Quarterback series on Netflix, which follows three quarterbacks during the 2022 football season, offers valuable insights into leadership and effective interpersonal skills. Despite my limited interest in football, I found myself captivated by the series and drew from it numerous lessons about being a good leader and getting along with others, particularly from Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins. I have loved getting an inside peek into their training—mental and physical—and how they show up at “work” and home.
Treating People Well: Respect And Cooperation
Imagine if you were playing a tough game and you were friendly and complimented the other players. That's what Mahomes does. By building camaraderie with defenders through friendly interactions and compliments, he aims to reduce the force of their hits. This approach teaches leaders that treating others with respect positively influences their behavior and cooperation, fostering more collaboration.
Addressing Issues Calmly And Directly
Mahomes showcases emotional control. Once, Mahomes got hit in a not-so-nice way. Instead of getting angry, he took a deep breath and talked to the linebacker calmly, asking him to refrain from such behavior. This teaches us that when something's bothering us, it's good to calm down so that we can address conflict with composure. Being coolheaded helps us solve problems productively and without making things worse.
Always Learning And Growing
Cousins exemplifies the role of a perpetual learner, engaging with the team psychologist, undergoing neurofeedback sessions and consistently reading books to get better at leading. Cousins emphasizes the significance of personal growth. It shows us that even if we're already good at something, there's always room to learn more. Being open to new ideas helps us improve personally and as leaders.
Consistency, Motivation And Handling Frustration
Both Mahomes and Cousins demonstrate that leadership entails consistent motivation and the ability to channel frustration constructively. They harness their disappointments to fuel their performance and inspire teammates to strive for excellence. Importantly, they manage their emotions in public spaces, focusing on building trust and maintaining psychological safety for their team members.
Setting Boundaries And Communicating Priorities
Cousins's commitment to preserving Tuesdays as family days and personal productivity time showcases the value of setting clear boundaries. These boundaries communicate priorities to team management and other players. Leaders learn that defining personal limits contributes to a balanced life and signals what matters most to them.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Quarterback series on Netflix offers a treasure trove of leadership and interpersonal lessons for both leaders and team members. Mahomes and Cousins show us how being friendly, handling problems calmly, always learning, motivating others and setting boundaries can make a big difference. Whether you're a leader or part of a team, there's a lot to learn from these QBs that can be seamlessly applied to the competitive landscape of today's business world.
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