15.75 Keys to Creating a Dynasty

Cait Mack

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Feb 23, 2017 · 4 min read

Or How to Live the Patriot Way. Whichever title you prefer. For you non-Pats fans let’s stick to the original title shall we ;)

If you’re a sports fan that cares read this part, if not, skip to the next paragraph: “Are you from Boston?” No, I’m not, but it is my favorite city. “Are you a bandwagon fan?” Maybe, but more like I’m a Tom Brady fan. “Did you think they were cooked in Super Bowl LI?” Yes, I did. Cause I’m from Philly and we’re used to disappointment from our teams.

Anyway…You should want your organization to mimic the Patriots. Forget the silly “cheating” scandals. Only simple minds believe that nonsense has any actual meaning. Don’t believe me? Check out www.yourteamcheats.com and prepare to be wowed.

The Patriots are incredibly successful because from the top down it’s about winning and character. Everyone buys in because they know it leads to success. Their owner, Robert Kraft, is a loyal Bostonian. His character cannot be questioned. Truly. He loves his city. He loves his team. His dream was to own this team and guide it to greatness. I’d say he’s done well.

He hired Bill Belichick and make no mistake, this was not a popular hire at the time. Belichick drafted Brady and that wasn’t very popular either. In fact it barely registered on anyone’s radar. They rarely make splashy free agency signings. They build via the draft. They build based on character. Football is 24/7 for them. From the owner to the coach to the quarterback to the other players.

When companies talk about culture, this is what they mean. They’re chasing this culture. The Patriots believe they’re fated, destined to be a dynasty. To be great. Do you have a culture that people are proud to be part and want to live it 24/7? Even outside of work? Nah, probably not. But you might be able to create this atmosphere.

So here’s my list of 15.75 ways you can create your own dynasty based on the Patriots Way. I kept it as simple as possible since simplicity is kind of my thing.

1. Belichick has a “shareholder” mindset. Everyone, literally everyone, has a stake in the organization’s success. From janitors to assistant coaches. Everyone in the organization, the stadium, has a part in this success.
2. The team mantras are Do Your Job and Onto the Next One. Focus on what you’re great at. Do your part and if everyone else does as well, greatness occurs. Let losses go, move on. Let wins go and move on as well.
3. Character/culture fit will trump raw talent. Coach drafts for character and talent of course, but good character fit will edge out talent. Let’s get real, every kid coming into the NFL is talented. Not all are of good character.
4. No individual is greater than the team, you will be sent packing if you put yourself first.
5. He’s okay with people doing things their way so long as the end result is success.
6. Allow other coaches to share first so they don’t mimic HC. Belichick welcomes differing opinions and arguments.
7. No wild swings in emotion. Calm, cool, collected.
8. Players write a note to coach weekly. What will I do to help the team win this week? It’d be pretty cool if you made your employees tell you what they’ll do to help the team. Get those promises on paper. Makes them more concrete.
9. Live, eat, sleep and breathe the industry. 90% of the time. The other 10% do something else. Anything else.
10. Have fun. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would include comical bonus cuts on tapes the team watched on Fridays. It’s a player favorite.
11. Push the boundaries. I don’t think Belichick cheats. I really don’t. But he obviously pushes the rules to their limits and looks for loopholes. All greats do. Think about it…you can’t have things no one else ever did if you won’t do what no else will.
12. Coach viewed the season as “5 weeks behind everyone else” post Super Bowl ring. That’s maniacal work ethic. After a big win would you feel “behind”? Bet you wouldn’t.
13. Take away what your competition does best. Just completely annihilate what they do best. But publicly…praise them. Describe them in the most pleasant of terms, which will then be mentally related to you by all that are listening.
14. No General Manager=less friction. So basically, the less alphas the better. Stop with your multi-layer management structure, it’s wasteful.
15. Hyper aggressive play calling. Aggressive on field play. Aggressive everything. Respect aggression, that’s how empires get built.

15.75. Get you one of those ¾ sleeve hoodies as shown in the picture.

15.75 may not be necessary (nor fashionably advisable) but the other 15 ideas are pretty solid snippets of advice.

Tell me what your favorite team has taught you at caitmackcs@gmail.com or on Twitter, @caitmackcs. And please hit the like and share button. I’d do it for you :)