10 Practices Of The Very Best Leaders

10 Practices Of The Very Best Leaders

If money were no object, who would you add to your team?  If you are like me, names are already popping into your head.  Leaders are incessant team builders and always looking for opportunities to add top talent to their organizations.  But what types of people should you be looking for?
Bleacher Report recently wrote an article in which they identified the top nine college football assistant coaches as well as its top head coach.  These 10 individuals made up college football’s dream team of leaders.
As I read the list, I gleaned 10 Practices Of The Very Best Leaders.  When looking to add talent to your team, this will make a good checklist in which to evaluate potential teammates by.  Add enough of these type of leaders and you will have your own dream team.

1. The Very Best Leaders Attract Talent – People want to work for great leaders.  Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner is considered one of college football’s top recruiters.
2. The Very Best Leaders Develop Talent – Attracting talent is not enough.  You must develop them.  Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart consistently turns potential into production.  For example, see recent NFL first round picks Dre Kirkpatrick, Marcell Dareus, C.J. Mosely and Dee Milner among others.
3. The Very Best Leaders Are Available - The most important ability for a leader to have is availability.  When building a dream team you must have people are reliable and be counted on to be there for you.  Bud Foster has been at Virginia Tech 27 yrs with 20 of those in the position of defensive coordinator.
4. The Very Best Leaders Focus On The Fundamentals - Great leaders do little things very well.  Ohio State co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Ash says on the team’s website, “To be successful, I think you have to be detailed. You have to be able to coach and teach the fundamentals of the game, and that’s how you develop players.”
5. The Very Best Leaders Build Bridges – The best leaders have strong people skills.  People are naturally attracted to them.  LSU’s Frank Wilson is one of the most connected recruiters in college football.  Because of his strong ties in the Louisiana area, Wilson has spearheaded the following recruiting classes since arriving to the team in 2010 – #8 in 2011, #14 in 2012, #6 in 2013 and #2 in 2014.
6. The Very Best Leaders Create – You cannot have creativity with creation.  Skinny jeans and a scarf do not make a person creative.  A creative leader must create something.  Since arriving at Clemson in 2011, offensive coordinator Chad Morris’s innovative no-huddle offense has averaged over 40 points and 500 yards per game the last two seasons.
7. The Very Best Leaders Have Passion – Passion is defined as owning the results.  With passion comes a healthy intensity.  Florida State’s offensive line coach Rick Trickett has developed one of the toughest, nastiest units in college football.
8. The Very Best Leaders Look To The Future – Great leaders still have things left to do in their Inbox.  There are still things left to accomplish, more mountains to climb.  Their best days are still ahead of them.  USC wide receivers coach, Tee Martin, is an exceptional recruiter and is considered a rising star in college football.
9. The Very Best Leaders Provide Consistent Excellence – Great leaders are not flashes in the pan.  The produce results year after year.  The hallmarks of Alabama football has been a great defense and consistently punishing running game.  The architect of Bama’s ground attack since 2007 has been assistant coach Burton Burns.
10. The Very Best Leaders Produce Exceptional Results – At the end of the day, do you produce?  Do you advance the organization?  Under your leadership does mission and vision become reality?  Do you get the job done?  We have our nine assistant coaches and now we need a head coach.  In 19 seasons as a head coach in four locations, Alabama’s Nick Saban has amassed a 165-57-1 record while winning four national championships.

Do you know anyone who has these 10 qualities?  If so, are you ready to do whatever it takes to add them to your team?