The Chicago Bears secured their first winning season since 2018 and have ensured an NFL playoff berth with two weeks left in the regular season—a remarkable turnaround from last year’s 5-12 record, mid-season coaching change, and widespread doubts about their highly touted number one draft pick quarterback.
What a difference a year makes. What a difference the right leader makes.
Head Coach Ben Johnson has transformed the Bears’ culture and emerged as a strong contender for Coach of the Year.
Known as an innovative play caller, brilliant clock manager, and truth teller with exceedingly high expectations, Johnson has a keen eye for talent—like seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai, now a breakout star—and preaches accountability, execution, and discipline. These qualities have been instrumental in the Bears’ one-year transformation.
But is there more to the story?
Coach Johnson’s superpower may be his strategic use of emotion. He shows virtually no emotion during games, whether winning or losing.
He rarely smiles, speaks face-to-face with coaches or players, celebrates touchdowns, or berates anyone on the sidelines.
His quarterback, Caleb Williams, has followed suit, earning the nickname “Iceman” for staying stoic during the game’s biggest moments.
Yet emotion thrives in the Bears organization.
Locker room footage reveals a different Johnson—delivering his famous “Good Better Best” speech, cracking jokes via headset to keep Williams loose, ripping off his shirt in celebration, expressing appreciation for the “special group” he’s “privileged to coach.”
He doesn’t shy away from emotion—anything but.
Johnson has mastered the power of game-time restraint. He understands that in-game emotional expression can distract from the outcome they’re trying to accomplish.
After a rare emotional reaction, where he delivered choice words through his headset, he admitted he’s learned to keep emotion in check during games because he doesn’t trust himself to be at his best when every snap requires focus, flawless execution, and keen decision-making.
But when the clock strikes zero, emotion becomes fuel for connection and inspiration.
The team and their coach openly express joy and gratitude through physical celebration and words of affirmation and appreciation.
Johnson understands that when facing serious challenges, leaders must keep themselves and their teams focused to execute at the highest level.
Distractions, whether from premature celebration or overcorrection, undermine performance.
The player who celebrates too early draws a penalty; the banker or salesperson loses the deal. Teams with a lead get sloppy; the trader or investor with overconfidence makes a mistake.
Over-critiquing in the moment creates hyperfocus that worsens performance or demoralizes the team. Leaders must keep everyone locked in until the goal is reached.
Leaders can learn from Johnson: During high-stakes performances—presentations, client meetings, critical deadlines—channel your inner Iceman. Resist the urge to critique mid-performance or fuel overconfidence.
Emotion creates distraction and anxiety. But when it’s over, let emotion fuel you. Celebrate wins, connect with your team, and harness that energy for what’s next.
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
