Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Podcast
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Training

Feb 08 2019

Willing to Adapt?

Despite breaking the school record for total offense during his senior year with the Kent State Golden Flashes, Julian Edelman was not invited to the NFL combine.  He was a successful college quarterback but NFL scouts did not see much of a future for him. It was looking bleak for this college star but then hope. At the end of 7th and final round of the NFL draft, he received a phone call. 

“Hey, this is Coach Belichick. We are going to draft you. We really don’t know what you are going to play but we know you can play football. Nancy Meier [the Patriots’ director of scouting administration] will call you tonight to get you situated. Have a good one.”

It’s hard enough for freakishly talented individuals who have played wide receiver all their lives to make an NFL roster, let alone a small 5’10” dude that has played quarterback his whole life. But Julian would make it because he had a “whatever it takes” mentality. Fast forward a decade and Julian Edelman would earn Super Bowl 53 Most Valuable Player honors leading the Patriots to another world championship. He was a successful college quarterback but had to make a pivot. He had to make a change mid-stream. If he had been stubborn about being a quarterback, he would not have lasted very long in the NFL.

What about you? Are you set in your ways or are you willing to adapt when needed? Edelman had a goal that was much more important than his role. Sure, he wanted to play quarterback but he wanted to play in the NFL even more. Specifically, he wanted to win in the NFL. He was willing to do what was necessary to make himself and his team better.

Are you a supervisor or manager that tries to maximize the potential of each of your team members and find the best role for them? One of  the reasons Bill Belichick has been so successful through the years is his willingness and ability to adapt. Sure, he probably has an ego as an NFL coach but he wants to win more than he wants to get his way. He is willing to make changes when necessary. In fact, he isn’t afraid to change up game plans from game-to-game. In Edelman’s situation, Belichick was willing to think outside the box and find a way to utilize Edelman’s talents.

Don’t fall victim to the way it’s always been done. Always look for ways to maximize your potential and the potential of those around you. Be willing to change and grow.

Jamy Bechler is the author of The Leadership Playbook, host of the Success is a Choice Podcast, professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. Bechler spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator. He has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com.

You Might Also Like . . .

When Preparation Meets Opportunity
Episode 97: Eric Platte, Atlanta Hawks Vice-Presid...
Episode 047: Alicia Jessop from RulingSports.com

Written by admin · Categorized: Personal Growth, Sports · Tagged: adapting, Bill Belichick, Brandon Bostick, Change, Football, Improvement, JJ Birden, julian edelman, Kent State, Kent State University, New England Patriots, NFL, Shemy Schembechler, SuperBowl, Tom Brady

Featured Blog Posts

  • Episode 117: Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner
  • A Long Time Coming
  • Episode 116: Jim Carr, NAIA President
  • Willing to Adapt?
  • Episode 115: Kaya Jones, Recording Artist
  • Jamy Bechler Speaks at Midway University
  • Episode 114: Bob Wilson, NAIA Hall of Famer
  • The Good Samaritan
  • Episode 113: Kara Lawson, WNBA Champion & Basketball Analyst
  • Episode 112: Justin Kittredge, CEO of ISlideUSA

Blog Categories

  • Job Search
  • Leadership
  • News
  • Personal Growth
  • Podcast Episodes
  • Sports
  • Teams & Organizations
  • Uncategorized

Sign Up For Leadership Insights

Join Thousands Of Others Who Follow Jamy On These Platforms:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2019 · Jamy Bechler · Providing Insights on Leadership and Success · site design: red letter design