Leadership Off The Field

Tim Tebow has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated for a total of eight times. Each time he has been on the cover, it has showed a level of leadership that he has demonstrated on the football field. But it is his leadership skills off the football field that are something that we can all learn from. 

Tebow always envisioned helping others.  While at the University of Florida Tim Tebow started a student organization called First and 15.  First and 15 raised money for important charities such as Uncle Dick’s Orphanage in the Phillipines and the pediatric cancer center at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.  “First and 15 allowed him to mobilize and lead hundreds of students on campus and UF boosters to help with the charities.”  The organization was able to provide things such as Disney trips for disadvantaged children.  Former UF Coach Urban Meyer said "Tim has made community service and commitment to serving others a cool thing among his peers. He has changed the way kids his age look at helping others..." Not only did Tebow inspire kids his age, he also inspired Urban Meyer, who took his family on a mission trip to feed disadvantaged children. Because of NCAA rules Tebow could not start his foundation while he was in college. 

Finally, in January of 2010 Tebow’s vision of creating the Tim Tebow Foundation was made a reality.  Like Greene’s 35^th Law, he had Mastered the Art of Timing.  His true vision for the man he wanted to be and the things he wanted to accomplish were brought to fruition. Even before the inception of the Tim Tebow Foundation, Tim Tebow has always maintained the same level of integrity.  Maxwell Describes Integrity as “the most important ingredient of leadership.”  “Integrity Builds Trust, has high influence value and facilitates high standards. It means living it myself before leading others.  Integrity is a hard-won achievement” On November 15, 2011 the Tim Tebow Foundation announced that the had partnered with CURE International to build a surgical facility in the Phillipines, which would provide care for thousands of children. This move again demonstrates another leadership skill of problem solving and the growth of the Foundation.

Recently Tebow was named the most popular athlete according to ESPN.  Every week during football season Tebow, chooses a person who is suffering, dying or injured and flies them and their family to the Bronco’s game all expenses paid. “They go to the Bronco’s game, he rents them a car, puts them up in a nice hotel, buys them dinner, gets them pregame passes, and visits with them before the game.” He takes the time to visit with them after the game and will even introduces them to other players and then sends them home with a gift basket.

That quote alone demonstrates that Tebow has a vested interest in enriching the lives of others.  He possesses all the qualities of a great leader.  According to Maxwell’s five levels of leadership. Tebow is at level four, the people development stage.  People follow his lead because of what he has done.  He has committed himself “to invest in people’s lives, to make a difference.

Tebow is a great leader because he has the vision to fulfill a specific need.  He has integrity that demonstrates his credibility.   People want to follow his lead He is creating solutions and positive changes that make a difference in a people’s lives around the world.  His patience has allowed him to master the art of timing.  And his faith has allowed him to stay grounded and truly listen to those around him. He is truly inspirational and what Maxwell calls a born leader. 

Green Robert. (2000). The 48 Laws of Power, New York. NY. Penguin Books.

Hensch, M. (2011, November 16). Tim tebow's next play: Building a children's hospital in the philippines 

Retrieved from http://www.christianpost.com/news/tim -tebowsnext play-building-a-childrens-hospital-in-the-philippines-62106/

Maxwell, J. (1993). Developing the leader within you. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Reilly, R. (2012, January 13). http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow.     

      Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow

Savitz, E. (2011, December 19). 5 leadership lessons from tim tebow's game-time audio. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2011/12/19/5-leadership-lessons-from-tim-tebows-game-time-audio/

Tim Tebow Foundation. (2012). Tim tebow foundation. Retrieved from http://www.timtebow   

      foundation.org/about

University of FLorida. (2012). The university of florida. Retrieved from www.ufl.edu

Integrity of a Leader

According to John Maxwell’s book “Developing The Leader Within You,” Integrity is the most important ingredient of leadership.  He states, “when I have integrity, my words and my deeds match up. I am who I am, no matter where I am or who I am with.”  An individual in a leadership position can execute the principles of integrity to their employees by arriving to work on time if they expect their employees to arrive on time.  If they demonstrate a positive attitude toward their employees, most of the employees will exhibit the same attributes.  “The more credible you are, the more confidence people place in you, thereby allowing you the privilege of influencing their lives.” 

Maxwell lists seven reasons why integrity is so important.  The first reason is that integrity builds trust.  This is evident when a leader can influence their employees to trust them.  The second reason is Integrity has high influence value.  “People’s minds are changed through observation.”  The third reason is that Integrity facilitates high standards.  “Leaders must live by higher standards than their followers. “  The fourth reason is that Integrity results in solid reputation, not just an image.   Image is the outward appearance that others see. Integrity is the person we are on the inside. The fifth reason is Integrity means living it myself before leading others.  Quite simply put practice what you preach.   The sixth reason is Integrity helps a leader be credible, not just clever.  “People of Integrity expect to be believed. They also know time will prove them right and are willing to wait.” The final reason is that Integrity is a hard-won achievement.  A leader that possesses Integrity demonstrates self-discipline, inner trust, and honesty. 

When a leader has Integrity there is no confusion amongst their peers as to who they are and what they stand for.  “People with Integrity are whole people.” This type of leader possesses values in which they live their life by.  As individuals in leadership positions it is important to have integrity.  A leader will be far more successful in achieving their goals and excel in their area of expertise, when they exhibit integrity.