We've been getting leadership wrong.
For decades, management experts have preached the importance of staying cool under pressure. "Never let them see you sweat" has become the unwritten rule of leadership. Research shows that 89% of executives believe showing strong emotion undermines their authority.
But Saturday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell demonstrated why this conventional wisdom might be exactly what's holding leaders back.
In one of the most stunning upsets in NFL playoff history, Campbell's 15-2 Lions lost to the Commanders. What happened next challenges everything we think we know about crisis leadership.
Instead of maintaining composure, Campbell broke down in tears. Instead of highlighting positives, he sat with the pain. Instead of distributing responsibility, he simply said "It's my fault."
Here's what makes this fascinating: Campbell's response actually aligns with emerging research on trust and psychological safety. Studies show that leaders who display genuine vulnerability during crises generate 42% more trust from their teams than those who maintain emotional distance.
Why?
Because humans aren't inspired by perfection – we're inspired by authenticity.
When Campbell said, "A lot of people don't know what they go through... bodies beat to s---, mentally stay locked in," he wasn't just describing failure. He was acknowledging the human cost of ambition, something rarely discussed in leadership circles.
This matters far beyond sports. In my conversations with hundreds of CEOs and organizational leaders, I've noticed a pattern: The ones who can cry (figuratively and literally) with their teams during setbacks often build cultures that celebrate both excellence and humanity. And, their teams and their fans/ customers, would run through a wall for them.
The next time you face a crisis as a leader, remember: Your team doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. They don't need you to have all the answers. They need you to have the courage to feel the weight of the moment with them.
Because leadership isn't about appearing strong in a show of strength. It's about being strong enough to be real.
In full disclosure, I'm a life-long Lions fan, and I wouldn't trade Campbell for any other coach in the league, past or present!
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