Heads up Seattle--Losing the Superbowl is a Good Thing!

The Superbowl is over and what a game it was!  Even after the time ran out, I still couldn’t believe what I had seen. Having grown up in the state of Washington, I was heartbroken by the results.  After mourning for a moment, it came to me that this perhaps could be the best thing that ever happened to Seattle. 

I know, I know, even as I write this I find myself screaming in my head, “Are you crazy?! Can losing a Superbowl really be a good thing?" But I think the answer may be yes. 

Throughout my career I have had the chance to work with many different teams.  I’ve observed and experienced that one of the most difficult things to deal with, navigate, and sustain for any team is a whole lot of success.  A high level of success has a way of tearing teams apart and stealing the humility, desire, and drive that often gets these teams to where they are.  I’ve seen a bunch of success set the bar so high for a team that anything short is viewed as a complete failure, which leads to discouragement and discord.  Yes, I’ve observed that a whole lot of success quickly almost always means the impending doom of a great team.      

On the flip side, having such a shocking blow can also be difficult to deal with and overcome.  Many teams crumble and come apart when they are met with incredible and sudden disappointment, but many also do just the opposite.  I’ve seen very successful teams deal with very difficult challenges in a way that propels them to higher levels than ever before.  Though they were once successful, after having overcome adversity, they become something even more, even better than they once were or ever could have been without the adversity.  If this loss leads to more victories for Seattle in the future, more than they would have had without it, than this difficulty can only be viewed as an incredible blessing.  Only time will tell.     

I do believe that the odds of a team bouncing back from a heartbreak are about 50-50. However, I think the odds of successfully dealing with the enormous challenges of a lot of quick success to be much less than that; so I’ll take my chances.  Though we will never know for sure how things would have turned out for Seattle had they pulled it off in the end, as a fan, I hope this tough loss will keep their hunger and drive for greatness stronger than ever, rather than quench their fire.  I know I’m already fired up for next season! 

In business and in life we can learn that our setbacks can be some of the biggest blessings in our lives, as long as they help keep our drive alive.  We need to remember that adversity almost always sets the stage for lasting greatness.  Though the blow was crushing for Seahawk players and fans, I have a feeling the best may be yet to come.