How to Win in Business and in Football

To reach Super Bowl XLVII, 12 teams played 10 games.

Four storylines emerged that remind us of what it takes to win – in sports, in business, in life:

1.       Being favored guarantees nothing.  In the divisional playoff game between Baltimore and Denver, the Ravens stunned the heavily favored Broncos, who became the seventh #1 seed in the last six years to lose their first playoff game.  The other six were the Dallas Cowboys (2007), the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans (2008), the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots (2010) and the Green Bay Packers (2011).  New England quarterback Tom Brady was 67-0 at home when leading at halftime before the Ravens shut him down.  When you’re #1, someone is looking to knock you off.

      2.       Trust your gut.  In mid-season, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh made the risky move of benching Alex Smith, who had taken the team to last year’s conference championship game, in favor of Colin Kaepernick.  Many questioned the move, but Harbaugh knew exactly what he was doing.  In Kaepernick’s first career playoff game, the 25-year old San Francisco quarterback set the NFL single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback and the 49ers postseason rushing record for any position with 181 yards and two touchdowns.  He also passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns.  As the leader, the credit or blame is ultimately yours, so you might as well do what you believe is right.

3.       It’s not over until it’s over. Both the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers played from behind in each of their divisional playoff games before winning.  The 49ers overcame a 17-point deficit against Atlanta, the largest comeback ever in an NFC championship game.  Give significant opportunities everything you’ve got.

      4.       Dream big.  Brothers John and Jim Harbaugh become the first brother-versus-brother coaching matchup in the 57-year history of the Super Bowl.  Jim Harbaugh took the 49ers to the Super Bowl in only his second year as a head coach.  John Harbaugh, who became the Ravens head coach in 2008, said that growing up, he and his brother “had a few dreams, a few fights. We had a few arguments.  Just like all brothers.  I don’t know if we had a dream this big.”   When you dream of possibilities, dream big.

Consider these reminders as you and your team work your plan to achieve the objectives you’ve set for 2013.