Learned Leadership Skills of Super Bowl Competitors: Brady and Mahomes

They "Earn the Gift" of Discretionary Effort from their players.

It doesn’t matter which quarterback you are pulling for in Sunday’s Super Bowl, to be playing in Super Bowl LV, both the legendary Brady and the newcomer, Mahomes, have leadership traits that can translate into your leadership role no matter where you are on the organizational chart. 

Confidence

Both quarterbacks project confidence when they run on the field. Mahomes’ confidence may lean toward arrogance and Brady’s confidence seems steady like the mighty oak tree. Each in their own way inspires their players to follow their lead.

Application: Do you project confidence when you walk into a meeting or speak one-on-one with direct reports? Are you prepared with the necessary information that gives you the confidence to lead? Does your confidence level inspire them to give their best, to give discretionary effort?

Daily Work Ethic

Brady’s philosophy is “you have to prove it every day.”

In an article on KansasCity.com, Pete Grathoff quotes Chiefs Defensive back, Tyrann Mathieu on Mahomes’ work ethic as: “I’m one of the first guys in the building every morning and he’s always there before me, and he’s always in the weight room. I think anytime you can rely on your athleticism, but also you can rely on your work ethic … I think that just makes you that much more special.”

In an interview by ESPN, Chiefs Head Coach, Andy Reid, said “Mahomes is a natural leader and always grinding, whether that’s on the field, in the weight room or watching film. He wants to be the best. He’s a competitor, and his teammates feed off his energy.”

After an interview with Brady, David Novak from CNBC said he "… tries to be better today than yesterday, continuing to change, evolve and grow by surrounding myself with fun people he can learn from."

Both quarterbacks work hard to improve and treat each practice as the most important practice of their career.

In a February 3 article on Yahoo Sports by Rory Carroll, Mahomes said: “… Brett Veach (general manager) and Andy Reid (coach) have instilled in us to get 1% better every single day.”

Application: Would the discretionary effort of your team improve if they could feed off your energy? If you treated each conversation about a new product, new service, or change in your company as the most important endeavor of the day? The energy you give toward any endeavor will be translated to your team. They will follow your lead and give the same energy you do.  

What about 1% better? Can you visualize what amazing things could happen in your company if everyone tried to be just 1% better every day? 

Create Rapport

Even though Brady comes from a different generation than most of his players, David Novak reported that he creates rapport by spending time with them, listening to their music and being conversant on the things they enjoy and acts as a role model for preparation, practice, and professionalism.

In the Grathoff, interview, Mathieu also commented on how Mahomes creates rapport with his teammates by spending five or ten minutes just talking with them, not just on the field, but in locker rooms as well.

Even though both Brady and Mahomes demand accountability from their teammates, they both create camaraderie and friendship on and off the field.

Application: How do you create camaraderie at work and in off-work hours? One of the best ways to create rapport is to be interested, not just in an employee’s work product, but interested in their family, kids, pets, interests, hobbies, aspirations, and goals for the future. When you take a personal interest in them and learn about their entire life, you will have never ending ways to create rapport. 

Discretionary Effort

There are more character traits, but these three qualities give you insight to why every man on the field gives discretionary effort on every play. Given, they are also giving discretionary effort for fame, glory, and money, yet at the beginning of the season every team plays for fame, glory, and money. Only two teams make it to the Super Bowl and these three attributes may be the defining qualities that push the competing teams to the top.

How can you create fame and glory for your employees? How can you inspire discretionary effort from each employee? 

Inspiring discretionary effort is not complicated but it takes sustained effort. In my book, How to Earn the Gift of Discretionary Effort, I outline 5 simple things you can do every day to inspire discretionary effort. They are:

1-    Have integrity in every interaction

2-    Express gratitude on a regular basis

3-    Give employees psychological safety to surface the truth

4-    Accept each employee “as is” and make them part of the in-group

5-    Rationally align employees with your values, vision, mission and goals

Long after Super Bowl LV has been won and the coveted Lombardi trophy awarded, these lessons learned from Brady and Mahomes will be valid and relevant to increasing your leadership expertise.

About Karla

Karla Brandau is a 25-year veteran of the speaking and training industry. She offers DISC, Driving Forces and Emotional Intelligence assessments combined with training events and retreats.by The assessments are a component in her leadership development courses. Her book, “How to Earn the Gift of Discretionary Effort,” positions her as a thought leader and expert in re-calibrating leadership for the 21st century. Implementing the principles in "How to Earn the Gift" builds a culture where employees give discretionary effort on a regular basis.

Her presentations help managers become the leader people CHOOSE to follow not HAVE to follow because of their place on the organization chart.

She has spoken for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Panasonic, BYD America, National Facilities Management and Technology Conference, US Poultry and Egg Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the National Kitchen and Bath Association.  

Certifications include Certified Speaking Professional, Certified Facilitator, Registered Corporate Coach, Certified Professional Behaviors Analyst, Certified Professional Motivators Analyst, and EQi-2.0 Emotional Intelligence Facilitator

Learn more about Karla by visiting KarlaBrandau.com or EarnTheGift.com. Send her an email at [email protected] or call her at 770-923-0883.

Book a complimentary consultation with her at Calendly.com/KarlaBrandau