Leadership Lessons We Can Learn From Kenny Dillingham

Did you watch the Peach Bowl? As ASU Alums, we definitely did. Although not the outcome we wanted, it was a season to be remembered. Dillingham (ASU Head Coach)  has definitely done something with the team ,his staff and the fan base.

Leadership Lessons We Can Learn From Kenny Dillingham:

Believe In Yourself and Your Vision

• ignore the critics and naysayers.

Create a Positive, Results-Driven Culture that People Want to Be Part Of

• You set the tone. 
• Take care of your people - let them know their worth.
• Hold them accountable to doing their job. 
• Pour into them, even when it’s hard to do 
• Praise them publicly after a job well done.
• Have a mantra. Dillingham’s is LIFERS (little things, intensity, family, education, response, success.)

Activate Your Fans

• You don’t need to be a football coach to activate your fans. Think about who your customers are and what problem you solve for them.Then activate the ones you have made a difference for and get them to help you spread the word about your product/service.
•  For Dillingham, this was done with #activatethevalley, what will it be for you?

Keep Reaching for More

• Don’t quit once the first game is won, or the first client is signed, or your first “x” amount has been made. 
• Stay hungry, keep growing and improving. 
• Model this for others.

Show Up With Passion and Energy 

• Admittedly, this isn’t easy to do, but passion and energy can be contagious if done right.
• Kenny does this extremely well - just watch him on the sidelines during a game or during an on-field interview after a game. The man literally exudes passion and a love for his job.

Take Responsibility and Back Your Team

• When things go wrong (and they will) or outcomes aren’t what you wanted, be the first to take responsibility. 
• Others on your team may own some of the responsibility, but you do too. Keep that in mind.

When You Lose, Be Good At It

• Be truthful and acknowledge when it stings. "There are no moral victories, "The locker room is dreadful, and it should be." -Kenny Dillingham
• Model what this looks like. "You lose the game, it doesn’t mean you just get to leave. You shake hands, that’s what you do.” -Kenny Dillingham

Sometimes You Just Have to “Puke and Rally”

• Life (and business) come at you fast. The path won’t always be easy, there will be hills to climb. This isn’t the time to quit. 
• Sometimes, you just have to puke and rally.

Thanks, Kenny (and team) for an exciting season and thanks for showing us what good leadership can look like. 

Onward and upward. Go Devils!