15 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Alabama Quarterback AJ McCarron

Today is the annual college football spectacle known as the Iron Bowl – the regular season ending showdown between the top-ranked, two-time defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide and the fourth-ranked Auburn Tigers.
I think Alabama will win comfortably 34-13 but the star of the game will be Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron.  Because of the legal issues being faced by FSU quarterback Jameis Winston, McCarron could also win the Heisman Trophy.
Recently, in the November 25th edition of Sports Illustrated, writer L. Jon Wetheim did a wonderful profile of this incredibly grounded athlete.  The following are 15 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Alabama’s AJ McCarron I gleaned from the article:

1. Leaders Understand The Responsibility Of The Position – Former Bama quarterback and icon Joe Namath says, “You’re the quarterback of Alabama and , boy, you know what you’re representing.  Every day and everywhere you go, you feel the weight of the history and tradition.”
2. Leaders Produce – McCarron has a 36-2 record.  The best in SEC history.
3. Leaders Must Overcome Extreme Adversity – McCarron grew up in humble means to say the least.  He describes it as “super broke”.  Wile growing up in a trailer park, McCarron’s parents divorced and dad bounced to multiple apartments.  They worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.  The grandparents were actively involved financially as well.  Utilities were often cut off.  McCarron says, “It was hard for us to catch a break.”
4. Leaders Have A Proper View Of Their Past – One thing we all have in common is we all have a past.  Leaders have a proper view of theirs.  McCarron says, “Do you ever wish you could undo your past?  I was in the top 30th percentile of people who looked back in a good way.”
5. Leaders Understand Failure Is Not Final – Leaders learn from failure.  Having to quarterback the obviously overmatched walk-ons in his first intrasquad scrimmage, McCarron was visibly upset.  Head coach Nick Saban informed him, “Today we were testing your leadership.  And you failed.  Miserably.”
6. Leaders Provide Clear Direction For Others – Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier says, “There’s a productivity.  It’s never, ‘How many yards did I throw for?’  It’s never about making flashy plays or impressing.  It’s about giving direction, and he does that as well as anyone.”
7. Leaders Surround Themselves With A Talented Team – John Maxwell has taught us those closest to the leader determine the success of the leader.  McCarron says, “You have to have confidence in your defense, and I have all the confidence in the world in ours.”
8. Leaders Focus On People Rather Than Money – Leaders must work very hard to avoid focusing on the financial results of leadership over improving the lives of others.  Top athletes at major colleges are no different.  McCarron reminds his team and all leaders, “If you’re thinking about yourself, money is not going to come like you want it to.  If you’re thinking about everyone on the team be successful?  Then we’re all gonna end up with more money than we ever dreamed of.”
9. Leaders Have Options – McCarron goes on, “If you’re successful here, you don’t have to go search for job offers.  Job offers are going to come to you in the state of Alabama when you win.  You’re gonna have more money off of that – more lifelong opportunities – than you would playing football.  The more we win here, the better our future!”
10. Leaders Count What Counts – Leaders count what counts.  While McCarron is businesslike and not as flashy as other top quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel, his winning record has elevated his status.  Coach Saban says, “Just elevate him in terms of winning, in terms of affecting our success, which is what it should be about anyway.”
11. Leaders Understand Authority – Those who are successful in authority positions must first learn to be under authority.  McCarron is an extension of Saban.
12. Leaders Are Not “Yes Men” – McCarron has earned the right to appropriately challenge Saban’s authority on certain occasions.  This can only be done when a foundation of trust and respect exists.
13. Leaders Are Humble – McCarron says, “Other people write me, ‘I saw you and was scared to come up.’  You don’t have to be scared.  I’m a normal person.”
14. Leaders Have Detractors – No leader is appreciated by everyone, no matter how successful they are.  The NFL draft experts continually pick away at McCarron’s game.  He responds, “I don’t need to be worried about what Todd McShay thinks or Mel Kiper thinks on where I’m gonna be drafted.  Last time those guys drafted anybody was never.”
15. Leaders Excel Under Pressure – What is the difference the most successful leaders – the ability to excel under pressure.  Namath sums up McCarron’s leadership by saying, “Everything AJ has shown has been positive.  He’s productive in the right way. He’s excelled under pressure.  He plays well in big games.  He’s a leader.”

AJ McCarron is one of the greatest leaders in the history of college football.  Which of the 15 lessons provided above helps you become a better leader?

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