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This is a special episode of CEO series For me, it was because I took a trip to Notre Dame Stadium during the 2012 undefeated season and played football there as a walk-on with my brother. We went to his old ground and sat down with his head coach Marcus his Freeman to discuss leadership and leadership. In many ways, what a great CEO of a program he is.
Below are some highlights from that conversation, edited for length and clarity. Watch the entire video above.
Coach as CEO
“CEOs are in charge of large companies, and my company happens to be notre dame cathedral football. At the end of the day, you are responsible for all decisions that affect the people who participate in your program and the results in the field. In other words, you don’t make all the decisions, but you are responsible for all of them. It’s important to make sure you understand that. Throughout my coaching career, the greatest satisfaction I’ve received has been watching the players I’ve worked with succeed. ”
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Celebration video that went viral after he became head coach
“I was in a daze. But I remember walking out the door and seeing the team excited. All I wanted to do was give them a hug. It was a speech. It wasn’t about it. It was an opportunity to celebrate and be with your guys. I always tell them, ‘I’m a teammate. I may be the captain, but I’m a teammate. I understand what you’re going through. I’m in this fight with you. And I think, ‘They respect that and understand that. From that door. The moment I left was a moment I will never forget and one I will cherish forever.”
The meaning of his creed: “Choose hard”
“It all started a few years ago when I was in the weight room at Notre Dame and the players were training under intense pressure and choosing to keep moving. I remember thinking, “I can do that, and I can choose to continue that movement.” That’s when I came up with the idea of “Choose Hard.” When you enter this building, you’ll see a sign that says “Choose Hard.” Because when you come into Notre Dame football, you have to have that mindset. choose hard In today’s practice, choose hard At today’s meeting, choose hard Today I went to the weight room. And for the players, they’re going to be challenged in the classroom, right? You will be joining a class of some of the most intelligent people in this world.It’s difficult, but in the end you chose to come here. choose hard, embrace it and know that the rewards of choosing hard every day are like no other. ”
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problem solving philosophy
“When your team doesn’t win, a lot of people tell you to trust the process. Here’s what I believe. fix the process. I spend a lot of time evaluating everything we were doing. Why don’t we play better? What does it do in a nutshell? Is there anything that players don’t understand? Loss happens and it’s a part of life. But they were hurt. As a leader, you don’t want to have too many people. Please fix it quickly. ”
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Player retention in the era of transfer portals
“Look, if you’re the CEO of a company, you have to pay your employees, right? If your employees can go somewhere else and make more money, no matter what type of company you run, “The players are going to be fine.” “They’re probably going to leave. So we have to make sure that our players are maximizing their name, image and likeness opportunities. That’s important, but there’s no other way. What keeps them at Notre Dame? What else is drawing them here? And you have to believe.” It’s your culture. You have to believe that’s how they treat you. Do they enjoy participating in your program? That’s very important. And that’s a message to me and the other coaches. Check it out as much as we do.”
For more profiles of innovative and influential leaders, visit: CEO series archive.