KEYS TO SUPERIOR LEADERSHIP

HOW TWO YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED QUARTERBACKS LED THEIR TEAMS TO THE SUPER BOWL.

One of the most difficult jobs in sports is the quarterback position in American football. It is so challenging that there are only a handful of truly great ones playing in the game today, and most of those players are pushing into their late 30s, or even early 40s. It can take years to master a position that requires such clear, quick thinking. Worse, it is so physically demanding that by the time many players grow into the intellectual aspects, their bodies can no longer handle the strain.

So how is it that this year, two young, inexperienced quarterbacks have led their teams to compete in the biggest game of the season? Jimmy Garoppolo will lead the San Francisco 49ers against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in this season’s NFL Super Bowl Championship game. Going into this contest, the two quarterbacks each have less experience than baby-faced quarterback Jared Goff, then 24, whose Los Angeles Rams lost in last year’s Super Bowl to then 41-year-old superstar Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Garoppolo may be 28 years old, but between serving as the rarelyseen backup to Brady, getting traded, and tearing his ACL, 2019 is Garoppolo’s first full season of play in the NFL. Mahomes is 24 and only in his second year of starting. It is a remarkable achievement for such novice players.

In an era dominated by much older, supremely accomplished quarterbacks, how have these relative novices performed so far beyond their youthful peers?

Their contemporaries must burn with jealousy over the success of the two men. Of course there is much to say about the quality of the teams’ coaching, the talent of their teammates, and their own individual skillsets. Still, there’s another reason for their performance that cannot be overlooked: Garoppolo and Mahomes are excellent leaders.

Football analysts like to say that football is the consummate team sport. Here is how Garoppolo and Mahomes have brought their teams to such great heights with their superior leadership:

1. Learn Everything You Can

Both Garoppolo and Mahomes had to wait for their time to shine in the NFL. Garoppolo spent the first three years of his career as a backup in New England. He used the experience wisely, and has spoken frequently about the formative nature of what he learned there. He watched Brady, one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, put in hours of hard word, prepare diligently, and absorb criticism. He learned how Brady and Belichick, perhaps the best football coach of all time, dissected defenses and made decisions. Garoppolo also learned how to win, receiving two Super Bowl rings with New England. Even when he arrived in San Francisco, Garoppolo had to wait his turn before playing, and then suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out for nearly a year. Even then, he was able to learn from head coach and offensive tactician Kyle Shanahan. When his time finally came in 2019, Garoppolo was able to synthesize everything he had learned in his career and put it to good use.

Mahomes, too, had to exercise patience when he got to the NFL. When the Chiefs drafted him, they already had a solid starting quarterback in Alex Smith. Smith was a smart, technically efficient, veteran quarterback, if not an explosive talent, and had excelled in his own career despite difficult circumstances. Mahomes knew Smith had a great deal of wisdom to share, and took advantage of everything Smith offered. Furthermore, Mahomes absorbed lessons

from his highly respected head coach, Andy Reid. Mahomes also had the advantage of growing up the son of a Major League Baseball player, and thus learned about the hard work, in and out of season, required to be a professional athlete. Garoppolo and Mahomes demonstrated their desire to get better, willingness to learn, and unselfish attitude in how they conducted themselves when they were not playing. Their teammates saw their dedication, and respected their hard work.

2. Confident, Not Cocky

The quarterback position in the NFL requires confidence in one’s abilities no matter the odds. Some assume this is a character flaw, but in fact it is a necessary quality. When you have 350 lb defensive linemen running at you full speed, trying to slam you to the ground, you absolutely must have faith in yourself to have good mechanics, make the right decision, and complete a tight pass. So like their fellow quarterbacks, Garoppolo and Mahomes are supremely confident guys. A key to their success, however, is that while they are self-assured, they are not cocky. They do not boast about wins or complain about losses. They are emotional without being hysterical. The two players are aware of their skills, but do not allow that self-belief to blind them to the hard work they must put in to succeed. Their confidence gives confidence to their teammates, while their hard work inspires their teammates to do the same.

3. Don’t Do Too Much

Related to their confidence is their maturity to play within themselves. Arrogance can lead to poor decision-making, and many quarterbacks fall into this trap. Garoppolo and Mahomes, however, understand their abilities well enough to know how to use them and how not to use them. Both quarterbacks have excellent touchdown-to-interception ratios, and rarely make mistakes. They rarely try to force plays where none can be had, avoiding turnovers and keeping their team in control. Garoppolo and Mahomes play with great courage, but never try to be a hero. They are happy to let others shine. Their teammates want to emulate their good decision making and are motivated to have the same team-first attitude.

4. Appreciate the Contributions of Others

Both Garoppolo and Mahomes say all the right things in the press, a skill difficult to master, particularly in such a bright spotlight. They can be honest about their own performance, including their mistakes and where they could have been better, and above all, they understand that they cannot do it alone. Garoppolo and Mahomes are quick to point out the contributions of their teammates, and often make a point of highlighting solid play from their offensive lines and their defense. Expressing these sentiments publicly sends a message to their fellow players about the importance of teamwork. It’s also an indication of the quarterbacks’ ongoing gratitude for their teammates’ hard work. When the team leader focuses so much on team performance, the rest of the players will focus on how their own attitude and play contribute to the team’s efforts.