I love college football.
There are two teams I follow – Purdue and the University of Southern California.
I’ve loved USC ever since I was a little girl – dreaming of winning a Heisman myself or at least working the sidelines during College Game Day! My uncle won a national championship with the Trojans in the late 60′s and played in a couple Rose Bowls. So, I’ll admit I’m biased.
However, I’ve never been more impressed with a program than I was last night when I stumbled on a feature on Pete Carroll, USC’s head coach, on 60 Minutes. This is a 12-minute feature, and worth every single minute:
One of my favorite parts comes at the 2:35 mark when Coach Carroll is told that one of his colleagues from a rival school said that all coaches are miserable.
Anyone who’s ever seen Pete Caroll knows that’s not the case with him. And with a shake of his head Coach Carroll says,
“No, I never have been miserable. I keep thinking that day to day something good is just about to happen.”
Now there’s a philosophy that should be in every executive office and part of every leadership development program.
He’s also faced adversity.
Coach Carroll was fired – twice – as an NFL head coach. Saying his first firing was “the best thing that ever happened to him,” and he’s not being cocky or smug.
The USC alumni and fans weren’t excited about him coming to coach there, but he knew…
…something good is just about to happen…
And get this…here’s some innovative leadership…Coach Carroll believes practice is almost more important than games.
He makes practices competitive and life-like and fun.
As their leader, Coach Carroll is preparing his athletes to succeed on the football field – and in life – by helping them understand the importance of working hard, and enjoying the journey.
…something good is just about to happen…
But it doesn’t stop there.
Coach Carroll has the ability to spend his days recruiting blue chip athletes and working with some of the greatest college athletes and coaches in the country – and he does. But as this 60 Minutes piece shows, he also spends time in some of the worst neighborhoods in LA.
He is coaching and mentoring in gang riddled areas and collaborating with area officials to help those young people find meaning in their lives beyond the street. He doesn’t do it for the publicity; he doesn’t do it because he has to; and he certainly doesn’t do it because it’s safe. He does it because…
…something good is just about to happen…
What if all leadership activities started from the “something good is just about to happen” attitude?
What if you viewed your team’s – or your own – “failures” as the next opportunity for greatness?
What if all leadership assessments included a category for service?
I believe every leader, well every person really, has the power to make a meaningful difference in the world.
You may not have the access and opportunities afforded a National Championship winning football coach. But you do have access and opportunities in your organization and your neighborhood.
Find someone who needs a mentor.
Change your attitude.
Make a difference.
Thanks Coach … you’re right, something good is just about to happen.
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