Everyone wants to identify and enlist the next generation of leaders. The enlistment of young leaders helps ensure sustainability for your organization. But when young leaders are on your staff or team, they must be developed. So what does it take for young leaders to become successful and how can we, as seasoned leaders, help them in this area.
Zach Wilson
Quarterback Zach Wilson was selected with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Since that time, Wilson has faced a series of challenges both on and off the field. Now in his second season, many experts have expressed some concern of his ability to lead the Jets into the future.
Greg Cosell
For instance, on the November 3rd edition of The Herd With Colin Cowherd, NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell said the following:
“The film shows he doesn’t see the field with the needed clarity at this point. I think he needs to settle down as a pocket quarterback. A couple of the things stand out on film, he’s too lazy and slow with his drop and set into the pocket. That needs to get quicker. He’s much too reactive to what he perceives as pressure but is not pressure by NFL standards. So he needs to develop a far better sense of pocket-feel and presence. He’s too frenetic, he moves too much. His feet while they’re really light and athletic, need to settle down. So, he has a ways to go in that regard. Now, he shows flashes. We know he’s got a whippy arm. We know he can make throws. We know on occasion that he’ll make a special throw because he’s that kind of talent. But the details of the position really need work and right now he’s a little bit of a chaotic player.”
Cosell has been breaking down film and analyzing players for NFL Films since 1984. For 38 years, Cosell has been one of the most respected evaluators in football. He knows what he is talking about.
7 Things Young Leaders Need To Do To Be Successful
The following 7 things we learn from Cosell’s evaluation of Wilson that young leaders need to do to become successful in their area of discipline. For Wilson, it is quarterbacking a professional football team. For others, it will be something else which is probably a whole lot less high-profile. Regardless of the industry, these skills are vital to achieving their maximum success. First is the lesson followed by Cosell’s quote.
- Young Leaders Need To Develop Clarity About Life And What Is Needed For Success – “he doesn’t see the field with the needed clarity at this point.”
- Young Leaders Need To Be Calm – “I think he needs to settle down as a pocket quarterback.” Cosell later adds, “So he needs to develop a far better sense of pocket-feel and presence. He’s too frenetic, he moves too much. His feet while they’re really light and athletic, need to settle down. So, he has a ways to go in that regard.”
- Young Leaders Need To Develop A Professional Work Ethic – “He’s too lazy:
- Young Leaders Need To Develop A Sense Of Urgency – “(He’s) slow with his drop and set into the pocket. That needs to get quicker.”
- Young Leaders Need To Learn How To Properly Evaluate Pressure And How To Effectively Handle It – “He’s much too reactive to what he perceives as pressure but is not pressure by NFL standards.”
- Young Leaders Should Identify And Then Develop Their Strengths – “Now, he shows flashes. We know he’s got a whippy arm. We know he can make throws. We know on occasion that he’ll make a special throw because he’s that kind of talent.”
- Young Leaders Need To Master The Fundamentals Of Their Profession – “But the details of the position really need work and right now he’s a little bit of a chaotic player.”
Do you have any young leaders in your organization you are developing? If so, which of these areas do they need to work on?
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