Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi as a Leader
Vince Lombardi once stated, “Leaders aren’t born, that are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work” (Belliotti, 2008, p.8). Lombardi was a very successful National Football League coach. He defines a true leader in the coaching world through his hard work and dedication to making each individual player and the team as a whole better through transformational leadership.
According to Peter G. Northouse, a leader is someone that has the ability to inspire and create change that allows others to follow them. They display confidence, determination, intelligence, integrity and sociability (2010, p.5-21). These concepts that are relevant in the workplace are also the same in sports. As a coach you want to motivate your players and work towards a team goal or vision. Karlene Sugarman says that “leadership is about influencing team members to work hard towards a team goal and to be committed to it” (1999).
Like all good leaders Lombardi had a vision. Lombardi wanted to win and wanted to turn his team, the Green Bay Packers, into that winning team. Lombardi is famously known for his quote, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” (Belliotti, 2008, p.7). When Lombardi became the coach of the Packers the team was in a state of disorder and had a losing record. His objective was to be “world champions, everyday…relentless in the pursuit of victory” (Maraniss 219). His vision was a team of winners, both together and as individuals and Lombardi would except nothing less and would encourage his players to follow in his vision of excellence. (Emen, 2010)
Transformational leadership is a “process that changes and transforms people” (Northouse, 2010, p.171). Transformational leaders motivate and challenge teams to perform at levels that are beyond expectations; they bring out the best in followers and create a clear vision. (Northouse, 2010). Lombardi was a transformational leader with his ability to motivate his
Vince Lombardi once stated, “Leaders aren’t born, that are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work” (Belliotti, 2008, p.8). Lombardi was a very successful National Football League coach. He defines a true leader in the coaching world through his hard work and dedication to making each individual player and the team as a whole better through transformational leadership.
According to Peter G. Northouse, a leader is someone that has the ability to inspire and create change that allows others to follow them. They display confidence, determination, intelligence, integrity and sociability (2010, p.5-21). These concepts that are relevant in the workplace are also the same in sports. As a coach you want to motivate your players and work towards a team goal or vision. Karlene Sugarman says that “leadership is about influencing team members to work hard towards a team goal and to be committed to it” (1999).
Like all good leaders Lombardi had a vision. Lombardi wanted to win and wanted to turn his team, the Green Bay Packers, into that winning team. Lombardi is famously known for his quote, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” (Belliotti, 2008, p.7). When Lombardi became the coach of the Packers the team was in a state of disorder and had a losing record. His objective was to be “world champions, everyday…relentless in the pursuit of victory” (Maraniss 219). His vision was a team of winners, both together and as individuals and Lombardi would except nothing less and would encourage his players to follow in his vision of excellence. (Emen, 2010)
Transformational leadership is a “process that changes and transforms people” (Northouse, 2010, p.171). Transformational leaders motivate and challenge teams to perform at levels that are beyond expectations; they bring out the best in followers and create a clear vision. (Northouse, 2010). Lombardi was a transformational leader with his ability to motivate his
References: Belliotti, R. A. (2008). Vince Lombardi and the Philosophy of Winning. In M.W. Austin (Ed.), Football and philosophy: going deep (pp. 5-16). Lexington, KY. : University Press Of Kentucky. Crust, L., & Lawrence, I. (2006). A Review of Leadership in Sport: Implications for Football Management. The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 8(4), 28-48. Retrieved November 2, 2010, from http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol8Iss4 Emen, J. (2010). Vince Lombardi: a case study in the art of leadership - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com. Associated Content. Retrieved November 2, 2010, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/29284/vince_lombardi_a_case_study.html. Inamn, R. (2007). Lombardi - Not just a name on a trophy - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com. Associated Content. Retrieved November 2, 2010, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/124837/lombardi_not_just_a_name.html. Manning, G., & Curtis, K. (2003). The art of leadership. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Maraniss, D. (1999). When pride still mattered: a life of Vince Lombardi. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Northouse, P. G. (2010). Leadership: theory and practice (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage. Sugarman, K. (1999). Leadership Characteristics. Psych Web by Russ Dewey. Retrieved November 2, 2010, from http://www.psychwww.com/sports