This fall, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady entered his 20th season in the National Football League (NFL). The 42-year-old holds a dizzying 54 records in the NFL, including most wins, most touchdown passes, and most Super Bowl victories. Over the years, Brady’s career has also endured several scandals and disappointments, making him a famously divisive player and public figure.
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Yet even his most ardent fans and critics can agree upon one fact: In a league where the average quarterback lasts a mere three years, Brady and his leadership have stood the test of time.
Those in the business world — where the median tenure of a CEO is only two years longer than an NFL quarterback’s — should take notice. Whether one admires or despises Brady, one can learn from his enduring presence and success on the field. For leaders hoping to emulate Brady’s career longevity, here are three factors to prioritize.
1. Assemble a Strong Team
During the first two games of the 2019 NFL Playoffs, Tom Brady was the only starting quarterback who was not sacked. “The Patriots’ offensive line came together at the perfect time to keep its finely aged quarterback upright,” wrote Christian D'Andrea in SB Nation.
D’Andrea was right: As with every quarterback, Brady’s success is intricately tied to the strength of his offensive line. Not only do these players give him the mental and physical space to create and execute big plays; they also prevent him from receiving painful blows that could potentially shorten his career. A great team is essential to business longevity, as well, with John Chambers calling it one of the most important components of leadership. (Chambers would know: He held the position of Cisco CEO for 24 years.)
Ed Peper, the U.S. vice president at General Motors Fleet and a 32-year veteran of the company, agrees. “Whether we’re talking about football or business, the key to winning remains the same: the team comes first,” he wrote on LinkedIn after achieving 26 consecutive months of sales growth — an accomplishment, he said, that could only occur “when each individual on the team does their part.”
2. Influence & Motivate Talent
Over the course of Brady’s record-breaking NFL career, he has faced several challenges in the talent department. One of the most famous is wide receiver Randy Moss. When the Oakland Raiders traded Moss to the Patriots in 2007, his reputation as a difficult player preceded him. Moss quickly learned “The Patriot Way,” however, undoubtedly with the help of his symbiotic quarterback: Brady. In his very first season, Moss had 23 touchdown receptions — the most of any NFL receiver in history.
Though Brady is not a coach, he is a formidable leader on the field — and one cannot deny that his ability to collaborate with and inspire his teammates has been key to his long career. Daniel Amos, Aflac’s CEO of 28 years, attributes this skill as vital to his success, too. When asked about the most important leadership lessons he had learned in his tenure, he told The New York Times: “[M]ake sure you motivate people because they ultimately are getting the job done for you.”
Another powerful example comes from multi-billionaire Les Wexner, the longest-running Fortune 500 CEO. The son of Russian immigrants, Wexner has been at the helm of L Brands — which includes retailers such as The Limited and Bath & Body Works — for 56 years. He believes skills like Brady’s are foundational to leadership, saying: “Leaders come in all shapes and sizes with virtually every characteristic and kind of personality, but they all have the ability to influence.”
3. Gain and Maintain Organizational Support
In 2018, ESPN reported a rift between Brady, Coach Bill Belichick, and team owner Robert Kraft. Though tension would not be surprising, considering how long they have worked together, the triumvirate denied the allegations. Regardless of the story’s veracity, one thing is clear: Without the wholehearted support of the Patriots organization, Brady never would have become the legendary leader he is today.
When it comes to Brady’s development, the most essential member of the organization was also one of his earliest supporters: Belichick. “I love coaching Tom,” Belichick said. “I think that’s important, to have that relationship between the head coach and the quarterback so at least we’re on the same page with what we’re trying to do.” Belichick and Brady are the winningest coach-quarterback pair in history, having won a total of 29 post-season games together.
No matter the industry, it is only with the support of an entire organization — from employees to colleagues to board members — that leaders can last. Take Matt Certo, who founded marketing agency Findsome & Winmore when he was just 19 years old. “I've definitely learned the value of having great co-leaders next to me,” he told Business Insider after finishing his second decade as CEO. “Having other leaders around me has helped me to see situations through different lenses, gotten me out of my comfort zone, and ultimately helped me to make better decisions. You can't do it alone.”
To achieve longevity in business, leaders do not need to emulate Brady in every way. They do not need to drink 25 glasses of water per day, or throw a perfect spiral when a 280-pound defensive end is fast approaching. If they want to make their careers last, however, they do need to take a few pages from Brady’s playbook — and build strong teams, inspire those around them, and earn the support of their entire organization. As Brady himself once said, “You gotta prove it every day.”
