How Excellent Behavior Leads to Victory On and Off the Field
Summary: As Super Bowl LIX nears, the NFL’s best will take the field, showcasing skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The game will offer leadership lessons far beyond touchdowns, teaching us that character and excellent behavior often define true winners.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
There is so much electric energy around the final games leading to the Superbowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs are playing the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, and The Washington Commanders are versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Then, onto the big game in New Orleans in a few weeks.
I am curious to know how you can connect your work with leadership in the business world with what happens on the field after a touchdown and in the locker room.
Signed,
Love to Tackle
What We Can Learn from Watching A Football Game
Dear Love to Tackle,
I grew up in Philadelphia and was destined to be an Eagles fan.
They are still one of my favorite teams.
However, moving to the San Francisco area gave me room to cheer on the 49ers along with my East Coast favorite.
Thanks to my curiosity about Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, I am also intrigued with the Kansas City Chiefs.
My work in leadership and emotional intelligence, of course, shows up in every sports area in the world.
From rising stars in 2024 to legends like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, football reminds us that how you handle success—and setbacks—can shape your legacy.
This idea resonates deeply with a story shared by a Total Leadership Connections™ (TLC) graduate, a leader who learned firsthand that good behavior beats being a jerk—every single time.
What Do You Do When You Miss the Catch?
Not every pass is caught in football, and not every opportunity pans out in life. Do you rant and rave like Aaron Rodgers after a tough loss? Or do you take a page from Tom Brady’s playbook, who shook hands with Peyton Manning after losing a big game?
One Total Leadership Connections graduate shared how he responded to missing out on a Senior VP position he had worked over eight years to secure.
In his words, “The ball was thrown, but not to me,” he said. “I was furious and wanted revenge—oh, that sweet word. This was a time to defend, explain, and justify. I felt the old victim mentality bubbling up, and I wanted to crawl back into bed and sulk.”
But then he remembered a vital lesson from TLC. This learning also shows up in watching the best of the best in pro football.
Behavior patterns, especially outdated responses to stress, can sabotage your success.
Rather than spiraling, he chose to stay focused and do great work, embodying the composure and resilience of a top quarterback.
When Character Wins the Game, Everyone Wins
What happened next proved that excellent behavior, even in disappointment, can lead to unexpected rewards.
He remained a team player, and while continuing to excel in his role, he received a call to apply for a CEO position at a larger organization—despite not having begun his job search. “Yesterday, I found out I got the job,” he shared.
His story underscores what Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and the 2024 rookies like Jayden Daniels, Brock Bowers, and Bo Nix are showing us this season: True greatness comes from mastering your emotions and behavior, even when the stakes are high.
Lessons From Football’s Greats
The NFL has provided countless examples of players who rise above challenges by focusing on discipline and integrity:
- Patrick Mahomes: Known for his ability to lead with composure, Mahomes demonstrates that staying focused, even in high-pressure moments, is a hallmark of leadership.
- Travis Kelce: A dynamic personality on the field, Kelce balances competitiveness with respect for teammates and opponents alike.
- Jayden Daniels: The Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback has proven that humility and teamwork can be just as important as raw talent.
- Brock Bowers: Las Vegas Raiders’ tight end shows how excelling on the field and respecting others creates a winning formula.
- Josh Allen: The Buffalo Bills quarterback is a triple threat: a physical player, a great decision-maker, and a team leader.
Harness Your Inner Quarterback
In football and in life, there will be moments when you drop the ball or miss the touchdown. The key is to avoid letting stress trigger outdated, ineffective behavior patterns. Total Leadership Connections™ teaches us how to recognize these patterns and make conscious choices that lead to better outcomes.
As the TLC graduate noted, timing is everything:
“Throwing the ball too soon or too late can cause a game loss.”
The same principle applies to leadership and career decisions. Staying grounded, maintaining focus, and working on your craft—no matter the circumstances—separate champions from the rest.
A Call to Action: What Patterns Do You Need to Tackle?
Football teaches us to celebrate resilience, teamwork, and integrity. Whether you’re vying for the CEO position of your dreams, navigating a difficult workplace, or preparing for your next big play, your behavior patterns will make or break your success.
This Super Bowl season, take a moment to reflect:
- Are you letting stress drive your decisions?
- How can you respond more effectively to challenges?
Take the PatternAware™ Quiz and uncover which behaviors are holding you back. With the right strategies, you can harness your inner quarterback, make your mark, and lead your team to victory.
As we prepare for one of the greatest spectacles in sports, let’s celebrate not only the touchdown’s but also the character that defines true champions—on and off the field. From NFL legends to future stars and from the boardroom to the locker room, excellence in behavior always leads to a touchdown.
Who are your favorites?
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
PS. Want to know the deeper issues you need to handle when stress rears its ugly head? Get a free copy of the first chapter of Invisible Stress on the home page of www.ceoptions.com. And join the 7-Day Stress Reduction Challenge on Stress Mastery on Facebook.
