The lessons we can learn from Cam Newton

2016-02-11T09:01:47-05:00

By now, I am sure everyone has heard about Cam Newton's one-worded press conference that followed the defeat of the Carolina Panthers to the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl 50. Coming into the game, Newton was known for cracking jokes, taking jabs at the other teams and being "the face of the league" in prior press conferences. Yet, this time, the man known for wearing golden shoes and tiger print pants met the press in a non-descrip hoodie and hardly made any eye contact with the members of the press; ending their time together with "I'm done, bro."

This topic has received some thoughts already by the RallyPoint community but it has also go me thinking over the past few days. Newton, a 26 year old NFL MVP, went from being the example of what it means to be a great winner to the example of being the sorest of losers. Now, let me state that I cannot fully blame Cam for his actions. While I think they reflect very poorly on him as a persona and a leader of a sports team, this conference was held within one hour of him seeing his hopes of winning the biggest game in the NFL slip away. His press conference room was just on the other side of the wall from the Broncos where he could hear them celebrating and talking about him and his actions leading up the game. That had to sting a lot. But it serves as a great teaching point for leaders.

As a leader, either in the military or not, you are often placed in situations where all eyes are on you. We see this more than ever right now as people travel city to city, state to state trying to get others to support their race to be the biggest leader in the land; a position that is truly under the largest microscope. Yes, there is a huge difference between being the President of the United States and being the QB of a NFL team; but nonetheless, people will always look to leaders to set a good example. An example of what they want that organization to be. In the military, leaders are viewed in the same light. I cannot being to count the number of hours I spent ensuring that my uniforms looked good, that I had a fresh hair cut and that I worked my hardest to get as many points as I could during a PT test. All in order to set the example of my Soldiers. I felt wrong trying to correct a service member if I did not have myself together. Following the Super Bowl, fan of the Panthers were looking to Cam for some reassurance that the team will bounce back from their second place finish. They wanted to see their QB stand up and take point stating what he felt he could have done better to help his teammates. Instead, they got one or two word answers as their leader sat there with his face covered.

Newton's next mistake came a few days later, when he held a press conference to try and explain his actions during the conference held after the Super Bowl. He tried to say he hated to lose and that losing is very hard on him. I think as a leader, we all face losing and none of us like the taste of it. We never want to see our team not reach their goal. It does not matter what that goal is, working so hard and having that goal on your finger tips only to see it slip by is never easy. Yet we as leaders cannot sit back and say we hate to lose and expect that to explain away our less than professional actions. We must remember that our actions, now more than ever, stick with us. Cam forgot that and no matter how hard he tries, his actions will continue to follow him thanks to the wonders of Google.

Lastly, we as leaders must always be there for our team. It is not about us as the leader but about the team; the guys around us that make us successful. At all levels, the team is why the leader has the success and failure he/she may face. It is the team that gives purpose to have a person in that leadership role. A leader cannot nor will not ever be successful without his/her team. Cam forgot that. His team was hurting, he was hurting, thousands of fans were hurting; but rather than being their for his team; he left them, sitting in chair with his hands on his face. As leader, we must always remember that our team needs us as much as we need them. Our successes and our failures are joint effort. We are unable to do it alone. We are sometimes called upon to suck it up and deal with the issue. And while I cannot fully blame Newton for his public display of his feelings, I think he can learn a lot from it; as a leader does.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:05 AM

2016-02-11T09:05:25-05:00

Well said Ben.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Feb 11 at 2016 9:16 AM

2016-02-11T09:16:51-05:00

Good post, SGT Ben Keen! I appreciate your perspective on Cam and how it directly applies to leaders in and out of the military.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-02-11T10:35:04-05:00

For many in SEC country, including myself, this is not really a surprise. Cam has always been heavy on talent but light on character. He has grown up in the league, he has matured in the league, tried to be a decent role model, but as we can see he still has some growing to do.

In reference to your evaluation of leadership, I think this is relevant to the classic question of whether a leader is made or born? I think there are certain cultural and social conditions that help someone develop character, humility, selflessness and other attributes of good leaders that don't just appear over night, even if taught. Because when things get tough, muscle memory takes over, and you do what is natural. That is why the military puts people in challenging situations to evaluate them for elite units. When your tired, your hungry, and nothing is going according to plan, the true you comes out and those evaluating see who you really are.

