What are the qualities of a great leader?  During the November 14th edition of The GM Shuffle podcast, former NFL general manager and host Michael Lombardi was asked what made Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh so successful. Lombardi said, “Well, you know, what’s the thing about Jim is Jim’s a leader.”  He then began to unpack why.  From his comments Lombardi gave us a profile of what a great leader looks like.

The Profile of a Great Leader. 7 Leadership Lessons from Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

  1. Jim Harbaugh Sees The Big Picture – This is the primary difference between a leader and a manager, the ability to see the big picture.  Lombardi said, “Jim’s going to see the game from 30 thousand feet.”  Later he added, “They do all the things that matter in situational football because why?  Because he sees the game from 30,000 feet and he coaches the team from that aspect.  I think it’s brilliant.”
  2. Jim Harbaugh Has Great Connectivity With Those On His Team – Lombardi noted, “Jim and (Bill) Parcells are a lot alike.  They have great connectivity to their players.”  For more on the leadership of Coach Parcells and why Lombardi made the comparison, read 4 Lessons On The Psychology of Winning and Losing from a Leadership Perspective.
  3. Jim Harbaugh Individualizes Motivation – People crave the opportunity to follow an inspiring leader.  Lombardi pointed out, “They can motivate their players. They know how to motivate each individual player separately, which is critical.”  Another great leader is Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.  Coach Tomlin is the subject of the article 7 Secrets To Being A Great Motivator.
  4. Jim Harbaugh Knows What Leads To Success – Knowing the ingredients of success comes from seeing the big picture.  Leaders like Harbaugh “know what they want to become and how they want to win the game.  And then they’re very good on Sunday or Monday night of managing the game in that spirit.”
  5. Jim Harbaugh Properly Interprets Data – Numbers tell a story but only the best leaders know how to properly interpret them and leverage that information for success.  Lombardi made an interesting observation.  He said, “They don’t get caught up in flashy numbers. Think about this.  They have Justin Herbert, Patrick, and they’re 31st in passing attempts on the league.  They throw it less than anybody other than one team.  They’re number one in interceptions thrown, by the way.  They don’t throw interceptions. And so to me, they do the things you have to do to be really good. They’re the number one defense in points scored.  They’re the number one defense in not allowing touchdown passes.  They’re the number eight defense in not allowing rushing touchdowns.  They’re the number two defense in the league in not allowing first down.”
  6. Jim Harbaugh Owns Every Aspect Of The Team’s Performance – Coach Harbaugh is not a subcontractor who owns a single part of the process.  He runs the entire game.  Lombardi taught, “That’s what makes him so good.  He’s not looking to sit there and look at his script and say, okay, I’m going to run.  He’s running the game.  He’s running the game, which is a lost art.  We’ve lost that.”
  7. Jim Harbaugh Is A Great Investment – The Los Angeles Chargers currently have a 7-3 record.  Through 10 games in 2023, the team’s record 4-6.  That a 30% turnaround in one year.  Lombardi reminded us, “Harbaugh literally just got there a few months ago and they’re six and three. They’re going to make the postseason.  It just shows you again, like we said on Monday, you got to pay for a great coach.  He’s worth it.  But he’s a head coach.”  Bottom line – You cannot overpay a great leader.

Conclusion

Lombardi concluded, “The job of the head coach is to run the game.  If you’re a basketball coach, the job of your job is to run the game, to play the game in the style of which allows you to win.  It’s the same thing here.  But we have too many people that don’t even understand it.”

The question everyone reading this article must answer is do you understand what it takes to be a leader?  Here’s how you know:

  1. Great leaders see the big picture.
  2. Great leaders connect with those on their teams.
  3. Great leaders individualize motivation.
  4. Great leaders know what leads to success.
  5. Great leaders properly interpret data.
  6. Great leaders own every aspect of their organization’s success.
  7. Great leaders are a great investment.

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