This season's most inspiring case study on vision, values, and leadership is the Dallas Cowboys. The arrival of Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett, and the emergence of Tony Romo in Jerry Jones' organization have dramatically changed this team from despondent and mediocre performers into an exciting and successful team, and this transformation is NOT primarily about technical football expertise, it's about attitude!
This Cowboys team is having fun! How could they not, when they are led on the field by a guy who smiles all the time, especially when the chips are down. Romo has football talent to be sure, but it is that smile that communicates his total joy at playing a game he loves and his undying belief that his guys can pull it out (and they have done it-coming from behind 9 times this season). That smile and the joy that drives it are the engine for a team that may actually be performing at a level beyond reasonable expectations for the combined talent of the players. That joy is also a reflection of Romo's articulated value that "football is just a game, and it's fun".
While Romo is the star and the "front man" for this organization, and certainly the kind of leader that's been missing for years, his success is built on the foundation built by the other three guys. Jerry Jones has proven to be an exceptionally talented and successful owner, driven by his passion for the game (and the business of the game) and by his vision that his team should win the Super Bowl again. He says it often; he believes it; he acts in ways that are consistent with that vision.
One part of that vision of Super Bowl success is the search for talent at all levels in his organization. Bill Parcells knew how to recognize and develop talent; Wade Phillips has the ability to delegate to the talented people he works with--a capability that Parcells just couldn't master as the Cowboy's coach. Phillips' style is a reflect of his belief that the role of a leader is to make it possible for talented people to be "all they can be" as the Army puts it. Phillips has created an atmosphere where talented people can flourish, none more than Jason Garrett.
Garrett, a first year offensive coordinator with humongous cojones, plays to win. Parcells, who was known for his "just don't screw up and lose this one" philosophy, cast a dark cloud over the organization that ultimately limited its ability to succeed. Garrett has driven that dark cloud away by giving his smiling assassin the options that allow Romo to have fun and to play to win. He demonstrates his faith in his players by giving them plays that create opportunities for them to excel and succeed, no matter what the odds. Sure, Garrett's play calling is a reflection of his uncommon analytical abilities, but they are also a reflection of his faith in his team's ability to succeed.
A vision of excellence. Values that include fun, working together, maximizing individual talents and teamwork. Front line leadership that lives those values in every situation. It's the formula for success in football and in business.
Go Cowboys!
