Lessons on Leadership from Tim Tebow

I am a Tim Tebow fan, like many others in Denver, Colorado. It’s not just because of his physical and mental toughness, his ability to come back and win, or his unreserved Christianity. It isn’t just his fervent enthusiasm, the way that he can make plays out of nothing in the fourth quarter or his commitment to “team first.” No, it is the leadership example that Tim Tebow displays to the Denver Broncos, the state of Colorado, and the world through the blending of all these characteristics.

Tebow’s critics are quick to note that it was just this year that he was able to accept a snap ball without fumbling it. His throw has been defined as undisciplined and he has terrible footwork. While top quarterbacks in the NFL complete an average 70% of their passes, Tim’s completion percentage is less than 50%. All true, and yet the Broncos’ surpassed all expectations.

Every person is part of a team. Teams consist of members of our families, friends, business associates, neighbors, church groups, school parent groups, communities, and even states and countries. As a leadership and teamwork speaker, I am always looking for good examples of how a single person can redirect the way a team is going.

I view teams as a see-saw type situation, with your “egos” on one side of the teeter-totter, and your leaders on the other. The middle of the see-saw consists of the largest part of the team, the “uncommitted.” The balance of the team will change just by adding or deducting an “ego” or a leader, and that will tilt the outcome of the team’s work from failure (ego side) to success (leader’s side). As the teeter-totter tilts, the uncommitted group in the middle will slide in the direction of the tilt, until the momentum toward success or failure builds.

The Denver Broncos already had leaders on the team like Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins before Tebow came to forefront, but the Broncos were mired in mediocrity. Egos were in control. Lack of expectations of success and the resulting me first attitudes were entrenched in the team psyche.

It was Tebow’s emergence as a leader that tipped the Broncos see-saw to the leaders’ side, and the entire team responded. Tim Tebow is not a polished NFL quarterback, but he is a powerful leader. Comments from teammates confirm that everyone is together now on and off the field; offense and defense, black and white, rich and richer. Tebow’s clear and consistent commitment to the team goal of winning and his inclusive, infectious, enthusiasm are great examples of how to be a team leader.

It is not rare for members of a team to reflect their leaders attributes. Members of the Broncos developed Tebow’s ability to make clutch plays in the fourth quarter. The defense contributed big sacks and interceptions which helped win games late in the fourth quarter. While receivers could have whined about not being able to catch passes, they instead chose to adopt the new “run first” offense – focusing on blocking downfield on the run plays. There was laughter and pride in the team’s accomplishments. Some players even shared in post game interviews the importance of their faith.

Yes, I am a Tim Tebow fan, but more than that I am a fan of leadership and the opportunity for change that leadership inspires.

Karl Mecklenburg is a former NFL All-Pro and is currently a keynote speaker dedicated to inspiring permanent and positive change in teams and individuals. He is one of the many talented Leadership Speakers you will find on MotivationalSpeakersWorldwide.com.. Check here for free reprint license: Lessons on Leadership from Tim Tebow.

Written by Karl Mecklenburg on February 11th, 2012 with comments disabled.
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