Vince Lombardi was arguably the greatest football coach of all time. Known for his tireless work ethic and exacting standards, he led the Green Bay Packers to five championships in nine seasons as head coach, and he did it in a very different environment from professional sports today. His Packers won the first two Super Bowls, and the trophy given to every subsequent Super Bowl winner afterward bears his name. In 15 seasons as an NFL assistant and head coach, Lombardi’s teams never had a losing season — ever. Leadership like this should be appreciated, regardless of which team’s colors you wear. Lombardi became famous for his unyielding dedication and tenacious spirit. He believed in daily, dedicated practice and expected nothing less than excellence from his players and coaches. He demanded attention to detail from every individual and expected a team effort. He understood the strength that comes from a well-trained, unified, and singularly focused team. Lombardi’s principles as a leader were focused on aligning the team’s priorities, and he shared this guidance with his team: “Your religion, your family, and the Green Bay Packers will be your priorities as long as you are here. And in that order.” Over time, these simple words became known as the “Lombardi Trinity” because they were the foundation of his ethos and the culture he created within his teams. He insisted his players commit themselves to living fulfilling personal lives just as he demanded they give themselves wholeheartedly to the game of football. He understood the focus he required of them on the field necessitated they eliminate distractions off the field. Insisting they find balance between their personal and professional lives ensured the two were rarely in conflict. Vince Lombardi’s fundamentals are every bit as applicable to business as to the game of football. By insisting your people dedicate themselves to their personal lives when at home, you can insist they dedicate themselves to their professional lives while at work. The more success they see personally, the more success they will experience professionally. Connect the Success Your leadership team has a responsibility to help those within your organization realize that success at work and success at home are not mutually exclusive. This can be difficult in a business that demands so much time and energy from each person. One way to encourage your people to dedicate themselves fully is to help them “connect the success.” A cycle of satisfaction is created when a person recognizes that achievements in one area of life translate to progress in another area of life. People embrace the concept “work hard, play hard” with new enthusiasm. You will find them empowered and engaged like never before, and the team benefits along with the individual. So how do you connect personal and professional success? Here are three keys to unlocking the potential of your business by unlocking the potential of your people. Discover Their Motivation People are motivated differently. While some are motivated by a commission, bonus, or hourly raise, others respond more positively to a flexible schedule or paid time off. Sometimes peer recognition for a job well done is the motivation someone needs, while other employees need to feel like a small part of a larger team accomplishment. It is not difficult to find out someone’s motivation — just ask. Ask your employees what they would like to Lead Like Lombardi By Ethos Group 8
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