INSIDER'S VIEW: LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS FROM A DOWN SEASON
As published in the Pittsburgh Business Times, Jan. 31, 2014

By Tunch Ilkin and Damian W. Williams

After the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 0-4 start this year, the fans and media demanded change. “Fire the head coach!,” they howled. “The offense is in turmoil! The defense is too old!”

Yet even after the last game of the season ended, the team was still in playoff contention. What happened?

One reason why the Steelers turned their season around is that they tuned out chatter and just didn’t listen. In good and bad times, their demeanor has been the same, focusing on getting better. Coach Mike Tomlin understands that “the purpose is the process” of improvement and that winning takes care of itself.

In fact, losing sometimes can be more advantageous than winning, because it shatters complacency and forces leaders to manage-up their mental and physical game.

The value of playing in pain is part of the Steelers culture that began in the Noll era. It’s an ability to be mentally tough, choose the right attitude in every situation and bounce back. Leaders allow trusted colleagues to push them out of comfort zones to higher levels of accomplishment.

The Steelers front office does not deviate from the tenet that owners own, coaches coach and players play. You won’t see the Rooney family on the sidelines during games or in the locker room afterward. It’s why general manager Kevin Colbert doesn’t give news media interviews after the season starts. Head coach Mike Tomlin is the point man, and the team speaks with one voice.

When in the media spotlight after a Thanksgiving Day sideline snafu, Tomlin responded with a stand-up attitude. He felt horrible, publicly apologized and accepted full blame. It was a deep learning opportunity for his players. And he showed up the next day upbeat, focused and ready to work.

This is not new. After the 2008 Super Bowl victory parade in Pittsburgh, Tunch Ilkin asked Tomlin if he would take time off to relax. “No,” he said. “I’m getting right back to work tomorrow.”

This year and every year, the Steelers didn’t get too emotionally high or low. They always focused on the upcoming game. In the locker room, you couldn’t tell from players’ demeanor how well they were doing. There was no finger-pointing or shifting of blame, and no factions or divisions. This is unique in the National Football League.

Many pundits are calling for an overhaul. But the Steelers never make knee-jerk reactions. Yes, they adjust personnel with re-assignments, signings and cuts, but not due to panic, or for the sake of change or to quiet the cacophony of critics.

The players are obsessed with passionate execution and continuous improvement. At practice, Tomlin made a point of spending time to make sure each one was working on the right techniques and approaching head-to-head matchups. The assistant coaches, all former players, are seasoned teachers.

The Steelers did not reach the playoffs, but they never quit. They demonstrated the principle that the key to performance in hardship is mastering the discipline of leading one’s self, the most difficult of all.