I can't help but feel sorry for the once proud Indianapolis Colts. For the past 11 years, the Colts have made the playoffs in 10 of those years, winning the Super Bowl after the 2006 season. They went again in 2010 but lost a great game to New Orleans. This year, they're win less in eight games. This is a team that is built around one man, Peyton Manning, their quarterback. He has not played one down this year and may not play again. He joined the Colts in 1998 and has set club and NFL records for his passing proficiency. In watching this team, I'm not sure they'll win a game this year. Very sad but very true.
There are many examples in sports where one player can make a difference. Look at David Freese with the World Champion Cardinals. In game 6 last week, he hit a game tying home run in the 9th and won it with a walk-off homer in the 11th. There are thousands of examples where the presence of one player changes the balance of a game or a season. This year, Peyton Manning's absence brings this into focus.
As leaders, think about your team. Though all of us can be replaced-can we be as efficient, productive and effective without your key players? What are you doing to keep them interested and engaged? Most of the time it's not throwing more money, but showing your appreciation. We have to understand that there are game changers in our organization. They should be models for others to improve and excel. This is where the Colts struggle. There is no leadership, there is no direction and the rest of the players aren't able to step up. Don't let this happen in you.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Irrational Exuberance
It was a horrible sports weekend in Philadelphia bookended by the Phillies collapse and Eagles loss. There are two blogs related to those topics swirling in my head. Stay tuned.
Irrational exuberance drives me crazy. As I was channel surfing Saturday night I came across the Ohio State-Nebraska football game. I think I picked up the game in the 4th quarter with the Buckeyes ahead 27-13. Did I say how much I dislike the Buckeyes? Nebraska is driving down the field, picking up rushing yardage at will. On one particular first down play, the Nebraska running backing goes for a nine yard gain. He is tackled hard by Christian Bryant, a defensive back. Mr. Bryant gets up and goes crazy over the hit he just made. He's pounding his chest and high-fiving anyone within reach. He was pretty full of himself. Perhaps he forgot that the back just ran for nine yards on a first and ten and that his defense was being leveled by a superior Nebraska line. No, he didn't care. He was the man!
Another example of over exuberance, perhaps not irrational, is Nyjer Morgan. He is an outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers who has an alter ego named Tony Plush. In my opinion, he is one of the most annoying players in baseball. Unfortunately for all of us who are not Brewers fans, he got the game winning, series winning hit on Friday night. Of course he screamed expletives into the microphone in the post game celebration on the field. He is T-Plush!
Excitement and exuberance are a part of life. No one wants to work with downtrodden people. The workplace and the playing fields need for personalities to come out and shine. But it needs to be done in a reasonable manner appropriate for the setting and situation. Christian Bryant-wrong situation. Nyjer Morgan, er T-Plush, inappropriate language. There is no "I" in team, yet so many players and workers make it about themselves. Maybe that's the economic times we live in, but enough already. I want a strong, dedicated individual working with me that has fun but knows when to focus. As leaders, we need to find a way to harness the energy strong personalities have into something that will improve the results of the team and increase their value to the organization. Good judgement and acting appropriately shouldn't be the exception-it should be the rule.
Irrational exuberance drives me crazy. As I was channel surfing Saturday night I came across the Ohio State-Nebraska football game. I think I picked up the game in the 4th quarter with the Buckeyes ahead 27-13. Did I say how much I dislike the Buckeyes? Nebraska is driving down the field, picking up rushing yardage at will. On one particular first down play, the Nebraska running backing goes for a nine yard gain. He is tackled hard by Christian Bryant, a defensive back. Mr. Bryant gets up and goes crazy over the hit he just made. He's pounding his chest and high-fiving anyone within reach. He was pretty full of himself. Perhaps he forgot that the back just ran for nine yards on a first and ten and that his defense was being leveled by a superior Nebraska line. No, he didn't care. He was the man!
Another example of over exuberance, perhaps not irrational, is Nyjer Morgan. He is an outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers who has an alter ego named Tony Plush. In my opinion, he is one of the most annoying players in baseball. Unfortunately for all of us who are not Brewers fans, he got the game winning, series winning hit on Friday night. Of course he screamed expletives into the microphone in the post game celebration on the field. He is T-Plush!
Excitement and exuberance are a part of life. No one wants to work with downtrodden people. The workplace and the playing fields need for personalities to come out and shine. But it needs to be done in a reasonable manner appropriate for the setting and situation. Christian Bryant-wrong situation. Nyjer Morgan, er T-Plush, inappropriate language. There is no "I" in team, yet so many players and workers make it about themselves. Maybe that's the economic times we live in, but enough already. I want a strong, dedicated individual working with me that has fun but knows when to focus. As leaders, we need to find a way to harness the energy strong personalities have into something that will improve the results of the team and increase their value to the organization. Good judgement and acting appropriately shouldn't be the exception-it should be the rule.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Doing Your Job
Last night, a journeyman outfielder did his job for the Phillies. With two on in the top of the 7th, Ben Francisco hit a three run home run. Though it got close, it was all the Phils needed to win the game and take a 2-1 series lead. This is a guy the team had hopes wold take Jayson Werth's place in right field. It didn't turn out that way. He had some good at bats throughout the season, but will be used in a pinch hitter's role in the post season. By doing his job, it takes the pressure off the rest of the team to do more. The team's star, Ryan Howard went 0-4, but has to feel better that his teammate has his back. It takes a team to win as is proven every night this week in the playoffs.
What if everyone did their job in your organization? What if the CEO didn't have to do more because her CFO wasn't up to the job? What if the payroll clerk had to do his job only and not the work of others? It is important that everyone know their role and perform to the best of their abilities. It's called doing your job. If you don't know what your role is-ask. If you don't like it-leave. Life is too short. As leaders, your job is to define, give feedback and motivate your team to perform when called on and to give a consistently good performance.
Most of us won't have to do our jobs in front of millions of people. We need to perform for those we love and respect. As leaders, we need to set the tone and give encouragement so everyone can do their job. We can all learn from Ben Francisco.
What if everyone did their job in your organization? What if the CEO didn't have to do more because her CFO wasn't up to the job? What if the payroll clerk had to do his job only and not the work of others? It is important that everyone know their role and perform to the best of their abilities. It's called doing your job. If you don't know what your role is-ask. If you don't like it-leave. Life is too short. As leaders, your job is to define, give feedback and motivate your team to perform when called on and to give a consistently good performance.
Most of us won't have to do our jobs in front of millions of people. We need to perform for those we love and respect. As leaders, we need to set the tone and give encouragement so everyone can do their job. We can all learn from Ben Francisco.
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