5 Ways To Rack Up Your Leadership YAC

Years ago, John Madden introduced a new statistic in football called YAC (Yards After Contact). It measures the yards gained after a player makes contact with others. It’s an impressive stat that shows whether someone moves forward or loses ground.

In leadership, we face numerous challenges, and how we respond to them determines whether we move forward or regress. This concept of “yards after contact” applies to our leadership journey. We have to keep moving forward. If we do, we will experience incredible things and receive the necessary tools to progress towards our goals. But we must keep pushing forward after making contact with difficulties.

Here are five ways you can rack up your Leadership YAC stats:

Embrace Your Challenges

Many people shy away from challenges and want to take the easiest and safest route possible. However, that is not how leaders are made. Challenges are a part of life, and those who see them positively approach them with an open mind. Leaders who hold such a mindset understand that life is not always about smooth sailing. It’s about facing challenges, learning from them, and taking the necessary steps to keep pushing forward.

Emphasize Progress Over Perfection

Leaders who embrace the YAC mentality understand that progress is more important than perfection. When you are focused on achieving perfection, you are less likely to take risks and try new things. You become paralyzed by the fear of failure and can miss out on valuable opportunities. Great leaders understand that failure is an essential part of growth. They know that taking risks and making mistakes is necessary to achieve progress. They embrace a growth mindset and view failure as a learning opportunity.

Empower Your Grit

Grit is the key to success in any leadership journey. Leaders who encounter adversities can often rebound better if they have a resilient attitude. Although it’s tempting to take the easy road, leaders realize that growth and progress often require going out of your comfort zone. As leaders push themselves and their teams beyond their current limits, they experience growth and generate the necessary momentum for future success.

Envision Future Success

“Yards after contact” involves taking action even after hitting a roadblock. Leaders who are focused on achieving their goals direct their attention toward implementing solutions instead of worrying about the past. When you focus on the problems, it’s easier to become overwhelmed and discouraged. Instead, focus on the opportunities that problems present. Always keep your eyes forward towards the future. Keep your eyes fixed on the mission in front of you, not the distractions behind you.

Enjoy The Journey

As you journey through leadership, there will be numerous setbacks and obstacles. When you encounter progress, try to focus on the small wins that will help encourage you and those around you. These small wins could be a team member doing excellent work on a project or going beyond your expectations. These minor celebrations tend to act as fuel for your journey by providing a constant supply of uplifting moments that remind you that keeping on pushing forward is worth the effort.

Life and leadership will have several difficulties. However, leaders who adopt the YAC mentality recognize that challenges are inevitable. Keep on pushing and make every yard after contact count. You can do this!