The Value of Excellence
We love excellence and have a deep appreciation for it. Whenever we experience excellence, whether in life, business, sports, entertainment, or even enjoying a meal at a restaurant, it brings us a sense of satisfaction and joy. But believe it or not, there is a level above excellence.
There is a small handful of organizations and individuals who aspire to go to an even higher level. They go from excellence to becoming elite. These are the best of the best.
An Elite Performer
There are currently 1,696 players in the National Football League, about half are defensive players. That is why when I saw Marcus Thompson II’s article in The Athletic entitled “49ers’ Fred Warner – ‘best linebacker in the game’ – delivers again with a pick 6“, it caught my eye.
San Francisco 49ers teammate Ji’Ayir Brown said, “Dude (Warner) is different. The best linebacker in the game. Without a question. Not even close.” Among the hundreds of defensive players in the NFL, what makes Warner the top linebacker, and can leaders from any industry learn from him to excel in their own fields?
The answer is Yes!
4 Things Needed To Go From Excellence To Elite
The following are four things we learn from superstar linebacker Fred Warner about going from excellence to elite:
Your People Skills Need To Go To Another Level
Leadership is influence so people skills are vital. Warner said, “I was excited from the moment we got all the new guys we did this offseason. The opportunity was to now continue to build that cohesion and chemistry amongst the group. I think the best teams are the ones that are the closest. And that doesn’t happen overnight. Week by week, we’ve got to continue to find that closeness as a team, as a defense. The more we do that, the better we’ll play.”
The following are five ways elite leaders interact with people we learn from Warner:
- Elite leaders are excited when new people join the team.
- Elite leaders are inclusive and bring people together.
- Elite leaders constantly monitor team chemistry.
- Elite leaders are patient. They see the big picture and are willing to wait for the team to jell.
- Elite leaders understand the more unified the team, the better they play.
Your Preparation Needs To Go To Another Level
Brown continued, “It’s his preparation. Dude is always intentional. He goes through every day like it’s game day. That’s the fun part, when he gets out there and actually shows all his preparation off.”
His comments on Warner’s preparation teach us the following three lessons:
- The best preparation is intentional. It is not random.
- The best preparation is at game-speed. It is not passive but rather intense.
- The best preparation is revealed during the game. What we learn from Warner is his elite preparation results in elite production. This leads to the next point.
Your Production Needs To Go To Another Level
Through the first four weeks of the season, Warner has four takeaways. This is currently as much or more than 16 NFL defenses!!! Teammate Nick Bosa said, “He’s always played at the highest of levels. Sometimes things come your way in a game, and he’s taken advantage of all those opportunities. Obviously his stats are crazy right now. I don’t see it slowing down.”
Statistics matter and elite leaders know how the value of data and how to leverage it.
Your Perspective Needs To Go To Another Level
Teammate Sam Okuayinonu said, “I wish I could see football the way he sees football. His mindset of dominance. He wants to dominate. That’s what I’m trying to do. He’s a leader, too. When he speaks, you feel that *&^( through your chest.” Brown concluded, “As far as leadership and attitude and personality and mindset, he’s the one you want.”
So what type of perspectives should you want from your leader:
- Elite leaders have a different mindset, one of dominance.
- Elite leaders have a different influence, one of moving people to action.
- Elite leaders have a different priority, it’s all about the value of people and the team.
- Elite leaders have a different worldview, one of eternal optimism.
- Elite leaders have different value, one which makes them in high demand.
Conclusion
Excellence is to be highly desired. But if you want to go from excellence to being elite, the following has to go to another level:
- Your people skills.
- Your preparation.
- Your production.
- Your perspective.
Are you willing to pay the price to do so?
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