Winning As An Underdog: 5 Benefits Of Being An Underdog In Leadership

This past weekend two huge events took place. On Saturday, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor went toe to toe in the main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took on the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship matchup. While both of these sporting events are different, there is a lesson from the outcome which can be beneficial to grasp as we walk into day 26 of 2021.

On Sept. 27, 2014, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor faced off for the first time on the main card of UFC 178 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. On that night, six years, three months, and 27 days ago, Conor McGregor won in under two minutes. After UFC 178, Dustin Poirier would embark on a journey that would lead him to capture the interim UFC lightweight champion in 2019. Regardless of what Dustin Poirier accomplished in 2019 or the victories he had along the way, he walked into UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi as the clear underdog.

When Poirier and McGregor faced off for the first time, Poirier was 25 years old and ranked #5 in the featherweight division. At that time, McGregor was 26 years old and ranked #9. Although Poirier has been much more active in the octagon, he still went into this fight as an underdog.

I am not a betting man, but according to CBS Sports, McGregor was a -340 favorite, while Poirier was a +275 underdog, this just hours before the bout.

When the dust settled on Fight Island and UFC 257 was over, only Poirier stood tall. He goes by the nickname The Diamond, but that night he was The Underdog. And as such, he delivered a TKO victory against McGregor in just the second round. 

But that was Saturday, and when the sun sets, it must rise again.

On Saturday, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Green Bay Packers in a Conference Finals game. Tom Brady goes by many names: TB12, Tom Terrific, Touchdown Tom, and GOAT. However, one name he does not go by is Old. On November 13th, 2019, Tom Brady explained on WEEI's "Ordway, Merloni & Fauria" why he plans on playing until he's 45 years young. “I think I have always said 45 just because that’s a good goal to set because that is one that has been pretty hard to get to for most guys. I think you have to have goals — you have daily goals, you have yearly goals and you have long-term goals." Currently, Tom Brady is 43 years young.

For many seasons, Brady was known for his plays in a Patriots uniform, but after 20 seasons and six championships with the New England Patriots, Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite all of the accolades and the cool nicknames, Brady walked into the NFC Championship Game as the underdog. That day, the Green Bay Packers were a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Buccaneers vs. Packers odds from William Hill Sportsbook, while the Over-Under was 52.5.

When it was all said and done, the scoreboard read 31 - 26, Tampa Bay won.

Mr. Tom Brady walked into the game as an underdog and reminded everyone why he is known as GOAT.

Maybe you don't like MMA or don't watch American Football, that's fine. The story here is how both Poirier and Brady went into combat as underdogs. They weren't shouting, tweeting, or touting about their accolades, they just went to work.

As a leader, we often work so hard to be understood, not even liked just understood. And yet, most leaders do not know how to react when they are the underdog in the fight. Yet, despite popular belief, there's an advantage of going into battle as the underdog.

In the story of David and Goliath, David was the underdog. He wasn't there looking for a fight, he was there because his father sent him to send food to his brothers who were soldiers. Yet, when he heard Goliath spewing his garbage, he knew he couldn't just stand as a spectator. Although he was the underdog, he wasn't consumed by fear. David didn't fake it to make it, he put his faith into action and went to work.

So you're the underdog.

Rather like Poirier, you weren't considered the fan-favorite. Or like Brady, you were considered old. Regardless of why you've been dubbed the underdog in this season, this may play in your favor.

HERE ARE 5 BENEFITS OF BEING AN UNDERDOG.
1. Your expectations are yours.

In cases where people believe that you can (and that you will), the expectations can be a bit much. Often people look at the leader as the superstar and create an expectation that the leader can do no wrong. When this superstar expectation is developed, some people will stand aside as a pose to stand beside. However, as an underdog, your expectations are yours. The idea of success may seem farfetched to others when looking at you, but confidence breeds greatness. As you walk confidently in your skills and apply the lessons learned, you develop a tunnel vision towards success.

2. It's the Heart, not the Bark.

Mark Twain once said, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." The great leaders understand what they are fighting for, instead of just looking to be seen in a fight. It's not about how loud you can be with your words, it's actions that cause change, and real change starts at the heart of the leader. As an underdog, letting your actions speak for you is all you can do, because it's what brought you to the fight.

3. dogged determination

There's an interesting myth about Rottweilers having a 'lockjaw'. The myth states that if a Rottweiler bites something (or someone), their jaw may lock under the intensity of that moment. While this is false, dogged determination is real. Some leaders crumble under the intensity and the pressure that comes with the job. While others may be accustomed to easy street, the underdog understands what it's like to be on the brink of losing it all, and therefore has a determination like no other. Determination is the firmness of purpose. While the Rottweiler may not truly have a lockjaw, the underdog does.

4. Resourcefulness.

Nothing is ever accomplished alone. An underdog knows that standing alone is the true weakness. Therefore, they can create a tribe, despite what may be going on around them. Although it was Poirier trading punches with McGregor on Fight Island, it was the tribe of the underdog that rallied around him.

5. Big vision.

Nothing is impossible in the eyes of an underdog. The story of an underdog is inspiring, and so are they. The reason the underdog is inspiring lives with their big vision. The victory that seemed unattainable, they already saw it in their grasps. The goal seemed too far away for others, yet the underdog only sees possibilities of greatness. Many people have created a ceiling for themselves and subsequentially limiting their vision, and of those, they lead. The underdog knows no ceiling, no limits, no boundaries, and they don't know quit.

In conclusion.

This past weekend was a reminder to all of the underdogs to keep fighting. The objective here isn't to prove anyone wrong, but rather to accomplish the goals established. If you allow your desire to prove them wrong, to be your fuel, then you have learned nothing from Poirier or Brady. It's the passion for excellence and the knowledge that a leader never stops learning, never stops growing, and never settles.

We are 26 days into 2021, and if you feel like an underdog, it's okay. Stand firmly knowing that this serves to your advantage.