A Business Leader Playbook by Tim Tebow

If you live anywhere in the Rocky Mountain Region – or even the United States – you’ve certainly heard the name of the Denver Broncos star quarterback, Tim Tebow. He came on the scene in Denver after a successful college career in Florida and began making a name for himself for his developing sports abilities and his personal character and strong values.

I was delighted to be asked by Denver’s NBC news affiliate, KUSA – 9News, to comment on leadership qualities that business professionals can take from watching this emerging sports star. Here are some of the qualities I think most notably reflect Tebow’s personal brand:

1. Conviction and Values
In any interview of Tim Tebow, we see him communicate with strong conviction. He is passionate and committed to his faith, his team and the strength of his personal values. As we talk about in personal branding, being able to articulate your personal values and show consistency in action towards living them builds your credibility.

2. Authenticity
When interviewed after a win, or a loss, Tebow shares a genuine and authentic appreciation of the situation. We don’t believe he is hiding behind a facade or putting on a “game face” when addressing audiences – from the media, to fans to fellow team members. We feel we are seeing his authenticity.

3. Consistency
Similar to his authenticity, Tebow represents himself consistently with his values. He believes in Christian principles, and they guide his actions towards the people he interacts with. Always. He tells us that he believes in community and giving back. We see evidence of this in the numerous hands-on efforts he delivers through his charity work and philanthropy. His consistency makes him believable and trustworthy.

4. Humility
There is a vulnerability and humility when Tebow is interviewed that makes him very likable. When complimented on a win, he immediately thanks others – from his Lord, to his team to the fans. He doesn’t hog the spotlight; instead he celebrates the success of others. The business leaders I work with strive for conviction of values, authenticity, consistency in actions and humility. In the professional community, we know that collaboration, buy-in and healthy competition come from being able to form relationships that are focused on a common goal and are achieved by acting with integrity. As business continues to navigate the turbulent economy, and particularly with the exciting election season beginning, we can remind ourselves that similar to Tim Tebow (and the entire Broncos organization), there is no predicting the outcome of the game. We can, however, ensure we live and act with integrity, share responsibility and move forward in building our personal brand from a position of strength. When we stay focused on the personal qualities we bring to the table that make us unique, compelling and relevant to target audiences, we build the desired reputation that attracts the opportunities we desire.