| Recently, I had the privilege of being the MC | | | | He told us that you have to be open to listen |
| at a business breakfast. Our guest speaker | | | | to other people's opinions. In Super Bowl IV, |
| was Len Dawson, who is a member of the Pro | | | | Len was sitting on the bench next to his |
| Football Hall of Fame, and was the | | | | receiver, Otis Taylor. The Chief's defense |
| quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the | | | | was doing a great job against the Minnesota |
| very first Super Bowl. Mr. Dawson spoke about | | | | Vikings' offense. Otis told Len of a play he |
| three keys for success. | | | | knew would be effective against the Viking |
| | | | defense. "Back then," Len said, "the |
| Prior to the meeting, I got to spend a few | | | | quarterback would call most of the plays." |
| minutes talking with Len. He is a wonderful | | | | |
| man. He told me that he doesn't do very many | | | | He went on to tell us that Otis proceeded to |
| of these events, so I knew it was real treat | | | | write out the play in the dirt just like kids |
| to have him speak. Following a video | | | | do. Otis told him that if he tried the play |
| presentation about his life, I brought him up | | | | he knew he could beat the defender. A few |
| to the lectern. | | | | minutes later it was time for the offense to |
| | | | take the field. Otis asked Len if he was |
| He talked about his childhood leading up to | | | | going to call that play. "No," was Len's |
| his pro football career as well as his sports | | | | reply. "Not 'till we get in the huddle. Hell |
| broadcasting career afterward. (He still does | | | | yeah, I'm going to call that play!" |
| the radio broadcast for the Chiefs.) He then | | | | |
| went on to give us three keys for success: | | | | The play worked great, leading the Chiefs to |
| fundamentals, teamwork and a winning | | | | a touchdown. Len Dawson and Kansas City |
| attitude. | | | | Chiefs then went on to win Super Bowl IV. And |
| | | | even though Len was named the MVP of the |
| Fundamentals: Mr. Dawson talked about how | | | | game, he stressed that the Chiefs won because |
| import fundamentals are for success. He told | | | | of their teamwork. |
| us that he practiced his drills faithfully | | | | |
| for 20 years. He also talked about being | | | | A Winning Attitude: The final point Len |
| prepared. | | | | talked about was having a winning attitude. |
| | | | Len said that the difference between Super |
| In the video presentation there was actually | | | | Bowl I and Super Bowl IV was a winning |
| footage of Len throwing an interception in | | | | attitude. In Super Bowl IV, they knew they |
| Super Bowl I. Not too many people would want | | | | could beat the Vikings. Their fundamentals |
| to show that as an example to anybody! But he | | | | were in tune, and they were prepared. They |
| included it to make a point about being | | | | utilized teamwork, and they had a winning |
| prepared. | | | | attitude. |
| | | | |
| He told us that on that particular play, he | | | | A winning attitude is not only important, it |
| was not prepared for a blitz from the Green | | | | is critical for success. And yet it is so |
| Bay Packers defense. Because of that, he | | | | often overlooked. |
| tried to throw a pass when he shouldn't have. | | | | |
| He made his point well that part of | | | | Fundamentals, teamwork and a winning attitude |
| fundamentals is being prepared. | | | | are three important keys to success. Having |
| | | | that determination, conviction, and an |
| Teamwork: Mr. Dawson went on to discuss | | | | absolute assurance that you are going to |
| teamwork as another great key for success. | | | | succeed, will produce great results. It |
| "If everyone on the team does their best, | | | | doesn't matter if it's football or sales, or |
| then that's teamwork," Len said, "and you can | | | | whatever - having a positive winning attitude |
| be successful." | | | | will bring you success. |
| | | | |