I want to lead like Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback since 2006.
In August when Tony suffered a broken back that sidelined him for three months, rookie Dak Prescott was promoted to starting quarterback, but merely as a placeholder until Tony returned.
And suddenly the rookie became a sensation! To date, Dak has led the Cowboys in a phenomenal 10-1 winning streak.
But then people started to wonder… what happens when Tony heals? Will he rightfully reclaim his title as starting quarterback?
Recovered and ready to play, Tony ended the controversy recently in a heartfelt speech:
“Football is a meritocracy. You aren’t handed anything. You earn everything, every single day, over and over again. Dak has earned the right to be our quarterback.”
Imagine watching a younger co-worker soar past us, up the proverbial ladder as we hobble, falter, or idle, unable to contribute as we have in the past. The feelings of futility and inadequacy would thrash even the most confident among us. It requires an unwavering passion for the purpose of the organization to eclipse the prestige of leading the team to victory. So what does Tony do now with all of his passion and none of the prestige? Mentor Dak.
“I was Dak once. I remember the people who helped me when I was young. I’m going to be that person for Dak. Ultimately, it’s about the team.”
And that’s when Tony set a new bar as a leader in the NFL. If you’re truly committed to the success of the team, you lead with heart and soul regardless of who gets the glory.