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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

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More Episodes

Harley Finkelstein: Why You Must Requalify for Your Role—Every Year [The Knowledge Project Ep. #236]

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Listen NowHarley Finkelstein: Why You Must Requalify for Your Role—Every Year [The Knowledge Project Ep. #236]

[Outliers] Jimmy Pattison: Building a $16B Empire Without Connections, Capital, or Credentials [The Knowledge Project Ep. #235]

At 96 years old, Jimmy Pattison still runs his $16 billion empire personally. He’s built it over 63 years without outside capital or a …

Listen Now[Outliers] Jimmy Pattison: Building a $16B Empire Without Connections, Capital, or Credentials [The Knowledge Project Ep. #235]

Indra Nooyi: Lessons from the Top of PepsiCo and the Cost of Getting There [The Knowledge Project Ep. #234]

On her first day as CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi fired her general counsel. Then rehired him before dinner. It wasn’t a …

Listen NowIndra Nooyi: Lessons from the Top of PepsiCo and the Cost of Getting There [The Knowledge Project Ep. #234]
The Knowledget Product podcast cover

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.

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