As a kid, I played many a game by Milton Bradley. It seemed like every board game I had was a Milton Bradley game. Battleship, Operation, Barrel of Monkeys, Stratego, to name a few. What a difference a few (say 35) years make. In 2000 baseball star Milton Bradley hit the major leagues. He has always been a tremendous talent, but turmoil follows him wherever he goes. Since breaking into the majors, he has played for seven teams, including the Chicago Cubs this year. He had a great year for the Texas Rangers last year allowing him to sign a three year, $30 million contract prior to the season. We must assume that the Cubs thought that Bradley had turned the corner given his MVP type year in Texas. Unfortunately for all concerned, this was not the case. Let's look at Bradley's year. In April, the league suspended him for a game for bumping an umpire. In June, he threw a ball to fans after recording the second out. Clearly a problem when it takes three outs to complete an inning. In June, Cubs manager Lou Pinella sent him home after a dugout tirade. Fast forward to last week when Bradley felt compelled to complain to a local Chicago paper, the Daily Herald, that "It's not just a positive environment. I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment. There's too many people everywhere in your face with a microphone asking the same questions repeatedly. Everything is just bashing you. You got out there and you play harder than anybody on the field and never get credit for it. It's just negativity. And you understand why they haven't won in 100 years here, because it's negative. It's what it is." General Manager, Jim Hendry, had enough and sent him home for the season with pay.
The question is why would any organization take on a Milton Bradley, Terrell Owens, or Allen Iverson. They are all extremely talented but selfish players creating a cancer in every clubhouse they reside. In each case, with any team, it's addition by subtraction when they leave. For us in our organizations, it's important to realize that talent alone won't ensure results. At the end of the day, organizations do much better with team players who are looking to get results for the benefit of the entire organization-not just themselves. In my experience, it almost never works out for the individual performer in the long run. Their resume gets longer and longer as they wear out their welcome. Even though job movement is not the red flag as it once was-do be aware when a candidate moves every 18 months to 2 years. It probably means they can't integrate into the system. It also means you won't be able to change them either. Let buyer beware when finding talent for your organization. The prima donna may not be the best fit.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Leader's First Test
A couple of weeks ago I was on the couch recovering from foot surgery and taking in any and all sporting events on television. As I was watching SportsCenter that Friday, the lead story was University of Oregon star running back, LeGarrette Blount, punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout in the face. It was quite a blow and knocked Hout down. Blount was restrained but then tried to go after Boise State fans who saw the blow and taunted from the stands. Once Blount was in the locker room and calmed down, he apologized and was contrite, but the damage was done. It turns out this was the first game for Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Quite a situation for a new leader. Kelly, after consulting with the University, suspended Blount for the season effectively ending his college career. He did not end his scholarship and is allowing him to practice with the team. The message here is that unsportsmanlike conduct is not accepted, but we're going to try to make a good citizen out of him. I think it has set a good tone.
Throughout our career we are given new assignments and are tested. For some, like Chip Kelly, it is early in his tenure, for others it may take awhile. How will you react when you are tested? What message will you send? Will this be a pivotal point that your team can look to or will you be inconsistent in your decision making. Time will tell for Chip Kelly, but for any one of us, that test and re-test can come daily.
As a new leader, you want to get the facts and make a decision based on your core values, the organization's core values (hopefully they are in alignment) and what's good for the organization overall. It's a chance for you to define yourself, set boundaries, and show your style of leadership. You must look at these tests as a blueprint going forward, not unlike a court case setting the precedent for future rulings. Though these tests are hard, they have impact. In my opinion, Chip Kelly acted swiftly, did what was right for the organization, but took into account football's responsibility for LeGarrette Blount. Let's see how it plays out.
Throughout our career we are given new assignments and are tested. For some, like Chip Kelly, it is early in his tenure, for others it may take awhile. How will you react when you are tested? What message will you send? Will this be a pivotal point that your team can look to or will you be inconsistent in your decision making. Time will tell for Chip Kelly, but for any one of us, that test and re-test can come daily.
As a new leader, you want to get the facts and make a decision based on your core values, the organization's core values (hopefully they are in alignment) and what's good for the organization overall. It's a chance for you to define yourself, set boundaries, and show your style of leadership. You must look at these tests as a blueprint going forward, not unlike a court case setting the precedent for future rulings. Though these tests are hard, they have impact. In my opinion, Chip Kelly acted swiftly, did what was right for the organization, but took into account football's responsibility for LeGarrette Blount. Let's see how it plays out.
