When a company consistently outperforms its competitors, we STUDY them. We write case studies. We try to replicate their success. We applaud their organizational excellence.
Yet as the Chiefs head to another Super Bowl, I’ve noticed a troubling sentiment across social media and football fans: “Anyone but the Chiefs.”
The reasoning? “They win too much.”
NFL analyst Nate Burleson recently addressed this directly, urging fans to “resist the urge to fall for the narrative that we’re fatigued of seeing the Chiefs win.” He likened it to the criticism faced during the Patriots’ dynasty – when greatness becomes so consistent that people start rooting against it simply because it’s hard to beat. The absurdity of that baffles me.
Here’s the disconnect: If this were a business case study, we’d be analyzing every aspect of their success:
– Their tight-knit culture spending time together on and off the field
– Their commitment to extra hours of preparation
– Their consistent execution under pressure
– Their ability to adapt while maintaining core excellence
– Their organizational structure that values collective success over individual glory and is supported by every player
Imagine if we said about Apple, “They make too many good products,” or about Microsoft, “They’re too consistently profitable.” It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? Yet in sports, we let our tribal loyalties overshadow our appreciation for organizational excellence.
The truth is, dynasties don’t emerge by accident. They’re built through the same principles we celebrate in business:
– Relentless dedication to improvement
– Strong leadership at all levels
– A culture that breeds success
– Willingness to put in the unseen work
– Consistent execution of fundamentals
As Burleson suggests, perhaps our frustration with sports dynasties reveals more about our own biases than their success. While it’s natural to root for your team, shouldn’t we also celebrate organizations that embody the very principles of excellence we strive for in our own professional lives?
Yes, my husband and I will be loudly rooting for the Chiefs this weekend but what are your thoughts? Can we separate our team loyalties from our appreciation for organizational excellence? How can we better celebrate sustained success while still maintaining the competitive spirit that makes sports – and business – so engaging?
