Cam Newton on Leadership

Wait, What?  I have read books entitled "Lincoln on Leadership" (awesome), "Leading Like Jesus" and "Billy Graham on Leadership."  But here is an article/post with the title "Cam Newton on Leadership.  Newton is the Quarterback for the Super Bowl bound Carolina Panthers.  I have never been a fan of his, but today's awesome article by Dan Graziano of ESPN, has shed some light on Newton's leadership style and valuable leadership lessons can be gleaned.

Read the article here!

Here are some of the highlights from the article featuring quotes from Newton's teammates:

- "He's loose, so we're loose"

-"What he's got, it's contagious"

-"Coming in here (to practice) everyday doesn't feel like work"

-"He's setting the tone"

-"He plays with Joy"

-"He's having an amazing time"

-"He's loose, he's himself"

-"We respect that guy, we love that guy"

A few acknowledgements - 1.) These guys are paid extremely high salaries to play a game, so naturally it will be more fun than sitting in a cubicle all day.  2.)  They are on an incredible winning streak (basically they have won about 23 of their last 25 games going back to last season.) so they are more likely to put a rosy glow on everything.  However, we can still learn from the atmosphere around this player and team.

Let's try to put a few of these phrases into the context of your organization:

-He's loose, so we're loose - Would the people you led describe you as loose and themselves as equally loose?  Loose just means that they are relaxed and comfortable doing their jobs.  Coaches would describe this as a very good place for athletes to be.  What about in your church, school, team or business?  Or your followers loose?  Are they relaxed and comfortable doing their jobs?  Do you give them the emotional freedom to be in that state?

-Coming to work everyday doesn't feel like work.  Again, these guys get to play football for a living, but there is a parallel.  Do you hate coming into the office?  Or do you get up everyday (or at least most days) excited to get to work and accomplish your mission in life?  If you don't, those who work for you, won't either.  Instill a sense of happiness and purpose in your followers.  Get them excited about accomplishing the mission of your organization.  If you have it, they will follow.  If you don't, neither will they.

-He's having an amazing time, He sets the tone, We respect that guy, We love that guy - Wow! Wouldn't it be great if those words were used to describe us?  How different would our organization be if our followers could describe us that way.  How effective would we be?

A few suggestions to help us all get the point these words can be used about us:

1.)  Be yourself.  It has certainly worked for Cam Newton.
2.)  Be loose and relaxed.  Have fun and promote an environment that is fun, loose and effective
3.)  Get wins for your followers.

With all that said- Go Broncos!