Brett Favre's leadership has proven to many that he has the ability and commitment to make positive changes to organizations, players, and communities. Favre, who officially retired in 2008 (the first retirement…lol) from the Green Bay Packers, had decided several months later that he had made a mistake and wanted to play again. He applied for reinstatement back in August of 2008. However, the team that he played for 17 years wanted to move on with a younger quarterback and not with Favre. The Packer organization, reportedly, had offered him $20,000,000 to stay retired. Brett did not accept the offer. He wanted to play football. During this time, he encountered many negative comments and criticism of his selfishness for wanting to come back. However, I did not view it this way. I viewed it as a person driven by passion.
Regardless of where he plays, Favre has established a true understanding of the complexity of what it takes to make a change. He realizes that he cannot win by himself nor control the players he is surrounded by, but in order for success, he must be a team player. It is Favre's focus, guided by his moral purpose, that has made him and those around him successful. Favre's teammates understand that it is not just his moral purpose to win football games, but to make a difference within the organization and communities.
Many people are aware of his legendary career and accomplishments on the field, but few know how much he has given back to charities and communities. In 1996, Favre started the Brett Favre 4ward Foundation, an organization that raises money to provide assistance for disadvantaged or disabled children in Wisconsin and Mississippi. He has been an activist for cystic fibrosis, the Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish foundation, and has donated to many local organizations that provide support for abused and neglected children. In Wisconsin, he helped establish and fund the Starbright foundation, were sick children are able to use technology to communicate with other sick children through the hospitals private network.
Throughout his career, Brett has established himself as a true leader on and off the field.
Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved 02:30, February 21, 2010, from
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/99999999/PKR01/803090401/0/theme
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I have to say that I am not a Brett Favre fan. I certainly viewed him as selfish. Your blog has helped me to reconsider my view of Favre. I was not aware of his philanthropic efforts. I also think you have a good point when you say that you "...viewed it as a person driven by passion." He did almost get his team to the Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteThe only knowledge I had about Brett Favre before reading your blog was from a friend who is a Packers fan. So, needless to say, I only knew that he was a football player. Brett Favre and my leader, Michel J. Fox, have common ground in that they are multi-faceted and very charitable. Many people still recognize Fox as the guy from Back to the Future or Spin City and some do not even realize the work he has done to combat his disease. From your posts, I learned that Favre is also an activist and advocate for charity even though he is most well known as a football player. After reflecting on this phenomenon in regard to both leaders, I have come to the conclusion that it is okay that they are not fully acknowledged for all that they do, it is only important that they are doing it. Leaders who can capitalize on their achievements and share them with others without demanding recognition make me believe and restore my hope.
ReplyDeleteBrett Favre is a professional team leader who leads by example both on the football field and in his personal life. He has humility and charisma, personality traits that exemplify a good leader. Brett has a magnetism that attracts the very young as well as our senior citizens. It would be interesting to see how he would be rated if he took our behavior characteristic test. I can see him having all four characteristics; promoter, supporter, controller and analytic. Strength finders may rank him as having woo, positivity, a developer, and a learner. Brett is an interesting leader and great role model.
ReplyDeleteI never realized that Favre contributed so much to society. I admired him for coming back to football against all odds and showing the football public that he could still play and play with heart. It was hard for him to change terms and then to become a leader on that team and get others to believe and trust in him and his abilities. To hear that he also has other affiliations with many charities is heart-warming. Now I like hi even more! He uses his influence and role model status to contribute to worthwhile causes. Just having his name attached to such organizations raises awareness and helps the organization gain the help it needs to succeed. He has shown that he can succeed both on the field and off. I admire him even more now.
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