A few weeks ago I received an unexpected text from Dylan Thompson, a former star Quarterback for the University of South Carolina, who is now a coach with the Washington Commanders. He asked me if I wanted to come speak to the team on Saturday before their playoff game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I almost declined his offer because I wasn’t feeling well but then after thinking about it, I had a vision of what I was supposed to say. When this happens I know I’m supposed to do it, so I said, “Yes and hopefully I’ll feel better by the time I come up there.”
The interesting thing was that I had been watching The Commanders play and became a fan. I never rooted for them before but I loved their new rookie QB Jayden Daniels and their energy as a team. I could tell they had a unique and special culture.
So I made the visit to their facility and experienced their culture first hand. I began my talk with belief.
Belief is an interesting thing. You can’t touch it but you can feel it. You can’t measure it but you know when a person or a team has it. Life, football and adversity will test what you believe. As you rise higher you will face greater tests. New levels brings new devils. Your belief must rise to a greater level.
Brotherhood is a big part of their culture and identity. I heard Dan Quinn, their new head coach, talk about it a lot and so I also wanted to reinforce what makes a brotherhood special and strong. I talked about connection, commitment and the power of a team that believes together and unites and fights together.
Be You was the last thing I spoke about. Having worked with countless teams I knew that teams in big games often looked outside at the crowd, the noise, the media and the expectations and my goal was to get them to focus on the power inside them. Sometimes players will think they have to do more and be more than they are. I told them to just be you. You are powerful. You have everything you need to be great. I closed with the analogy of the carrot, egg and coffee bean to reinforce the fact that we create from the inside out and loving the battle is the best way to perform during the battle.
It was exciting to see The Washington Commanders beat Tampa Bay and also upset the Detroit Lions to make their first NFC championship game since 1991.
Am I the reason for them winning? Of course not!
While I’ve spoken to a lot of teams that have won championships I’ve spoken to many that have lost.
I know it’s never the talk.
It’s always the leadership, culture, mindset, teamwork and the way they execute and play.
It’s the belief and brotherhood. It’s being you and tapping into the power within you.
If you and your team focus on these three areas you will take your team to greater heights.
Jon
Suggested Book Resources:
The Power of Positive Leadership + The Power of a Positive Team
