The Winning Edge
Applying Legendary Coaching Strategies to Your Business
“These maxims, born on the gridiron, resonate deeply with the military ethos and provide a powerful framework for veteran entrepreneurs seeking success in business.”
Introduction
As a University of Tennessee alum, I am well-versed in the history and accomplishments of General Robert Neyland. The man is legendary. Our stadium is named in his honor, not only for his accomplishments on the field, but because he helped design it.
Every “Vol for Life” or VFL learns about Gen. Neyland when they enroll at UT, especially his Game Maxims, which the football team recites before every game.
No matter the head coach or player, everyone knows them by heart. Watch this gameday ritual in the video below.
About General Neyland and His Football Maxims
Gen. Neyland wasn't just a strategist on the field who also served during both World Wars; he was a master at instilling principles that transcended the game. He was a defensive mastermind. He was the first to study film of the opposing team and use phones on the field for in-game adjustments.
READ MORE: Tennessee Volunteers Football Coach Robert Neyland Served in Both World Wars | Military.com
He was one of only two college football coaches to have won national titles in two non-consecutive tenures at the same school. He won the most games in UT history, seven conference championships, four national championships, and his teams earned undefeated streaks of 33, 28, 23, 19, and 14 games respectively.
In other words, Gen. Neyland is so based.
The Seven Football Game Maxims
His Game Maxims, recited by every Tennessee team since his era, offer profound wisdom applicable to any competitive endeavor, including the challenging world of entrepreneurship.
These maxims, born on the gridiron, resonate deeply with the military ethos and provide a powerful framework for veteran entrepreneurs seeking success in business. Gen. Neyland's original maxims, as recited by generations of Volunteers, are:
The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way—SCORE.
If at first the game—or the breaks—go against you, don’t let upput on more steam.
Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.
Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle for this is the WINNING EDGE.
Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.
These maxims, while geared toward football, embody universal principles of discipline, strategy, and perseverance. These are what he believed it took to win the game of football.
What if we apply them to the landscape of entrepreneurship?
Let's explore how these timeless principles translate into actionable strategies for veterans building thriving businesses.
Seven Maxims to Business Success for Veteran Entrepreneurs
1. The business that makes the fewest mistakes will succeed
This echoes the military's emphasis on precision and quality control. In business, this translates to ensuring your products or services meet the highest standards. Minimize errors, build a strong reputation for reliability, and watch your business thrive. Just as a well-executed mission hinges on attention to detail, so does a successful business.
In my own experience at Evocati PR, this has meant meticulous planning and execution for every client PR campaign. We’ve learned that even small oversights can impact results, so we prioritize a thorough and detail-oriented approach in how we organize our work, execute our campaigns, and report our results.
2. Seize opportunities and capitalize on them immediately
Veterans are proactive and decisive. In the entrepreneurial arena, this means being agile and responsive to market changes. When you identify a promising opportunity—a gap in the market, a potential partnership—act swiftly and decisively.
Hesitation can mean a missed opportunity.
For Evocati PR, this was recognizing the market need for purpose-driven PR, particularly for veteran-owned and underserved communities, that solves complex problems for clients. I seized that opportunity by adding a business partner and CEO, then built our firm around that mission.
READ MORE: 3 Bootstrapping Lessons from the President & Founder of Evocati PR — Evocati PR
3. If at first things don’t go your way, don’t give up—double down on your efforts
Resilience is a hallmark of military service. Entrepreneurship will have its share of setbacks. Gen. Neyland's wisdom reminds us that when faced with adversity, we must dig deeper, increase our efforts, and explore new avenues to overcome obstacles.
Persistence is key.
There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but as I discussed in my interview with Gresham Harkless Jr. on the "I Am CEO" podcast, maintaining a positive mindset and a relentless work ethic are crucial for navigating those tough times.
4. Protect your IP, assets, and your team
This maxim speaks to risk management, a critical aspect of entrepreneurship. Just as we protected our fellow service members, we must safeguard our businesses. Secure your intellectual property, maintain sound financial practices, and cultivate a supportive team environment.
And remember: Your team is your greatest asset.
At Evocati PR, we prioritize creating a values-based collaborative and supportive environment. As I’ve learned, particularly through my involvement with Bunker Labs, The Bush Center, and others, a peer network and a solid team are essential for weathering any storm.
5. Plan, execute, review, and improve continuously...for this is the WINNING EDGE
Strategic planning is the cornerstone of any successful operation, whether military or business. Regularly assess your strategies, analyze your performance, and identify areas for improvement.
The business landscape is constantly evolving, and you must adapt to stay ahead.
At Evocati PR, we maintain client and corporate standard operating procedures that are "living documents," continuously updated with new protocols, information, and insight. As I discussed in my interview on the "Scuttlebutt" podcast with Brock Briggs, continuous learning and adaptation are vital.
LISTEN NOW: Empowering Transition: Journey from Marine to Founder - A Tale of Veteran Entrepreneurship — Evocati PR
6. Obsess over the details, especially in critical areas like finance and product market fit
Attention to detail isn't just an advantage—it's essential for survival. This maxim underscores the importance of focusing relentlessly on the critical areas that can make or break your business.
Meticulous financial management is a given, but equally crucial is achieving product market fit. Does your product or service truly meet a market need? Is there a demand for what you're offering? These are the questions you must obsess over.
At Evocati PR, we’ve learned that understanding our clients' target audiences and ensuring their messages resonate is paramount to achieving product market fit and, ultimately, success.
7. Be relentless and keep pushing forward
Sustained effort and unwavering motivation are essential for entrepreneurial success. Keep your energy high, your vision clear, and your determination strong. The road to success may be long, but commitment will see you through.
READ MORE: Before You Leap: Understanding the Role of PR in Your Entrepreneurial Journey — Evocati PR
You Got This
Gen. Neyland's maxims, though rooted in football, offer a timeless blueprint for success in any field. By embracing these principles, veteran entrepreneurs can leverage their unique strengths and experiences to build thriving businesses.
Just as these maxims guided my Volunteers to victory, they can guide you on your entrepreneurial journey.
If you're a veteran or military spouse entrepreneur just starting your journey and would like some coaching (pun intended), contact me today.
Discover More Leadership & Opinion Articles…
