#108 – What Ohio State’s National Championship Teaches Us About Leadership

Ohio State football is probably one of the only things I let myself get a little silly about (yelling at the TV, etc.). 

I grew up in Ohio and started playing football in the 4th grade. My Dad and most of my family (the good side at least) are Buckeye fans. Up until about 11th grade, my plan was to attend Ohio State and play football there. Turns out, I mostly stopped growing in 11th grade. 

During my Senior year in high school, I did get accepted by Ohio State as a student but decided to take my football talents to the College of Wooster – Go Scots. Mostly because Wooster has a strong reputation for both academics and athletics – and they also beat Ohio State in their first-ever home game 64-0 (true story). Yea – sure, the game took place in 1890 and Ohio State has had a bit more success than Wooster on the gridiron but…..you get the point. 

Nonetheless, Ohio State’s National Championship win was fun as a fan but also insightful as an entrepreneur, business owner, and leader. I’d argue it was a masterclass in leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Businesses and leaders can take inspiration from the Buckeyes’ journey and apply these lessons to their organizations.

Here are four key leadership takeaways from Ohio State’s championship season and how business leaders can incorporate them into their daily routines to drive success.

1. Embrace Change and Innovation

Ohio State’s coaching staff, led by Ryan Day, showcased adaptability throughout the season. From implementing new offensive strategies to incorporating key transfers like quarterback Will Howard, the Buckeyes thrived because they were willing to change their approach.

How Business Leaders Can Apply This Daily:
✅ Encourage innovation by fostering a culture where employees feel safe to propose new ideas.
✅ Regularly assess market trends and be willing to pivot when necessary.
✅ Hold “what if” meetings to explore alternative strategies and potential disruptions in your industry.
✅ Invest in professional development so your team is constantly learning and evolving.

Example: A school or school system that is struggling with chronic absenteeism and lack of parent engagement might consider adapting new tools and systems to connect with families and co-create solutions. 

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2. Belief in the Brotherhood 

Ohio State had a strong contingent of players agree to return for their senior years and compete for a National Championship. It’s common for players within the program to refer to the “brotherhood” which translates to their bond and connection with the team and being bought in to the entire program. Because of the strength and belief in the brotherhood, the core group of players decided to stick together and make another run at it rather than go their separate ways and pursue careers in the NFL. 

As a business owner, highlighting a clear vision and building trust amongst team members is vital to success. Getting individual team members to believe in the singular goal of the organization instead of individual accolades is when special accomplishments are possible. 

How Business Leaders Can Apply This Daily:
✅ Create space to share clear goals and a plan for how each individual team member will help the organization reach those goals.
✅ Promote from within whenever possible to maintain company culture and loyalty.
✅ Focus on opportunities to foster and build an organization culture that prioritizes relationships, trust, and safety.

Example: A growing social-impact organization can develop consistent “Culture Counts” opportunities every month to build connectedness, clarity, and cohesion with current team members.

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3. Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Ohio State faced a major setback after losing to TTUN (feel free to look this up. My Dad taught me not to use the actual name).  After that loss, it would have been easy to grow frustrated, become distraught, and lose sight of the ultimate goal. Instead of letting the defeat define them, the team regrouped, adjusted their approach, and used the loss as motivation to beat four of the top 7 teams in the country within a 4 week period.

How Business Leaders Can Apply This Daily:
✅ Normalize failure as a learning opportunity rather than a roadblock.
✅ Conduct post-mortems on projects that don’t go as planned to extract valuable insights.
✅ Encourage a growth mindset by celebrating progress, not just success.
✅ Lead by example—demonstrate composure and positivity in the face of challenges.

Example: An emerging non-profit that loses a funder should analyze the loss, refine its pitch, and use the experience to secure even bigger funder partners in the future and also seek additional revenue opportunities. 

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4. Clarity is Kindness

After the loss at the end of the season, the players called an all team meeting with just the players and Head Coach, Ryan Day. I wasn’t invited to that meeting but my understanding (via X) is that it was a lively, emotional meeting filled with anger, disappointment, and questions. However, at the end of the meeting, the players and Coach Day acknowledged all the feelings but also took accountability for missteps and ownership for what the team needed to do moving forward. 

The important part here is that strong and direct communication can create clarity when done within an environment that is safe from ridicule and reprimand. Although direct communication can be challenging in a work environment, it can create clarity when the team cares about each other and the main goal of the organization.   

How Business Leaders Can Apply This Daily:
✅ Norm the importance of communication (good stuff and challenging stuff) within the organization.
✅ Create space to practice fun and challenging conversations with your team and other team members. 
✅ Provide clear examples of what critical conversations should be like within our organization. 

Example: A critical conversation with a struggling team member, coupled with supportive coaching can lead to a stronger relationship between both humans as well as better outcomes for the clients you serve.

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Final Thoughts

Ohio State’s championship season proves that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about leadership, adaptability, resilience, and teamwork. Business leaders who embrace these lessons can build stronger, more dynamic organizations.

By applying these strategies daily, you can cultivate a workplace culture that mirrors the mindset of champions—one where innovation thrives, setbacks fuel growth, and employees feel empowered to reach their full potential. Beyond all of that, strong teams deliver an even better experience for the clients and communities they serve. 

More to do. More to come.®

Action Steps

1. What leadership lessons from sports have inspired you in your business journey? Share your thoughts in the comments.
2. Please consider sharing this post if any of it resonates with you.