Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Hands-On ... - always yours

44 LEADING WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
reemergence, teamwork, and leadership, attributable to Carroll’s
unorthodox coaching style, which is rife with EI competencies. He
is known as a “player’s coach” versus an authoritarian command,
control type of coach.
A football coach focuses most of his time on developing the
talent of players and their ability to function together as a highly
effective team. The best corporate leader may be focusing as much
as 50% of his or her time on development, but that is rare indeed.
Examining the leadership of Carroll uncovers many valuable examples
of successfully applying Emotional Intelligence skills and tools
to sports and business.
Carroll was actually the fi fth choice of coaches considered suitable
to reenergize the USC Trojans. Other coaches such as Dennis
Erickson of Oregon State, Sonny Lubick of Colorado State, Mike
Belotti of Oregon, and Mike Riley from the San Diego Chargers
either were not interested in USC or didn’t work out. Although
Carroll had spent 16 years in the professional football world and
was head coach of the New York Jets and New England Patriots, he
had a less than overwhelming 33-31 record; plus, he was fired from
each head coach job. USC was concerned about whether he had
what it takes to coach in the college ranks, but in his interviews his
enthusiasm and concise plan for rebuilding the team were impressive.
(Conscientiousness) The assistant athletic director said, “Pete
was just so amazingly engaging. His enthusiasm and his energy
mixed with his expertise.” 59
Carroll is confident, enthusiastic, always pushing, striving to
improve, and not afraid to take risks. These traits were highlighted
in his USC years of risk-taking and bold moves in player selection
while in Seattle. He said, “The last thing I want to do is sit back and
see what happens. I want to get it and make opportunities.” 60 (Confidence,
Achievement Orientation, Initiative, Inspirational Leadership)
Carroll was a defensive back in college at the University of the
Pacific and won all-conference honors as a safety in 1971 and 1972.
After an unsuccessful shot at the pros, he returned to graduate