As football season approaches, I thought it might be interesting to revisit some remarks new Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn made earlier this summer.
Speaking to the Buckhead Business Association (BBA) in his first keynote address as the Falcons’ head coach, Quinn said competition serves as the central theme of the Atlanta Falcons program this offseason.
“It’s not just the two guys at the same position competing against one another,” Quinn said during the July appearance. “… Yeah, that’s part of it. But, really where the real competition comes is you and I going against one another to make each other great.”
Quinn took over an Atlanta Falcons team that finished the 2014 season with a 6-10 record, and Falcons fans have high expectations for their new head coach. He identified the three rules of his program that will help him meet those expectations, and all are relevant to the business world: Protect the team, no complaining or excuses and be early.
“The whole program is based on being the best you can absolutely be,” Quinn said. “… Competing to see who can help us win is everywhere you look.”
Competition is essential to any team; it is imperative for any organization to challenge the status quo. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people become upset because they don’t want to answer questions.
Admittedly, there is no point in asking questions for the sake of asking questions. But, anyone or any organization that doesn’t want questions or doesn’t want to challenge conventional thinking is so far behind they think they’re in the lead.
As Quinn noted: “When you’re really competing against yourself, that’s when you know you’re at your best.”