FCIF: Russell Wilson shares his leadership playbook
Russell Wilson wears, and has worn, many hats: athlete, sports analyst, entrepreneur. But as he traded his helmet and uniform for the world of business, he had to figure out how to lead a non-football team with lessons from the football field. Wilson spent 14 seasons as a professional NFL player, leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2014 as quarterback. Since then, he has…
Russell Wilson, the former NFL quarterback, has taken on various roles in business and philanthropy, most recently sharing his leadership approach at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York. After an illustrious 14-year NFL career, during which he led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, Wilson now serves as an analyst for CBS Sports and the NFL Today, and is an owner of the Seattle Sounders soccer club and founder of "Why Not You?" and West2East Empire.
Despite his intense and nonstop personality, Wilson believes that leading a non-football team requires a different approach. He emphasizes the importance of uplifting, inspiring, and motivating each other, while also encouraging and supporting one another, a lesson he carried from his football days. Wilson notes that the best teams he's been a part of, such as the Seattle Seahawks, were led by coaches who cared deeply about the individuals on the team.
For Wilson, caring for those around him is not just about inspiration but also about creating an environment that fosters growth and development. He believes that when individuals feel valued and connected, they are more likely to go above and beyond for each other, contribute to shared successes, and celebrate each other's achievements.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.