January Lessons from the Sidelines
There was a stretch of years when being a Seahawks fan meant living on adrenaline and antacids.
The Seattle Seahawks under Pete Carroll were high-energy and high-emotion. Big personalities. Big plays. Big moments that made you jump off the couch and immediately text people who didn't ask to be texted. Someone was always chewing gum like it was a competitive sport. The highs were sky-high. The lows… well, we don't need to reopen that group text. It was loud. It was joyful. I was occasionally stressful in ways that required deep breathing and snacks.
Fast forward to this season, and the vibe has shifted. New coach. New tone. Enter Mike Macdonald. Fewer fireworks. Less spectacle. Less swagger. More systems. More “do your job, again, and then again tomorrow.” The gum-chewing era has been replaced by something closer to disciplined repetition and very clear expectations.
What Can We Learn About Work from the Seahawks Culture Shift?
From Fireworks to Fundamentals
At first, it can feel a little flat. You find yourself waiting for the drama, the sideline antics, the moments destined for highlight reels. But if you keep watching, something else starts to become obvious. Fewer self-inflicted mistakes. More consistent execution. Players who know their assignment and execute it without needing applause every down.
Turns out, winning doesn't always require a roster full of superstars with highlight reels and personal brands. Often, you need people who understand the system, trust it, and show up prepared to do their part, even when no one's clapping.
Which is, inconveniently, relevant to work.
Small Actions, Real Impact
January has a way of inspiring big declarations. New goals. New initiatives. Bold plans that feel like a trick play on fourth down. And there's nothing wrong with ambition. But what this Seahawks season has reminded me is that most success isn't built on dramatic moments. It's built on steady ones.
At Wayfinder, the value we create rarely comes from a single heroic save. It comes from the accumulation of small, well-executed actions. Clean charge review. Thoughtful follow-up on denials. Accurate payment posting. Patient questions handled with care. Communication with clients that's clear, timely, and actually helpful.
None of that makes a highlight reel. All of it makes a difference.
From Spectacle to Stewardship
Strong teams don't rely on someone swooping in to save the day. They rely on people doing their jobs well, consistently, and in alignment with one another. They pay attention to flow. They learn from patterns. They make small adjustments instead of chasing constant reinvention.
The new Seahawks aren't trying to win every play with flair. They're trying to play every play correctly. That shift, from spectacle to stewardship, is where sustainable teams are built… on the field and in our work.
Not every season calls for fireworks. Some seasons just need people doing their jobs really, really well.
And honestly... Those are often the seasons that win.
Go Hawks.
