Leadership Lessons from Tom Brady
This series of articles seeks to examine the character attributes of highly successful leaders, regardless of their adherence to a strong faith or moral standard. In presenting these thoughts, Leadership Ministries is not agreeing with or advocating these traits or practices, but rather presents these as ideas for discussion and development in your own leadership journey.
Tom Brady is the most successful NFL quarterback in history. He holds nearly every major quarterback record, including passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, games started and most Pro Bowl selections. Never having a losing season, he is the NFL leader in career quarterback wins, quarterback regular season wins, quarterback playoff wins, and Super Bowl MVP awards. Tom is the only quarterback to win a Super Bowl in three separate decades. He is the oldest NFL MVP at age 40, the oldest Super Bowl MVP at age 43, and the oldest quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl at age 44.[1]
Brady played college football at the University of Michigan. When he enrolled, Brady was seventh on the depth chart, and he had an intense struggle to get some playing time. At one point, Brady hired a sports psychologist to help him cope with frustration and anxiety. He was not highly regarded coming out of college into the NFL and was the 199th selection overall. So just what changed in Tom Brady’s life to make him among the most elite of all athletes and a leader both on and off the football field?
Have a strong work ethic. At 44 years old, Tom Brady is still in top shape. Even though the average career of quarterbacks is around 4.4 years, Tom Brady managed to stay in the NFL for more than two decades. Brady comments, “I just love working hard. I love being part of a team; I love working toward a common goal.” His workout routine and diet are so specific he ended up writing a book about his regimine called “The TB12 Workout”. He avoids processed foods along with sugars, trans fats, caffeine, MSG, alcohol, salt, dairy, most oils, soy and gluten.
Brady begins his day at 6:00 a.m. He has a two-hour morning strength and conditioning workout followed by a stretching session. Football practice is 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. followed by another stretching session. He winds down at 8:00 and is in bed by 9:00—he gets a minimum of 8 hours of sleep every night. In the off-season? Brady says, “I still do cardio six days per week 40 to 60 minutes per day, but I do more running.” The quarterback also has daily sessions for his mental health. In short, Brady’s longevity is not by accident. He works at it consistently every single day.
In a world where athletes are most known for their talents, Brady is known for his work ethic and discipline, working out every day for hours over his 20+ year career in the NFL.
Be disciplined. Brady said, “As you get older, you have more responsibilities; you have more commitments, more events, kids, you're married now. You still have all the things that you've had, plus you just keep adding.” Through this strict routine, Brady intentionally sought out information to adjust his off-field behaviors and limit behaviors that could hinder his football performance. Brady is the textbook definition of “delayed gratification”. He will give up something if it is unhealthy, wait for whatever length of time is required to bring about a result, and practice as many hours as it takes to perfect a discipline.
His preparation is legendary. In the spring of 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, Brady participated in a made-for-TV golf exhibition with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in Florida. It was hot and raining. Nevertheless, a couple of hours before tee-off, Charles Barkley saw Brady in the parking lot of the golf club. He was running sprints. “What are you doing?” Barkley said. “I’m trying to win a Super Bowl,” Brady replied.[2]
Brady comments, “The more good behaviors you have, the better things turn out. It’s just, do people have the discipline to repeat those behaviors? That’s the tricky part.” Brady is not trying to improve his performance today by 20 percent, but by just 1 or 2 percent. How many people are willing to give up what the love to eat, and commit to hours of workout time every day, practice, studying game film, and develop their mental health, for that 1 or 2 percent?
Be professional and expect professionalism. Tom said, “My job is to play quarterback, and I'm going to do that the best way I know how, because I owe that to my teammates regardless of who is out there on the field with me.” Brady is a true leader. He has a positive attitude. He inspires those around him. He said of his role as quarterback “I think you need to earn it every day.”
Brady displays his collection of Super Bowl championship rings. No other quarterback has ever come close to equaling his post-season record.
Brady has chastised fellow team members for not blocking well, or not running a route precisely enough. Off the field Tom Brady walks silently to the chair at his locker. He talks quietly with other players nearby, commenting on their mutual performances in games or practices. Later, he puts on his jacket and heads for the exit. No hearty backslaps or loud jokes with teammates. Nothing to call attention to himself.
“I have great appreciation for any professionals who take their jobs seriously. This is what we do for a living,” former Patriots right guard Brian Waters said. “Any time you see a guy as great as he is, with all the physical talents and mental preparation that has to go into it, and how he prepares, I am proud to play with him and it drives you that you don't want to disappoint him.”[3] Brady’s consummate professionalism earns him the respect of everyone who plays with him. Former teammate linebacker Tedy Bruschi said, “Offensively, the players in that huddle believe every word that comes out of his mouth.”