Coaching Leader Quality 15 – Resilience

Great coaching leaders have the ability to stay positive in the face of adversity and failure.  This another way they set the tone for the team.  If you think about the old adage, “If you can believe it, you can achieve it”, imagine how important it is to keep a positive attitude in today’s challenging and dynamic marketplace.

One of the best examples of this is the 2008 Super Bowl.  The Arizona Cardinals scored an electrifying go ahead touchdown by their star receiver Larry Fitzgerald with 2:39 left in the game.  The Cardinals’ defense had stopped the Steelers’ offense for most of the second half so it seemed like the Steelers might be defeated.

In the film of the game you see Coach Mike Tomlin very confidently say, “Let’s go, it’s our time to win this!”  Upon reflection later, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said that Tomlin’s seemingly unfazed demeanor carried over to him and in turn went in to the huddle where Ben challenged his teammates to rise to the occasion to prove they were the better team.  How important was it that Tomlin was unfazed?  What would have happened if the quarterback saw doubt or concern in his coach’s eyes?

  • Posted by Coach Pete
  • Thursday, December 9th, 2010
  • Comments Off on Coaching Leader Quality 15 – Resilience