Over the years we have written a number of articles about sports legends and how strategy played a role in their success. It seems only appropriate after the Super Bowl to refer to our March 2017 article Lessons from Bill Belichick on Leadership. Belichick is the only head coach to win six Super Bowls. On teamwork he believes each player’s sole focus should be the team’s success and they should demand a deep sense of unselfishness from each other. On coaching Belichick tries to show players that he has confidence in their ability to perform on the field. As a result, players put there self -interest and self-preservation aside to do what is necessary to help the team succeed.
We witnessed history being made at Super Bowl 55. Tom Brady, at age 43, proved to the non-believers that he still had it in him to lead another team to win his 7th Super Bowl, more than anyone. And as business leaders, we can learn from Brady and his role as Chief Strategy Execution Officer on and off the field. Consider these four strategy execution principles:
- Set clear objectives: For the Buccaneers, winning each game during the season and then the Super Bowl was the objective, clear and simple. Best practices call for establishing clear and simple objectives, reminding everyone of the organization’s objectives often, and keeping everyone informed of progress against the achievement of the objectives.
- Gain buy-in: Without complete agreement and commitment to the strategy, execution will be aimless. Everyone throughout the Buccaneers organization embraced the team’s strategy. In doing so, they did not wander away from what was most important to win.
- Be ready to pivot: Strategy is dynamic, not static. Developing a robust strategy is important, and the objectives do not change. However, achieving the objectives requires flexibility to adapt to the realities of the situation. Every football game brings new challenges requiring adjustments as things evolve on and off the field.
- Encourage collaboration: Brady could not have won the Super Bowl without the whole team; players, coaches, and the front office. Everyone had a job to do on and off the field. As Belichick said, teamwork requires a deep sense of unselfishness. Without question, the Buccaneer organization had a strong sense of commitment and accountability to their ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.
Tom Brady was the Chief Execution Officer of the team’s offensive strategy. We can learn from how Brady and the Buccaneer organization stayed focused on making strategy happen to win the Vince Lombardi trophy. Similarly, business leaders should actively take on the role of Chief Execution Officer in their organizations.
Please let us know your thoughts and experiences about managing strategy execution. And feel free to pass this article along to your friends and associates as you see fit.
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“I'm so proud of these guys out here. Everything we've dealt with all year. We had a rough November, but (Bruce Arians) believed in us. The team had a lot of confidence, and we came together at the right time. I think we knew this was going to happen, didn't we? We ended up playing our best game of the year.” Tom Brady
Dick Albu is the founder and president of Albu consulting LLC, a strategy management consulting firm focused on engaging and energizing leadership teams of middle market private and family businesses. With offices in Stamford, CT, the firm is dedicated to helping its clients formulate robust business strategies and follow through on execution of key strategic initiatives. Dick Albu can be reached at 203-355-3784 or RAlbu@albuconsulting.com. Rob Krist, Managing Director can be reached at RKrist@albuconsulting.com. Please visit Albu Consulting’s website for more information at www.albuconsulting.com.