Leadership Lessons that You Can Learn from the Career of Tom Brady

• Author: Jeffrey Simmons
• Posted: 2024-08-28

Tom Brady just finds a way to keep going. At the age of 43, he still continues to play at a high level and shows few signs of slowing down. There is no debate that he is the Greatest of All-Time (GOAT). You can get ahead in your career if you follow some lessons that Tom Brady's time under center has taught. In this way, Brady is not just a Sunday warrior, but he is also a model for aspiring leaders on the job. Here are five career lessons that you can learn from Tom Brady.

Keep Yourself in Shape to Succeed

Brady is famous for the TB12 methods and his maniacal health and fitness regimen. There is a reason why he is a much better quarterback at 43 than many are at 23. While you do not have to take on a similar fitness regimen for yourself, this teaches us that we need to constantly work on ourselves to be in a position to succeed. As an employee, this means that you always should be trying to learn new skills and take the time to do as much training as you can. This training does not have to be in the gym, but you should hit the classroom every bit as hard as Brady hits the weight room. As an employee and a leader, you can never rest on your laurels and stop efforts at self-improvement.

You Are Never Far from Your Big Chance

Tom Brady was a very late draft pick of the New England Patriots. The seventh-round pick was playing behind Drew Bledsoe, and there was not much thought given to the Michigan product. However, Bledsoe got hurt, and the rest is history. Even though it was never apparent that Brady would end up as the Patriots' starter, he was prepared and ready for when his big opportunity came. There may be a chance in your career where you need to step up or fill someone else's shoes. You should be prepared for that role, even if you think it might never come. Brady was ready when the opportunity came, and he seized it with both hands because he had done the work to get to that point.

Be Confident No Matter What

While Brady might get frustrated with his teammates now and then, fans have never seen him sweat. He has the same look of confidence whether his team is up by a few touchdowns or is coming from behind. This was why he was able to lead the Patriots back from a seemingly impossible deficit to beat the Falcons in the Super Bowl. Brady always believes that he is completely in control of the situation. His teammates buy into it, and they do what he asks. People will never follow someone that they think is nervous or not under control.

You Always Need to Be a Leader

Part of the reason why Brady is so good is that he makes his teammates better. Brady is one of the best true leaders that the NFL has ever seen. Not only does he show his leadership skills in the huddle, but he shows them at training camp and in the offseason. In other words, he knows that leadership is not just confined to a limited amount of time. Moreover, Brady knows that the best way to lead people is by example. If he asks anything of his teammates, you can be absolutely certain that he is doing it himself and then some. Brady would never ask teammates to work harder than he does because it is seldom possible to outwork him.

Know How to Deal with Your Own Boss

Even if you are a leader or manager, chances are that you always work for someone. There will be pressure on you from the top, even when you have numerous people who follow you. This means that you need to be able to handle top-down pressure at the same time that you set the example for those below or alongside you. For Brady, he had a long marriage with Bill Belichick. Even though Brady eventually ended up leaving New England, the length of time that him and Belichick co-existed and worked well together for is unprecedented in NFL history. Belichick is not an easy boss, but Brady found a work to work productively together with him.