Laughing with Leaders

Football season is here, so I’ve dusted off some classic quotes where coaches deliver profound messages wrapped in a funny package.

What does any of this have to do with business? Plenty.

Some executives once believed that humor had no place in the business world. We now know that view is misguided. “Who says,” asked Southwest Airlines founder and CEO Herb Kelleher, “a lighthearted approach to business is incompatible with success?”

Leaders telling a humorous story or responding with a clever quip deliver two surprises at once: The first surprise is the one that accompanies any joke, and the second surprise is that the leader has abandoned momentarily their usually serious manner to reveal a lighthearted or slightly mischievous alter ego.

Not all leaders are funny. Your boss may fall into this category. Some leaders take a swing at humor and deliver groaners resembling dad jokes.

Other leaders—whether they’re chief executives of nations or businesses—are genuinely funny and use humor to puncture pomposity, defuse tense situations or engage people before diving into serious subjects.

Different leaders have different styles. Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan were storytellers. John F. Kennedy and Winston Churchill were quick-witted leaders, displaying their sense of humor in the moment.

Coaches are in a league of their own.

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“The way you motivate a football team is to eliminate the unmotivated ones.” ~ Lou Holtz, Notre Dame

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“I don’t expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation.” ~ Bob Devaney, University of Nebraska

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“At Georgia Southern, we don’t cheat. That costs money and we don’t have any.” ~ Erk Russell, Georgia Southern University

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“In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn’t believe in Bear Bryant.” ~ Wally Butts, University of Georgia

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“It’s kind of hard to rally around a math class.” ~ Bear Bryant, University of Alabama

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“He doesn’t have a lot of speed, but maybe Elizabeth Taylor can’t sing.” ~ Darrell Royal, University of Texas

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“On this team, we’re all united in a common goal: to keep my job.” ~ Lou Holtz, University of Arkansas

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“No, but you can see it from here.” ~ Lou Holtz, University of Arkansas, when asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world.

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“There’s one sure way to stop us from scoring: give us the ball near the goal line.” ~ Matty Bell, Southern Methodist University

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“Statistics always remind me of a fellow who drowned in a river where the average depth was only three feet.” ~ Woody Hayes, Ohio State University

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“I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades.” ~ Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State University

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“My only feeling about superstition is that it’s unlucky to be behind at the end of the game.” ~ Duffy Daugherty, Michigan State University

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“Always remember: Goliath was a 40-point favorite over David.” ~ Shug Jordan, Auburn University

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“If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education.” ~ Murray Warmath, University of Minnesota

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“We didn’t tackle well today but we made up for it by not blocking.” ~ John McKay, University of Southern California

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“I’ve found that prayers work best when you have big players.” ~ Knute Rockne, Notre Dame

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“The opening kickoff.” ~ Sammy Baugh, two-time All-American and NFL champion quarterback, when asked, following a 73-0 loss by Washington to the Chicago Bears, “What was the turning point of the game?”

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“Marshall just shot himself.” ~ An unknown sportswriter speaking of George Preston Marshall, the team’s owner, after the final gun went off signaling the end of the game in the same 73-0 loss.

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“All those who need showers, take them.” John McKay, American football coach, to his players after USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame.

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Singer Reba McEntire borrowed a Line first delivered by a Dr. Kavanagh in a 1908 speech entitled “Moral Anatomy.” The idea still rings true today. “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.”

Contact Greg Bustin today to schedule your free leadership consultation and follow on LinkedIn for more updates.