Managing a Team, Super Bowl Style

Excited for the Super Bowl? We are! The Patriots may not have made it this year, but their former coach Pete Carroll did. His Seattle Seahawks will be playing the Denver Broncos this Sunday; the same Broncos led in the front-office by Hall of Fame QB John Elway.

As we count down to this Sunday’s game we’re asking if what makes a great manager is the same on the field as in the boardroom.

Pete Carroll, Seahawks Head Coach

Simply put, coaching is hard and requires tremendous resiliency. Even the most successful coaches fail (a lot) and Seattle’s Pete Carroll has the track record to prove it. While he was successful in the college ranks at USC, he’s been fired from head coaching positions with both the New York Jets and New England Patriots.

Carroll has received a fair share of criticism during his career. “A good number of USC fans cannot or will not forgive Carroll for the timing of his departure, only months before the NCAA hammered the program with unprecedented penalties in the Reggie Bush case, creating the perception that he skipped town just before the posse arrived.”

Luckily for Carroll, success is remembered more often than failures. “Carroll’s Trojans were the AP's No. 1 team for a national-record 33 straight polls and were ranked in the AP Top 10 for a school-record 63 consecutive games. In his nine seasons at Troy [USC], Carroll’s record was 83-18, and he received almost every coaching award imaginable.” (ESPN Insider)

The Seattle Times describes him as “62 going on 30,” and others have said that he’s “not very coach-like.” During his three-year tenure in New England, Patriots fans clamored for him to be more like his predecessor, Bill Parcells. “Parcells criticized his players in public; Carroll occasionally hugged his players in public. Parcells made demands; Carroll asked for input.”

The transition from Parcells to Carroll was difficult as the conflicting managerial styles confused those used to Parcells’ gruff leadership style. Yet it seems Carroll’s unique combination of enthusiasm and experience has found a home with the Seahawks.

He’s been known to hold family barbecues in the middle of training camp and play catch with the locker-room attendants during practice. Spencer Torgan, a walk-on under Carroll at USC explains that “He’s deadly serious when it comes to football. He just believes it’s OK to have fun doing it.”

John Elway, Broncos General Manager

Denver’s former quarterback, two-time Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler John Elway knows what it’s like to be part of a winning team. Much like Carroll, his recruiting and managing style is dedicated to creating the right dynamic for players to succeed.

Elway made the transition from legendary player to executive three years ago when he took over as the Broncos’ executive vice president of football operations. After the team’s less than spectacular 4-12 season, Elway was eager to try his hand at the challenges of management. He absorbed his staff’s experience and “spent years learning football’s administrative side. He studied players and picked the brains of scouts.” “I like to learn,” Elway said simply. Like any good hiring manager, his history as a team-player had him “seeking that combination of ability and attitude.”And when it came time for him to select players, there were more payoffs than busts. (Washington Post)

Similar to Carroll’s familial dynamic, Elway says he “knew what [he] wanted in guys and kind of the characteristics and personalities that fit.” He was testing his own instincts as a quarterback against the word of those he would be working with.

“As a quarterback,” Elway said, “you’re only as good as the people around you.”

Team and Office Culture

Elway and Carroll both understand the way to win is by creating a team culture built for success. Like in any successful office, the team’s culture and attitude needs to align with the vision of those leading it.

Lead by Example

Carroll continuously stresses the importance of leading by example. A combination of heart and dedication makes him a manger who “notices when a player’s foot placement is slightly off at practice.” The same man who “constructed the blueprint for Seattle’s defense will rip a player when needed.”

The descriptions his team members provide mimic the same qualities we use to describe great managers. When you’re spending day in and out with someone, what for some NFL teams was too soft is Carroll’s trick for motivating his teams.

Regardless of his departure from USC, Carroll made a well timed return to the NFL and proved he could be a factor as head coach. Coach or manager, this type of comeback can’t happen without learning from past mistakes. Carroll has refined his style and judging by this season’s Seahawks, he’s found a great fit.

Keep a Cool Head

When recruiting Peyton Manning, Elway considered his days as a quarterback. “What kind of organization would’ve appealed to him? “I didn’t try to push Peyton,” he said. “I put myself in his shoes.” Considering others perspectives is key to understanding how to best motivate your team.

“He stays calm; he stays collected,” said Ellis, now the Broncos’ president describing Elway. “It’s a trait that a lot of people saw in him on the field, leading teams on game-winning drives.” Keeping your composure under pressure is tough, but helps Elway lead with confidence and conviction.

To us, these traits are reminiscent of Fortune 100 Best Places to Work list. Each company featured on the poll this year is honored for their dedication to a positive attitude and goal oriented mentality. Like great HR- motivators, Carroll and Elway focus on the details to help each player excel daily.  

Now all that’s left to do is grab some wings, watch the game, and find out.