Response by SSG Lenzie Bailey made Feb 11 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-02-11T11:01:23-05:00

Great post Sgt Keen! I've been retired for almost 13 years now so I know our Army has been completely changed. But do we as NCO's still live by things like " Be , Know , Do"?

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 11 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-02-11T11:14:16-05:00

Very good analogy of what it means to be a true leader. Sometimes you must lose to win!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 11 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-02-11T11:17:33-05:00

Mediate on this.....

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 11:21 AM

2016-02-11T11:21:21-05:00

True.....sadly to often we don't take the time let people fail....simply put failure is the best teacher out there. Use to argue with my commander about this all the time...and simply put if mission won't stop and people wont get hurt sometimes it's good to let young leaders fail....it keeps them humble, sharp, and always looking for options.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 11 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-02-11T11:38:21-05:00

I probably had a hard time understanding the more unheralded unit (Broncos DL and LBs) controlled the game.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Feb 11 at 2016 12:10 PM

2016-02-11T12:10:57-05:00

So, let me get this right, Cam's reaction is the problem?...The only issue in all of this, right? The fact that the Broncos player being interviewed had no consideration that he could be heard by Cam isn't even an issue at all right?...This isn't the first time the Broncos won the Super Bowl, however, it is the first time the two teams were interview in practically the same room at the same time...Showboating on the field after a good play or sack is one thing, but being unsportsmanlike on that same field can also get you a penalty...You may call Cam a sore loser, but there is such a thing as a poor winner...I'm unbiased in all of this because my two team are the San Diego Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals, so I could care less about who won or who loss...I'm just commenting on the fact that I don't believe Cam should take all responsibility about how this press conference was handled. I believe his reaction was taken a bit out context...I do not believe his reaction is a character flaw...but then again, what do I know?...I'm just some jarhead pecking away at her keyboard vying for a thumbs up or two. ;)

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Feb 11 at 2016 12:27 PM

2016-02-11T12:27:07-05:00

I don't agree with his actions, but I agree with his words. Show me a happy loser, and I will show you a loser. Sh..I saw many military personnel angry and yelling when they were passed over for promotion! When you don't win, the last thing you think about is being a happy loser!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 11 at 2016 2:08 PM

2016-02-11T14:08:16-05:00

Zun Tzu Art of War, says never be over confident in your abilities and recognize the better tactics of your enemy, because it will lead to defeat and Humble Pie. So what have we learned from 11 plus years of constant war?

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Feb 11 at 2016 3:02 PM

2016-02-11T15:02:09-05:00

If I recall correctly, he left college under investigation for possible NCAA rule violations that his "dad" caused. That speaks volumes about his and his family's character. Unfortunately, the NFL causes this type of character environment by allowing them into the league and tacitly supporting them during criminal investigations. Of course what do I know.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 5:26 PM

2016-02-11T17:26:42-05:00

Very good blog~ My take is that he could not keep up with the excitement. Meaning that, the emotions ran so high, and the expectations he created for himself, was too much. I also remember the relative peace that Joe Montana, Roger Stabauch and John Elway had.

The histrionics were something akin to Billy White Shoes Johnson and Joe Gastineau played with. Even the media fed into the hype. When Steve Smith left, the big playmaker was gone. Teddy Ginn Jr, is pretty good, but he is not in the Irvin, Rice and Smith mold, who baled out the QBs

So, when Cam needed the big play, it was not there. And Ware and the defense confused him. If you saw, the Broncos players mocking him with the Superman thing. He needs to grow up some because paybacks can be tough and he found that out. The greats never did that.

Superman faced met his kyrptonite without his lead sheet, a great defense. Team game. not just him.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 12 at 2016 1:42 AM

2016-02-12T01:42:26-05:00

On the broad issue of leadership, we can all learn by reflecting to the comments of other coaches, QB's, and those military leaders who've we all looked to for the example. One of the things that defines a good leader it their ability to shower their supporting cast with kudos and compliments in the victory. Similarly, we've seen those same folks shoulder 100% of the responsibility in the loss.

Mr. Newton isn't "there" yet. Unfortunately, he may have revealed a side we'd rather not see. Great perspective & question, SGT Ben Keen

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Feb 12 at 2016 8:43 PM

2016-02-12T20:43:41-05:00

Excellent Post!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 10:34 PM

2016-02-12T22:34:08-05:00

A good leader learns from his mistakes, and does not make the same mistake twice.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2016 8:08 AM

2016-02-13T08:08:35-05:00

Excellent article