When he took over the Chicago Bears as new team president, Kevin Warren understood he was inheriting a challenge. That was one of the reasons he accepted the job in the first place. He loved getting a chance to take an organization from one of the worst in the NFL to one of the best. The Bears have been trapped in purgatory for many years. They have one winning record since 2013 and just posted their worst record since 1969, going 3-14 last season. It is a franchise that has forgotten what success feels like.
Warren knew when he took over that it would take a precise leadership approach to get everybody pulling in the same direction. Luckily, he has lots of experience doing this. He learned some valuable lessons during his many years in Minnesota with the Vikings and again as Big Ten commissioner. It was during that time he narrowed down his focus to three questions he would ask every person in an organization. He revealed what they were during a speech at the NFL General Manager Forum.
- If your family owned the team, what do we need to do to be a world champion?
- What do you need to do your job at an exceptional level?
- If you were in my seat, what are some can't-miss priorities?
Kevin Warren continues to show a vital leadership trait.
It's one thing to give orders and direct people. It is another to listen to them. A boss can't possibly know everything that is going on within an organization. The more information he has, the better decisions he can make. That is why communicating with the people on the ground and asking their opinions can be invaluable. Those three questions are excellent in helping paint a picture of what the organization might be lacking and what its strengths are. From there, a team president can forge a plan to make everything better.
It is becoming easier to understand why Kevin Warren has been a success everywhere he works. The guy seems to have a natural instinct when it comes to communication. Couple that with his near-endless reserves of energy, and it makes for a good leader. The Bears seem to be in good hands with him and GM Ryan Poles.
