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Face the Challenge Leadership Guide: Quotes from the Masters
First, the Definitions
(American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)
Lead
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Transitive verb:
- To show the way to by going in advance.
- To guide or direct in a course.
- To guide the behavior or opinion of; induce.
- To direct the performance or activities of.
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Noun:
- The first or foremost position.
- Command; leadership.
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Adjective:
- First or foremost.
- Most important.
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Idiom: Lead the way
- To show a course or route by going in advance.
- To be foremost in an endeavor or trend.
Leader
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Noun:
- One who is highest in rank or authority.
- An important, influential person.
Leadership
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Noun:
- The position or office of a leader.
- An act or instance of guiding: direction, guidance, lead, management.
Coach Coach Mike Shanahan, coach of the world champion Denver Broncos (1998, 1999) has achieved big goals. His example of leadership goes far beyond the sports motif and is an effective model even for FACE the Challenge surgical teams. (FTC is headquartered in the Denver area and we are Broncos fans.) In three seasons Coach Shanahan helped the Broncos team move to peak levels of performance, winning Super Bowl Games XXXII and XXXIII, with Running Back, Terrell Davis (1998) and Quarterback John Elway (1999) being awarded as the NFL's Most Valuable Players.
Shanahan co-authored a book with Adam Schefter, Think Like a Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time (Harper Business, New York, NY, 1999) that outlined his game plan for others to apply in their endeavors. Simply, the five points are:
- Preparation is key. Shanahan considered virtually every possible contingency in order to win.
- Whatever the sacrifice, it is worth the price of pursuing your passion.
- Break down the competition's weakness and learn from their strengths. As Shanahan would approach his competitors, he'd study game films, observe them on their game field before the "big game". FTC leaders need to apply this principle any time they enter a foreign country and must make important decisions.
- Pick great leaders and give them the power to inspire. Leaders need to identify such strong players and give them responsibilities and lead as they are gifted.
- Set huge goals. Guided by a leader's ethic and balance, the leader can help the team achieve what once was thought impossible.
Shanahan is described by many as having "an innovative mind, tenacity, . . .and vision". Further, his peers had these observations about his leadership abilities:
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"Mike Shanahan possesses a rare combination of toughness, expertise, naked intelligence, street sense, and terrific people skills. He brings to every challenge not only his foresight but also his unique willingness to commit everything in his being--everything--to the task of getting the job done."
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--Carmen Policy, President, Cleveland Browns
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"Mike leads by example, with confidence, and with a track record that shows he knows what it takes to win."
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--Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner, National Football League
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"Mike has a keen mind and an excellent intellect. He's bright, he's creative, and he's well-organized. Above all, he has energy and a vision, the essence of what it takes to be successful."
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--Bill Walsh, General Manager, San Francisco 49ers
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Each of these peers recognized key traits of an effective leader in Shanahan. These same traits are essential for FTC surgical team leaders as well. Following are quotes from each of the chapters in Shanahan's Think Like a Champion. Each of Shanahan's chapter titles are in bold followed, first by direct quotes of Shanahan, then a few other relevant quotes of other leaders. For any surgical trip to be a success, good leadership, start to finish, is essential.
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