BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Brady Hoke: What You Can Learn About Leadership From A Football Coach Who Was Fired

Following
This article is more than 9 years old.

True leaders sometimes cannot say no.

Such is the case with Brady Hoke, head coach of Michigan’s football team until he was fired in early December after posting a 5-7 record and not qualifying for a bowl game. But there he was a week later at the annual football gathering held to honor the team and especially its seniors.

Anthony Capatina, a walk-on receiver, addressed the crowd. “Coach did not have to be here tonight," Capatina began. "But he is here. And he's here for the seniors, and for team 135. And he's here because he's a man of integrity, a man of honesty and a man that does things the right way.”

I cannot recall a coach who was fired attending such an event. But Hoke is not one to stand on precedent. Hoke expressed reasons for attending. "I'm very proud of that for them, and very proud of what this coaching staff did. This night is about the seniors," Hoke concluded. "The seniors are special. They've been through the trials and tribulations. They've been through coaching staffs, all of the distractions that may be out there. And this group of 12 [seniors] did a great job."

It could not have been easy for Hoke who sat on the dais with the man who fired him interim athletic director Jim Hackett. Michigan’s new president, Mark Schlissel, who came to the University in July, was also in attendance. "It was clear to me from Day One that he cared very deeply for our players and for Michigan football. He worked to nurture our student-athletes as players, students and as men, and was committed to their success at all levels," Schlissel said. "He also reached out to me with friendship and warmth during challenging times this semester."

Warm words may have soothed some of the sting of course but it must have hurt to attend an event where you know you are not wanted as coach. Not many executives I know could have done something like what Hoke did but his example shows that when you put people first, as Hoke did as a coach, you have no choice but to attend.

In doing so Hoke demonstrated rule number one in leadership. “It’s not about you; it’s about us.” Someone who puts self first could have stayed home but a leader who recognizes that others matter more, shows up. Not only that he demonstrates class and dignity by reflecting on the accomplishments of his players and his staff. “It is under the greatest adversity,” said the Dalai Lama “that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.” Coach Hoke showed himself to be the person of character that he is when he put aside whatever resentments he felt in order to attend an event that was important to his players. He can take pride in what those players accomplished off the field in the classroom. Every senior (69 in all) who played for him in his four years at Michigan graduated. Capatina made his feelings for his former coach crystal clear when he said that Hoke helped him grow “into a man.”

And that is something in which any leader can take pride.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedInCheck out my website or some of my other work here