Contrary to popular belief, leaders cannot just self-combust great results. They need certain factors around them in order to be successful.
A Losing Record
On Sunday, October 24, 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs were soundly defeated by the Tennessee Titans 27-3. Despite having the game’s best player in quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs had a record of 3-4 at the time. Mahomes was struggling as well as he had thrown five interceptions in the previous three games.
Changes were needed for the Chiefs collectively, and Mahomes specifically, to regain lost momentum.
A Legendary Coach
As reported by Joe Banner and Ben Eisner in this December 12th article on the wonderful website The33rdTeam.com, head coach Andy Reid began making several schematic changes to help his young leader be more successful.
Three changes in particular have implications for all leaders regardless of whatever field they may be in.
Play To Your Strengths
All successful leaders have “go-to’s” when things get tough, things they can count on. Reid’s go-to throughout his career has been the quick passing game. Philadelphia Eagles President Joe Banner said, “When things aren’t going well, Reid falls back on the screen. I’ve seen him do it before. He is running a ridiculous number of screens, including screens to RBs, WRs, TEs.”
Trust Your Most Talented Teammates
To regain lost momentum, leaders must not think they can do it all by themselves. They must take advantage of their most talented teammates. Instead of relying on Mahomes to make big plays down the field, Reid’s play-calling became focused on getting the ball out of his hands quickly and into the hands of the team’s many playmakers.
Remove All Obstacles From Your Most Talented Teammates Being Successful
When you have talented team members, your organization has a responsibility to put them in the best possible position to succeed. This includes removing the obstacles preventing them from operating at peak efficiency. By getting the ball to the playmakers quickly it allowed them to be in space (less defenders) and use their superior athleticism gain yards after the catch.
Conclusion
After making these schematic changes, the Kansas City Chiefs won their next eight consecutive games and are now one game away from their third consecutive Super Bowl!!!
Let’s learn from the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid, and the team’s superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. If your organization is going through a difficult time, play to your strengths, trust your most talented teammates, and remove any obstacles preventing them from being successful.
By doing this, you have a great opportunity to reverse negative momentum.
The Top 75 Leadership Quotes From 2021 Part 2 is my latest ebook. For many entering a post-pandemic environment, leadership looks completely different than the pre-pandemic world. People are more broken now. They are more uncertain. Fear and anxiousness are unwelcome constant companions. Cultures are more unhealthy. Relationships are more dysfunctional. Hope seems to be in short supply. Every day seems to bring a new hacking, natural disaster, or unexpected calamity.
Therefore, the fundamentals of leadership are more important than ever. The quotes in this book deal with the basics of leadership. If you want to be the best leader you can possibly be, click HERE or on the image provided to download this FREE resource. The lessons learned from last year, if applied, will sustain you for years to come.