What Makes Bill Belichick a Winner

Bill Belichick...always the coach...always prepared...leads New England Patriots to perfect 16-0 Regular Season, but stumbles against the NY Giants in the Super Bowl to finiah the season 18-1.

Chris Gadomski writes on what makes Belichick a winner.

In May 2006, I had the pleasure of of listening to Bill Belichick, head coach of the three time SuperBowl Champion New England Patriots. He was the featured speaker at Madison Square Garden during the 6th Annual Frank McGuire Foundation High School Coaches Seminar, www.mcguirefoundation.org.

Belichick focused on his audience of high school coaches at the MSG seminar, yet the wisdom he shared that day is applicable to any business executive or manager striving to deliver success for their own organization.

The McGuire Foundation addresses the challenges and responsibilities needed to guide, develop and motivate student athletes in a complex and competitive environment. The High School Coaches Seminar addresses the challenges that high school coaches encounter and aims to offer an opportunity for discussion and possible solutions to the myriad problems they face.

Motivating Players
One does not have to listen to Belichick for more than just a few moments to discern why he has three Super Bowl championships and why he remains such a valuable asset for the Patriots and the NFL. Although it sounds trite, his reputation precedes him, it is true...he is always prepared.

Many coaches motivate their players with locker room posters. Hanging by itself in the Patriot's locker room is a poster quoting Sun-Tzu, the Chinese philosopher famous for writing "The Art of War" hundreds of years ago. Says Sun-Tzu, "Every battle is won before it is fought."

According to Belichick, the Sunday NFL game is won "Monday through Saturday...you win during the week." And a team is prepared, he adds, when every player knows what they have to do. "There is no 'I' in team, but there is an 'I' in win...and 'I' stands for individual performance."

Accountability
Outstanding individual performance leads to accountability, a concept also underlining much of Belichick's success. "A mistake on the field is the responsibility of the coach. Either the player doesn't care or the coach is letting the player make the mistake."

There are degrees of accountability...and each player needs to be accountable and to win they need to elevate their level of play. If a team falls below a certain level of preparedness, accountability or execution, there is no chance of success.

Leadership
Belichick also had some surprising comments about leadership. "Leadership is not about team speeches...it is about attitude. Everyone on our team is a leader." He cited Troy Brown as one of the best leaders in the game, not because he gives good speeches, but because he exemplifies three characteristics of leadership: 1) being prepared when you come to work; 2) working hard; and 3) putting the team first.

Another example of team leadership was the Patriot's team decision to be announced as a team for Superbowl XXXVI. Belichick recalls how the players all wanted to come out together as one...they did not want individual recognition. "That was who we were...there is an awesome amount of power that a team can generate when they all care about each other."

And in a way, it was also intimidating, Belichick added. "When we tackle, it is just not one guy. Our players thank their teammates for helping them make the big plays."

A tape of the Belichick presentation aired on May 18th, and again on June 17th and 22nd on MSG at 2:00 PM. For further information, visit www.mcguirefoundation.org.

 

 

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Bill Belichick...coaching genius?

New Jersey Meadowlands,
December 29, 2007--
Patriots Beat Giants 38-35 and complete perfect 16-0 season.
In an epic contest, and one of the most-highly rated televised professional football games, Bill Belichick's New England Patriots overcame a fourth quarter deficit to beat the New York Giants and deliver to their fans a perfect 16-0 regular season record. In an uncanny resemblance to their regular season match-up with the Indianapolis Colts, when the Patriots were down 10 points with nine minures left to play during their "SuperBowl 40 1/2" on Sunday, November 4th, Belichick and Brady once again prevailed.

Though Brady and Belichick lost an exciting and improbable Super Bowl to the New York Giants on February 3, 2008, finishin 18-1 is neverhelss an incredible accomplishment. Perhaps only the Ginat's destiny seperated them from the perfect season.

Despite the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, some New York media still tout Belichick, Keynote speaker at the May 1, 2006 Frank McGuire Coaches Seminar, as a coaching genius.

What's his secret? What is his agenda for nextyear?

There are many! Read David Halberstram's Education of A Coach.