The Constant Weight Of Pressure And Havoc
The Athletic’s Seth Emerson’s September 6th article reports that competitors of the two-time national champion Georgia Bulldogs are negatively recruiting against them. In particular, edge rushers are being told not to go there because of the team’s low sack totals. Negative recruiting should come as no surprise but head coach Kirby Smart seems to have had enough.
Recently, Coach Smart had an emphatic response telling reporters, “We usually fix that when we show them how many we have drafted, and it’s silenced. We put Travon [Walker’s] sacks up there and say, ‘He went No. 1 overall.’ We put Devonte [Wyatt’s] up there and say, ‘He went in the first round.’ We put Quay [Walker’s] up there, we put Nolan [Smith’s] up there, we put Jordan Davis’ up there, and then they don’t say anything.”
Coach Smart feels that with today’s mobile quarterbacks, sacks are harder to come by. Therefore, what he values are run defense, third-down defense, pressure, and “havoc rate.”
The lesson we learn from Coach Smart is leaders can handle a momentary defeat or setback. In other words, a sack. What they have difficulty handling is constant pressure and havoc.
It is trendy to say leaders should become comfortable being uncomfortable. Another popular sentiment is pressure is a gift because it means you are doing something meaningful.
I agree with both statements but the sheer reality is few leaders are ever successful in chaotic and dysfunctional cultures. Coach Smart understands this and his record proves it.
For a deeper dive into lessons from football, I suggest you purchase Michael Lombardi’s new book Football Done Right: Setting the Record Straight on the Coaches, Players, and History of the NFL.
Change Keeps Leaders Relevant
Philadelphia Phillies’s Bryce Harper is one of this generations top offensive talents. Returning from Tommy John surgery, Harper took new roles as the team’s designated hitter and first baseman rather than his customary outfield position. The results have been stellar.
As told in this The Athletic article, general manager Dave Dombrowski thinks Harper could potentially win a Gold Glove as a first baseman if he stays at the position.
When asked about the position change and less wear-and-tear on his body, Harper said, “I’m open to anything really.”
This is a refreshing response from a superstar athlete. Harper is willing to change to be a good teammate, lengthen his career, and remain relevant by helping the Phillies remain a play-off caliber squad.
Harper was willing to change. Are you?
Smart Leaders Acquire As Many Options As Possible
Leaders do not like being put in a box. They reject the concept that there is only one way to do things. As we learn in this September 6th article from The Athletic, one such leader is Carl Williams. Carl is the father of USC Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams.
Carl said, “The funky thing about the NFL Draft process is, he’d almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first. The system is completely backwards. The way the system is constructed, you go to the worst possible situation. The worst possible team, the worst organization in the league — because of their desire for parity — gets the first pick. So it’s the gift and the curse.”
This reality has forced Caleb to explore his many options. Fortunately, he has positioned himself so there is not just one way for him to approach his professional career.
One, Williams is only a Junior. He can return to school for his season season.
But second and most importantly, NIL money is already coming his way. For example, perhaps you have seen him in a number of current Wendy’s commercials. So he may not “need” the money right now. He can afford to wait and explore all his options.
Can you?
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