The Montreal Alouettes are a team in the Canadian Football League. Today I met with their President, Larry Smith.

Larry played for them back in the 70s, winning a few Grey Cups (championships) along the way. After that he went into business, eventually returning to the team after a stint as Commissioner of the league. They have won again under his leadership. He is also on the Canadian Olympic committee.

Larry is a winner and his principles are simple. He leads by example, gets out and talks to his people and gets them energized and engaged to get the job done. He works with them to set high standards and they work together to achieve them. By every definition I know, Larry is a leader.

Here is a link to the mission statement for the organization. I also like the “Everything matters” approach on the web page.

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/page/team_statement

Sports metaphors are often overdone in business but Larry is a fine example that the principles of success are universal. The traits of great leaders are well known. You probably know them (if you don’t you can read my book No Yelling!) but the question he asks is this, “What are you doing and what will you be doing?”

To know the traits is one thing, to live them another.

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