Episode 140: The Man in the Glass with Ed Molitor

In the last 26 years, Ed Molitor has developed his leadership skills in both athletics and business. From working as an NCAA Basketball coach at Texas A&M to becoming the Vice President of a national recruiting firm, Ed has taught countless athletes, coaches, and business leaders how to THINK, ACT, and EXECUTE at an elite level. Ed has a unique set of skills to deliver leaders across the country a purposeful, positive, energetic, and refreshing experience to unlock their true potential. In 2016, Ed launched his company, The Molitor Group, in order to reach and add value to a larger sphere of ambitious individuals and help them achieve their goals every day. Through The Molitor Group, Ed has guided all types of leaders to achieve success. From entrepreneurs and executives to teams and companies, The Molitor Group specializes in empowering individuals and groups to achieve at the next level. Through Leadership Performance training, coaching, and speaking, Ed's goal is to supply people and organizations with the necessary tools to move forward from where they are now to where they want to be.   Thinking Like A Leader (1:22) Ed recalls the quote, "Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past." We are all flawed and have made mistakes and bad choices, but we're capable of making amazing choices, too. It's been a consistent pattern of behavior with Jacksonville ex-coach Urban Meyer that his last few stops have been about him and not about the people he leads.  Ed is no stranger to heated coaches' meetings. Still, it's unacceptable to start making personal attacks on the people who put their lives and careers on the line for you, especially when you're making bad decisions on and off the field and in and out of the office. Urban Meyer is a perfect example of how not to be a leader, and there have been visible signs and behavior.  The Man in the Glass (4:40) There's a lot we can learn from situations like Urban Meyer, and that's what we can do to be better leaders on and off the field. "The Man in the Glass," by Dale Wimbrow Jr., is a poem that often comes to mind when Ed thinks about leadership and making poor decisions.   The Man in the Glass   When you get what you want in your struggle for self, And the world makes you King for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that guy has to say.   For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgment upon you must pass. The feller whose verdict counts most in your life Is the guy staring back from the glass.   He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end, And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the guy in the glass is your friend.   You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum, And think you're a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you're only a bum If you can't look him straight in the eye.   You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you've cheated the guy in the glass.   We often talk about the word "victory" and what that means to us here at the Molitor Group and the answer is its value. However, the message behind Dale Wimbrow's poem cannot serve you unless you have an incredibly strong set of protective values. As you climb the ladder of success, are you looking down at the people you're leading, or are you pulling them up with you? Ed believes coaches like Urban are looking down on the people he leads. Victory is way more than the wins and losses. Our values are the criteria by which we judge ourselves and others, and our character determines it. They are standards that dictate our attitude, communicate, and build a team that's a part of something bigger than ourselves. With Urban Meyer, it was never about the team. He didn't understand the honor it was or the responsibility of the head football coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Determining Personal Values (11:35) One of Ed's top recommended leadership books that reflect on athletic leadership is Legacy about the New Zealand All Blacks. There'sThere's a responsibility of putting on that black jersey and a commitment to the players who earned it. The book also focuses on having and improving self-awareness and staying grounded in honor of putting on that black jersey. The most significant present you can give the people in your life is the ability to be present, but Ed takes that a step forward and asks- how do you show up when you are present? Ensuring attitude, mindset, and character align with your values will help you make the most of every moment.  Take time to think about one of the best moments in your career, family, etc., where you displayed your leadership skills. These are the moments when you were listening to understand, setting aside judgment, or supporting someone by telling them what they needed to hear effectively. Write that down and spend some time thinking about what values of yours appeared in that moment. Next, do the reverse, write down a time when you weren't at your best, and think about what values of yours didn't show up with you.  Think about your code of conduct and what values you need to be your best version. Growth is evolution, and if we're not authentic, we can get lost along the way. Align your actions with your values and start being true to yourself and your mission.    Additional resources: Email: [email protected] Legacy