• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Farnam Street Logo

Farnam Street

Mastering the best of what other people have already figured out

  • Newsletter
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Log In
  • Become a Member
TweetEmailLinkedInPrint

The Knowledge Project Podcast

Michael Lombardi: Leadership on the Field [The Knowledge Project Ep. #2]

New England Patriots Coach Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) and I discuss the four aspects of leadership, high stakes decision making, creating a winning culture at work and at home, and much more.

Now available on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transcript

This episode features Michael Lombardi, former General Manager of the Cleveland Browns and current member of the coaching staff on the New England Patriots. He’s widely regarded as one of the best evaluators of talent in the NFL and as we’ll see, a lot more goes into that than measuring talent.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

  • The four elements of leadership (that are just as applicable in the home and office as they are on the football field)
  • The key differences between good coaches and bad coaches and how to see where you are on the spectrum
  • How Michael evaluates a player’s ability to fit into the culture and system of a team (lots of carryover for recruiting into a company or other organization)
  • The importance of divergent thinking in an organization to avoid “groupthink” and stagnant progress
  • How to manage big egos and get players to cooperate to reach a team objective rather than compete for the spotlight
  • Why focusing on processes and not outcomes is an overlooked strategy to reach lofty goals
  • What coaching in the NFL has taught Michael about parenting

Whether you’re a fan of NFL football or not, there are lots of insights to be learned from this episode.

Episode Links

  • Henry Kissinger The Complete Memoirs
  • Robert Kennedy: His Life
  • When Pride Still Mattered: A Life Of Vince Lombardi
  • The Wright Brothers
  • Win Forever: Live, Work, and Play Like a Champion

Transcript

Get transcripts, early access, ad-free episodes, and so much more. Learn more or sign up now.

Already a member? Head over to the Members Only area to access transcripts and other Member Only content.

Become a Member

More Episodes

Michael Ovitz: The Business of Relationships

Michael Ovitz co-founded CAA and helped reshape Hollywood, then took the same playbook into tech investing and advising founders. Public …

Listen NowMichael Ovitz: The Business of Relationships

How McDonald’s Took Over America | Ray Kroc [Outliers]

Ray Kroc turned McDonald’s from a single roadside restaurant into a system built to scale. At 52, after decades of selling paper cups and …

Listen NowHow McDonald’s Took Over America | Ray Kroc [Outliers]

Morgan Housel: Wealth is What You Have Minus What You Want

Morgan Housel breaks down the exact framework he uses to build wealth, minimize financial stress, and buy freedom. Available Now: Apple …

Listen NowMorgan Housel: Wealth is What You Have Minus What You Want
The Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

Listen now onApple Podcasts
More Options
  • Spotify
  • Overcast
  • g id="Pocket-Casts-Roundel---Red">Pocket Casts
  • RSS

Never miss an episode

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out.

Articles

  • Mental Models
  • Decision Making
  • Learning
  • Book Recommendations
  • All Articles

Podcast

  • Latest Episodes
  • Organized by Theme
  • ChatBot

Books

  • Clear Thinking
  • The Great Mental Models
  • All Books

Newsletter

  • Archive
  • Sign Up

About

  • About Shane
  • Speaking
  • Inquire about Sponsorship

Farnam Street Logo

© 2026 Farnam Street Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Proudly powered by WordPress. Hosted by Pressable. See our Privacy Policy.

We’re Syrus Partners.
We buy amazing businesses.


Farnam Street participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon.