Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control.
Tom LandryRead
I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True leadership focuses on preparing and instilling confidence in a team rather than relying solely on motivation.
In this quote, Tom Landry emphasizes the importance of preparation and self-confidence in a team. He suggests that rather than relying on external motivation, effective leaders should ensure that their teams are well-prepared, which enables them to perform confidently during critical moments—like stepping onto the field to compete. This approach cultivates resilience and readiness, helping the team to succeed through their own capabilities.
Themes
LeadershipTeamworkPreparationConfidenceSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
In a team-building workshop, this quote could inspire participants to focus on skills rather than just motivation.
More from Tom Landry
All quotes →I learned early in sports that to be effective - for a player to play the best he can play - is a matter of concentration and being unaware of distractions, positive or negative.
Tom LandryRead
If you don't win a Super Bowl, you're not considered successful in the National Football League. I can remember, when we finally won that first one, feeling so good for the players and fans.
Tom LandryRead
Character is the ability of a person to see a positive end of things. This is the hope that a man of character has.
Tom LandryRead
There is only a half step difference between the champions and those who finish on the bottom. And much of that half step is mental.
Tom LandryRead
Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.
Tom LandryRead
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