By Jason Kronemeyer — Community Technologist & Co‑Founder, EUPConnect Collaborative

Framing Leadership Through Walsh’s Lens 🏈

When legendary coach Bill Walsh took over the San Francisco 49ers, he didn’t chase wins—he built a Standard of Performance. This wasn’t about scoreboards; it was about culture, preparation, and respect. In my post‑retirement journey leading the EUPConnect Collaborative, I’ve found Walsh’s philosophy to be a powerful guide for cooperative leadership.

“Champions behave like champions before they are champions.” — Bill Walsh, The Score Takes Care of Itself

Setting the Standard of Performance 🧭

In Walsh’s system, excellence begins with clarity. For me, that meant rallying over 45 regional stakeholders—schools, governments, tribes, and healthcare providers—to pool ARPA funds and build broadband infrastructure in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula.

We didn’t wait for perfect conditions. We built trust, shared resources, and created a community‑first standard. Our goal wasn’t just connectivity—it was cooperative resilience.

“If you support others, they’ll in turn help you when you need it.” — Personal guiding principle

Teaching the System 🧠

Walsh taught every player not just what to do, but why. In our work, that meant educating communities about fiber optics, funding mechanisms, and digital equity. We used data storytelling—through studies with the Quello Center and Merit Network—to make the invisible visible.

We showed that broadband gaps weren’t just technical—they were social, economic, and generational.

“The culture precedes positive results. It doesn’t get tacked on as an afterthought.” — Bill Walsh

Respecting the Process 🤝

Cooperative leadership is slow, iterative, and often invisible. Walsh called this the “process of becoming champions.” For us, it meant:

  • Hosting listening sessions
  • Navigating political landscapes with humility
  • Building coalitions that outlast any single grant cycle

We didn’t chase headlines. We chased impact.

Multiplying the Mission 🔁

In the Benton Institute’s Broadband Champions report, I’m described as a “Multiplier”—someone who expands capacity and belief. Like Walsh, I believe leadership is about unlocking latent potential.

Whether it’s a retired librarian building a municipal network or a tribal elder advocating for fiber, cooperative leadership is about empowering others to lead.

“The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” — Bill Walsh

The Score Takes Care of Itself 🏁

Walsh’s mantra reminds us that if we lead with integrity, prepare with rigor, and serve with humility, results will follow. In the Eastern Upper Peninsula, we’re not just building networks—we’re building a culture of cooperative excellence.

And that, I believe, is the real win.

References 📚

  • Walsh, B., Jamison, S., & Walsh, C. (2009). The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership. Portfolio.
  • Dagg, P. R. (2024). Could It Be Me? Should It Be Me? Understanding What Makes Broadband Champions. Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.