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Keep your head in the game
By Ron | November 2, 2009
Chaos reigns on the gridiron as football players scramble, the clock ticking. A player picks a piece of turf out of his facemask as he gets up from the pile; one limps back to the huddle and others celebrate the pass completion. Referees are determining where to place the ball while the defensive line tries to intimidate anyone within four feet of them. Everyone seems mindless, moving wherever the pigskin is placed all the while chatter occurring everywhere.
One guy, the quarterback, never loses sight of the sidelines after the play is over. Even if sacked, once the play is over he is preparing for the next play. His reads the signal from the sidelines and then gets the attention of his players, informing them of the next play either in the huddle, by signals, or audible commands. The quarterback must focus the attention of every player, the ones who did their job as well as the ones who did not on the last play.
He must get the team to live in the moment and focus on what could be rather than on what just occurred. The other players sometimes over-celebrate the previous play, causing the team a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, wasting time and worse yet forgetting their current obligations. It is obvious the leader on the field, the quarterback, can high five, chest bump, or swat a guy to let them know they did a great job and then move on to the next play to be executed. Guys dream of being the high dollar quarter back, running back, or receiver who makes those big bucks, but the big bucks come as a result of the big plays becoming routine to the team. No one gets big bucks from one play or one game. Yes, you are right, the World Series or Super Bowl does yield a big bonus and sometimes big bucks in salary, but playing in that game is a result of a repeated positive pattern.
To achieve this level, one must watch the lessons of the quarterback and get his or her head in the game. Enjoy the moments. Celebrate the plays, but focus on the pattern of the play and never forget the strategy of where you are and why you are there. While others may drift, allowing chaos to rule, your levelheaded example will refocus the team.
Topics: Leadership, Randall House Talk | 2 Comments »
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
Ron,
Thanks for the great reminder. However, I do disagree with you on one thing. The picture should not be of Tom Brady, but of Peyton Manning. Go Colts!!! Thank you for all that you do.
Derek
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
Sorry Derek, I am not a big NFL fan. Very much a college football guy. Finding the right pictures can be tough and like Tom or not, he has a command presence on the field. I like Peyton as well!