What the 2024/25 Super Bowl Champions can teach us about team dynamics and leadership
When you think of Nick Sirianni, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t improv. But if you take a closer look at how he’s built one of the most dynamic teams in the NFL, you’ll see that he’s (maybe unknowingly) been using the core principles of improv to create a culture of trust, adaptability, and excellence. And that’s exactly why the Eagles aren’t just a collection of talented athletes—they’re Super Bowl champions
To be clear, I don’t know Sirianni from Adam. I’ve never met him, never been in the same room as him, and never got into a back-and-forth with him on the sidelines.
But I do know teams. I know what creates effective teams and drives authentic collaboration and from my view (albeit through a tv screen and car radio), Coach Siranni is implementing a playbook similar to those that we use with companies and organizations on a regular basis.
Three years ago, when Sirianni was hired, the narrative in the media was harsh. Journalists and talking heads were critical of his non-traditional approach to coaching. He was using metaphors of watering gardens and celebrating Rock, Paper, Scissor tournaments (fun fact, we begin most workshops with a similar tournament). As the world critical of Sirianni’s style of leadership because it didn’t feel familiar and fit a mold they had come to expect, I was sitting back and waiting for these roots to take hold and this garden to grow. And here we are…
So, let’s break it down. Here’s how Sirianni’s leadership mirrors the principles of applied improvisation, the same principles we live by at Unscripted Productions.
Radical Acceptance and Contribution
Improv starts with saying "Yes, and..."—radically accepting what’s in front of you and building on it. Sirianni doesn’t walk into the locker room demanding players fit his mold. He embraces who they are and finds ways to maximize their strengths. Look at how he tailored the offense to Jalen Hurts’ unique skill set rather than forcing a system that didn’t fit. Offensive Coordinator, Kellen Moore, deserves credit here, too. That’s radical acceptance in action. From the outset, Sirianni and his staff had no interest in forcing a system. They focus instead on understanding the specific talent they had (acceptance) and then creating an environment around that talent to empower it to thrive (contribution). Even more contribution? That’s every player knowing their role and showing up ready to give their best because they know they’re valued.
Make Your Team Look Good
In improv, your job isn’t to be the star—it’s to make your scene partner shine. That philosophy is at the heart of Sirianni’s coaching. The Eagles thrive because the players buy into a team-first mentality. Whether it’s the offensive line giving Hurts extra time in the pocket, or wide receivers making key blocks to extend a run play, everyone is invested in making each other look good. That’s why you rarely see finger-pointing when things go wrong. Instead, you see accountability and a collective effort to improve. Almost every interview in the past two weeks and post-game witnessed players shining light on their teammates and drawing attention to collective success. No one wanted the spotlight unless their team was beside them.
Make Offers and Accept Gifts (with Authentic Gratitude)
A successful improv scene is built on offers (or gifts)—ideas and actions that move the story forward. And when a teammate gives you something, you don’t reject it; you run with it. Sirianni has fostered an environment where players aren’t afraid to speak up, suggest adjustments, or challenge each other.
AJ Brown is probably the best example of this. Think of how many times the media tried to paint a narrative of toxicity around Brown. They even completely misunderstood him reading a book on the sideline and tried to turn it into defiance. Last night, we saw Brown frustrated after a blown play due to miscommunication. He was fired up. He and Siranni were jawing back and forth. Majority reaction to that moment, “Ohhh here he goes. What a selfish player.” A more accurate response: “Look at how much psychological safety exists on this team. There is healthy space for people to get frustrated and be human.” And what happens a few plays later? AJ Brown scores a touchdown.
Sirianni doesn’t just listen to the voices around him—he integrates these contributions into the team’s strategy, showing authentic gratitude by giving credit where it’s due.
Mistakes are Fumbles; Fumbles are Opportunities
At Unscripted Production, football has inspired our use of “fumbles” instead of “mistakes” in our language. In improv, there are no mistakes—only unexpected gifts. That’s exactly how Sirianni approaches setbacks. Take the last season, for example. The Eagles endured a historic collapse at the end of the season as the limped into the playoffs and exited in the first round.
So what did Sirianni do? He went to school on that experience (fumble). He focused on missed opportunities during that stretch and then looked at what opportunities existed moving forward. The team made some changes in order to amplify the leaders who were focused on the team. He leaned into the team’s strengths, he looked in the mirror and focused on his own strengths and weaknesses. He gave up play-calling to allow him to tap into his actual superpowers: team chemistry, creativity, empowerment, etc.
We saw it again week 5 of this year. The team was 2-2 going into the bye week. And how did they spend that week “off?” Self-assessment. Where were the fumbles and how do they become opportunities? They changed their strategy to focus on the run, they put players in better positions to succeed, they healed some injuries and went on a 10 win stretch.
Rather than dwelling on failures, Sirianni treats them as learning experiences, helping the team bounce back stronger. Just like in improv, the key is embracing the fumble and using it as an opportunity to create something even better.
Bring a Brick, We’ll Build the Cathedral Together
Great teams—and great improv scenes—aren’t built instantly. They’re the result of everyone showing up, day after day, bringing their authentic selves and their best. Sirianni doesn’t demand perfection; he asks for effort. The team spends countless hours in practice working on the fundamentals– punching out the football, two handed catches, securing the ball before making a move. Why? Because you can’t build a cathedral without bricks. You can’t create a Super Bowl Champion team with all the shine and none of the substance.
Each practice, each rep, each game is another brick in the cathedral. The Eagles’ success isn’t about one superstar—it’s about the collective commitment to growth. When everyone buys in, the result is something bigger than any individual: a championship-caliber team.
In Nick Siranni’s world, everyone knows their gifts. No one spends time wishing they had someone else’s gifts, they focus on their own. They strengthen their own and then they focus on how those gifts can stand alongside a teammate’s gifts so that a foundation is created for others to stand firmly supported by the gifts around them.
This is the epitome of selflessness, it is the definition of the 2024/25 Philadelphia Eagles, and it is the blueprint for success.
The Takeaway
Nick Sirianni might not be studying improv exercises in his free time, but his leadership style is a masterclass in the principles that make improv (and great teams) work. By embracing radical acceptance, making teammates look good, encouraging contributions, reframing mistakes, and committing to the long game, he’s created a culture where players don’t just perform—they thrive.
So, whether you’re leading a team on the field, in the office, or anywhere else, take a page from Sirianni’s (and Unscripted’s) playbook. The best teams aren’t just built on talent—they’re built on trust, adaptability, and a shared commitment to something bigger than themselves.
And if you want to see how these principles can transform your own team dynamics, well…you know where to find us.
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