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4. Perform, perform, perform – Performing at maximal capacity, which also means delivering results, is king in football and business. Cam has done it at the QB position better than anyone else this season. We appreciate effort, but ultimately effort is not the thing that we reward. We reward execution and delivering results. Interestingly, perceptions of performance can change quickly both for the good and the bad. Last season, for example, Cam was considered an underachiever based on his lofty position in the draft five years ago. Vault forward one season after guiding an offensive juggernaut (without your best receiver), one loss, Super Bowl appearing, Conference championship winning team, we have a bonafide SUPERSTAR in our midst. If Cam were an executive, people would be lining up his seat in the corner office.

5. Mistakes happen; don’t sweat ‘em, learn from ‘em – As a starting point, no one is trying to make mistakes. We can all strive for perfection and may even get close, but the reality of the situation is that mistakes do occur. Accept that they can happen (especially when you are taking risks), and anticipate the most obvious places where failure can happen (plan for it). When unanticipated failures happen, extract whatever learnings you can from them and adapt what you are doing to account for these failures. Thinking of mistakes as iterative learning opportunities helps you and your teams to adopt a continuous learning attitude and pushes for constant improvement. Setting the bar consistently higher on performance gets you to a Super Bowl or whatever the equivalent of it is in your business such as #1 in market share!

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6. Be careful who you rely on, do they have the right stuff?Personally and professionally, we all must be selective about the company we keep and whom we trust/rely upon. In sport, it is your teammates. Cam has grown in his trust of his teammates and they have grown in their trust of him. This increased trust has been demonstrated by changes in Cam’s distribution of the football to his receivers over the course of the season. Trust goes down immensely when someone doesn’t deliver in their role. Typically, in football, it is followed by demotion and a “next man up” mentality. Business is less obvious (or brutally honest) about underperformance; however, those who can’t cut it are often cast aside. There are two parts to the equation which must be considered to make the right calls on talent. First, do they have the right stuff to help you win; that is, do they have the right skills and capabilities to function in the role and perform. Selection is critical here, so be clear about what you need in a role to win. Second, can they perform under pressure? Anyone can perform when there is no pressure, but who can deliver under the microscope of a big game or a looming deadline. These are the people who you can rely on and go to when a play is needed.

7. Enjoy what you are doing – Draw energy from your work, but don’t be drained by it. Find the big and small opportunities to relish what you are doing (in the moment). Your ability to have fun and enjoy what you are doing at work or on the playing field will be infectious to those around you! Others will draw on your energy and passion. Leaders who can capitalize on this passion will get the followership they need to get their teams rallied around them and focused on meeting and often exceeding their organizational/ team objectives.

10 Things Cam Newton Can Teach Executives About Leadership  was originally published on blackdoctor.org

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