Early in 2007, Tom Coughlin, head coach of the New York Giants of the National Football League, was in danger of losing his job.  His team had lost seven of their last nine games and was characterized by in-fighting and bickering.  Coach Coughlin had always been a no-nonsense hard-nosed football coach who tried to motivate his players with fear.

During the off-season he completely reversed his approach to coaching.  He started smiling, let his players get to know him as a person and communicated to his players in a number of ways that he truly cared about them.

The team came together…

The team came together and the players gave Coach Coughlin everything they had, week in and week out, which culminated in a 2008 Super Bowl victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots.  Tom Coughlin stayed with his new approach to coaching and this past Sunday the Giants won their second Super Bowl in four years by once again beating a very good New England Patriots team. Once again, a caring approach to dealing with people pays off in a big way.