Bill Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in NFL history. Although his job may seem worlds apart from your own, there is a great deal he can teach you about managing. Here are 10 of the best:
1. Do Your Job – The mantra of the New England Patriots, players are taught and bought in to the idea that everyone plays a role in helping the team win. Sometimes these roles shift, but whatever is asked of each player, he understands where he fits into the system. In a system that functions well, each player does not have to worry about what the other guy is doing. There is trust (and proof) that everyone is doing his job.
2. Stick to What Works and Adjust when Necessary– The basics of the New England system have not changed dramatically, largely because they work. However, the Patriots are the best in the business when it comes to situational football. This means they prepare for any and everything they may face. When it works, they stick with it. When it doesn’t, they adjust.
3. Don’t Just Pick the Best People – Pick the Best People for YOUR Organization- No one would deny that talent matters, but there are countless examples of misused and wasted talent. The Patriots look for players who are not just talented but those who are talented AND will fit into their system. All the talent in the world will not help your bottom line if it is a mismatch with your organizational values and culture.
4. It’s ALL about the Bottom Line – Bill does not bother himself much with his public image or whether or not his players like him. His job, as he sees it, is to get results. There are arguments to be made for and against this type of approach, but the bottom line is, it’s all about the bottom line. He was hired to win games and he has accomplished that year after year, Super Bowl after Super Bowl.
5. Hire People who are Hungry – All the talent in the world will not benefit your organization if that talent does not come with motivation and work ethic. People can be trained for most aspects of most jobs, but it is really hard (and not worthwhile, in my opinion) to try and train people to care about their work or to establish a stronger work ethic. Skills and knowledge can be acquired. Attitude is an entirely different ballgame.
6. Nobody is Above the System – Players and employees alike are quick to notice when people are given preferential treatment. This causes any number of negative effects on staff morale and organizational trust. Any Patriots player will tell you that Brady gets it just as bad as – if not worse than- any other player and that no one player is immune.
7. Ignore the Noise – The Patriots have had their share of scrutiny throughout the years and through it all they are able to focus and DO THEIR JOB (see #1). This is intentional and foundational to the way the team operates. Focus on what needs to be done and ignore the rest.
8. Learn from the Past and Focus on the Future – After one of the worst losses of Belichick’s tenure with New England (a 43-17 drubbing in Kansas City), Bill’s answer to each reporter’s question about it was, “We’re on to Cincinnati”, the next opponent on the schedule. This is how the team operates. Learn from the past but don’t get stuck there. Keep it moving. On to the next one.
9. Take Risks – Belichick is known for pushing the envelope and testing boundaries. He scours the rule book to find new and creative ways to get an edge. Sometimes this pans out (as in the case of the 2015 playoff game against Baltimore) and sometimes they don’t (as in the 2009 fourth down attempt in Indianapolis). But win or lose (and he mostly wins), he is willing to try new things- anything- to help his team win.
10. Consistency Matters – There are a number of reasons for New England’s success, one of the most important of which is its consistency. Belichick has been the coach for New England since 2000. Compare this to teams on the other end of the spectrum like Oakland with 9 head coaches and Cleveland with 8 during this same time period. Similarly, Tom Brady has been the starting quarterback since 2001 (*we won’t get into the suspension here). Compare this to other teams, like the Cleveland Browns who have had 26. The same goes for assistant coaches and staff. This consistency has allowed the Patriots to grow together and learn how to work best together. Teams with constant turnover never get that chance.
Whether you are a football fan or not, lessons on success can be found in all sorts of places. As one of the winningest coaches in NFL history, Coach Belichick has plenty to share.
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