What Legacy Leaders can Learn from the NFL Playoffs

Conventional wisdom tells us that each year there is one successful team in the NFL; the team that wins the Super Bowl! There are 32 teams in the NFL and there are definitely teams that have won more games than other teams, but what really defines success in the NFL? I would argue that success can be best defined by 3 critical reality factors: reality of expectations, reality of preparation, and reality of performance. At the beginning of the season, a set of expectations for the outcome of the season were clearly stated. Each team prepared for the season using strategies and systems they hoped would result in enough victories to make it into the playoffs. The season began and team performances resulted in won-loss records that determined who would make it.

So what really led to the performance each team experienced? Preparation certainly contributed. Teams prepared physically, emotionally, strategically, tactically, intellectually, and even spiritually. They considered data and statistics because they wanted to be able to employ what they considered to be the highest probability of success game plans each week. Every team did this but we still had winners and losers. There are the 12 teams that made the playoffs and they 20 that did not. Some would say the difference was talent but there are definitely other factors such as injuries, an the ability to adapt, adjust, and improvise. The analysts talk about the intangibles like the ability to see the field or to anticipate next moves but how do you develop these skills? Why do some people acquire these skills while others do not? And what about luck? Sometimes the football bounces funny or a defensive back falls down. Sometimes the officials miss a critical penalty. What can we really learn from the NFL Playoffs?

Here are my 5 lessons for Legacy Leaders based on the NFL Playoffs.

1. Base your definition of success not on whether you win or lose the game but on what you do with the opportunity you have. Any single endeavor can result in success or failure. Success on this event may not mean anything more than good fortune. Likewise, do not wallow in failure should you not come out on top. Learn from every experience.

2. As you reflect on the experience, question everything. Pick apart every aspect of your preparation and how you dealt with what you confronted. Look at both the good and the bad. Don’t do this in an attempt to figure out who screwed up but do it so you will better know what to do next time.

3. Study what your competition did. What did they do that gave them the upper hand? What did key players do and what did the coaches/managers do that worked? What did they do that was significantly different from what you did?

4. Immediately start your preparation for your next contest. Whether you win or lose, it’s not the end. There is a tomorrow. Start preparation for that tomorrow while the thoughts, data, and statistics are fresh.

5. No matter how great or bad you feel, following the contest, your team’s emotions will be more intense. Be the leader your team needs. Help them heal when they fail and get refocused when they succeed. Let them enjoy the victory but help them look forward to their next big game.

The difference between the teams that make the playoffs and those that don’t can be just a few mistakes here or there. Finding the keys to improvement can help you make it next time. Learning from every experience is the only way to turn the corner.