Last Sunday, on one of the NFL pre-game shows, the panel was asked who they would rather have quarterback their team. The options were either Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, who recently set the NFL record for career touchdowns, and led the Indianapolis Colts to one Super Bowl title; or five-time league MVP Tom Brady, who has led the New England Patriots to five Super Bowls, winning three of them.
Bill Cowher, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, said they were both great QBs, but he would take Manning. He explained that through Peyton’s understanding of and passion for the game, he makes everyone around him better. That includes his offensive players, the defensive players, the back-up players and even the coaches. I have to admit, anyone wearing a Broncos jersey is not well-liked in my football-loving household, but despite team preferences Manning could be a great model for all of us. That includes independent owner-advisors who can make everyone in their firm better, through their knowledge, their insight, their drive for excellence and their passion for what they do.
Once a firm owner has made the decision to grow his/her firm beyond what he/she can do with some clerical help, a successful advisory firm is a team game.
Which means that (as much as many of them want to believe they can), the owner-advisors can’t do it alone.