Every championship game should inspire leaders to wonder about talent they've failed to notice
As leaders, we are inclined to lean on the same people and we can forget about the untapped potential around us
Ten teams passed over Patrick Mahomes before the MVP quarterback was ever drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. But this year, Mahomes is taking the team to the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years.
Before the New England Patriots traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, he had long been the backup (and likely, backup rarely utilized) to Tom Brady. Even before arriving at Super Bowl LIV, many had speculated if Garoppolo had the talent that could contend with Brady.
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On Sunday, two solid and skilled quarterbacks, who have sat on the sidelines longer than necessary, are finally stepping into their first Super Bowl – some would also say, their full potential as NFL players. But if a coach would’ve seen the possibilities in either of these players earlier on, who is to say this would be their first Super Bowl?
Turning just 24 in early January, Mahomes will be the fifth-youngest quarterback at the Super Bowl. The youngest quarterback to throw for 50 touchdowns in a season, Mahomes has also tied for youngest to throw for more than 5,000 yards a season. To top it off, this is only the MVP’s second full season in the game. As a player who has made history in the league, Mahomes’ career has just begun.
Sitting behind the limelight of Brady, the so-called GOAT, would be nothing short of intimidating. It clearly left Garoppolo underutilized and in the shadows for far too long. With the upcoming Super Bowl, some now question if the Patriots trading off the young quarterback was the right move.
Some talent needs training and some passion needs probing. But for those on the sidelines who are prepped and ready to go, who on your team could you be overlooking?
As a leader, it prompts me to wonder, and no doubt for many coaches this year to question, how many players are being passed by? How much talent is being overlooked? And furthermore, how many never even get a shot?
Whether in the realm of organizational team players or professional athletes, there is probably more untapped talent and underutilized passion around us than we can comprehend. Some talent needs training and some passion needs probing. But for those on the sidelines who are prepped and ready to go, who on your team could you be overlooking?
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As leaders, we are inclined to lean on the same people who continually come through for us. We can easily depend on the same few talented individuals we have equipped and empowered that we forget about the untapped potential around us.
By practicing leadership that continually seeks to call out the best in those around you, you give equal opportunity to everyone within your workplace, which propels your team forward.
Take the time to personally invest in your team. Find the moments within your schedule to offer your attention, build relationships and know the people who work for you. Regardless of the size of your company, it’s easy to continually be in communication with just the key individuals. Be sure to create time to invest in everyone, specifically those currently on the sidelines.
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Create opportunities to listen to your team. Although it may not always be easy to stop and listen when our schedules continue to fill up, seek out moments to listen to your team. Listen to not only their passions but hear them out for their ideas and opinions. Whether over an hour-long coffee or a brief encounter at a team lunch, these moments give you the insight into the people, passions and skills all around you.
Consider the possibilities. We can be so focused on our vision, we can forget to consider all the possibilities. If we don’t take the time to be in tune with the potential in the players around us, we are essentially forfeiting the potential of our teams. For all the times we need to be strategic, sometimes it can benefit us to think outside of the box. A potential key player could be right outside of that box.
It may be the player’s job to be prepared for every opportunity that comes their way. But it’s the leader’s role to acknowledge the potential and grant the opportunity.
In the case of the Chiefs and the 49ers, of course, we can all see their potential now. Both quarterbacks arrive this weekend with having proven their potential. What if someone had called it out earlier?
Dr. Kent Ingle is the president of Southeastern University. He is the author of several leadership books and host of the "Frameworks Leadership" podcast.
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