There’s a story about a coach who wanted to lead the A-Team Football League to victory, but he never actually had a plan for how to achieve it. The football team frequently asked the coach for a strategy or different plays they could implement to win the championship. However, the coach simply told them to go out there and do their best.
To motivate the team, the coach invited former players who had won championships or had significant influence to give pep talks.
Unfortunately, none of these pep talks led to a concrete plan. So, on the day of the game, the players did their best, but without a clear strategy, the outcome was uncertain. Every time the other team scored a touchdown, they said, "Coach, we need a plan. How can we execute better against the opposition because they're so well organized?"
The coach said, "Don't worry about it. Go out there and play to the best you can." The coach always laughed and had a smile on his face and gave pep talks. Lo and behold, the coach had no intention of actually applying a plan because he got the job off of knowing somebody just to fill a position with no real agenda for the team to win.
The coach used to give speeches, high-five the men in the locker room, and tell them he would be there for them no matter what happened.
After the team lost, they were looking forward to the coach giving them a pep talk, inspiring them, and letting them know that there's another day and they will get better, but the coach was never in the locker room and left with all the endorsements that he brought with him. All the famous ex-football players he brought with him were not there at the end of the day.
The moral of the story is that no team should fight hard for anyone in a leadership position who won't fight hard in return and take the losses with them. Being in leadership means that you have to be in the foxhole with the men and women who see you as a leader and who take great responsibility and character.
True leadership isn’t about wearing a title or making people feel good in the moment. It requires strategy, accountability, and the willingness to be there, especially during tough times.
In this scenario, the coach’s lack of preparation and unwillingness to provide a clear plan for the team ultimately set them up for failure. The coach focused on maintaining appearances rather than getting into the “foxhole” with the team, strategizing, and leading by example.
In this story it reveals that leadership is not about standing above the team but standing with them, especially in moments of adversity. Leaders who genuinely care about the success of their team will prepare, guide, and support them through every challenge. When leaders are absent in moments of loss, it signals that their commitment was never genuine.
The moral here is clear: true leaders are invested in the team’s journey, willing to face the struggles alongside them, and motivated by something deeper than just the title or position.
Leadership is a responsibility to uplift, empower, and serve those who put their trust in you, ensuring that when victory is reached, it’s shared by all—and if there’s defeat, the burden is shared too.
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