244: Bill Curry - The 6 Characteristics Of A Champion (Lombardi, Starr, Unitas, Shula, Bryant)

Feb 12, 2018

Bill Curry, two-time Super Bowl champion, former college head coach and ESPN commentator, shares lessons shaped by legends like Lombardi and Unitas. He outlines six champion traits: show up, singleness of purpose, unselfishness, toughness, smart preparation, and never quitting. Conversations touch on fear, grit, great coaching, mentorship, team culture, and practical leadership practices.

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ADVICE

Show Up Early And Prepared

Show up early and ready every time to perform at your best.
Punctuality and preparedness separate champions from pretenders.

INSIGHT

Relentless Singleness Of Purpose

Singleness of purpose creates instant clarity about expectations and focus.
Vince Lombardi exemplified relentless focus that made teammates immediately know what was required.

ANECDOTE

Bart Starr's Unselfish Visit

Bart Starr drove from Birmingham to Lexington to comfort Curry after a firing and spent the day helping him feel better.
Curry used the story to illustrate Bart Starr's genuine unselfishness.

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The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk: Bill Curry is a two-time Super Bowl Champion. As an NCAA coach, Bill was named National Coach of the Year at Alabama and later became the first head football coach ever at Georgia State. As an ESPN commentator, he regularly shared his thoughts with a worldwide audience of millions. When Bill talks of discipline and success, his life experience is proof-positive of the effectiveness of his methods. Bill played for some of the greatest coaches of all time, including Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, and Bobby Dodd. His teammates included legendary players like Willie Davis, Bart Starr, and Johnny Unitas. Bill has studied the lives and methods of his personal heroes from past generations, ranging from Helen Keller and Rudyard Kipling to Theodore Roosevelt and Goethe. When Bill talks of leadership and success, his is a personal message molded by his extraordinary mentors and role models. He is also the best-selling author of TEN MEN YOU MEET IN THE HUDDLE: LESSONS FROM A FOOTBALL LIFE.

"Everyone has the will to win, but not everyone has the will to prepare."

Show Notes:

The 6 common characteristics of champions =
- Show up - on time, be early, every time, be punctual, read to be your best
- Singleness of purpose - Vince Lombardi, "his focus was powerful"
- Unselfish - Bart Starr - "he literally gave the shirt off his back for others"
- Tough - Don't make excuses, be great in the 4th quarter, never blame anyone else
- Smart - Prepared, always last person off the field. Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry did this
- Never quit - Never give up
FEAR? Prepare out of fear? - "There is some truth to that." "Everyone has the will to win, but not everyone has the will to prepare."
- Personality, GRIT, Heart, Soul -- "Keeping prepping when others aren't"
The difference between good and great coaches?
- Bobby Dodd (Georgia Tech) was a great coach. A great coach can change your life. They study the game so intently. They intimidate other coaches with their brain.
- Vince Lombardi would not tolerate prejudice or racism. He had more African-American players than anyone else. He was so precise in his methodology.
- Don Shula had the ability to build relationships with each player
How can this be translated to the business world?
- Reach inside the souls of the leaders -- the gift we have is "Magna Nimitas" -- Greatness of spirit.
  - Each person has a unique spirit - it's beautiful. WE have brilliance within us.
  - Directly challenging the leaders to understand their people
  - Narcissism destroys leaders
Bill sat down with his players and went over their goals
We all need to have our own board of personal advisors, mentors
Bill's 4th year at Georgia Tech -- John Robert Bell said "I know you can play/" --> The impact that had on Bill was immense
Bill as a mentor -- He loves doing it. He hears from at least one play every single day
Being humble -- "I know two types of people. People who are humble and those who are about to be humbled." -- "Ray Nitschke humbled me pretty good"
The huddle - We need every teammate on every play to survive. The huddle is a metaphor for our culture.
- Why does the huddle matter? "You can't be racist, sexist, everyone is part of that huddle."
Unique exercises Bill does at companies -- Understand each individual unique finger print, joining hands across aisles
The importance of intellectual curiosity and asking questions -- "People ought to be skeptical... Ask questions"
"There is a fellowship of the miserable. I love them, but I avoid them."
Success? His wife has helped him understand what success is... It used to be winning games. He was miserable when he lost. She taught him that's not a rational way to live.
- Now success is "Am I making a contribution to the well being of others?"
Important marriage advice -- Do what you're told and what you say you're going to do. Learn to listen.
Learning Leader - "I love that title!"

"Success = "Am I making a contribution to the well being of others?"

Social Media:

Read: Ten Men You Meet Huddle
Follow Bill on Twitter: @coachbillcurry
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12