Leading the Play and Trusting Your Team

Leadership is a team sport, and it starts with clarity and alignment from the top. In business, like in American football, every leader needs a clear vision, a committed A-Player leadership team, and the discipline to execute. Your position as CEO can be thought of as the quarterback, leading your team down the field. You've got the playbook, you know the goal, and it’s your job to guide each play and align your team to move the company forward.

The CEO as the Quarterback

In football, there are 11 players, and every position has its role. You don’t see two players running the same route. Each one has a unique function. The running back knows where he’s headed, the wide receiver knows his route, and the linemen are there to block and protect. No overlap. No confusion. And if everyone executes, you’re one step closer to the end zone.

Business isn’t different. Everyone on your leadership team has a function and a role to play, and as CEO, you need to trust them to execute it. Imagine the chaos if your team didn’t understand their roles or if the quarterback tried to do everyone else’s job. It doesn’t work. You’d just have people colliding, tasks doubling up, and no progress. Yet, how often do we see this in business? CEOs jumping into the details, second-guessing their team, and wasting time on jobs they’ve hired others to do.

A clear play – what we in executive coaching call ‘alignment’ – is essential to move downfield. It’s also why we need the right roles and accountability for each position. If everyone’s clear on their lane, they move in sync, and when that happens, there’s a lot less stress. The quarterback (CEO) can focus on what’s coming next rather than cleaning up what just happened – and that’s where trust comes in. Trust your team to do their job, and you do yours. Call the play, step back, and let them move the ball forward.

Adjusting Your Play

Now, the game doesn’t go as planned every time. You might find yourself on defense, adjusting as the market throws a new curveball. In those moments, you adapt, but you don’t abandon the playbook. You make adjustments, but you’re not rewriting everything mid-game. The plan and vision are there for a reason. The same goes for business: focus, set your plan, and stick to the fundamentals. Like a football team, we’re not running new plays on every down. We’re refining the existing plays, strengthening our approach, and learning from each move.

Your team needs daily huddles and weekly syncs – just like a football team with quick huddles between plays. They’re not there for long strategy sessions. They’re quick, focused check-ins to make sure everyone’s on track. It’s about building the rhythm and cadence of accountability. When the team understands the play and their role, you build momentum, and each move gets you closer to the goal.

The Role of Business / Executive Coaching

Where am I, as the business and executive coach? I’m on the sideline, watching the whole game, and giving you perspective when needed. I’m seeing the patterns, spotting opportunities, and sometimes calling a timeout to regroup. As the CEO, you’re the one on the field. You’re feeling the game and adjusting in real time. It’s that combination of on-the-field action with sideline guidance that brings out the best plays.

So, where’s your team today? Are you leading with clarity and alignment, or is it time for a timeout to recalibrate? Take a moment to reflect. The best wins come when the team, and its quarterback, are fully in sync.

When you trust your team to do what they’re there to do and they trust you to lead, you build alignment. You’ll soon find your team not just running plays, but truly buying into your vision. You’ll see each executive leader focused on the end goal, each person owning their role, and yourself as the CEO keeping everyone moving in the same direction. That’s how you lead the play, move your company forward, and ultimately not just score – but score BIG.

Is your team ready for the next play?

Great leadership starts with reflection. If this article has sparked ideas or raised questions, let’s explore them together. Our booking page is a quick way to connect with us and start a conversation about aligning your team for bigger wins.