Wide right!
Every football fan of a certain age knows that refers to the field goal miss by Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood in Super Bowl XXV. Had the kick been made, the Bills would have beaten the New York Giants and perhaps changed what happened next. The Bills subsequently went to three more consecutive Super Bowls losing all four.
What is less well known is how kicker Scott Norwood handled that missed field goal. And that’s too bad. While Norwood is better known for that attempt, he also should be lauded for the character he revealed in defeat. Thanks to a new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, Four Falls of Buffalo, which opens with the infamous kick, we learn something about how Norwood handled himself.
Immediately after the game, Norwood faced the media and answered every question thrown his way. Not only did Norwood speak to reporters, a few days later he also addressed the large crowd that had gathered at Buffalo City Hall. Norwood promised the crowd that he would be back to help the Bills continue to win. Norwood made good on his promise. In the AFC Championship 1992 game he nailed a field goal that won the game for the Bills and sent them to Super Bowl XXVI.
Ours is a society that revers winners. We love winning. And while our quest for victory is laudable, we too often overlook those who compete nobly and yet fail to win the ultimate prize. Sadly we label as “losers.” [The Buffalo Bills are a case study in such labeling. Even though they were AFC champions for four consecutive years they are more well-known for how they ended those seasons than what they accomplished to get to each of those Super Bowls.]
To me, however, the way an individual conducts himself in defeat often reveals more about character than it might in victory. And for that reason the way that Norwood stood up, held himself accountable without making excuses, and continued to play and compete at the highest level is admirable. For the record, Norwood attempted a 47-yard field goal, a difficult kick for any kicker even today given that the field was grass and somewhat wet. Yet Norwood didn’t make excuses; he owned his performance.
Essential to a leader’s development is managing adversity. It’s one thing to lead when everything is going your way; it another thing to lead when the odds are against you. Leaders who have weathered adversity are often better prepared to make tough choices required to move forward because they know what it takes and are prepared for the next challenge. There is no shame in falling short; what matters more is how you handle defeat and what you do next.
Most every senior leader with whom I have worked has had his or her share of adversity, be it professional or personal. Some handled it better than others but somehow and in some way each found a way to persevere. Often they found support from a boss or a spouse, someone who believed in them. Ultimately they drew strength from themselves and found a way forward.
“All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me,” said Walt Disney. “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Disney knew something about going against the odds, as an animator, a studio chief, and ultimately as a theme park developer. The setbacks Disney endured did not prevent him from continuing to pursue his dreams until he found fulfillment.
Success, however, can only come if you continue to believe in yourself, manage adversity with grace, and continue forward with a stronger sense of purpose.
