Football fan or not, the Super Bowl is this weekend. Patriots fan or not, the New England Patriots are headed to Super Bowl XLVI.
Whether you are a die-hard Pats fan, a “Hatriot” or an uninterested bystander, it’s hard not to at least respect the partnership of Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.
This Sunday, they attend their 5th Super Bowl together—the most by a coach-quarterback tandem in history—with the chance to win their 4th championship together. Since Brady became the starter in 2001, Belichick and the Pats have combined for an NFL-record 16 playoff wins and an amazing .762 winning percentage.
All that from a sixth-round draft pick and a coach who struggled with the Cleveland Browns.
Some people say Brady is successful because of Belichick. The reason: In 2008, the Pats posted an 11-5 record with unknown Matt Cassel under center, after Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game of that season.
Others suggest that Brady makes Belichick look good. Support for that theory: the coach’s record in the days before Brady took the lead in the Patriots’ offense.
I say they make each other better, and because of their leadership, they make the entire team better.
Just like in football—and all facets of life—in the workplace, when you have a combination of great leadership and great followers, you excel. Strong managers bring out the best in their employees, taking them from simply good to great. And great employees have a way of making their bosses look exceptional.
Think about the employees who report to you. Which ones make you better? Which ones make your job easier?
Don’t forget to thank them every once and a while.
How do you thank your team’s MVP?
Filed under: Great Leaders, Leadership Tagged: | Bill Belichick, employee performance, Super Bowl, teams, Tom Brady
[...] 5th Super Bowl together—the most by a coach-quarterback tandem in history—with the chance to win their 4th championship together. Since Brady became the starter in 2001, Belichick and the Pats [...]