Lessons from Great Coaches for Today’s Leaders Series: Coach John Harbaugh
John Harbaugh, born September 23, 1962, has served as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens since 2008. Now entering his 17th season, he’s one of the longest-tenured coaches in the NFL and one of the most respected. His record? A remarkable 172 wins and only 104 losses, with just two losing seasons.
John Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in NFL history.
17 seasons (second-longest active tenure)
1 of 5 coaches in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs at least 12 times in his first 17 seasons
8 road playoffs wins (most ever by NFL coach).
13 total playoff…
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink)March 28, 2025
The Super Bowl-winning coach has led the Ravens since 2008, and is almost synonymous with the team itself at this point.
But statistics alone don’t tell the story. If you really want to understand what makes John Harbaugh so special—not just as a coach, but as a leader—you have to look at how he handles pressure, change, and uncertainty.
The NFL doesn’t offer lifetime achievement awards for head coaches. Just look at the last few years:
The Patriots nudged Bill Belichick out the door after years of dominance.
Pete Carroll was told he could keep his email account and gym access—but not his job.
Mike Tomlin’s future with the Steelers has been a hot topic after their early playoff exit.
Mike McCarthy, despite three straight 12-win seasons, is coaching the final year of his contract in Dallas.
Coaching at this level is a constant pressure cooker, even for the best. And back in 2018, it looked like Harbaugh might be next. At 5–5 heading into their bye week, the rumor mill was buzzing about a mutual parting of ways. But the Ravens won five of their last six games, took the AFC North, and haven’t looked back since—just one losing season (2021) in the years that followed.
Harbaugh, the second-longest tenured head coach in the league, was entering the final year of his contract in 2025. Fast forward to this offseason. Instead of lobbying for security or stoking media fires, here’s what he said:
"I'm happy. I trust God, I trust the people I work with every day. I'm fired up for it. I'm not worried about those kinds of things. They take care of themselves."
Some of the biggest sports news of last week came in the late Friday afternoon hours, as the Ravens reached a three-year extension through 2028 with Head Coach John Harbaugh. 17 years and counting.
The way John Harbaugh handled this situation is a masterclass in grace under pressure. He didn’t posture. He didn’t campaign. He trusted. He stayed focused. He led.
It’s a lesson for all of us—in business, in leadership, and in life.
After diving into Harbaugh’s career, here’s how I would describe him:
John Harbaugh is a humble, caring, and driven man—a servant leader who just happens to be the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.
This isn’t just about what he does; it’s about who he is.
The Heart of a Servant Leader
We need more servant leaders in every walk of life—leaders who people follow not because they have to, but because of how those leaders make them feel.
To be described as a servant leader is a huge statement about that leader. To illustrate how big of a statement that is, let's look at what the world's most significant and impactful authority on leadership, John Maxwell, has to say about Servant Leadership:
Servant Leadership:
The most crucial aspect of being an outstanding leader is to be a servant leader.
Core Qualities:
Having a heart for others.
Being a good person.
Seeking the truth.
Forgiving others.
Being grateful and thankful.
Loving others.
View all of John C. Maxwell's books here.
The core qualities are about being that person that people will follow. A servant leader thoroughly understands the famous quote, often attributed to Maya Angelou,
"People will likely forget what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel."
The quote suggests that the emotional experience people have with you is what truly resonates and sticks with them, more than the specific words or actions themselves. It underscores the importance of creating positive and meaningful emotional experiences in interactions, as these are the impressions that people are most likely to retain.
When thinking of Coach Harbaugh he knows the impact of his interactions on his players and how his words and actions make them feel. He understands that the emotional connection he forges with the team will have a lasting impact, shaping their perceptions and memories of him.
John Harbaugh defines servant leadership as:
"Do whatever you can to help others be their best."
Beyond the Field
An ESPN article once described Harbaugh like this:
"He approaches his job less like a CEO and more like the patriarch of a large family."
Most of my childhood coaches were disciplinarians—loud, forceful, and demanding. Trying to impose their will upon the team, without making a connection. But my favorite coach? He was quiet, kind, and firm. He had a big heart. He set a high standard—not just on the field, but in how we treated each other. It would be a mistake to have confused his quiet nature, humility and kindness for weakness, he left no doubt about how he felt about someone not living up to those expectations. When he was upset with you, because he had a connection with the team, you were very concerned about what you had done to make him upset and you worked very hard to correct it.
Harbaugh reminds me of that coach.
His leadership style is demanding, but not demeaning. He holds players accountable without devaluing them. He builds relationships, not just game plans.
John Harbaugh once said,
"You have to come to the realization that you don't drive the car all of the time... You've got to have faith, trust, and belief. You've got to empower the people around you."
This statement is a contradiction to the approach taken by some that feel that people that you are leading need to toe the line and lead, follow or get out of the way.
I spent the early stages of my career in business trying to function with that approach. I finally got smart and realized that caring, teaching and coaching on how we do things, and emphasizing the culture that we require to be successful is the foundation to being able to empower people to care for customers and employees. Then to rely on faith, trust and belief as I continue to care, teach and coach.
In an example of Harbaugh's methods,
During a high-profile matchup between two fierce rivals last December, the head coach imposed an unexpected disciplinary action that sent ripples through the team. The decision to bench a wide receiver in the middle of a heated game raised immediate questions about team discipline and commitment, making a significant impact on this season. I had no questions about what Coach Harbaugh did, I applauded it.
Fast foward to the off season, and in the wake of that controversial decision, a 28-year-old receiver, now exploring free agency, has emerged with a potent statement. His online update carried a clear message, signaling an eagerness to redefine his career and embrace new challenges. This wide receiver's story reflects more than just a disciplinary incident; it underscores the resilience and reinvention comes along with a proper view of disciplinary action. His recent communication illustrates a drive to overcome past setbacks and seize fresh opportunities in a highly competitive environment.
As he navigates free agency, his journey symbolizes the broader themes of redemption and reinvention that resonate deeply within the league, leaving teams poised for strategic reevaluations and potential game-changing signings. All of this because of Harbaugh's actions that were about serving the team and ultimately the player's best interest. This is what the Coach is all about.
Winning is a goal of a coach like John Harbaugh, but ultimately he being a servant leader is wanting to make an impact by:
Helping his players be their best.
Insure his players feel cared for and that he has their best interest in mind at all times.
Empowering people
Trusting God
Until the next time ... Expect to Win!
#xp2win
