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Audio Episode 27 |š”Football QBs - more than CEOs - epitomize brilliant leadership today. They are one part Achilles and one part Algorithm.
Note: This is an audio version of IoNTELLIGENCE Issue 51. Usually, this podcast is only available to paid Community Members, but today, everyone is receiving it. Enjoy!
IoNTELLIGENCE draws on science and philosophy to help busy people achieve professional success, personal transformation, and lasting happiness in five minutes a week.
* š§ The Big Idea: By understanding what it takes for quarterbacks to succeed on Sundays, we can learn a lot about the elements of modern leadership.
* š Topics: Leadership | Performance | Professional Success.
* š§ What To Do Next:Ā Consider the 5 RulesĀ®ļø for Leading like a QB.
* š¬ Go Deeper: Read āThe QBā by Bruce Feldman.
2.78 seconds.
Thatās the average amount of time a professional quarterback has before he throws the football today.
Picture the scene: youāre facing 80,000 screaming, hostile fans, as well as howling winds and snow (if youāre playing in Green Bay in November), and you have less than three secondsĀ after the ball is snapped to drop back, avoid getting crushed by the other teamās 300 lb. mastodons, and throw a football 25 yards downfield to a point where you believe the receiverĀ will beĀ ā all the while threading the needle between multiple layers of defensive coverage.
Then imagine doing this for three hours while trying to avoid everything from interceptions to injury.
Thatās what NFL QBs do every Sunday. Now, they get paid enormous sums of money to do it, but only 32 people in the world have this job - and, if weāre honest - only about ten are considered elite. Letās put it this way: there are fewer top-tier quarterbacks than business people worth 100 billion (15).
There is no position in all sports that is quite like the QB. Itās not only the most demanding role but also the most important, not to mention the most glamorous. As football commentator Bruce Feldman writes, āQuarterback is an identity. Guys play first base [in baseball] and power forward [in basketball]. You donāt play Quarterback. You are a quarterback.ā
Why are they so singular? Because to succeed on the football field today, QBs must beĀ one part Achilles and one part algorithm. You need the bravado of an alpha male, as well as the brains of Albert Einstein.
This extraordinary combination is why I believe quarterbacks, more than CEOs, embody what it takes to be a great executive today.
š Key Takeaways
The IoNTELLIGENCE 5 RulesĀ®ļø for Leading Like a Quarterback.Ā QBs and Leaders sacrifice, show courage, and lead by example. They process data like a computer. Finally, they reflect on the lessons but forget the mistakes.
š¬ Go Deeper
* If you have a few hours, š āThe QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacksā by Bruce Feldman.
* If you have under 1 hour, š§ to this podcast episode on the leadership lessons from the Netflix series āQuarterback.ā
* If you have 10 minutes, š thisĀ article on Peyton Manningās legendary preparation and mental prowess.
Thank you very much for being a Member of the IoNTELLIGENCE Community and supporting my writing and podcasting.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit iontelligence.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Ion ValisNote: This is an audio version of IoNTELLIGENCE Issue 51. Usually, this podcast is only available to paid Community Members, but today, everyone is receiving it. Enjoy!
IoNTELLIGENCE draws on science and philosophy to help busy people achieve professional success, personal transformation, and lasting happiness in five minutes a week.
* š§ The Big Idea: By understanding what it takes for quarterbacks to succeed on Sundays, we can learn a lot about the elements of modern leadership.
* š Topics: Leadership | Performance | Professional Success.
* š§ What To Do Next:Ā Consider the 5 RulesĀ®ļø for Leading like a QB.
* š¬ Go Deeper: Read āThe QBā by Bruce Feldman.
2.78 seconds.
Thatās the average amount of time a professional quarterback has before he throws the football today.
Picture the scene: youāre facing 80,000 screaming, hostile fans, as well as howling winds and snow (if youāre playing in Green Bay in November), and you have less than three secondsĀ after the ball is snapped to drop back, avoid getting crushed by the other teamās 300 lb. mastodons, and throw a football 25 yards downfield to a point where you believe the receiverĀ will beĀ ā all the while threading the needle between multiple layers of defensive coverage.
Then imagine doing this for three hours while trying to avoid everything from interceptions to injury.
Thatās what NFL QBs do every Sunday. Now, they get paid enormous sums of money to do it, but only 32 people in the world have this job - and, if weāre honest - only about ten are considered elite. Letās put it this way: there are fewer top-tier quarterbacks than business people worth 100 billion (15).
There is no position in all sports that is quite like the QB. Itās not only the most demanding role but also the most important, not to mention the most glamorous. As football commentator Bruce Feldman writes, āQuarterback is an identity. Guys play first base [in baseball] and power forward [in basketball]. You donāt play Quarterback. You are a quarterback.ā
Why are they so singular? Because to succeed on the football field today, QBs must beĀ one part Achilles and one part algorithm. You need the bravado of an alpha male, as well as the brains of Albert Einstein.
This extraordinary combination is why I believe quarterbacks, more than CEOs, embody what it takes to be a great executive today.
š Key Takeaways
The IoNTELLIGENCE 5 RulesĀ®ļø for Leading Like a Quarterback.Ā QBs and Leaders sacrifice, show courage, and lead by example. They process data like a computer. Finally, they reflect on the lessons but forget the mistakes.
š¬ Go Deeper
* If you have a few hours, š āThe QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacksā by Bruce Feldman.
* If you have under 1 hour, š§ to this podcast episode on the leadership lessons from the Netflix series āQuarterback.ā
* If you have 10 minutes, š thisĀ article on Peyton Manningās legendary preparation and mental prowess.
Thank you very much for being a Member of the IoNTELLIGENCE Community and supporting my writing and podcasting.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit iontelligence.substack.com/subscribe