Why Not?

I just came home from watching the latest Mark Wahlberg move, The Fighter. It's not the best movie I've ever seen, but it was awfully good. It's a story based on two half-brothers, Dicky Eklund and "Irish" Micky Ward. It's a complicated story but shows the importance of inspiration and power of the human spirit. It brought me back to a theme I have believed the last few years. Instead of focusing on why we can't, focus on why not? There are thousands of Micky Ward's in the world in all walks of life. Sure they've had their dark moments, but something inspired them to get off the mat and persevere. In Ward's case, it was his brother, girl friend, family and the town of Lowell, MA. What is it for you?

I still believe it comes down to defining who you want to be. We all have it in us to be more than we are. Life is tough, that's why a compelling vision is required to help us through difficult days and routine. I have been blessed to be surrounded by successful people. As I get older, it becomes a requirement. I look at Joan (my wife) and see all that she accomplished as a business woman and mother. I look at my current boss and former boss, Denise Day and Matt Manion, and see people of vision and belief in their core values. I look at those in my community who I work with and see good and a desire to make their communities better places for all. Given all my blessings-is there any reason I can't be the best husband, father, leader and writer?

As we near the end of January, decide what you want to be and how you wish to get there. Attach yourself to a vision emotionally that will drive you to greatness-however you define it. Let's make a pact that in 2011, we won't leave anything on the table. Let's attack life with all we have. I suspect we'll be energized like never before. Why not be great?

Right-Sized Policies

As I was watching the Steelers game yesterday, I was impressed with their last drive, scoring the winning touchdown with 1:33 left in the game. The two minute drill can be very impressive. We saw the Auburn Tigers do it on Monday. For those who don't watch football, the two minute drill is a set of offensive plays that will get the team in a position to score while taking up little time. Needless to say it's practiced often and requires a cool quarterback and precision routes by the receivers. All of the Hall of Fame quarterbacks excelled in this situation. Currently, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are masters at this drill. Any surprise their teams made the playoffs?

Most entrepreneurs will tell you they don't have use for policies and procedures. It limits their creativity. They can be right, but no business will grow without them. The trick is finding the right policies for your business that will give it structure and processes that can be internalized to grow the business.

I was at the office and an emergency developed. In a daycare area, a young girl fell back in a chair and bumped her head. She blacked out for a short period of time. Was there panic? No, everyone involved followed a practiced procedure that ultimately lead to paramedics arriving. Happily, she was fine. Consider an organization without policies and procedures in the same emergency. There would have been chaos and a lot more people involved than there should be. The same is true in any organization and discipline.

To thrive, don't shy away from creating policies, procedures and processes. On the other hand, don't go crazy and create them without a solid business reason. As the entrepreneur knows, you need to allow for creativity but define the parameters to maximize performance. As always, keep everything in balance and focus on the important goals for your organization.

Twisting in the Wind

I probably shouldn't be surprised that owners often let their coaches and players twist in the wind while looking for a newer and perhaps better model. This works well for cars and other inanimate objects, but not when it comes to human beings.

The latest case occurred this week. Once the Stanford Cardinal football season ended, the feeding frenzy to secure the services of coach Jim Harbaugh began in earnest. He has been the "hot" candidate most of the year with rumors swirling that he was headed to the NFL or back to his alma matter, Michigan.

On Thursday, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and his minions traveled to the Bay area to meet with Harbaugh to find out his interest as their head coach. What about the current coach, Tony Sparano? He hasn't been fired, he is the coach of the Miami Dolphins. What does it say about Ross and the front office of the Dolphins? Did they think no one would find out? Why would a (seemingly) class act like Jim Harbaugh want to work for an organization that reaches out for a new head coach when one is still employed? Why would Tony Sparano want to stay with such an organization?

Apparently Mr. Ross has seen the error of his ways and apologized at a press conference earlier today. To show that there are no hard feelings, he extended Sparano's contract for another two years and says he is "committed to him." Watch your back Coach Sparano!

Reputations are made every day. As a leader, Stephen Ross has a lousy one. Does your organization have leaders like Stephen Ross? If so, clean up the resume and start looking. As discussed here many times, organizations need to adhere to their values. They must walk the talk. It all starts with the leadership.

Decisive

Happy New Year to all. I'm sure all of you are off to a better start than Mike Haywood. For those who don't know, he was named head coach at the University of Pittsburgh on December 16th following a great turnaround at Miami University (OH). On New Year's Eve, Haywood was arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a child in South Bend, IN. On New Year's Day, the University of Pittsburgh fired Haywood saying "head coaches are among the University's most visible representatives and are expected to maintain high standards of personal conduct and to avoid situations that might reflect negatively on the University."

To be sure, being arrested for anything, much less domestic violence, is not an example any organization would want their leadership to display. In making their decision quickly, Pitt has shown decisiveness even though the program is in shambles. There was even some question as to who was going to coach the team in their upcoming bowl game. It will take several weeks to get a replacement which will delay recruiting. This could impact the team for many years. Given all the issues, they have made the right decision.

Organizations define themselves through their actions. Pitt has told the world that they expect a higher standard of their leaders. How does your organization define themselves? Once again, allow your core values to set the tone and dictate the appropriate actions. Would your organization have been as decisive as Pitt? You may want to ask yourselves that question before it's forced on you.