Why Enthusiasm is the Game-Changer in Leadership
Enthusiasm as an essential element in leaders
What if the key to transforming a struggling organization isn't experience or expertise, but something as simple as enthusiasm?
This past week I was listening to a local sports radio station, and one of the hosts (Tyler Polumbus) shared how when he was playing for a bad team, even when they were having success, there was always this nagging doubt in the back of his mind that they would somehow blow the lead and ultimately the game. The co-host then brought up the 2011 Denver Broncos season and especially “Tebowmania.” The story basically goes like this; with the team floundering at 1-4 and their season going nowhere, plus the fan-favorite Tim Tebow on the benth, the Broncos’ brass decided to give the fans what they wanted, starting Tebow their next game in Miami vs. the Dolphins.
The Tebow Effect
Against all odds, the Broncos somehow won the game in Miami, despite a putrid performance by Tebow, with him leading a couple 4th-quarter drives to tie the game, leading to an overtime win. The next week, at home against the Lions, Tebow and the Broncos got pummeled 45-10 and the Tebow experiment looked finished. With lowered expectations, the next week the Broncos went into Oakland and handled the Raiders, winning 38-24. From there, things got even wackier, as the Broncos reeled off a 6-game winning streak, highlighted by multiple last-gasp 4th quarter wins, the last being a completely preposterous win vs. the Chicago Bears which even inspired this Saturday Night Live skit:
I can tell you, that season was so much fun to watch as a fan. When the dominant New England Patriots came to town weak 15, confidence was riding so high there was sort of the expectation that Tebow and the Broncos would somehow beat even them (They didn’t). And, when the magic ended and the Broncos lost 3 straight to finish the season, they still somehow backed their way into a home-playoff game in which they shocked the Pittsburgh Steelers with an amazing walk-off win.
The Role of Enthusiasm in Leadership
When those same sports radio guys were talking about Tebow and the unlikely 2011 season, one host mentioned how guys on that team would say to him, “I have no idea how we are winning these games?!” While statements like these are often used as a critique against Tebow, I began to wonder if actually the opposite was true. Sure, as the hosts acknowledged, eventually talent does win out (or resources/context in business/organizational settings), but how much and how often is the missing element simply the unrelenting belief and optimism that winning or success if possible? Again, I’m thinking back to the first sports radio guy who said his team was always expecting to lose.
When I think about perennial NFL loser teams, the Detroit Lions always come to mind. Yet, coach Dan Campbell took what was historically a terrible franchise to the brink of the Super Bowl last year in a game they really should have won. Few experts thought Campbell would be successful, especially after his initial press conference comments about biting knee-caps off, or whatever.
I was also reminded of Pete Carroll, the now-former Seattle Seahawks coach and another “rah-rah” guy like Campbell. Carroll came in and led the Seahawks after a few down years and a bad coach, turning them into a Super Bowl champion and perennial playoff team. Yet, neither Carroll or Campbell would be considered “Xs & Os” guys; meaning neither one of them are seen as being brilliant football minds, like a Sean McVay, Mike Shanahan, etc. So, like these sports radio guys, in some instances, I wondered if what matters more for culture change isn’t a brilliant mind or an amazing strategy, but rather a “rah-rah” guy like Carroll or Campbell.
This got me thinking about Family Systems Theory and something Jack Shitama repeatedly says, “process, not content.” Shitama’s point is that it’s not so much what you say, but how you say it. Writing about Jesus’ example in John 8, Shitama says;
The more I practice and teach family systems theory, the more I realize that self-regulation is the key to self-differentiation. If self-differentiation is expressing yourself in healthy ways, while remaining emotionally connected to the most anxious, then self-regulation is the key…
Self-regulation enables you to keep those automatic responses in check and to think clearly about how you REALLY want to respond. It’s what Stephen Covey calls integrity in the moment of choice. It’s the opportunity to choose a response that is in line with your values. That’s self-differentiation. That’s integrity.
In this passage Jesus uses a physical means to create a pause in an anxious situation. He stoops down and writes in the dirt. Presumably Jesus, being divine, doesn’t need a gimmick to self-regulate.
I believe there are two things happening. First, Jesus is modeling self-regulation, creating a pause in an anxious situation, so that we can learn to do the same. Second, he’s forcing the accusers to pause. They are watching him and wondering what’s going on. It distracts their attention from their own anxiety and allows the overall anxiety in the situation to drop.
It’s interesting that we don’t know exactly what he wrote. It’s not important. It’s process, not content. The process is creating a pause to allow the anxiety level to come down.
I think what can happen in an NFL organization, much like a business or church, is that folks often want to hire the person with the most paper expertise. Yet, if this person isn’t a self-differentiated leader, like Shitama says, they’ll often just get sucked into the bad organizational culture, and it won’t matter how brilliant their ideas are—especially if the players (or workers) are basically just waiting for the worst to happen. Remember the example of Polumbus, who played for the Washington Football Team from 2011-2014 under Mike Shanahan, a very successful coach in the late ‘90’s with the Denver Broncos. Yet, the Washington football team regularly struggled, with Shanahan producing 6-10 & 5-11 seasons his first two years. Despite being called “the Mastermind” from his time with the Broncos, Shanahan couldn’t mastermind that team. Yes, the made the playoffs in 2013 with a rookie Robert Griffin III, but fell to 3-13 Shanahan’s last year. It seems he lacked the self-differentiated determination and belief (enthusiasm) to overcome a bad culture.
The Core of Transformative Leadership
Changing culture and leading organizational transformation isn't just about intellectual brilliance; it's about resilience, persistence, and unwavering commitment. To truly succeed, leaders must stay true to their goals and values, even when challenges arise. Consider Dan Campbell’s journey with the Lions: a rocky start with a 3-13 record, followed by a determined turnaround that saw them finish 9-8 in his second season, and an impressive 12-5 last year. Despite early setbacks, Campbell’s relentless enthusiasm and dedication sparked a cultural shift that drove success.
If you’re a leader facing tough times, remember that your attitude and persistence can be more powerful than any strategy. Stay committed to the change you want to see, even when the path is difficult. Remember, as Jack Shitama says, “It’s process, not content” that truly makes a difference. The right attitude can transform not just your team but the entire organization. Embrace it, lead with passion, and watch your organization thrive.