Leadership Lessons From Tom Brady: 8 Qualities To Look For In Those Closest To You

The New England Patriots led by head coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady are the odds on favorite to win this year’s Super Bowl.  After the mid-season trade of star WR Randy Moss many, including myself, thought the offense would falter.  However, because of Brady’s leadership and how he utilized his remaining pieces, the Patriots finished as the NFLs’ highest scoring team with 518 points, 77 more than the 2nd place San Diego Chargers.

“We just play to our strengths” says WR Wes Welker.  What are the strengths of Brady’s supporting cast?  In the December 20th edition of The Sporting News, Dennis Dillon gives us a picture into what leaders should look for in those placed around them:

1. Options – Welker, Deion Branch, Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Tate, and Rob Gronkowski are all reliable targets for Brady.  Leaders, does your team provide you flexibility and can multi-task?
2. Production – Each of the five receivers listed makes plays.  Welker – 86 catches.  Branch – 706 yards in 11 games.  Tate – 18.0 yards per catch.  Hernandez – 45 catches, 6 TDs as a rookie.  Gronkowski – 10 TDs as a rookie.  Leaders, does your team produce?
3. Dependability – Leaders, is your team reliable?
4. Intelligence – Leaders, is your team made up of continual learners?  Do they capture concepts easily?  Are they creative?
5. Toughness – Leaders, does your team have the mental stamina to perform during difficult and extended periods of time?  Do they give up?  Do they stick it out when others would quit?
6. Discipline – Leaders, does your team work on the right things at the right time?  Do they know what NOT to do?
7. Skill – Leaders, does your team have high levels of competencies in their area of discipline?
8. Chemistry – Leaders, does your team compliment each other’s skills?

Options, Production, Dependability, Intelligence, Toughness, Discipline, Skill, and Chemistry.  Leaders, for you to achieve optimum performance in 2011, those closest to you must possess these qualities.  What other qualities do you look for when hiring someone to work closely with?

I know one I would add to Dillon’s list – Loyalty.

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