I am often asked how organizations can get better. Many times they want to focus on strategies and systems, and don’t get me wrong, those things are important. But the top thing any church, business, athletic organization, or non-profit can do to get better is…. Get a better leader.
This could either be hiring a new leader or seeing improvement from an existing one.
My friend Phillip Taylor said, “Building a highly competent team can’t compensate for a poor leader. Eventually the weakness filters down through the team and destroys morale and productivity.” Let me give you three stories of organizations whose organizations did the opposite, they improved dramatically as a result of adding a new leader.
The WNBA
The arrival of Caitlin Clark has changed the economic fortunes of the league. Let me give you three statistics provided by the September 23rd edition of Morning Brew.
- This past regular season the WNBA had 24 telecasts with over 1 million viewers. Sportico reported that Clark was featured in 21 of them.
- Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, had a league-record average attendance of 17,035. This was a 319% increase over their 2023 average of 4,067.
- Clark’s impact was felt on road games as well. For instance, their September 19th game against the Washington Mystics drew 20,711 fans. This was the largest crowd to ever attend a WNBA game.
The WNBA’s economic fortunes improved exponentially because it added Caitlin Clark.
For more on Clark, read 8 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Iowa’s Caitlin Clark On What A True Team Is.
The New York Jets
On the August 24th telecast of ESPN’s College Gameday, Nick Saban said, “The quarterbacks are the key to any team.” The New York Jets would agree. The team has started the season strong with a 2-1 record. The main reason is the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Commenting on his X account below about the team’s most recent victory, FoxSports analyst Emmanuel Acho said, “This pass is filthy. You do realize the difference between that ball going the other way 99-yards and a touchdown is freaky inches. Like the difference between winning and losing is Aaron Rodgers. The difference between that pass being a New England pick and a New Jets touchdown is freaking inches. Aaron Rodgers is the ultimate savant with the throwing of the football and the brain behind creating the pass.”
The difference between winning and losing is oftentimes one individual – the leader. In this case, it is Aaron Rodgers – and the Jets are currently winning.
The Best Players Lead The Way
On December 29, 2019, the Clemson Tigers defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Play-offs 29-23.
One year later on the eve of their January 1, 2021 play-off rematch against Buckeyes, Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney said, “It comes down to same things we talk about every single week. It starts with your effort. It’s the turnover margin. It’s having more big plays than your opponent. It’s being the least penalized team. The best players have to play. You don’t have to play perfect but the best players have to lead the way. That’s the responsibility… It’s the same things that win these games.”
Coach Swinney’s words were prophetic… it was just for the Buckeyes. Their new quarterback Justin Fields would throw for six touchdown passes in a 49-28 victory. That’s the difference a new leader can make.
For more on the leadership of Justin Fields, read 10 Lessons From The Courageous Leadership Of Ohio State Quarterback Justin Fields.
FREE Helpful Resource
In conjunction with one of my content partners, I created a new checklist to help you identify ways you can improve your leadership:
You can download it by clicking HERE or on the image below.
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