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It is a particular episode of The CEO Sequence for me as a result of we took a visit to Notre Dame Stadium the place I performed soccer as a walk-on alongside my brother throughout the undefeated season of 2012. We went to my outdated stomping grounds to sit down down with head coach Marcus Freeman to speak about management and the way, in some ways, he’s the CEO of their unbelievable program.
Under are some highlights of that dialog, which have been edited for size and readability. Watch the total video above.
The coach as CEO
“A CEO is accountable for a giant firm, and my firm occurs to be Notre Dame soccer. On the finish of the day, you are liable for each resolution that impacts the individuals in this system and the outcomes which are on the sector. So you do not make each resolution, however you are liable for each resolution. That is essential to be sure to perceive. All through my teaching profession, the best satisfaction got here from seeing the gamers you had been concerned with have success.”
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The celebration video that went viral after he was employed as head coach
“It was a blur. However I bear in mind strolling out of that door and seeing the workforce going loopy — all I wished to do was hug them. It wasn’t a couple of speech. It was an opportunity to rejoice and be along with your guys, proper? I inform them on a regular basis: I am a teammate. I could be the captain, however I am a teammate. I perceive the stuff you’re going by way of. I am on this battle with you. And I believe they respect that they usually perceive that. Strolling out that door is a second I will always remember and one I will cherish perpetually.”
The that means of his mantra “Select Onerous”
“It began a few years in the past once I was within the Notre Dame weight room and was figuring out as our gamers had been being pushed exhausting. And I bear in mind considering you could select to undergo the motions or you’ll be able to select to go as exhausting as you’ll be able to. And that is once I got here up with this considered ‘Select Onerous.’ We put up an indication you see while you stroll into this constructing that claims ‘Select Onerous.’ As a result of while you stroll into Notre Dame soccer, you have to have that mindset. We’ll select exhausting immediately in observe, select exhausting immediately in conferences, select exhausting immediately within the weight room. And for the gamers, you are going to be challenged within the classroom, proper? You are going to be in school with among the most clever individuals on this world. And it is troublesome, however in the end you have chosen to return right here so select exhausting, settle for it, and know that the rewards from selecting exhausting each single day cannot be discovered anyplace else.”
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Downside-solving philosophy
“When a workforce is not successful, lots of people say, belief the method. My mantra is: repair the method. I spend plenty of time evaluating every little thing we had been doing. Why aren’t we enjoying higher? What are we doing schematically? Is there one thing our gamers do not perceive? Losses occur and it is part of life. However they harm. As a frontrunner, you do not wish to have too many. Repair it with urgency.”
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Retaining gamers within the age of the switch portal
“Look, if you happen to’re the CEO of an organization, you bought to pay your workers, proper? Now if they will go some other place and make much more cash, it doesn’t matter what kind of firm you are working, they’ll in all probability go away. So we now have to ensure that our gamers can maximize the alternatives of identify, picture and likeness. That is essential, however what else retains them at Notre Dame? What else attracts them right here? And you have to consider it is your tradition. You have to consider it is the best way they’re handled. Do they take pleasure in being a part of your program? That is so essential. And that is a message for myself and our different coaches. Let’s ensure that as exhausting as we push them, as demanding as we’re, we aren’t demeaning. We wish them to take pleasure in being part of this workforce and all the alternatives that the College of Notre Dame gives.”
Take a look at extra profiles of progressive and impactful leaders by visiting The CEO Sequence archives.
