9
“Jon’s books and talks to our team have had a
significant impact on our culture and have helped us
build a positive team where our players overcome
negativity and challenges…”
--Mike Smith, head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta
Falcons
Smith,
the
winningest coach in the
history of the Falcons,
read “The Energy Bus”
when he was defensive
coordinator
for
the
Jacksonville
Jaguars.
When he was named
head coach of the
Falcons in 2008, he had
his team read the book
and invited Gordon to
speak to the team. The
Energy Bus has also
been used by numerous
professional and college
coaches including NBA
coaches Doc Rivers,
Brad
Stevens
and
Pittsburg
Pirates
Manager Clint Hurdle. (I
didn’t consult with Doc,
Brad and Clint) “I think
the common thing is that
my message is all about
developing
positive
leadership and positive
teams and confronting
negativity and energy
vampires that sabotage
so many teams and
organizations,” Gordon
said. “We all have
energy vampires in our
lives…and I believe
that’s why my message
resonates.
I
give
practical and proven
ways to confront, transform and/or remove them. It all
starts with culture.”
Developing a positive culture starts with a leader’s
innermost circle. Gordon recalled being on a plane
with a TV executive about a year ago and giving her
a copy of one of his books.
“She had never heard of me, which is very
common, and said that I should be a household
name. I told her that I just want to be a big name in
my household. I believe leadership starts with
influencing those closest to us,” Gordon said. “We
must lead our leadership teams before we can lead
our
organizations.
Great
leaders
develop
other
leaders…great
leaders succeed not
because they are
great, but because
they
bring
our
greatness in others.”
Gordon lays out his
simple formula in his
latest book, “The
Carpenter.”
“The three greatest
leadership strategies
of all are Love, Serve
and Care,” he said. “I
do those three things
and simply focus on
making a difference
and let the outcome
take care of itself.”
Gordon said his
message and that
formula
are
applicable to public
school
systems
facing
challenges
ranging from severe
budget cuts to being
attacked by reform
groups
and
the
media.
“My children go to
public school. I went
to public school,”
Gordon
said.
“Whatever people say
are the problems, I believe one crucial part of the
solution is great leadership. We all know that if you
put a great principal in a struggling school, the
principal will turn around the school…great principals
create great cultures and they bring out the best in
their teachers. Give school leaders the power and
authority to build their culture and transform their
school and they will.”
