by # Leadership Lessons from Andy Reid: What Made Patrick Mahomes a Star
When Patrick Mahomes was drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, he joined an organization led by veteran head coach Andy Reid. In the years since, Mahomes has developed into one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks and led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory in 2020. His rapid rise and sustained success can be largely attributed to the leadership lessons he learned under Reid.
While Mahomes’ immense physical talents were apparent from the start, Reid played a pivotal role in cultivating Mahomes’ mental approach and nurturing his growth mindset. Through his own example and coaching style, Reid instilled in Mahomes qualities like composure, empowerment, leadership by example, and dedication to continuous learning – all of which have served Mahomes well on his path to stardom.
## Composure and Focus
One of the most evident lessons Mahomes absorbed from Reid is the importance of composure and focus. Reid has a reputation for staying remarkably even-keeled, rarely getting too high or too low during games or over the course of a season. His calm and steady demeanor helps keep his team grounded.
Mahomes emphasizes that Reid taught him to “never [get] too high, never too low.” Even when things are going well on the field, Reid preaches avoiding complacency. And when faced with adversity like losses, he stresses the need to focus on improvement rather than getting discouraged.
This mentality has been integral to Mahomes’ success. In the NFL, every season brings ups and downs as teams face challenging opponents. Staying composed through it all and focusing on consistent growth is vital for long-term success. Mahomes credits Reid for instilling in him the mental fortitude to do just that, even as a young quarterback still learning his craft.
## Empowerment and Trust
Another core lesson Mahomes learned from Reid is the power of empowerment and trust. Rather than micromanaging Mahomes or trying to mold him into a rigid system, Reid gave Mahomes autonomy to play to his strengths. He encouraged Mahomes to trust his natural instincts and playmaking abilities.
This empowering approach fostered tremendous confidence in Mahomes. Knowing his coach believed in and supported him allowed Mahomes’ immense talents to shine freely. He didn’t feel constrained by an overly rigid scheme.
Reid’s trust in Mahomes also grew over time as Mahomes proved himself on the field. Their relationship exemplifies how empowerment and trust are mutually reinforcing – when leaders empower individuals and show belief in their capabilities, it motivates those individuals to work even harder and live up to that trust.
This coaching philosophy aligns with principles of Agile leadership, which prioritize empowering autonomous, cross-functional teams for optimal performance. For Mahomes, being empowered to play his game at a young age established an environment where he could maximize his potential.
## Leadership by Example
Beyond imparting specific lessons, Reid also demonstrated exemplary leadership through his own behaviors and management style. The way he leads by example had a profound influence on Mahomes’ development.
Reid fosters strong relationships and trust within his organization through open communication, respect, and care for his players as people – not just assets. This positive and supportive environment allows everyone to feel empowered contributing their best. Players readily buy into Reid’s system and work cohesively as a unit.
Mahomes sees Reid as an inspirational leader who motivates through positivity rather than fear or intimidation. Reid’s approach aligns with research showing that authentic, servant leaders who prioritize developing people tend to be most effective. They inspire loyalty, dedication and peak performance from followers.
By observing Reid’s leadership firsthand for years, Mahomes learned how to build genuine rapport with teammates, coaches and staff. He understood the importance of prioritizing relationships and creating a collaborative culture for the team’s long term success. These soft skills are just as important for a quarterback as any on-field abilities.
## Continuous Learning
Perhaps the most impressive quality Reid instills is a perpetual growth mindset focused on continuous learning and improvement. Well into his coaching career, Reid remains dedicated to evolving, studying trends, and finding new ways to succeed.
This dedication to lifelong learning is something Mahomes strives to emulate. Even after achieving immense success early in his career, Mahomes remains hungry to enhance his skills and knowledge. He recognizes no level of mastery, constantly analyzing film and finding areas to refine.
Reid leads by example in this regard. As technologies change and opponents adapt, remaining teachable and agile is crucial for leaders. Stagnation often precedes decline. Reid avoids this by maintaining curiosity and eagerness to learn – attributes which Mahomes absorbed.
This growth mindset also helps Mahomes deal with setbacks productively. Rather than dwelling on mistakes or losses, he focuses on gleaning lessons to apply going forward. Continuous learning allows for continuous improvement over the long haul of an NFL career. It’s a perspective that will serve Mahomes well for many seasons to come.
## Mental Toughness Above All
Through his coaching approach and personal example, Andy Reid imparted invaluable intangible lessons that have propelled Patrick Mahomes’ career. While Reid also helped develop Mahomes’ physical skills, his greatest impact has been cultivating Mahomes’ mental makeup.
The qualities of composure, empowerment, strong leadership, and perpetual growth are what set truly elite performers apart. Reid recognized that maximizing Mahomes’ physical gifts would mean little without establishing the right mindset first. His emphasis on mental fortitude, confidence, focus and relationships have been paramount.
Now in his fifth season, Mahomes is a Super Bowl champion and one of the NFL’s most dynamic players. But his success stems not just from physical ability, but from the invaluable leadership lessons learned early in his career from Andy Reid. Lessons of composure, empowerment, positivity, collaboration and continuous improvement. It is this development of character and mindset that has allowed Mahomes’ immense talents to shine on a sustained basis.
The profound impact of Reid’s coaching illustrates that truly great leaders don’t just impart skills – they cultivate qualities like grit, dedication and relationships that empower individuals for long term growth. For Patrick Mahomes, the guidance of Andy Reid has been instrumental in his development into not just a star player, but a leader in his own right.
