Bill Belichick’s leadership greatness transcends football and even sports, apparently.
In letter sent out to Department of Defense employees this week, newly-appointed acting Secretary of defense Christopher Miller pointed to one of Belichick’s foundational tenets in New England as he turned toward the future of his department.
“As we embark on this clear path forward, I often reflect on the simple, yet powerful, leadership mantra of the incomparable football coach, Bill Belichick, ‘Do your job.’ We are a team, and that should be the mindset,” Miller wrote, among other bullet points. “Focus on your assignment. Complete the task at hand. And if each one of us does so to the best of our abilities, nothing can stop us from achieving our objectives and successfully accomplishing the mission. That is what I am committed to doing every single day as your secretary.”
During his Wednesday morning video call with local reporters, Belichick was asked about the praise from Miller.
“Well I really appreciate the kind words from Secretary Miller,” Belichick said. “When you consider the type of leadership that he’s shown throughout his career in serving our country it really means a lot. I’m flattered by the reference that he made.”
Belichick then went on to use his platform to address recent atrocities in Armenia.
“I’ll just say while we’re on the subject, I read his point about combating traditional threats and I couldn’t help but think and hope that we’ve seen from other countries around the world, and I hope that our country will take action against Turkey and Azerbaijan for their unprovoked and deadly attacks on Armenians. We’ve seen that when humanitarian crisis and things like that, like ethnic cleaning go unpunished that they just continue to happen. I hope that we can put a stop to that,” Belichick said, before again showing his gratitude toward Miller’s comments.
“It’s really a flattering comment from Secretary Miller. What a tremendous career he’s had protecting our freedom and giving us the opportunity, to help give us the opportunity to do what we do. That’s coach and play football.”
