https://twitter.com/DougBaldwinJr/status/773969821360754688

In a tweet Thursday, Baldwin stated that the team plans to bring people together and honor the country and flag. The Seattle PI reported that Baldwin and his teammates had discussed making a statement following the protests by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane.

Kaepernick had caused a firestorm when he decided to sit for the National Anthem before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick said he was protesting what he believes is the unjust treatment of minorities in the U.S. and police brutality against African Americans.

On Sept. 1, Kaepernick and teammate Eric Reid kneeled during pregame ceremonies in San Diego while Lane sat the bench during the National Anthem in Oakland.

Baldwin had been outspoken about Kaepernick’s protest, using a parable to argue that people were more concerned with the quarterback’s method than his message.

“I think that’s what the issue is here,” Baldwin said. “We’re missing the message in terms of what we’re talking about. It’s not necessarily about the messenger or about the protest itself. It’s about what we’re pointing to.”

Former Seattle Seahawks long snapper Nate Boyer, who is also a former Army Green Beret, said that the Seahawks seemed to have found a way to get their message across while also showing respect for the National Anthem and the flag.

Talked to the @Seahawks What the team will do is a powerful sign of unification + respect for the Anthem + those that fight for our Freedom!

— Nate Boyer (@NateBoyer37) September 8, 2016

Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner had also signaled that if a demonstration were to happen, the entire team would take part.

“Anything that we want to do, it’s not going to be individual,” Wagner said. “It’s going to be a team thing because that’s what the world needs to see. The world needs to see people coming together versus being individuals.”

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1. Great teams have cultural intelligence.

They are more than talent on rosters, they become like family.

After winning the Super Bowl last year, Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin said, “This is not a football team. This is a family. And we’ve shown this consistently.”

Forbes contributor Glenn Llopis wrote that most successful organizations embrace the promise of their culture. In other words, they have cultural intelligence. “Cultural intelligence means being intelligent enough to create a workplace culture that gives positive direction for your organization and its people. In fact, a strong workplace culture makes it easier for an organization to stay focused, define its goals, and deliver on those goals,” says Llopis. Organizations like this “Create a family environment that is focused on giving, sharing and making those around them better.”

Organizations that have cultural intelligence become like families that make everyone else around them better.

2. Great teams have impassioned leaders dedicated to improvement.

Pete Carroll’s stated philosophy as a coach emphasizes constant competition and improvement. “For those who’ve followed his career, his success is not a surprise. He’s now only the third coach in history to win an NCAA Championship and the Super Bowl. Like all great teams, the Seahawks embody the drive and commitment of their leader. They also reflect the leader’s effort,” says Mark Miller.

Organizations that have leaders dedicated to improvement will create a culture that challenges others to grow.

3. Great teams have leaders with rightly aligned priorities.

After his amazing performance in the NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers in which he rallied his team to a gutsy and stunning 28-22 overtime victory Sunday, 26-year-old Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson went to church and inspired a number of fans to go too.

Wilson understands there are many things in life bigger than the game of football. No doubt, this makes him a more durable leader on the gridiron.

Organizations that have leaders with the right priorities will maintain composure in adversity.

4. Great teams rebound quickly from failure.

Russell Wilson’s approach to leadership was perhaps most dramatically seen during his rookie year when his team lost to Atlanta in the playoffs. During the end-of-season press conference he was asked how long it took him to get over the loss. “Until the end of the tunnel,” Wilson said.

Great leaders don’t ignore the past they just rebound quickly and get their eyes back on improving for the future. Wilson started watching tape of the game right away to think about the ways he could improve for the next season. Looking towards the future as a leader means considering past mistakes without shame or embarrassment but, rather, as places to improve.

One of my mentors used to always say that spiritual maturity is measured by resiliency time. How long does it take you to get back up after getting knocked down?

Organizations with resilient leaders aren’t defined by failure, they come back stronger from it.

5. Great teams hold one another accountable for their responsibilities.

When I hear the “Legion of Boom” Seahawks defense talk about their assignments and responsibilities, you sense an incredible measure of trust and confidence in one another. This comes from a strong culture of accountability.

