The Lombardi Rules

Hi! I’m back.  I’ve been busy preparing and going on interviews and finishing the contents of my “Training for Organizational Effectiveness” program on structured on-the-job training.  I can’t think of a better subject for me then Vincent Thomas Lombardi the late coach of the Green Bay Packers who won 5 titles in 9 years while the Head Coach and General Manager of the Packers from 1959-1968.

While buying some training material a few weeks ago at a local book store I happened upon a book written by his son Vince Lombardi Jr. entitled “The Lombardi Rules: 26 Lessons from Vince Lombardi The World’s Greatest Coach”.   Well as some of you know I’m a die-hard Packers fan and a disciple of the late coach, needing a little “pep” talk of my own I decided to purchase the book.  In the next few posts let me share with you what I read and learned about leadership and life from Coach Lombardi as told by his son Vince Jr.

“In the Lombardi model, leadership starts with a simple premise: only by knowing yourself can you become an effective leader.”  Crucial attributes to leadership according to Vince Lombardi are character and integrity.  “Lombardi’s leadership model is about being a person of character, finishing what you start, never compromising your goals, and giving everything you’ve got to achieve your goals.”

“Leadership rests not only on outstanding ability but on commitment, loyalty, pride and followers ready to accept guidance.”          Vince Lombardi

The first steps towards Lombardi’s road to leadership begin with self-knowledge.  Some questions penned in the book include is there an overriding purpose to your life?  What are you committed to?  What purpose makes sense of everything you do?  I thought the best question was Am I going to allow my life to be controlled by the crush of daily activities, or will I live my life in accordance with my purpose?

Vince Jr. writes “Don’t run for the sake of running: make sure you’re headed somewhere.  If you’re going all out without a clear destination in mind, slow down and ask some more questions.”

“I’m no better nor less than the next man.  But the thing about me is that I always knew what my acts would mean.  I was lucky…I found a singleness of purpose early on.”               Vince Lombardi

Do you have a singleness of purpose in your life?  Are you running for the sake of running?  Or as another great coach the late John Wooden, said “Do not mistake activity for achievement.”

If you lack singleness of purpose and who doesn’t from time to time I think you might find the next series of posts on the Lombardi Rules quite useful.  Thanks for reading and until next time all my best! Jer