5 ways to beat the New England Patriots (Management Style)

by Phil Gerbyshak on February 6th, 2008

Do you want superstars or role players?

Super Bowl XLII was quite a game, pitting the superstar New England Patriots versus a more role playing team in the New York Giants. Sure, the Giants had some stars, but it’d be hard to argue that the Patriots had less talent than the Giants did.

If you look at what’s happened in the past 12 months to the Giants, you’ll see them losing their best player, running back Tiki Barber, to the broadcast booth, and arguably their second best player, tight end Jeremy Shockey, to a broken leg.

Yet they still managed to win the Super Bowl with a rookie tight end and a running back that didn’t play in 6 of the games.

If you look at it on paper, losing 2 great players for a mediocre at best team would mean they’d be completely sunk, right? I mean a team that only wins half their games, and then loses their 2 superstars would be in a world of hurt, right?

Obviously you know the answer is wrong. The Giants WON the Super Bowl. It wasn’t easy, but they are the greatest show on turf, at least for the 2007-2008 NFL season.

You might be wondering “What might this mean to me as a manager?” I’m glad you asked!

Check your egos at the door

Sometimes you need to get the egos off the bus, even if they ARE what you think are your best players. I’ve seen many a team get ripped apart because some prima donna was there, stealing the spotlight from the rest of the folks, and not letting them do what they do best. Barber and Shockey are definitely two of the biggest egos in football in recent times, with a “me first” attitude, so getting these 2 guys off the team helped Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs shine in 2008.

Who on your team has a big ego and spends most of their time telling you they don’t get the ball enough, er, don’t get enough attention/rewards/pay?

If you can’t have all-stars at every position, you must have people who clearly understand their roles

Just like the Giants, your team may not have what some may consider “A players” at every position. Teach your team what you need them to do, and continually reinforce these when your team meets or exceeds expectations.

While Tom Coughlin is far from the most touchy-feely coach, he let his team know what they were expected to do, and he continually reinforced the basics. He made sure the Giants were always on time, well dressed, and that they paid attention to the game plan.

What can you do to better clarify expectations for your team?

Know your strengths and stop worrying about your weaknesses

The strength of the New York Giants was definitely their defense. They blitzed the heck out of the Patriots and sacked Tom Brady 4 times. They were not spectacular on offense. Eli Manning rarely was asked to scramble and throw off his back foot, and the Giants focused on keeping the game within reach and then beating the Patriots.

Your team is no different. Think about what they do very well, and what they don’t do as well. Focus on the things they do well, and don’t worry as much about those weak spots.

What on your team can you stop doing (and no one will notice) and how can you shift roles so people are playing to their strengths and avoiding their weaknesses more often.

Out Execute the Opposition

The difference between winning and losing the Super Bowl was means having folks who get what you are trying to do, and can execute the basics better than anyone, though they may do it in unspectacular fashion.

The Giants did this very well, and definitely outplayed the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

On your team, what are the basics you need your team to execute in order to win?

Details make the difference

Coach Coughlin had an impeccable game plan. He focused on the details, sometimes to a fault, and helped his team do the same in the big game.

As a manager, you know 90% of the game is showing up, consistently, every single day, and that whether you are selling widgets or managing an IT help desk, that it’s the last 10% that you execute that makes the difference between a good team, and a great team.

How’s your game plan? Are you focused on the little details that make a big difference?

Love your team

If Bill Belichick loves his team, you’d never know it from the look on his face. The fact he left his team on the field, alone, with 1 second to go in the clock tells you all you need to know about this guy.

Contrast that to Tom Coughlin. Sure, his was a tough love, but he shared his emotions with his team after the game like few others have done. Did you see that huge hug he shared with Michael Strahan after the game? If I didn’t know better, I’d think they were brothers sharing a hug after coming back from the war. If Strahan and the rest of the Giants weren’t sure Coughlin loved them, they should have a pretty darn good idea now.

What about you? Do you love your team? Do they know it?

Those are 5 ways to beat the New England Patriots, Management Style. How would you beat the Patriots? Do you want superstars or role players?

Me? I just want to win the Super Bowl!

Photo credit to ckirkman

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