Recently, I had the privilege of being the MC at a business breakfast. Our guest speaker was Len Dawson, who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the very first Super Bowl. Mr. Dawson spoke about three keys for success.

Prior to the meeting, I got to spend a few minutes talking with Len. He is a wonderful man. He told me that he doesn't do very many of these events, so I knew it was real treat to have him speak. Following a video presentation about his life, I brought him up to the lectern.

He talked about his childhood leading up to his pro football career as well as his sports broadcasting career afterward. (He still does the radio broadcast for the Chiefs.) He then went on to give us three keys for success: fundamentals, teamwork and a winning attitude.

Fundamentals: Mr. Dawson talked about how import fundamentals are for success. He told us that he practiced his drills faithfully for 20 years. He also talked about being prepared.

In the video presentation there was actually footage of Len throwing an interception in Super Bowl I. Not too many people would want to show that as an example to anybody! But he included it to make a point about being prepared.

He told us that on that particular play, he was not prepared for a blitz from the Green Bay Packers defense. Because of that, he tried to throw a pass when he shouldn't have. He made his point well that part of fundamentals is being prepared.

Teamwork: Mr. Dawson went on to discuss teamwork as another great key for success. "If everyone on the team does their best, then that's teamwork," Len said, "and you can be successful."

He told us that you have to be open to listen to other people's opinions. In Super Bowl IV, Len was sitting on the bench next to his receiver, Otis Taylor. The Chief's defense was doing a great job against the Minnesota Vikings' offense. Otis told Len of a play he knew would be effective against the Viking defense. "Back then," Len said, "the quarterback would call most of the plays."

He went on to tell us that Otis proceeded to write out the play in the dirt just like kids do. Otis told him that if he tried the play he knew he could beat the defender. A few minutes later it was time for the offense to take the field. Otis asked Len if he was going to call that play. "No," was Len's reply. "Not 'till we get in the huddle. Hell yeah, I'm going to call that play!"

The play worked great, leading the Chiefs to a touchdown. Len Dawson and Kansas City Chiefs then went on to win Super Bowl IV. And even though Len was named the MVP of the game, he stressed that the Chiefs won because of their teamwork.

A Winning Attitude: The final point Len talked about was having a winning attitude. Len said that the difference between Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV was a winning attitude. In Super Bowl IV, they knew they could beat the Vikings. Their fundamentals were in tune, and they were prepared. They utilized teamwork, and they had a winning attitude.

A winning attitude is not only important, it is critical for success. And yet it is so often overlooked.

Fundamentals, teamwork and a winning attitude are three important keys to success. Having that determination, conviction, and an absolute assurance that you are going to succeed, will produce great results. It doesn't matter if it's football or sales, or whatever - having a positive winning attitude will bring you success.