Currently, the entire football world is watching with great interest the drama and potential trade possibilities involving superstar quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson. Whether you are a football fan or not, the lessons being learned have significant implications for all leaders.
First, a few general statements:
- Much of my thoughts are sourced from The GM Shuffle Podcast with Michael Lombardi and two recent articles from The Athletic – Shattered trust: How Deshaun Watson lost faith in the Houston Texans by Jayson Jenks, Aaron Reiss and Mike Sando and What is driving the rift between Russell Wilson and Seahawks? ‘Power and control’ by The Athletic Staff.
- NFL quarterbacks seem to now be conducting business like their NBA superstar brethren.
- Let’s be honest, the information provided in these articles is one-sided. As Lombardi often points out, the players are negotiating through the media. The team executives have remained professionally silent and I assume prefer to deal directly with the players and their agents. There are always two sides to every story.
- Lombardi has also noted how these players are wanting the culture to run through them rather than through the coaches. Culture is driven by ownership and management through the players, not the other way around.
Now as promised, the following are 5 Leadership Lessons From The Russell Wilson And Deshaun Watson Dramas:
Do Not Leapfrog Top Leaders. Communicate With Them.
As has been often said, one of the greatest demotivaters for leaders is when they find out critical information at the same time as the rank and file. Watson found out his top wide receiver and longtime friend DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals via social media. Mistakes happen so Watson was advised he would be involved by owner Cal McNair in the team’s search for a new head coach and general manager. Unfortunately, these decisions were once again made without Watson’s input. In fact, his choice for a head coach, Kansas City Chiefs assistant Eric Bienemy, was not even interviewed.
When New England Patriots’ longtime executive Nick Caserio was selected as the new general manager, Watson once again found out on social media. He responded by tweeting, “Some things never change …”. Watson was not being treated as the franchise quarterback but rather someone in the rank and file.
Do Not Marginalize Top Leaders. Value Their Opinion.
While Watson was marginalized regarding the head coach and general manager decision, Wilson was having his issues as well.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll believes strongly in his view of how football should be played. Honestly, I am with Pete on this one. While everyone can and should improve, Carroll has won 145 regular season games with a 60% winning percentage. And of course, Coach Carroll won Super Bowl XLVIII. But Russell has strong opinions about how the offense should operate and his role in it.
And to be fair, he has earned the right to be genuinely heard.
Per The Athletic, prior to a Thursday evening game this past year, things came to a head. Throughout the year, Wilson “sought – even pushed – for influence within the organization regarding scheme and personnel.” Wilson went over his suggestions on how to fix an offense not operating at peak efficiency. Wilson’s ideas were “dismissed.”
As would be the case with many high-capacity leaders, Wilson felt deeply disrespected, stormed out of the room, and began re-evaluating his current role and future with the team, along with his legacy in the game.
The Failure To Surround Top Leaders With Top Talent
The trade of Hopkins was a devastating blow to the trust of the Texans’ leadership ability to manage the roster. In addition, to getting little in return, the team then implied in multiple public forums thatHopkins was not a fit to the type of culture they were building. After a series of bad trades and desperately needing help at wide receiver, the team picked Ross Blacklock, a defensive lineman from TCU, while Notre Dame receiver Chase Claypool was still available, as well as defensive rookie of the year candidate Antoine Winfield Jr. Blacklock played just 23 percent of the defense’s snaps.
In regard to Wilson, the poor play of the team’s offensive line has been an issue for years. In nine seasons, Wilson has been sacked 394 times. This annual average of 43.8 is the most of anyone quarterback since the 1970 merger. At this rate, he will be the most sacked quarterback in NFL history in three seasons. Every time he is hit is another brick on the lack of confidence wall the team has built in Wilson’s mind.
Understand What Motivates Top Leaders. Legacy And Success.
Apex leaders care about their legacies, which is closely tied to winning and success.
A couple of weeks after the trade deadline, the Texans scored only seven points and lost to the Cleveland Browns. On the team’s flight home, Watson was forced to watch Hopkins catch a last-second Hail Mary pass from Tyler Murray to defeat the Buffalo Bills. It was the NFL’s Play of the Year. For Watson, who has won state championships in high school and a national championship at Clemson, this was especially painful to watch. He should be the one throwing to Watson if not for that ill-fated trade.
At Super Bowl LV, Russell Wilson watched Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes compete from Commissioner Roger Goodell’s private suite. Those who know Wilson best indicated he was seething throughout the game, sending out angry texts, and wondering what could possibly be if he was in similar situations.
To Lead Great Leaders You Must Be A Great Leader Yourself. Continually Improve.
On a performance scale of 1-to-10, an 8 employee will not work long for a 5 leader. Worse yet, a 5 leader will be eventually be surrounded by 3 and 4-level employees. Watson and Wilson are 8 or 9 employees. Therefore, their leader must be a 10. If not, anger and frustration will be the result. It appears, neither Watson or Wilson view their current leaders as 10s.
Watson’s view of the team as talent evaluators is mentioned above. In addition, a longtime executive of another team said of Texans owner McNair, “You have an owner that is seen as inexperienced, and it’s reinforced by the hiring of (Jack) Easterby and giving him the status that he did. If that had been a 15-year owner, you might say, ‘OK, this guy has made good decisions here and here, so we will give him the benefit of the doubt.’ Cal doesn’t get that.” It certainly appears Watson feels the same way.
The relationship with Coach Carroll and Wilson appears to be fractured at best, and irreparable at worst. There is certainly a philosophical difference. In fairness to Carroll, he has made multiple hard decisions and replaced several members of his coaching staff.
However, it has been heavily implied Wilson feels Carroll lacks accountability and has demonstrated nepotism with his sons.
In Conclusion
There is an overwhelming consensus the culture in Houston is broken. The relationship with Watson needs to be rebuilt immediately. If Watson will give them a chance, this could be possible with the new management team.
Conversely, based upon the information provided, I side with Pete Carroll. He saw value in Wilson and started him as a rookie. Carroll supported Wilson when his more outspoken alpha teammates (notably Richard Sherman) challenged him. And he at least gave him a forum and let Russell cook for much of this last year.
But as mentioned, I am someone only reading one side of the story.
In conclusion, every leader needs to have an open-line of communication with top talent, value their opinion, surround them with more top talent, position them for success, and create a culture of continual improvement. But even then, you sometimes can’t keep everyone happy.
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