Richard Sherman may be infamous for his trash talking, but it’s been said that what separates him from being simply a loud-mouthed narcissist is that he knows to whom he is accountable: his team and his supporters. After one loss, he Tweeted: “Apology 12s we let you down.”—A reference that he holds himself accountable not only to his teammates, but also his fans.

Organizations that have a great sense of accountability to themselves and others will never have a losing culture.

6. Great teams play hurt.

The Seahawks improbable comeback over the Packers on Sunday was decorated by several images of perseverance. They were beat up. Two of their defensive stars got injured. Russell Wilson took a deafening blindside blow after throwing an interception—the kind of hit that has left others to be carted off the field. But Wilson, undoubtedly in pain, shook it off and still came back to win the game after having a dismal 0.0 Passer Rating at halftime. The Seahawks demonstrated a remarkably high level of pain tolerance in their battle to earn a back-to-back trip to the Super Bowl.

Julius Caesar said, “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.”

Great teams have players who don’t get derailed easily due to painful experiences. They learn patience when others wound them. They don’t let relational offenses in the office become bitter grudges. They seek to resolve conflict quickly. They don’t let hurtful criticisms discourage them. They don’t let gossip, slander, or character assassination attempts to sideline them. Even when they get their feelings hurt by others, they still rise to a level of high performance that keeps their mission in focus.

Organizations with a high tolerance for pain will rise above discouraging circumstances and perform valiantly.

7. Great teams inspire FAITH and HOPE in others.

Prior to the Seahawks win Sunday, Scott Vener had challenged Russell Wilson and actor Doug Ellin that if the Seahawks won on Sunday he would go to church. “If they win I’m going to church with @DangeRussWilson @mrdougellin,” Ellin tweeted.

After the Seahawks won, he added: “Holy [expletive]

The post Seattle Seahawks: Leadership Lessons appeared first on Jimmy Larche.

1. You have come a long way.

From those crime-ridden and gang-infested streets of Compton, you have overcome many disadvantages and lived a dream. Apart from my grace, this would’ve never been possible. Be grateful.

2. You have an amazing talent.

You are arguably the best defensive back in the NFL. Your talent is God-given and you will be held accountable one day for how you exercised and stewarded that talent. Be humble… (By the way, that was a jaw-dropping play at the end of the NFC conference championship game!)

3. You have a lot of kids watching you.

You are a person of influence. Behind the scenes you are a generous person, helping out the community in many tangible and monetary ways. Know that “losing it” on national television overshadows much of the good you do off the camera. Give those disadvantaged kids back in Compton and communities all over the world someone to respect and be inspired by. You have the platform and potential to do this by how you carry yourself in the limelight. I’m pulling for you.

4. Remember who you are.

You’re a graduate of a highly reputable school (Stanford) and you have a degree in Communications. You are a man of social and academic stature. Carry yourself in light of this image—not that punk street kid that people still see you as. You have been labeled a thug, a fool, and a classless jerk. But those labels don’t have to dictate how you carry yourself. Walk in the new identity I died on the cross to give you. You can do this despite all the haters who want you to be defined by your worst moments.

5. I died for Michael Crabtree too!

It’s easy to justify your tirade after Sunday night’s game by saying that Crabtree made insulting comments about your mother some time back. You can’t overcome evil with evil. You can only overcome evil with good. My grace is sufficient for Michael Crabtree as much as it is sufficient for Richard Sherman. Accept that.

6. Put your best foot forward.

You don’t need to be defined by what happened Sunday night (Philippians 3:12-14). Unfortunately, your great play will be obscured by a momentary lapse in dignity. But this doesn’t have to define your future. Go to the Super Bowl, play like you’re gifted to play, respect your opponent, and show the world who Richard Sherman really can be when he is remade in my image. Most importantly, do this for my glory. The lights are on, the cameras are rolling, and the world is watching. Don’t miss this opportunity to be redefined by grace. I died on the cross to give you this opportunity. Seize it.

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