Friday, September 11, 2009
September 11th
Anyone born prior to 1995 remembers the events of September 11, 2001. It was a gorgeous morning; a bright blue sky and a chill in the air. All was perfect. So we thought. The morning turned into something out of a Tom Clancy novel with three attacks on our soil and a fourth thwarted by the heroes of Flight 93 over Pennsylvania. I will never forget that day; where I was, and the uncertainty that plagued the morning. I traveled to New York City frequently in 2001. The following week I was there and couldn't believe what I saw. From the train I saw the smoldering ruins of two great buildings. Once I arrived, there were thousands of pictures of those missing. They were all over the city, especially the train and subway stations. Families who hoped their loved ones were missing and not yet willing to admit they had perished. It was a terrible time but also a patriotic time. Briefly, this country and our allies were united in a way we may never see again.
As September 11th has become more poignant for us, it surprises me how many other events have occurred on this date. We live about five miles from the Brandywine Battlefield, a key battle in the Revolutionary War that almost took the life of George Washington and allowed the British to take Philadelphia. This battle occurred on September 11, 1777.
Other significant events on September 11th include Henry Hudson discovering Manhattan in 1609 (very ironic), the first cartoon appeared in a newspaper in 1875, the Hoover Dam is dedicated in 1936, Holland is liberated by the Allies in 1944, Florence Chadwick becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel (16 hours and 19 minutes) in 1951, and Pete Rose breaks Ty Cobb's record of 4,191 hits in 1985. Our Manager of Office Services, Sue Frantz, was at that game. Who would believe Pete would fall so far?
It is indeed a day to remember. Let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice of all the innocent people who showed up for work on this date in 2001. Let us always be thankful for the first responders and their commitment to saving lives and serving as role models for all of us.
As September 11th has become more poignant for us, it surprises me how many other events have occurred on this date. We live about five miles from the Brandywine Battlefield, a key battle in the Revolutionary War that almost took the life of George Washington and allowed the British to take Philadelphia. This battle occurred on September 11, 1777.
Other significant events on September 11th include Henry Hudson discovering Manhattan in 1609 (very ironic), the first cartoon appeared in a newspaper in 1875, the Hoover Dam is dedicated in 1936, Holland is liberated by the Allies in 1944, Florence Chadwick becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel (16 hours and 19 minutes) in 1951, and Pete Rose breaks Ty Cobb's record of 4,191 hits in 1985. Our Manager of Office Services, Sue Frantz, was at that game. Who would believe Pete would fall so far?
It is indeed a day to remember. Let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice of all the innocent people who showed up for work on this date in 2001. Let us always be thankful for the first responders and their commitment to saving lives and serving as role models for all of us.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hype and Hoopla
Labor Day is by far the best weekend in sports. Baseball pennant races are heating up, the US Open Tennis tournament is in full swing and most importantly, college football begins. Colleges across the country will start their seasons with much hoopla-some have dreams of a national championship. The bands will whip the fans into a frenzy and the atmosphere will be electric. This excitement will continue as long as the team keeps winning. Unfortunately, after a couple of losses, students and fans will find other things to do.
This is not much different than most organizations. How many times has an organization kicked off a new initiative with much fanfare? Members of the leadership team march out and announce that this project will change the course of the organization. Everyone needs to participate and make the initiative happen. Those listening may get fired up for a while, but as soon as obstacles are introduced, that fire cools.
The key to any new initiative is to get "wins" early. Just like a college team builds interest and enthusiasm through good play and early wins, so should an organization. Just as major college football teams pad their schedule with smaller and less talented teams, organizations should go after the easy changes. Do things "they should have done a long time ago." This is called "low hanging fruit" in the business world.
"Wins" translates to interest. Interest translates to engagement. Engagement translates to change. College football teams depend on it-why shouldn't organizations.
This is not much different than most organizations. How many times has an organization kicked off a new initiative with much fanfare? Members of the leadership team march out and announce that this project will change the course of the organization. Everyone needs to participate and make the initiative happen. Those listening may get fired up for a while, but as soon as obstacles are introduced, that fire cools.
The key to any new initiative is to get "wins" early. Just like a college team builds interest and enthusiasm through good play and early wins, so should an organization. Just as major college football teams pad their schedule with smaller and less talented teams, organizations should go after the easy changes. Do things "they should have done a long time ago." This is called "low hanging fruit" in the business world.
"Wins" translates to interest. Interest translates to engagement. Engagement translates to change. College football teams depend on it-why shouldn't organizations.
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