Living in the Washington DC area, you can’t escape the excitement of Washington Redskins fans as their team–finally, after four losing seasons–contends for a playoff spot. At the center of their big turnaround from 3 wins & 6 loses to ending up at the top of their division is their rookie quarterback, Robert Griffin, aka RG III. The Washington Post had an extensive piece recently on this phenomenal leader. What the article revealed was a classic case of some core leadership traits and the results they generate.
Here are several connections I see that corroborate research on effective leaders:
- As a first year quarterback with the Skins, Griffin didn’t come in flaunting his track record and credentials and bragging how he was going to turn things around for the club. If you have to tell your team that you are the leader, your aren’t. No, he showed up with humility, in a low key manner, and proceeded to do the very best job he could.
- Besides delivering results from his QB position, he won his team mates over by the force of his belief. Upon his arrival he was plunged into a team belief system of losing, of defeat, of “we can’t.” Tight End Chris Cooley said, “His expectation of winning and playing great is a huge influence in here. It’s been a drastic change of culture. When he talks, people listen–and people believe.” Add to this the comments of team member Nick Sundberg, “…it’s so easy to be excited with him. His attitude is extremely contagious.” People want to be inspired, to believe in themselves and what they can do. The top leaders get them in touch with those emotions.
- On a key last minute drive to win a game, a receiver in anger needlessly drew a penalty that killed the team’s chances for a comeback victory. The player sat alone on the bench, his team mates distancing themselves from him. But not RG III who approached him, gave him a assuring pat, and whispered, “Just keep your head up and keep going.” Of course, it was a message that the player really needed to hear at that moment. But also it was a message to the rest of the team–we’re in this together and we have to pull together and bring one another along. That leadership action by Griffin was as gutsy as it was inspired.
Just like Jim Collins’ “level five leaders,” (Good to Great), Robert Griffin brings that rare combination of a fierce desire to win AND a humility that says “I’m one of you.”
I’m not so sure that this character-based element of leadership can be taught. Perhaps you can bring it out in someone, or out in yourself…if it’s there! One thing is for certain, when you see it in one of your people, nurture it, find a place for it to have an impact, and do everything you can to ensure that this person remains in your organization.
