10 Practices Of The Greatest Leaders In The World

“There’s no magic.  A lot of times there’s this misconception that people are just given this talent, that they never had to work hard to get where they are…(They must do) that grueling, grinding, not-fun task, and to do it over and over.  That’s what successful people do.” – Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore of the undefeated Boise State Bulldogs will soon become the winningest quarterback in NCAA history. The quote you just read by Moore on repetition and the following are from an October 24th article in Sports Illustrated.  Because of his team’s record, he is arguably the greatest leader in the history of college football.

How did he become such a great leader?  What can all leaders learn from Moore?  The following are additional insights provided by this article that help us answer those questions.

• High Intelligence – The greatest leaders are experts at their craft.  Teammate Kyle Efaw states, “He’s just a normal dude who happens to be a football guru.”
• The Value Of Options – It is not enough to be smart.  Your intelligence must be leveraged to help you deal with and find solutions to difficult circumstances.  Logan Harrell adds, “It’s crazy how smart he is about the game.  It seems like he can get himself out of any situation.”
• Do Not Waste Experience – The greatest leaders understand how to effectively not waste but utilize experience.  Tyler Shoemaker tells us that, “He’s a cerebral guy with an amazing football intellect who’s been doing this forever.  He ran a similar offense for his dad in high school.  So when he got here he had an easy transition.” 
• The Big Picture – It’s just how I’m wired but I have to know that my efforts are making a difference in the larger scheme of things.  Moore says, “My dad (also his high school coach) always wanted to talk about the big picture when he taught players…He didn’t just want to teach you your assignment.  He want to teach you football.” 
• Continual Learner – The greatest leaders value personal growth and are continual learners.  Moore is currently studying for his master’s in kinesiology.  He is also reading Malcolm Gladwell and Geoff Colvin on “what highly successful people do to become highly successful.”
• Compounding – The greatest leaders start early and compound their experience.  Moore has been investing massive amounts of time in football since the 2nd grade since he began studying his dad’s offensive schemes.  He was also a ball boy and began running drills with the team in 6th grade.  He would also always take part in film study as a young boy.
• Opportunity – My pastor Crawford Loritts told me that God can do more in my life and career in a flash than I could personally manufacture in a lifetime.  He’s right.  After years of preparation, Moore, then a high school junior, threw six touchdown passes against nationally ranked Bellevue (Wa.) H.S.   
• Perseverance – The greatest leaders are often initially over-looked.  Oregon State head coach Mike Riley once looked at 10 different quarterbacks over Moore at a summer workout.  One person’s opinion is not the definitive statement of your talent or ability.
• Patience – Moore was redshirted his freshman season in college.  I have noticed the best leaders, the best ideas, and often a person’s best work has been “redshirted”.  Give your leadership and ideas time to mature.  There are some things you as a leader do not need to rush.  Food tastes better coming out of a crockpot than a microwave and so does your leadership.

Repetition, High Intelligence, Options, Experience, The Big Picture, Continual Learning, Starting Early, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Patience.  The greatest leaders in the world practice these ten principles.

If you start practicing them as well, you too may one day be one of the greatest leaders in the world.

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