Tim Tebow is introduced as a New York Jet in March 2012. (Image credit: Getty Images North America... [+]
On practically every sports radio show I listen to, I hear announcers, callers, and even NFL Hall of Famers bash Tim Tebow and the Jets. “It will be a three-ring circus.” “It’s just a publicity stunt to sell tickets.” “There’s no way this will work on the football field.” I listen to all this as both a longtime Jets fan who has waited since the Joe Namath days of 1969 for a championship and as someone who has interviewed several hundred CEOs, and my gut tells me that not only can Tebow and the Jets succeed, but that Tebow actually offers exceptional leadership lessons that can help CEOs win in business.
As background, for those who don’t know, Timothy Richard Tebow was born in the Philippines, the son of Baptist missionaries, and was home schooled. He was allowed to play high school football because of 1996 legislation allowing home-schooled children to play high school sports. He displayed exceptional character, in one instance lasting through the second half of a game with a broken fibula and actually rushing for a 29-yard touchdown. Then in college he was the first sophomore and first home schooler to win the Heisman Trophy, and his team won national championships in 2006 and 2008. As a pro in 2011 he took over as lead quarterback for the 1 – 4 Broncos, who he quickly turned into a team that could make the secondround of the playoffs. His whole life has been characterized by his winning, toughness, and faith.
To me the Tebow bashing comes from a belief among some that different is bad. Tim Tebow has even said, “When you do things different than other people sometimes do them, and you don’t settle for just being average, you open yourself up to criticism.” But in football as in business, differences and diversity are good and actually the keys to opportunity. It’s no coincidence that the company just cited as the No. 1 diversity company in America, Kaiser Permanente, is also America’s leading health care company. And we all learned from Steve Jobs and Apple that being different is a driver of innovation and business success. It is actually a business’s greatest, well, differentiator. In fact, I recently wrote a book, The Transformative CEO, that outlines what makes certain CEOs top performers, and the key tenet is Transformative CEOs recognize that differences and challenges are often the key to uncovering their greatest business successes. So when we view Tim Tebow’s differences as strengths, we recognize at the core is his intuitive understanding of winning through hard work, which is led by his higher purpose and unwavering faith. And top CEOs don’t settle, in Tebow’s words, for being average. They win.
I was clearly intrigued and wanted deeper perspective on what CEOs could learn from Tebow, so I reached out to Bill McDermott, Co-CEO of SAP. I’ve always been highly impressed with Bill’s thought leadership and performance as a top CEO who has helped SAP grow to 60,000 employees with $20 billion revenue and 200,000 customers; and, I’ve also known Bill as an avid Jets fan who understands football deeply. In fact, back in 2010, Bill had told me something no one else had said, that the Jets were going to make a run for the Super Bowl -- and he said it publicly on my radio show, The CEO Show, to 600,000 listeners. Against all odds, Bill proved correct as the Jets came closer than any expected to a Super Bowl presence. Below are Bill’s powerful albeit somewhat counter-intuitive insights at how to win in business… and perhaps even in football.
Robert Reiss: What can CEOs learn from Tim Tebow’s personality?
Bill McDermott: Tim Tebow is authentic. He knows who he is personally and doesn’t hide his faith and belief. Also, Tebow is a non-traditional quarterback. But that unique style is actually his strength. It allows him to do things others can’t. In business, people tell you to fit in, but it’s far better to be yourself, be different and contribute whatever unique talents you have. Most CEOs and executives have a “secret sauce”that makes them successful. It’s critical to stay true to who you are. People follow authenticity… and in a transparent social media world, anyone who is not genuine will be exposed.
What is the relationship between Tebow’s faith and belief and business?
It’s all about higher purpose. Tebow is clear about his faith and purpose in life. The concept of having a higher purpose is also what makes companies great. At SAP, in addition to our mission to help every customer become a best run business, our vision is to help the world run better and improve people’s lives. The leading enterprises have purposes higher than just profit. They become brands whose purpose galvanizes employees, customers and communities. A higher purpose creates broad commitment and winning teams.
Are there any lessons that CEOs can learn from Tim Tebow from his being a non-traditional quarterback?
Absolutely. Tebow creates unpredictability. He presents a triple option where he can run, hand off, or pass, and it becomes difficult for teams to prepare against him. In business, unpredictability can also create opportunities. The CEO is the quarterback of the organization, and in football terms the CEO must see the whole field. Great leaders see around corners so they can identify and capture new opportunities that others might not see. Great CEOs are prepared and think about every possible outcome. This helps leading companies preempt the market and capture new markets with innovative products. Defensively, being unpredictable makes it hard for competitors to plan against and beat you to new markets. It keeps the competition off balance.
Does Tebow’s intense personality negatively impact others on the team, and how does that concept play out in business?
Actually, it’s the opposite. Tebow makes the whole team better. Tebow starts with himself, setting the example with intense preparation both physically and mentally. Then he inspires the team, so everyone elevates their game. He’s done exactly that in high school, college and already with one professional team. Just consider that the Jets’ starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, who deserves a lot of credit, already has put on 12 lbs. of extra muscle. Tim Tebow’s grounded and powerful character and sheer hard work and preparation help everyone else get better, which helps build a sustainable winning team. In business, great executives never let themselves get out-hustled. They set the example and inspire others to follow. This builds accountability, which is critical. To create a high performance organization, each player has to get better at his or her position. If all the people in a company really want to win, culture becomes a very powerful multiplier.
Tebow has always been a winner … how can a CEO win in business?
Tebow understands that you get no points for second best. The lesson to CEOs is the pain of sacrifice is better than the pain of regret. Top CEOs have a relentless will to succeed. It’s the soul of an organization. There is a joy in winning. CEOs should put winning in the minds of their associates and define what winning is because it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In business you are your record. Do you inspire people, are your customers loyal, do partners trust you and your word, do you give back to society? For a company, culture is the foundation, and a culture focused on long-term sustainable winning is unbeatable.
While you’re a professional executive in business not football, as a longtime Jets fan how do you think Tim Tebow will impact the Jets?
Acquiring Tim Tebow says a lot about the Jets. They want to win and understand the bigger picture of building a sustainable winning organization. And with Tebow, the Jets will become a team that is unpredictable… and potentially lethal. He might get 20 snaps as quarterback, but be on the field for 30 – 45 plays. He is unorthodox, and has potential to wreak havoc either in wildcat, triple option or improvisation, especially in third-down situations. The NFL average is about one-third on third down conversions, while great teams convert close to half of the time. With Tebow, if the Jets are on the 45 yard line with short yardage, they can go for it almost every time. The Jets might even use Tebow to return kickoffs or punts. He is hard to take down because he has the body of a linebacker and the speed of a wide receiver. Potentially, Tim Tebow can help elevate the Jets to become a perennial winner.
Any final thoughts, Bill?
Sure. Mentors have a great opportunity to grow talent. And that’s why I believe the real credit goes to Tim Tebow’s parents, who gave him the greatest gifts: faith and humility.
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