There is a series entitled “A Football Life” on the NFL network on cable television.
One of the programs in the series includes a two-part episode about the legendary football coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960’s, Vice Lombardi.
In part one, in an episode entitled “Lombardi Saves the Franchise” there is an interview with NFL Hall of Fame Packer quarterback Bart Starr.
Mr. Starr indicated that in of the very first meetings after Vince Lombardi took over as head coach of the Packers, Coach Lombardi walked into the meeting and said:
“Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection. Knowing full well we won’t catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch, excellence. I am not remotely interested in being just, good.” Vince Lombardi as recalled by Bart Starr.
On offense, the Packers ran a single play, called the “power sweep” a majority of the time.
The power sweep was a simple play that included number of levels of decisions to be made each time it run. The Packers ran it over, over and over again as Coach Lombardi chased perfection for his offensive. Even know all the other football teams knew the Packers were going to run the power sweep on offensive, these teams had a difficult time stopping it when they played the Packers.
What do you think about Coach Lombardi’s perfection hierarchy from top-to-bottom: (1) Perfect; (2) Excellent; and (3) Good?
It is hard to argue with the success Coach Lombardi achieved with this hierarchy. He won three championships (pre-Super Bowl) and Super Bowls I and II for a total of five NFL championships. The trophy presented to the winner of the NFL Super Bowl each year includes his name and is called the Lombardi trophy.
However, is this hierarchy and philosophy outdated, a relic of the 1960’s, or is it still relevant today?
What is your edge of chasing perfection?
Stephen Lesavich, PhD
What do you think of Coach Lombardi’s philosophy about chasing perfection and his hierarchy? It is realistic for your professional life? Is it realistic for your personal life?
Is it necessary to try to chase perfection at all? Should you even try?
If you want to pursue perfection, how would you do it?
Out There On the Edge of Everything®
Out There on the Edge of Everything®…
Stephen Lesavich, PhD
Copyright © 2019-2020, by Stephen Lesavich, PhD. All rights reserved.
Certified solution-focused life coach and experienced business coach.
Click here to read the blog post associated with this podcast.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Award-winning and best-selling Author, Entrepreneur, Visionary, CEO of 2 different companies, Attorney, Tech Expert, Certified Solution-Focused Life Coach, Experienced Business Coach.