The Chicago Bears are my favorite NFL team. I was glued to the TV on Sunday watching the game unfold into another miracle 4th quarter win by Tebow and the Broncos. Like many of you, I am trying to answer the question: How does Tebow and his teammates do it week after week? Is it divine intervention? Is it due to the Bronco’s confidence that good things will eventually happen or is it just plain old LUCK? It is not luck at all. It is a combination of many attributes that Tebow brings to the Bronco organization as a leader.
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Tebow is an authentic and servant leader. Tebow understands who he is as a person. He is principled and has a core set of beliefs and values that he lives by every minute of each day. He does not compromise his faith which is the cornerstone of who he is. Being a servant leader, Tebow puts others ahead of himself and does all he can to make his team better. People flock to leaders who are trusting, are positive and believe good things will happen, demonstrate consistent behavior, and have character and integrity.
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Tebow believes in himself. Leaders need to be confident of their abilities and always look for ways to constantly improve. Tebow is undeterred by an negative comments or reactions about him. When he is being interviewed after game he is always giving credit to others, staying positive no matter the outcome and has the attitude of getting better and improving. His humble confidence in his abilities and those of his teammates creates an atmosphere of winning and NEVER giving up no matter the obstacles.
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Tebow sticks to his strengths. Leaders need to understand their strengths and leverage them. Despite the fact that others tell him what he can’t do, he has excelled at doing the things he does very well. Tebow is an option style quarterback who runs like a fullback and throws short passes between zone coverage. He has a very unorthodox throwing style and will never be a great passer. He runs to set up the short pass. Leaders when setting their strategic objectives or game plan need to focus on the organization’s core strengths and leverage the strengths and capabilities of their team.
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Tebow leads by example. Tebow’s work ethic has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates. No one works harder or is better prepared than Tebow. His teammates don’t want to let him down so they are working harder. Tebow has changed the culture of the Bronco organization. His team believes in him as their leader and they are believing in themselves as winners. What more can you ask for from a leader!
We can learn a great deal about leadership from Tim Tebow. He may not take Denver to the Super Bowl this year; but he’s a winner both on and off the field. It is refreshing to have a genuine role model to look up to today. I am not sure about you but I am learning a lot from his example. I hope you do as well. I am rooting for him.