BLOG: Lessons learned from legendary coach Chuck Noll

ByJohn D. Kelly IV, MD

Football draft season is upon us and excitement looms over which teams will gain a competitive advantage. However, true success in the National Football League is not realized without leadership and exemplary coaching.

No one person better illustrated this truth than the late Chuck Noll, who transformed a pedestrian (at best) Pittsburgh Steeler football program into one of the greatest dynasties of all time. Coach Noll knew how to develop players into their best selves and his leadership lessons apply appropriately to those in an orthopedic vocation.

‘It is not about me’

Coach Noll was famous for shunning the limelight. He avoided publicity and wanted all focus directed upon his team. He recognized the wellbeing, goals and interests of the team must receive primacy over any egoic self-interest. Teamwork was emphasized in practice, and this respected leader was incomparable in uniting his entire squad toward a singular purpose.

“I can’t tell you how much you gain, how much progress you can make, by working together as a team, by helping one another.” – Chuck Noll

“The single most important thing we had in the Steelers of the ‘70s was the ability to work together.” – Chuck Noll

Surgeons would do well to heed these words. As leaders of the health care team, we are obliged to make decisions and unite our staff with the singular goal of advocating for the well-being of the patient. Great care will invariably follow.

Focus on fundamentals

Noll believed in mastering football fundamentals. There was no need to practice “flea flicker” plays when simple blocking and tackling were deficient. Repetition was the order of the day for Noll practices. When the ordinary things were executed flawlessly, greatness followed.

As surgeons, are we quick to learn the latest and greatest technique when we still struggle with some routine procedures? As a sports surgeon, I am sure I will help more patients if I can obtain mastery in meniscus care before I endeavor to tackle the newfangled cartilage procedure.

“Champions are champions not because they do anything extraordinary, but because they do the ordinary things better than anyone else.” – Chuck Noll

Stay present

Coach Noll understood the virtue of mindfulness — living in the moment. His mantra was to focus on one opponent at a time. Game week was devoted solely to the upcoming foe and what happened last week was for personal growth and not to be carried forward to subsequent opponents. The “big game” next month was not the focus of attention – only the game plan for this week. Surgeons will recognize that when they focus on one patient, one case at a time, they will bring their “A game” to work.

“The key to a winning season is focusing on one opponent at a time. Winning one week at a time. Never look back and never look ahead.” – Chuck Noll

Become process oriented

Coach Noll was relentless in achieving superb game preparation. He recognized that an emphasis on preparation and on matters within one’s control would lead to success. He iterated that pressure was merely a sign of insufficient knowledge. To Coach Noll, the satisfaction of correctly and sufficiently attaining preparation milestones for a contest was more gratifying than a win. He was known to emphasize that great plays were first made in practice.

“The most interesting thing about this sport, at least to me, is the activity of preparation — any aspect of preparation for the games. The thrill isn’t in the winning, it’s in the doing.” – Chuck Noll

The next time you find yourself in a case that evolves into an overly pressurized or stressful event, Coach Noll would have likely advised you that preparation was deficient.

Discover your life’s work

Coach Noll, like many other revered coaches, was a de facto master sports psychologist. He could bring out the best in each player and recognized that true motivation and meaning arise when one discovers one’s life’s work. Noll believed there was a true life’s calling within each of us which would serve the world. Our mission was to uncover our life’s work and stay true to this vocation. Noll understood that when one followed his or her calling, passion and enthusiasm would manifest.

Noll saw football merely as a means to prepare his young men for their real-life mission, their real life’s work. Football was a game that could only be engaged in for a finite period. However, the discipline, teamwork and character building the game engendered would serve his young men for a lifetime.

“I used to tell the players that professional football is a part-time profession. I used to tell them it gets you ready for your life’s work.” – Chuck Noll

What is your true life calling? Is it more teaching? Is it orthopedic leadership? Is it more arthroplasty? Is it service to patients in developing nations? For me, relinquishing my knee and shoulder arthroplasty practice and focusing more on my passion for shoulder arthroscopy is more congruent with my life’s work. It just feels right. Furthermore, I believe my calling is mentoring young residents as they discern their vocation. As I stay more aligned with my life’s work, my energy and enthusiasm have soared.

Coach Noll understood human nature, and his wisdom will resonate for generations as we all strive for more meaningful and fulfilling lives. The master coach knew life was about purpose, not money. This is true wisdom and a safeguard against burnout.

“Never make a major decision based solely on money.” – Chuck Noll

References:

Csikszentmihalyi M. Finding flow: The psychology of engagement with everyday life. Basic Books, 1997.

MacCambridge M. Chuck Noll: His Life's Work. University of Pittsburgh Press, 2016.