Same Subject, Different Treatment

The late Roger Ebert once gave this bit of foundational film criticism insight: “It’s not what a movie is about; it’s how it is about it.”

In other words, the subject matter is one thing, but the treatment of it is another thing entirely. The “how” of a film is what gives the film its meaning, its identity, and what causes it to either succeed or fail.

Take a few football movies: “Rudy,” “North Dallas Forty” and “Brian’s Song.” All movies that involve football, yet they’re actually about different things.

“Rudy” is about a low football talent kid with a dream to play for Notre Dame. Using dogged will power and against-all-odds determination, he finally makes the practice squad of his beloved Fighting Irish.

“North Dallas Forty” is about the tough, gritty lives of professional football players away from the game day cameras. Step away from the show business marketing machine and life is much different than the glamour portrayed on Sundays.

“Brian’s Song” is the heart-breaking story of Chicago Bears player Brian Piccolo, his friendship with Gale Sayers and Piccolo’s fight with cancer. Often known as the football movie that makes grown men cry, it’s about friendship, courage and fighting the good fight.

Just as these three films are about football, how they are about football is different. Similarly, while both Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick coach football teams, their approach is different.

How do both coaches consistently achieve such high levels of success? Is there a common thread we can learn from and use in our own lives?

Super Bowl Level Leadership

Coaches always say no game is won or lost on just one play. There are simply too many moments in any one game that can go either way.

However, last week’s game turned on one of the most questioned play calls in NFL history. 114 million viewers collectively asked, “What just happened?”

And that question will be revisited as long as the game is played…

In the process, one coach solidified his legacy, another coach was left to survey the aftermath and reflect on what might have been. (See the best analysis I’ve seen of that play here.)

As we discussed before Super Bowl Sunday, Pete Carroll’s coaching philosophy is built on consciously forming deep relationships with his players and living each day with an abundance mindset.

In Carroll’s experience, deeply authentic relationships pay huge dividends. These relationships help the Seahawks coaches better guide their players to reach their fullest potential. He personifies the old adage, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

One of John Wooden’s former players once spoke about how the famous UCLA basketball teams respected him so much they did everything they could on the court to never let him down. Wooden didn’t rely on fear and intimidation. He got results in his own unique way–no one else’s. Carroll’s approach reminds me of that.

His team’s strong relationships, coupled with an abundance mindset, foster a positive, affirming daily culture of success in the Seahawks organization.

Carroll’s counterpart at Super Bowl XLIX, Bill Belichick, has his own decidedly unique approach.

While both men coach football, to use Ebert’s parlance, they differ in “how they are about it.”

Bill Belichick–The Art of War Meets The Pop Quiz

Well-known for his laconic interviews and less than chummy approach with the media, Bill Belichick comes across as part D-Day general and part Sgt. Joe “Just the Facts, Ma’am” Friday.

He seems to field reporters’ questions in one of two ways: utter disinterest or barely concealed antipathy. Usually, some of both.

Carroll is upbeat, known as a “player’s coach,” and literally bouncing with infectious positivity. Belichick’s vibe is more like a chain-smoking, 10-cup-a-day coffee addict who’s decided to quit nicotine and caffeine cold turkey on the same day.

Partly grumpy with a chance of grouchy.

On one side we have Carroll’s focus on deep relationships and growth mindset. On the other side, Belichick has his own approach as well–a game hunter’s eye for player passion, exhaustive preparation and a “win with what you have” attitude.

Belichick seeks players who live to play the game of football.

He’d rather have a B+ talent who fights like a wolverine than a roster of A+ talent with entitlement syndrome. (See seventh-round 2009 draft pick Julian Edelman, the guy Tom Brady nick-named, “Minitron.”)

Secondly, Belichick’s approach to mindful preparation is an almost 24-hour a day commitment.

Constant pop quizzes in the film room keep players alert every moment of the day. Back-ups get game preparation questions fired at them every hour of every day.

Even veterans get peppered with situational pop quizzes. Incorrect replies are met with invitations for “extra study time in coach’s office”…

At the professional level, nano-seconds can mean the difference between a win and a loss. Belichick’s part Socratic Method, part psychological warfare, prepares players for fast reaction on game day.

Lastly, Belichick is known for his keen game planning adaptability. He simply does what will work.

It seems like common sense. Yet, anyone who’s worked in a large organization has seen egos and agendas snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Just as true leaders don’t care who gets credit, Belichick has shown countless times his ability to create flexible, winning game plans. One week may call for extensive use of a back-up tight end. The next week may call for a star receiver to get less rotations on offense. If it serves the success of the team, that’s the winning choice.

He wants to win, not argue about who’s right.

As he once said, “So what is the right way to do it? What’s the wrong way to do it? I don’t know. Whatever works, whatever you believe in.”

Over 40 years in professional coaching has given him the confidence to simply do what works.

No hidden agendas. No groping for spotlight during the good times. No dodging blame during the rough times.

He sets the vision, musters his team’s talent, and moves forward.

A Common Theme

After considering both Super Bowl XLIX coaches for two different blog posts, one key conclusion rises to the surface. It has to do with why they’re both so successful.

Both men know who they are. They coach, teach and lead from an authentic, centered place of confidence.

Compare Belichick’s and Carroll’s poised centers of confidence from its leadership opposite.

Is there a worse organizational crippler than an insecure manager?

They waste so much energy hyperventilating about the minors, they fumble the majors. They’re always striving in vain to be what they aren’t, instead of embracing who they are.

This inauthenticity originates from fear and insecurity. The insecurities lead to erratic behavior. Erratic behavior breeds doubt and mistrust among co-workers.

What could have been a high-performing team is squandered in the hands of the insecure leader. Productivity plummets and talent leaves for better-run organizations with better leadership.

Conversely, Carroll and Belichick, know exactly who they are as individuals, as coaches and as leaders.

This authenticity doesn’t mean every season will lead to a Super Bowl appearance. Not at all. What it does mean, is that neither coach is wasting precious energy and time trying to be someone they’re not.

In life, business or football, this authenticity and poise is priceless.

The Authentic Leader

Pete Carroll doesn’t roam the practice field impersonating Boss Godfrey from Cool Hand Luke in his menacing mirrored sun glasses. That’s not him.

Similarly, Bill Belichick doesn’t lead the Patriots with the more high energy, exuberance of his Seahawks counterpart. They coach within themselves.

Both coaches have seen what works and what doesn’t–in football and in life. That comes from experience and the wisdom to know the difference.

Experience is invaluable. As important, is the discernment to fully make sense of an experience.

As we now see, authentic confidence in an imperfect self beats insecurity masquerading as a flawless leader any day of the week.

If Roger Ebert was still alive, he might more eloquently write about “how” both coaches are “about” the game of football.

One thing we know is that both coach’s methods to success stem from authentically honoring themselves and the people they lead. This maturity, while packaged in different styles, is the difference that’s brought both men to the pinnacle of their profession.

It’s what real leaders do. Anything less, is not called leadership.

Who’s ready for next season? Me, too.

Cheers,

DW